History - Let it snoweth

We know for sure they didn't have fairy lights, plum pudding or Slade songs, so how did medieval people celebrate Christmas? Find out at the National Museum, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, where you can meet characters from times past who tell you their tales. A feast for the senses is promised. No booking required. Sunday, 5 December, 2pm-4.30pm.

Food - Festive feast

Gadgets, master classes, artisan suppliers and of course delicious food and drink – it's all happening at Food and Wine magazine's Christmas show in the RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin. Catch chefs Dylan McGrath and Neven Maguire demonstrating their skills this afternoon. A family ticket (two adults and two children) costs €30 and includes a visit to Santa.

Outdoor cinema - Life is sweet

As if we need any further encouragement to scoff chocolate at this time of year... but Chocolate Christmas in Temple Bar, Dublin, 3-5 December, has us salivating. With workshops, demonstrations and much more, some events are ticketed and others are free. While we can't find a direct link between chocolate and It's a Wonderful Life, it just wouldn't be Christmas without this classic Capra film. It's showing at 8pm, Saturday, 4 December, Meeting House Square, Temple Bar. Free but tickets required. Visit www.templebar.ie for details.

Day out - Park, the herald!

Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park has a most wonderful Christmas programme, which starts next Saturday. There's a food market in the farmyard, an outdoors festive crib, storytelling for children, carol singing and a magic show. It's all free and no tickets are required. See farmleigh.ie for details.

Panto - Jack is back. Oh yes he is!

George McMahon is back as Jack in the panto Jack and the Beanstalk in the Helix, DCU, opening this evening at 4pm. Emma Warren, from BBC's Over the Rainbow, is Jill. Runs until 16 January. Adults €24, children, €20. See www.helix.ie.

Classical music - Tribal gathering

Galwegians are in for a treat of seasonal music by Mozart, Corelli, Bartok, Bach and Hayden, throughout the month of December, and all for free. The Con Tempo Quartet will be playing a number of venues across the city including the City Library, 7 December, at 12.50pm, and the chapel at University College Hospital Galway, 9th, at 2pm. See www.thegalwaymusicresidency.ie for further details.