Five essential Christmas concerts in Scotland to book now including The Darkness

These concerts are all guaranteed to get you into the festive mood.

Mock the Week star Hugh Dennis will join the RSNO for their programme of Christmas concerts.

It may only be half way through November but it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

There's plenty of shopping days left but if you're wanting to book up a family show in December it's best to do so in advance - or face disappointment.

For those who don't fancy the traditional panto, there are plenty of musical offerings - here are five of the best.

The RSNO's Christmas Concert

This year the RSNO will be presenting the usual mix of family-friendly festive melodies and singalong carols. There will also be a performance of Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman, which will be shown on the big screen and narrated by special guest star Hugh Dennis. Catch it at Dundee's Caird Hall on December 20, followed by Aberdeen's Music Hall, Edinburgh's Usher Hall and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on consecutive nights.

Phil Cunningham and Friends Christmas

For festive folk music enthusiasts, Phil Cunningham will be joined by the likes of Eddi Reader, Karen Matheson, Kris Drever and John McCusker to perform a mix of favourite classics and contemporary carols and tunes. Starting their tour at Stirling's Albert Halls on December 15, they are also visiting Inverness, Glasgow, Perth and Edinburgh.

Love Actually in Concert

Enjoy watching Richard Curtis' clasic Christmas movie with a twist. Craig Armstrong's score will be played by a full, live orchestra while the 10 interweaving tales of love are projected onto a vast screen. It's on at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on December 1 and then Edinburgh's Usher Hall on December 7.

Handel's Messiah Highlights

St Giles' Cathedral, in Edinburgh, has a series of festive-flavoured concerts programmed, performed in atmospheric candlelight. One of the picks is the Piccadilly Sinfonietta performing cuts from Handel's Messiah, after three pieces by Bach including. There are two chances to see it, on December 11 and 12 - with both performances starting at 7.30pm.

The Darkness

For those who prefer their music a little louder, Justin Hawkins' flamboyant rockers are visiting Edinburgh's O2 Academy on December 5, followed by the Glasgow Barrowlands on December 11. While they are not strictly a festive band, the gigs will be the perfect opportunity to air their cheeky Christmas classic 'Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End)'.