Eye lights

Trip to a different light fantastic and get on down to the Special Christmas Tea Dance. Here you will be able to glide, swing and waltz around the dance floor. The splendour of your moves will only be matched by the elegant surroundings of mistletoe and chandeliers at East London's premier ballroom. Call 0181 534 7835 for tickets. pounds 2.50/pounds 2.00 concessions.

There will be more tuneful versions than your usual Christmas carols on the doorstep at a concert in Birmingham tonight. The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Simon Halsey, performs a programme of seasonal music and carols. Birmingham Symphony Hall, Broad Street; 0121 212 3333.

Festive music must be accompanied by festive consumption, as the rise in sales of Alka-Seltzer would suggest. Which is why the wine expert Malcolm Gluck will be signing copies of his book at Hammicks Bookshop, 257 High St, Walthamstow London E17 (0181 501 8313). Just think - it will mean extra brownie points on Christmas Day if you can say you didn't just grab a cookery book as an afterthought, but with much effort you managed to track down the author.

To put the recent cold snap in perspective, visit Talvi, a visual "installation" stemming from Finnish for winter-time. Inspired by Finland's landscape, the artists have created innovative representations such as Helena Heitanen's Technolace imitation of frost patterns. At the Barbican Concourse, Silk Street, London EC2. Entrance Free.

Jump around to Travis and Ultrasound tonight. These indie-rockers offer a musical score to revel in, with the grinning and happy melodies of Travis coupled with the Radiohead-angst like Ultrasound. Should set the stage on fire. At Venue, Edinburgh (0131 557 3073).