There's much debate over when the festive season actually starts. Shops nationwide would have you believe it’s June sometime but, in fact, it’s closer to mid December (Shock! Horror!). If you ask me, Christmas begins when Ocean Colour Scene take over the Olympia for two nights from December 16, while Kila hit Dolan’s in Limerick, Kerbdog rock out An Cruiscin Lan in Cork, (only to do the same to the Temple Bar Music Centre the next Monday), and Turn play an unmissable gig in Whelans.
Cork plays host to both Aslan (Cork Opera House) and Stanley Super 800 (De Barra’s) on December 17, while Paul McKenna will be reading Dubliner’s minds and generally freaking people out for two nights in Vicar St (all in the name of entertainment, of course). On December 18, Starsailor navigate their way to The Ambassador in Dublin, on their way to Mandela Hall in Belfast the day after.
The Frames play The Music Factory, Carlow, on the 19th and Galway is a pretty happening spot on the 21st with The Revs rocking in Cuba and Damien Dempsey playing in The Radisson SAS.

Now, if all that blew your mind then you’d best prepare for a gale. Oasis kick-off our list of monster gigs; playing the Odyssey Arena in Belfast on December 19 and 20 and The Point Depot, Dublin on December 21 and 22. Blondie plays The Olympia on 19th and 20th and Foo Fighters play the Point on December 20.
On the 23rd you better get those vocal cords ready for the best rendition of ‘Fairytale Of New York’ ever when The Pogues play The Point. And for more McGowan, er, Mania, head to the Voodoo Lounge where he will be hosting Transmission straight after the gig. If you can’t make it to the Point but are still in Dublin and in the mood for a bit of a sing-song, head to Vicar St to catch Mundy and his cowboy hat.
All the while, Christ Martin And The Martini’s (otherwise known as Coldplay) make an unexpected appearance at the Odyssey Arena, Belfast, on December 21, and Rod ‘A Surprising Number Of People Still Think I’m Sexy’ Stewart takes-over the venue on the 23rd. Impressive, non?

Ok, now we can take a breather for Christmas. Decking halls with jingle bells and holly and all that. Now back to business.

Jacques Le Conte takes a break from making sweet music with Madonna to play in Katy Daly’s in Belfast on the 26th and Fighting With Wire hit Auntie Annie’s of the same township on December 28. Lir play Whelans of Dublin on December 29 and our favourite maracas master, Bez, headlines the Transmission DJ set in Voodoo Lounge on the 30th while The Saw Doctors play the Royal Theatre in Castlebar, Mayo, on the same night.
However, if music just ain’t your thang but watching grown men seriously injure themselves is, look no further than An Cruiscin Lan in Cork where those filthy Dirty Sanchez boys will be doing just that on the 30th.

As for New Years, there’s plenty to get the party started and keep it going till mid 2006. Dubliners can head to Vicar St to join Declan O’Rourke, to Whelans to catch The Chalets and some friends of theirs, to Radio City for some top-class dance musique from DJ Johnathan Lisle, or to the Temple Bar Music Centre for a bash with Hospital and Clampdown.
Emerging experimental rockers, Ten Past Seven, play The High Stool in Limerick city while Aslan ring in the new year at The Music Factory in Carlow. And The Saw Doctors head back to Galway for their new years party in the Black Box, perhaps singing a tune or two about the new Loughrea by-pass.

Don’t think the festive season is over just yet however, save that hangover for February as Brendan Grace and Des Bishop supply the laughter in Mayo (Mr Grace on January 1) and Dublin (Mr. Bishop on January 5-7), Mogwai supplies the music in both Dublin, (Temple Bar Music centre on the 7th) and Belfast (Spring & Airbreak on the 8th), and James Blunt makes all the girls cry in Millstreet, Cork (January 6) and The Point, Dublin (January 7).
All the while Phil Lynott will be remembered in The 20th Vibe for Philo that will be touring the country and stopping in Vicar St, Dublin, on the 4th, the Savoy Theatre, Cork, on the 5th, Langtons in Kilkenny on the 6th, and Dolan’s Warehouse, Limerick, on the 7th.

So what are you waiting for? Ditch that stocking and head the where the real fun is at for a truly merry Christmas.