THIS weekend is promising yet another packed programme of activities around Helensburgh and Lomond.

If you're looking for something different to do over the next few days, here's all the information you'll need to keep yourself – and your family – busy around Helensburgh.

* * * * * * * * *

Helensburgh Winter Festival

Two full days of fun activities, Christmas craft and gift stalls, live entertainment and loads more at one of the biggest events in the Helensburgh calendar on both Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1 – click here for full details.

* * * * * * * * *

Christmas Fair

Cardross Parish Church's Christmas fair will be held on Saturday, November 30 from 10am to 12 noon in the church halls.
Stalls include baking, bric-a-brac, books, children's toys, a teddy tombola, Christmas decorations, Fair Trade goods, jewellery, soft goods, toiletries and a raffle.

Donations for all these stalls will be gratefully received prior to the doors opening.

Entry is £3 for adults and £1 and includes entry and refreshments.

* * * * * * * * *

Messy Church

The next Messy Church session in Helensburgh is a 'Christmas Crafts for Families' event at the United Reformed Church in West Princes Street from 10.30am-12.30pm on Saturday, November 30.

As well as making cards, decoration and gifts, the session will look ahead to Christmas with crafts and stories for children aged up to 11, along with their parents and carers.

All children must be accompanied by an adult who is responsible for them. Register on the day; admission is free and includes refreshments, sandwiches and cakes.

* * * * * * * * *

Winter concert

Lomond and Clyde Community Orchestra’s winter concert takes place at the Victoria Halls on Saturday, November 30 at 11am.

Conductor Leon Reimer will lead a programme including a medley from Les Miserables, March to the Scaffold by Berlioz and much more.

Entry is free and there will be coffee and home baking after the concert.

* * * * * * * * *

Football

Football supporters looking for a local game on Saturday afternoon are being encouraged to head along to Rhu Amateurs' League Cup quarter-final tie against Milton AFC at Ardenconnel Park.

Rhu have already pulled off two shocks in this season's tournament, knocking out holders Giffnock North after a penalty shoot-out in the first round before going on to win 5-1 away to top-flight Wishaw Wycombe Wanderers in round two.

Saturday's tie kicks off at 1.30pm and will be decided by a penalty shoot-out if required.

* * * * * * * * *

Christmas sale

The Lochside Churches Guild will hold its Christmas sale in Cove Burgh Hall on Saturday, November 30 from 2-4pm.

Stalls include home baking, tombola, bargains, Christmas gifts, ‘guess the weight of the cake’, and much more.

Admission is free, and teas, coffees, mince pies and shortbread will also be served at a cost of £3. All welcome.

* * * * * * * * *

Orchestral Society

Helensburgh Orchestral Society welcomes Scottish violinist Eve Kennedy as the guest soloist in their concert at the Victoria Halls this Saturday, November 30, at 7.45pm.

Eve will play Tchaikovsky's famous Violin Concerto in D, while the programme also includes Malcolm Arnold's Four Scottish Dances and Amy Beach's Symphony in E minor - 'Gaelic'.

Admission is £10 (£6 for students). Primary school age children get in free when accompanied by an adult.

* * * * * * * * *

Santa Dash

Organised by the Helensburgh and District Round Table as part of the Helensburgh Winter Festival programme. The warm-up in Colquhoun Square starts at 12.15pm on Sunday, December 1, and the dash itself sets off from the square at 12.30pm.

The full route covers 4km, though there's also Santa's Secret Short Cut for younger runners – and those who just want to reduce the distance by half!

Click here to enter. All proceeds from entry fees will go to the Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank and the Visiting Friends project.

* * * * * * * * *

Pop-up art show

Helensburgh-based artist Lesley Carruthers is hosting a pop-up exhibition of her work, under the title 'Seasonal Joy', at the Mackintosh Club in Sinclair Street from 1-4pm on Sunday, December 1 as part of the Winter Festival programme.

Admission is free but you can book tickets in advance to make sure of your place by clicking here.

* * * * * * * * *

Phoenix Choir

The world-famous Glasgow Phoenix Choir will be bringing Helensburgh’s Winter Festival to a spectacular close on Sunday with ‘A Christmas Celebration - A Feast of Seasonal Music’.

The choir, founded in 1951, will be performing at Helensburgh Parish Church under the baton of their new conductor and musical director Kilcreggan man Cameron Murdoch.

The concert will help raise money for charities supported by the Sovereign Order of the Knights of St John Hospitaller.

Tickets (£10) are available from the church box office and from WeGotTickets.com. Doors open at 7pm and the concert starts at 7.30pm.