‘Twas the night before Christmas:

Monday, 24 December from 6pm: Milied Mellieħi – Valletta Waterfront; Monday, 24 December from 8pm: Christmas Vigil Mass in Sagrestia Vault - Vault 1 Upper Floor, Pinto Wharf, Floriana

It can be tough trying to decide what to do on Christmas Eve if you have a small kids, but no (or little) extended family to gather around the tree with. One option has been kindly provided by the Valletta Waterfront which is hosting a range of activities for you and your little ones to see the festivities in. And – because the holiday is not only about presents and chocolate – a Christmas vigil mass is also being held in the Sagrestia Vault at Pinto Wharf on that same promenade.

Monday, 24 December from 9pm: Celebrate Christmas Eve with Offbeat - Offbeat, 106, Merchants Street, Valletta; Monday, 24 December from 11pm: Ġugar! Xmas Eve Party - Ġugar, Hangout & Bar, Republic Street, Valletta

But, for those who are footloose and fancy free of kids – and who are looking for some exceptional music, an intimate vibe and the company of good friends – you can’t go far wrong than heading to Valletta. Both Offbeat and Gugar – two of the capital’s most popular (and cherished) watering holes – have promised to see the holiday in with live music: Mariele Zammit and Joe Debono are playing Christmas Carols at Offbeat, but for those who are looking for something clothed in less tinsel, head to Gugar where Mark Iż-Żiżża (known for his sardonic humour) will be strumming his stuff.

After all that gorging:

Tuesday, 25 December from 5pm: After Nanna's Christmas pudding - Cloudberry Malta, Tigne Seafront, Sliema; Tuesday 25 December from 6pm: Home Alone - The Cinema Bar by Citylights, Valletta.

What to do once you’ve had tour fill of turkey, mince pies and mulled wine…and it’s not even time to slouch on your bed yet? Traditionally, many locals have headed to the cinema to watch the latest Hollywood has to offer but Christmas is also a celebration of nostalgia. And there’s no greater throwback to our childhood than Home Alone, screening at the Cinema Bar by Citylights from 6pm. On the other side of the harbour, Cloudberry Malta in Tigne is offering up some grooves and jives for those who just can’t get enough of the party season.

And for some festivities on stage:

From Wednesday, 26 December at 8pm – Sunday, 13 January at 8pm: The Comedy Knights: Let's Talk About SIX! - Teatru Salesjan, Sliema; From Wednesday, 26 December – Saturday, 5 January, various times: Jack and the Beanstalk - MFCC, Ta' Qali; From Wednesday, 26 December – Sunday, 6 January, various times: Sleeping Beauty – Teatru Manoel, Valletta

Christmas is not complete without the tradition of pantomime – that garish, over-the-top display of frivolity, wit and good cheer. It gives the whole family the opportunity to bond over some laughs, some of which the kids will – thankfully – not get. This year, Jack and the Beanstalk is heading to the MFCC, while Sleeping Beauty is treading the boards at Teatru Manoel in Valletta, which means there’s more than one way of saying: ‘He’s behind you!’ For some more adult fare, however, the Comedy Knights are back with their round-up of the year in Let’s Talk About Six. Expect some acerbic comedy and insightful political digs– all framed in a show brimming over with talent and fun. I’ve got my tickets – do you?