The Rio is showing from 5 December the Irish comedy Intermission, starring Colin Farrell, Cillian Murphy and Kelly MacDonald. The movie, directed by debutfilm-maker John Crowley, has beendescribed as ‘one of the most assured Irish films in memory’. From Wednesday 17 December the main feature is Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and this adaptation of Tolkien will run for three weeks. Grab your choc ice, popcorn and a cuddly little Hobbit and sink into this enthralling saga of Middle Earth as it approaches its climax. Casper the friendly ghost is making an appearance on 9 December at 4.25pm, and the 101 Dalmatians, with the nasty Cruella De Ville and her gormless servants, is showing at the Xmas party on 13 December at 11am. The same weekend sees a double bill of Buffalo Soldiers and Goodbye Lenin. Find out more about the Rio on www.riocinema.org.uk   or phone 020 7241 9410.

The Hackney Empire will be opening again in January and in the meanwhile the Bullion Room Theatre is staging the annual pantomime. Two out-of-work actors, a builder, his nephew, a glamorous cat called Bentolina and a mouse called Charlie are locked in a studio theatre with an audience to entertain. They decide to tell the story of A Christmas Carol... Adapted and directed by Susie McKenna, the cast includes MTV’s Kat and Choice FM’s Wayne Rollins. Performances at 1.30pm (weekdays), 2.30pm (Sat, Sun) and 7pm. Tickets from £8-£12. On 14 December the Vellinger String Quartet give a morning concert (11.30am) in what will be a regular monthly event. Also on the 14th the Naughty Nineties present Old Time Music Hall featuring memorable songs from the good old days (£8, 7.30pm). Box office 020 8985 2424, www.hackneyempire.co.uk .

A major new exhibition has just opened at Hackney Museum. Titled Peculiar Portraits – Curious Photographs from Arthur Easson’s Hackney Studio 1880-1890, the photos were recently discovered in a Dalston basement, and focus on local families taken at milestones in their lives. There are also a number of adult and children’s events linked to the exhibition. Call 020 8356 3500 or hmuseum@hackney.gov.uk.

The Arcola Theatre is entering the Xmas spirit with its production of Kismet, a musical tale set in old Baghdad. First performed on Broadway in 1953, Kismet was an overnight sensation winning 6 Tony Awards – including the only posthumous Tony ever awarded for Borodin’s melodies. This will be its first major British revival set in the ruins of 11th century Baghdad featuring shadow puppets, exquisite costumes and movement influenced by ancient Abyssinian ritual dances. The cast is multiethnic, including members of the local Turkish community. Performances 8pm (Wed and Fri matinees at 1.30pm) until 3 January, £10 (Tues, pay what you can – a nice touch). 020 7503 1646, www.arcolatheatre.com .

The Geffrye Museum will be hosting Find Your Festive Spirit between 5pm and 8pm on 11 December, followed on the 18th with a Candlelit Concert featuring a cappella group Bocca Aperta singing carols. Starts 8pm, tickets in advance £10. A special exhibition – Home and Garden : Domestic Spaces in paintings from 1675-1830 – until 18 January. www.geffryemuseum.org,uk , 020 7739 9893.

More locally, several of the bars in the area display photographs and art on a regular, rotating basis, including Ryan’s, Booth’s and the Tup. Phone the pubs for more information.