Since it's the season of good will, there are a couple of benefit gigs coming up that should be great fun, so easing the conscience needn't be the only reason to support. Tuesday December 23rd brings King Sativa, Blood or Whiskey and Pinhead (Ramones tribute) together to play the Joe Strummer Anniversary gig at the Temple Bar Music Centre, and it's all in aid of Concern.

In Whelan's on Friday December 26th, a night 'For the Kids’ will see Glen Hansard, Paddy Casey, Goodtime John and friends take the stage for the Children's Leukemia Fund, based at Crumlin Children's Hospital.

For fans of electronica and good quality weirdness, this Christmas holds many a surprise. First of all there's a label showcase in the Village on Sunday 21st, where not one, but six labels are involved in the festivities. The live acts lined up for Nollaig Noodles are Spectac (FES), Destrvkt ( Cfour), Herv (Compactrisc), T ( Dratpak), Thalamus (Alphabet Set), The Fear Board of Directors (Fear) and Karla (DJ).

Dublin's favourite nine-piece, The Jimmy Cake, are playing with electronic whiz kid Max Tundra (Domino Records), for a once-off gig together in Whelan's on the 23rd.

Schneider TM is also doing a couple of dates worth mentioning. They play the Redroom, Cork, on the 19th and The Sugar Club, Dublin, on the 20th. (Schneider TM were the guys on City Slang Records who did that gorgeous electronic version of The Smiths' 'The Light').

If spoof cock-rock puts a smile on your face, don't miss the always hilarious Snakes of Desire in the Temple Bar Music Centre, Friday 19th. On the same night, Nina Hynes and The Husbands plus special guest Neosupervital in The Project Arts Centre Temple Bar on Fri 19th.

Another band who take themselves less than seriously are the Warlords of Pez, who are playing at ‘Project Mongo’ in the Project Arts Centre (Dublin) alongside The Chalets and Estel on Saturday December 20th.

For a Christmas dose of hip-hop cheer, the Choice Cuts Sound System will be going strong this holiday. They inhabit RiRa on the 19th, featuring DJs Tu-ki, Scope and Rizim, and they're back on January 2nd, with DJ Splyce.

If live hip-hop’s your bag, then the Shelter is the place to be on the 20th, as Messiah J & The Expert will be displaying their unique skills, with recent ITF champion DJ Flip on the wheels of steel.

But ‘tis the season to go mental, I hear you cry! Well, if you need to dance more than you need to eat turkey don’t worry, there’s plenty to keep you going through the holiday. You could check out Ian Pooley in The Forum, Waterford, on December 27th. Derrick Carter will be playing a mighty 3 hour set of Chicago-esque house in the Queen’s University SU, Belfast, on the 27th (as the second part of the Shine Christmas party, which kicks off on the 20th with some banging techno from Adam Beyer in the same venue).

The ever faithful Road Relish Records crew will host their Christmas bash on the 22nd in the Hub, Dublin, with the best in home-grown indie pop from The Chalets, Damien Frost, Estel, Large Mound and DJ Alan O'Boyle (Decal).

For something of a slightly similar ilk, The Dudley Corporation play the Pavillion, Belfast, on December 20th. And Paul Smyth of The Jimmy Cake will be playing a live solo gig at ‘Lazybird’, which takes place in the International Bar, Dublin, on the 21st, and promises to be interesting.

The guys at thumped.com are also getting festive and hosting a Ballroom of Romance’ Christmas party in the Lower Deck, Dublin, featuring The Tycho Brahe and Knifed. As usual with their events, admission (€8) will include a free CD, ain’t they nice!

If you just wanna rock, plain and simple, then may we suggest Dublin's own Future Kings of Spain. Having knocked the collective socks off the Belfast crowd at their recent Strokes support gig, the Kings are nearing the end of their national tour so be sure to check them out: Cork (Cuba, 19th), Kilkenny (Zoo Club, 20th) and Dublin (Whelan's, 21st).

The Frames also finish off their tour, with gigs in Belfast (Ulster Hall, 19th) and Derry (The Playhouse, 20th).

David Kitt plays final dates of his tour in Limerick (Dolan's Warehouse, 19th), Cork (opera House, 20th), Offaly (The Forum, 21st). Having attended his recent Dublin gig at Vicar St., hotpress.com can attest that the Kittser is in fine form and jolly festive spirits.

Meanwhile, Hot Press Annual coverboys, The Thrills, play Derry (The Nerve Centre, 20th) and two shows at the Dublin Olympia on the 22nd and 23rd December. Halite joins in the support slot for these dates.

Stay tuned to hotpress.com's NYE gig guide... and until then see you down the front!