Christmas doesn't begin in our house until December 1st as our daughter turns into a teenager the day before and nothing (and she means nothing!) is more important than that.

For the rest of the country, the Christmas season is already in full swing and the Late Late Toy Show is also on Friday night.

However, not every event has to include a big man with a white beard and there are loads of shows, events and activities happening all over the country.

We will publish a full list of Christmas events next week but here are a few ideas to entertain the family this weekend.

Have fun!

1) Taste Dublin | Festive Edition
Have you started planning your Christmas lunch? The festive edition of Taste of Dublin, running from Thursday to Sunday in the RDS, provides an opportunity to source essential ingredients, engage with Ireland's top culinary talent and enjoy some festive masterclasses. 

2) Limbrick City | A Very Merry Brickmas
Two days of fun this weekend featuring an amazing selection of custom Lego models, a massive Lego play area including a custom Lego wall to build on, workshops, competitions, vendors selling Lego figures, Lego sets, Lego Jewellery and much more.

3) Christmas at Wallaby Woods
Santa will be visiting Wallaby Woods from this weekend for another magical Christmas experience.

Meet the elves, partake in some Christmas crafts, visit with Santa and Mrs Claus, get your pressie, watch a Christmas movie while the farm will also be open as normal. Book in advance to secure your preferred slot.

4) Savour the Flavour
Savour the Flavour of Donegal Town takes place this weekend showing visitors the best food and drink Donegal Town has to offer as well as workshops, walks, tours, the annual Christmas Lights Switch On and the main event in the Abbey Hotel on Saturday with children's entertainment, demonstrations, craft fair and lots more.

5) Boogie Bunnies Opening Party
A team of well-qualified professionals, both at dancing and child-minding believe it's a good start to let children be children, playing through dancing without the pressure of choreographies, but rather relaxing and having fun together.

So they decided to launch Boogie Bunnies this weekend; children have fun while parents can relax with a cup of tea. Available every Saturday and Sunday in Leisureland, Galway.

6) Santa Arrival at Wells House
See Santa ride through the gates at 2pm on Sunday and take his place in front of the house where he and Mrs. Claus will greet all the boys and girls. There will also be some season-worthy festivities, craft courtyard and fun for all on the day.

7) Dinosaur Lego Workshop | Kidspace Rathcoole
Dinosaurs may be gone, but they are not forgotten! Kids will love this 2 hour Lego building, dinosaur-themed workshop, learning to build models of a T-Rex, Brontosaurus, Velociraptor or Triceratops led by the amazing team at 'Bricks 4 Kidz'.

8) Jack & The Beanstalk
Cork’s favourite panto is back this weekend– and it’s full of beans – oh, yes it is!  When you think of a huge beanstalk, magic beans, a giant and a golden goose – what have you got? This year’s panto, Jack and the Beanstalk.

9) Rebel Wheelers Annual Fundraiser
Rebel Wheelers is having its annual fundraising day this Sunday at Neptune Stadium, Cork. The community organisation for physically disabled athletes will host around 20 teams from Cork businesses as well as other community groups in on-court wheelchair sport battles. 

Funds raised through the 'Roll With Rebel Wheelers’ event will go towards equipment costs for Rebel Wheelers’ group of adult and child athletes. 

10) Killarney Lego Show
Fun Lego exhibition on Sunday with some amazing original models and exclusive Lego sets on display, huge Lego play area, free speed build competition, free face painting, sensory area, colouring and stalls. Booking in advance essential.

11) Santa's Sooty Christmas
It’s the day before Christmas Eve. Cheerful chimney-sweep Rudi is cleaning all the chimneys – to make sure they are ready for Santa – but Rudi gets a very nasty shock! Family Fun at a Christmas Panto at Wexford Arts Centre this Saturday.

12) The Fregoli Heart Project | Axis Ballymun
The Fregoli Heart Project, on Saturday at 7pm, is a performance devised from stories from the public about love in all its forms. These stories are presented through dialogue, movement, music, dance, imagery, storytelling and vocal expression.

There is a cast of 17, four core performers, 8 young dancers from Direct Provision in Galway and five young actors from the Bohermore Youth Drama Group in Galway city. 

13) Family Fun Day | Jumplanes Galway
To celebrate the official launch of their new Jump & Dunk Trampoline Arena, Jumplanes Galway are hosting a massive Family Fun Day this Sunday, with HALF PRICE entry, FREE entertainment, FREE giveaways and lots of fun.

Three things to do next week:

1) Rediscover Christmas Fair
The Rediscovery Centre is hosting its own Rediscover Christmas Fair on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

There will be a large selection of stalls with independent suppliers who sell sustainably made products. There will also be plenty of activities for all the family with Christmas movies, demonstrations and festive food.

2) Cheerios Christmas Panto
One of the most successful shows every year in Dublin and this year's show promises to be the most spectacular in their new purpose built Panto Dome at Kilmainham Hospital from December 5th.

Written by Karl Broderick, Cinderella features the return of Alan Hughes as Sammy Sausages and Rob Murphy as Buffy and promises a fun and festive family show. I swear on my hair!

3) Wilde Christmas House Tour | Russborough House
Russborough is transformed this Christmas into a Winter Wonderland inspired by Oscar Wilde's Stories for Children. The Happy Prince, The Selfish Giant and The Nightingale and the Rose all feature as you enjoy a festive adventure through Russborough's elegant interiors, specially tailored for the youngest yuletide visitors.

YourDaysOut is the No.1 community in Ireland for people finding and sharing fun things to do including events, family breaks and Christmas events in Ireland. Businesses can also add extra tools to their pages to reach new customers, engage with regulars and create tickets to sell online, for less!