ALTHOUGH many shows and performances in Dorset have been cancelled this year due to the pandemic, there are still events taking place during the festive season.

Here are five shows that you can watch in Dorset.

1. Happy Ever After

CBeebies' Chris Jarvis is to direct and star in Happy Ever After, a show for Christmas at Lighthouse, Poole, this December.

The one hour show, which has also been written by Chris, features a host of familiar friends from the world of pantomime. along with a medley of Christmas songs.

During the show, spectators will discover what happens to famous pantomime faces such as Cinderella and Humpty Dumpty after their story ends.

Happy Ever After will open on Friday, December 18 and run until Sunday, January 3 with three shows a day most days.

There will be no shows on December 21, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

All tickets are £12.50 and come with a free ice-cream.

You can purchase tickets here: https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/whats-on/2020/happy-ever-after/

2. The Nutcracker

The Regent Centre will be streaming Peter Wright's interpretation of The Nutcracker, danced to Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score.

This performance stars Lauren Cuthbertson, Federico Bonelli, Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell.

You can watch The Nutcracker on Thursday, December 10 at 2.30pm or 7.30pm.

Tickets can be purchased from the Regent Centre website: https://regentcentre.co.uk/comingsoon.php

3. That'll Be The Day Socially Distanced Christmas Show

One of the most popular touring productions in the UK is coming to Bournemouth Pavilion this December.

That'll Be The Day combines the best pop Christmas classics and traditional Christmas songs with hilarious comedy routines.

The audience is taken on a rollercoaster sleigh ride through the ‘golden’ age of rock & roll and pop.

Tickets cost £31 and can be bought here: http://www.bournemouthpavilion.co.uk/whats-on/thatll-be-the-day-xmas-pavilion-2020/

4. Jack & The Beanstalk

Following the success of Cinderella and Dick Whittington, Made-to-Measure Productions are delighted to be returning to Wimborne’s Tivoli Theatre this Christmas with Jack & The Beanstalk.

According to Made-to-Measure, this year’s pantomime will be bigger, brighter and even funnier than previous shows.

This pantomime will boast stunning scenery, colourful costumes, toe-tapping songs and impressive illusions.

Jack & The Beanstalk will run from December 18 2020 to January 4 2021 and tickets are available online at tivoliwimborne.co.uk or by calling the Box Office on 01202 88 55 66.

Performance times can also be found on the Tivoli website.

'Grown-Ups Only' performances of this year’s production are also available.

5. Bolshoi Ballet 'The Nutcracker'

Shaftesbury Arts Centre is showing an alternative recorded production of The Nutcracker this festive season.

This holiday classic is the Bolshoi’s ode to wonder and imagination.

Audiences of all ages will be carried away on an enchanting journey of their dreams with young Marie and her Prince.

You can watch 'The Nutcracker' on December 20 at 2pm or 7pm.

Tickets cost £15 for adults or £12 for under 18s and they can be purchased here: https://shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk/events/bolshoi-ballet-the-nutcracker-2/