Communities across the UK come alive this winter as professional theatre, dance, music, comedy, and storytelling envelop village halls and community spaces.

The National Rural Touring Forum (NRTF) believes village halls are the lifeblood of rural areas, playing a crucial role in delivering cultural experiences to communities off the beaten track.

As the autumn/winter season reaches its thrilling peak over the next few weeks NRTF encourages everyone to check out a show in their local village.

Holly Lombardo, Director of National Rural Touring, says: 

“Rural touring brings the very best cultural offerings right to your doorstep. Village halls and social clubs are vital hubs for this creativity, yet they face challenges like rising bills and operating costs.

“Every ticket sold supports the survival of these venues and the community’s access to fantastic performances. Your ticket makes a difference!”

With hundreds of shows happening in rural and community spaces across the country, there’s something for everyone this winter. Don’t miss the chance to be part of these unmissable cultural events and support your local community by attending a Rural Touring show.

Rural touring is an innovative and vibrant network of thousands of professional shows coming to spaces near you - to find out where your nearest venue is check out the NRTF website and find your local Scheme - www.ruraltouring.org

Hundreds of shows are taking place across the country this Christmas season. Here are some highlights:

Polaris The Snow Bear - from Badapple Theatre Company
A family show that sees a travelling bear on the longest journey of his life on an iceberg in a small northern village. Can he put everything right in time for Christmas? This production has 24 dates across the festive season across the length and breadth of the country. Including dates across Cumbria. More details here.

Christmas. Time. - from Near-ta Theatre
Cornwall’s acclaimed Near-ta Theatre brings bucketloads of Christmas spirit and festive cheer to village halls in Dorset, Somerset and Cornwall this December with their hit festive comedy based in a prison. More details here.

Devilled Eggs
From acclaimed theatre makers Black Liver, Devilled Eggs is their latest two-hander about a guest house over the span of a one night stay (breakfast included!). Like the eggs The Dakota serves at breakfast, this show is fresh, cheeky, and devilishly spicy! Taking place at Shakespeare North, Prescot, Merseyside More details here.

Father Christmas - A storytelling show
A fun and festive live storytelling event with the one and only Father Christmas for a wonderful show (lasting approx 45 mins), packed with all of the festive feel-good.Shows taking place at Start Yard Birkenhead, Wirral, Mold north Wales and Pound Arts Corsham, Wiltshire.

The Snow Queen - by Theatix Arts
The Toy Maker is in his workshop, making toys for the children when all of a sudden they come to life to tell the story of The Snow Queen. Follow Gerda on her adventures as she sets out to rescue her brother Kai from the evil Snow Queen who is holding him prisoner in her ice palace and meet the magical creatures who help her on her mission. Taking place at venues across the north east through North East Arts Touring. Details of all performances here.

The Christmas Elves - by Circus Berzercus
The Christmas countdown has started, everywhere elves are busy preparing and wrapping presents. Will Gerald and Wallace manage to get their presents ready in time …….or will they get distracted by all the Circus equipment they have been asked to wrap! These very excited Christmas Elves have an important job to do for Santa, to test then wrap all the presents going to the circus. A children’s and family show packed with magical illusions, great circus skills and hilarious interaction with the audience. Venues across Wales thanks to Noson Allan Night Out. Details here.

The Hare and The Moon + Lantern Workshop (by Eye of the Newt Theatre Company)
Performed in miniature on beautiful sets built within a vintage suitcase. Performances across Blackburn, Lancashire. The short tale, which is less than five minutes in duration, is told through puppetry, spoken word, and music. Children and adults alike will be charmed by this enchanting story of night skies, light and the joy of friendship. After the show, you’ll make a beautiful oiled paper lantern to take away with you and remember the show. Brought to Lancashire thanks to Spot-On. Tickets