December 8th-14th.
Carolling
The Lassus Scholars and Piccolo Lasso sing carols at Collins Barracks at 2pm today while Carols for Freedom, tonight at 7pm in Christchurch Cathedral, is Amnesty International's annual carol-singing concert. Christchurch Cathedral Choir presents favourite carols on Wednesday at 8pm (01-6778099). The Irish chamber choir Resurgam is synonymous with Handel's Messiah and its performance in St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin (Wednesday, 01-4539472), is a must-see. The choir is teaming up with Camerata Kilkenny, led by Swiss violinist Maya Homburger and touring to Galway (Thursday, Collegiate Church of St Nicholas, 091-561766) and Waterford (Friday, Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, 051-855038).
Art as gifts
Temple Bar Gallery & Studios will be transformed into The BiG Store, specialising in contemporary art from 6pm Thursday until December 22nd. With prices ranging from €5 to €5,000, it features specially commissioned work from more than 80 Irish and international artists (01-6710073). The Oriel Gallery on Dublin's Clare Street is hosting an exhibition of important Irish paintings until December 22nd, with work by Markey Robinson, Paul Henry and Mary Swanzy. Prices range from €1,000 to €250,000. www.theoriel.com.
Sankta lucia
December 13th is Sankta Lucia in Sweden, a day when Swedes celebrate the renewal of light. On Thursday at 7.30pm in the Sacred Heart Church, Donnybrook, the Umeå Dragon School Youth Choir from northern Sweden will perform a concert and Lucia celebration. Tickets, €10 from the Swedish Embassy, 01-4744400.
Freebies
Strangers to Citizens: the Irish in Europe 1600-1800 is a fascinating exhibition at the National Library of Ireland which tells the story of how Irish emigrants integrated in their host countries in continental Europe. It starts on Wednesday and runs throughout 2008. www.nli.ie. An exhibition of original etchings by Salvador Dali runs at the Kenny Gallery in Galway until December 16th. www.thekennygallery.ie
Christmas cheer
The 12 Days of Christmas at Docklands starts Wednesday and runs until the December 23rd, with 80 chalet market stalls, mulled wine, festive music, carol singing and a special Santa's Post Office. The festival takes place on George's Dock in the IFSC, alongside the chq building.
Daghdha Dance Company, Limerick hosts its Gravity & Grace International Dance Festival Thursday to Sunday. Admission is free to St John's Church, John's Square, Limerick. (061-467872), www.daghdha.ie.
Giving
In aid of the Alzheimer Mid-West Respite Centre, John O'Conor and the Irish Chamber Orchestra perform a programme that includes Beethoven's second piano concerto on Thursday at the University Concert Hall Limerick. They perform Friday at CIT Cork School of Music. www.irishchamberorchestra.com.
And finally . . .
Hughes & Hughes hosts an author luncheon at noon today at the Royal Marine Hotel, Dún Laoghaire, featuring Booker winner Anne Enright, Irish Times columnist Paul Howard (aka Ross O'Carroll Kelly), and David McWilliams. Tickets are €50 from 01-2020010. Fans of Rhonda Byrne's The Secret will be pleased to hear that philosopher and author Dr John Demartini will be speaking at the Hogan Suite, Croke Park, on Wednesday at 7pm. Tickets are €60. 01-4433326.
- Michael Kelly