A JOYFUL festive treat is promised at Skipton Town Hall in December with a family concert of Christmas classics, carols and a tale written by poet, playwright and broadcaster Ian McMillan.

A 'Reet Yorkshire Brass Do' on the afternoon of Saturday, December 2 promises to get everyone feeling festive with the help of the lively Huddersfield University Brass Band, conducted by Skipton's Ben Crick, and actor Claire Marie Seddon, who will narrate McMillan's heart-warming Yorkshire Christmas tale.

On Friday, December 1, Ben Crick will also direct and be the conductor for a performance of Handel’s ever-popular masterpiece Messiah.

Some 200 years ago, Handel’s Messiah was the biggest hit in the history of British music and with moments like ‘Ev’ry Valley’, ‘For Unto Us A Child is Born’ and ‘The Trumpet Shall Sound’, it’s easy to understand why.

Messiah is both a classical masterpiece and a national institution. Highly regarded for its musical and emotional expressiveness, Messiah’s popularity owes much to its ability to appeal to a wide range of listeners.

It will be brought to Skipton by the Clothworkers Consort of Leeds, and the Skipton Building Society Camerata.

The town hall will once again be filled with the music of brass on December 8 with the world famous Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band. The multi award-winning British Open Champions will play a mix of traditional Christmas pieces, medleys and carols.

For a change of scene, fans of Chris Difford, co-founder of the band Squeeze, Grammy nominated and double Ivor Novello Award winning songwriter, are in for a treat with an evening of music at the town hall on December 3.

"Being on tour is something I really enjoy, seeing people and being with people is part of my experience as a performer," says Chris.

"I will be playing songs from the Squeeze catalogue and from the solo albums I have recorded over the last 23 years. My story is told through stand up and some sit down, a trip back to my council estate in South London, from my very first lyrical expression to the dressing rooms of this show.

‘Not Only But Also’ is not just a look back on 50 lyrical years, it’s a journey that asks, What Happened? What happened to all those years and mates I grew up with before I formed a band."

On December 9, Skipton Comedy Live Christmas presented by Special Plane Comedy will feature some of the best stand-up the UK has to offer - the line-up is still to be announced for the show, which is for the over 18s.

Also taking place in the run-up to Christmas are workshops for children and families, a Santa Claus pyjama party, art club and a a Christmas tea dance on December 12.

To find out more, and book tickets, go to: https://skiptontownhall.co.uk