IT'S the city where Santa hats are sold in three colours, where Mary Christmas evicts her famous hubbie and where the Fan Dabi Dozi laughs come thick and faster than the snow.

MAUREEN ELLIS counts down 20 ways to have a Glasgow Christmas...

1. Meet Mrs Claus

It's equal opportunities over at Pollok House where Santa's other half holds court in a seasonally-styled grotto giving out presents to good boys and girls.

l until Christmas Eve, 11am-4pm, Pollok House, Pollok Country Park. Admission to grotto is £5 for kids, admission to Pollok House is £6 for adults. Tel: 0844 493 2202.

2. Watch It's A Wonderful Life at the GFT

Christmas wouldn't be the same without Frank Capra's 1946 classic.

l Until Christmas Eve, 12 Rose Street. Tickets £7/£5.50 from 0141 332 6535.

3. Buy a green or blue Santa hat

Coca-Cola might be responsible for making Father Christmas jolly and red, but only in Glasgow will you find Old Firm Santa hats.

4. Cheer on the Krankies in panto

The Fan Dabi Dozi pair of Jimmy and Jeanette star alongside Torchwood star John Barrowman in the SECC's 3D spectacular Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates, .

l Until January 7, Clyde Auditorium, Finnieston Quay. Tickets £12-£27.50 from 0844 395 4000.

5. Visit Glasgow Cathedral

Just walking through, or taking in a service, at the best-preserved Medieval church in Scotland adds to the Christmas magic. The Cathedral Choral Society will perform a Carol Concert at 7.30pm tomorrow.

l open 9.30am-4.30pm; Sundays 1pm-4.30pm, Castle Street, 0141 552 8198.

6. Listen to Oran Mor Na Nollaig

West End choral group The Sirens of Titan perform carols under Alisdair Gray's celestial ceiling mural

l December 23, 6.15pm, Oran Mor, top of Byres Road. £10 including glass of wine from 0844 477 1000.

7. Think Global at the Christmas market

With traders from Ecuador, Kenya, Russia, Germany, France, Belgium, Spain and Italy, this is the ideal place for unusual gifts from around the globe.

l Until Friday, December 23, St Enoch Square.

8. Go late-night shopping at the Barras

When the high street shuts on Christmas Eve, the place to be is the legendary Barras market where the stallholders will be busy until midnight.

l Christmas Eve, 8am until midnight, Gallowgate, 0141 552 4601.

9. Skate around Sir Walter Scott

The heart of Glasgow is transformed into its annual wonderland of Glasgow On Ice. A 40m-high observation wheel this year gives you an unparalleled view of the ice action. George Square also plays host to live music, food and drink.

l Until January 3, 2012 (closed Christmas and Boxing Day), George Square. Tickets £7-£9.50, £6-£7 concessions.

10. Light Up A Life for Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice

Remember a loved one who has passed away by creating a light on the hospice website, writing your message of love, and making an online donation.

l Call 0141 429 5599 or visit www.ppwh.org.uk

11. See Santa Vs the Snowman at IMAX

It's the Christmas must-see movie, telling the story of an epic polar war waged by a jealous snowman. The Science Centre's IMAX screen is also screening Disney's A Christmas Carol 3D starring Jim Carrey.

l Glasgow Science Centre, 50 Pacific Quay, from £7.50/£5.50 concessions, 0141 420 5000.

12. Enjoy cosy carols in the courtyard

Forget braving the elements - the impressive courtyard at Princes Square is serving up carols for the enjoyment of shoppers and diners.

l Until Christmas Eve, Princes Square, 48 Buchanan Street, 0141 221 0324.

13. See the snow flurry at Hamleys

If you can't get enough of the white stuff, Hamleys toy shop is the only place you can be guaranteed a snowfall every day. A choir will perform a medley of pop, rock and musical theatre hits outside Hamleys main entrance tomorrow and Sunday (noon-4pm) and on Christmas Eve (noon-4pm).

l St Enoch Centre, 0871 704 2990.

14. Experience the thrills and spills of the Irn-Bru Carnival

Europe's largest indoor carnival celebrates its 91st year with more than 60 attractions.

l December 23 until January 15, 2012, SECC, Finnieston Quay. Entry is £12 from 0844 395 4000.

15. See Santa on the slopes

SnoZone indoor ski slope is offering one of the more unusual grotto experiences you'll ever see. Kids can tell Santa their Christmas list, receive a present and have fun in the snow.

l Until Christmas Eve, XScape, Braehead, Renfrew. Admission £7 per child from 0871 222 5672.

16. Listen to Carols by Candlelight

Raymond Gubbay Christmas Festival's most spine-tingling production, as an ensemble in full period costume perform festive favourites.

l December 21 at 7.30pm, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street. Tickets £21.50-£31.50 from 0141 353 8000.

17. Have a hoot at The Stand

The West End comedy club's annual New Year laughter spectacular, Hootfest, runs from December 27 until Hogmanay.

l The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road (closed Christmas Eve-Boxing Day, inclusive). Ticket prices £2-£22.50 from 0844 335 8879.

18. Listen to festive music at Kelvingrove

The Dunbartonshire Concert Band perform carols and festive tunes. Moreover, expect a flurry of Christmas activity on its 100-year-old organ, at 1pm on Mondays to Saturdays, 3pm Sundays.

l Sunday, from noon until 2pm, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Argyle Street, 0141 276 9599, free admission.

19. Fall under the spell of Princess Aurora

Scottish Ballet's festive take on the timeless story of Sleeping Beauty will set hearts a-flutter with its mix of romance, breath-taking dance and glorious costumes.

l Until Hogmanay, Theatre Royal, Hope Street, tickets from £10, 0844 871 7648.

20. And don't tell the children...

Satire replaces sweeties for adult-oriented laughs at two city venues. A Play, A Pie and A Pint's lunchtime panto is Snow White and the Seventh Dwarf, while the Citz is having a Wicked Christmas in the Gorbals.

l Oran Mor's panto until Christmas Eve (0141 357 6200); Wicked Christmas is at the Citz on Gorbals Street until Saturday (0141 429 0022).