The Fourth Wise Man: The Ark Children's Cultural Centre, Temple Bar, Dublin
A comic twist on the traditional Christmas story of the Three Wise Men. Written and directed by John Browne and Johnny Hanrahan with a cast of six, and live music. Suitable for six to 12-year-olds. Opens December 27th at 4 p.m. Shows run on December 28th to 30th at 1 p.m./4 p.m.; January 3rd at 4 p.m., and January 4th to 7th at 1 p.m./4 p.m. Tickets: £6. (01-6707788)
Mufaro: City Arts Centre, Moss St, Dublin 2
A traditional African story with a 21st-century spin from Small World Theatre. This innovative company uses a mix of life-size and shadow puppetry, performance, video animation, masks and mime. Suitable for five to nine-year-olds. Shows run from December 11th to 15th at 10 a.m. and noon. Tickets: £3. (01-6770643)
Ag Fanacht le Daidi na Nollag: Crypt Arts Centre, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2
An action-packed puppet show as Gaeilge for four to eight-year-olds. Animal characters, Bric the singing badger, Gugu the talented dog and Olga the dancing ostrich will lead the singing and dancing, with a tuneless crow trying to steal the show. December 11th to December 23rd at noon. Tickets: £3. Extra morning shows likely. (01-6713387)
Oscar Wilde's The Star Child and Other Stories: Space Up- stairs, Project Theatre
A Christmas production of three of Oscar Wilde's best-loved fairytales, The Happy Prince, The Star Child and The Selfish Giant with actors and puppets. Suitable for six-year-olds and upwards. From December 29th to January 20th. Tickets: £7 (1850260027)
Alice's Adventures in Wonder- land: Civic Theatre, Tallaght
The Belfast composer Paul Boyd has transformed Lewis Carroll's classic tale into a charming musical for all the family. Suitable for six-year-olds and upwards. Opens December 26th at 3 p.m. and continues until January 21st. Tickets: £12/ £8 (01-4627477)
The Quest of the Good People: Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire Opens December 7th with a charity gala show at 8 p.m. (see panel)
The Tinder Box: Lambert Puppet Theatre, Monkstown, Co Dublin
This festive tale from Hans Christian Andersen will enthral all those who make their way to the Lambert Puppet Theatre for a seasonal outing. Shows at 3.30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday before Christmas. Daily at 3.30 p.m. from December 26th to January 7th. Tickets £5 (012800974)
The Carpet of Dreams: Old Museum Arts Centre, Belfast Puppetus Productions, in association with Young at Art, presents this magical Christmas show for three to eight-year-olds. Described as a wonderful journey to dreamland, this wordless show was a huge hit when it was first performed at the Young at Art festival in May 2000. From December 11th to 15th at 10.30 a.m. (additional 7 p.m. shows on December 7th/14th and Saturday shows on December 9th/16th have an 11 a.m. start time). Tickets: £3 (048-90-233332)
A Child's Christmas in Wales: Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick
Theatre na Nog from Wales presents this special musical adaptation of the famous children's book by Dylan Thomas at 8 p.m. on December 7th to 9th, and 11 a.m. on December 7th. Tickets: £12. (061319866)
Roolaboola Children's Festival: Linenhall Arts Centre, Castle- bar, Co Mayo
Spring Onion Puppet Co, Dog and String Theatre and Theatr Iolo bring wonderful productions to the Linenhall from Friday, December 8th to Sunday December 10th. Tickets: £2 (094-28886)
