Five events to enjoy during 'Christmas Week' and beyond

1. Theatre of Widdershins: Rumpelstiltskin and the Snail of Destiny, Colchester Arts Centre, Church Street, December 29 to 31, various times. £5.95. 01206 500900.

Widdershins is possibly the best children’s theatre company around. This year there’s another very funny twist on a classic as poor Polly Buckwheat, the Miller’s daughter, is in a bit of a pickle because she doesn’t turn a roomful of straw into gold by morning, the greedy King will turn a bit nasty. But should she accept the kind help of an eccentric dwarf who mysteriously appears in her prison cell?

2. La Belle Epoque, Firstsite art gallery, Lewis Gardens, Colchester, Monday, December 30, 7.30pm. £8, £7 for concessions. 01206 713700.

An absolute French escapist classic. What if you had the chance to re-enact any period? Would you travel to Marie Antoinette’s court or William Shakespeare’s Globe? For Victor (Daniel Auteuil), given the choice, by an immersive re-enactment company, he wants to go back to the night in 1974 when he met his wife (Fanny Ardant).

3. Cinderella, Mercury at Abbey Field, Circular Road East, Colchester, until January 5, various times. 01206 573948.

Don’t miss the chance to see perhaps the town’s first, and may be only, pantomime under canvas. It’s packed with laughs, song and loads of magical touches for young and old.

4. Electric Ocean, Upstairs at Three Wise Monkeys, High Street, Colchester, December 28, doors 8.30pm. £7. 01206 543014.

Keep the party jumping with one of the best live covers bands around playing a range of styles from modern indie numbers and classic rock n roll as well as hip hop and reggae.

5. Sir Bob Russell’s 12th annual New Year’s Day Walk, starts Balkerne Gate, Colchester, January 1, 10am. £5 donation.

A gentle stroll of just under two miles around the entire Roman Wall in which Sir Bob will stop to talk about specific matters of historic interest. No booking needed, just turn up and enjoy.