Our cultural countdown to Christmas… America’s first opera, and drop into Selfridges Exchange Square for special festive shopping events.

The RNCM is bringing Kurt Weill’s Street Scene to life, with what set designer Kate Ford describes as “a transparent house where there is no place for secrets” acting as the perfect stage for family and community tensions bubbling over during 24 hours in the high summer of 1946. The hopes, dreams and tensions between the characters make for a gripping, escalating operatic tragedy – a melting-pot that’s not to be missed in the chilly run up to Christmas. Street Scene, RNCM, 2-12 December, tickets from £12

Summer in New York and Selfridges’ festive events

Selfridges Exchange Square is rolling out all the stops in the run up to Christmas: little people will have the chance to meet Father Christmas and his Elf in store and pose for a free photograph with the great man himself (12pm-4pm Sat & Sun, 19-21 December). There are also live performances lined up (12pm-4pm Sat & Sun, until 20 December; 12pm-4pm every day 21-24 December), a complimentary personalisation service for cards and gifts, and a Hampers Desk on level 3 where you can create a bespoke hamper filled with the recipient’s favourite treats. Worth making a shopping stop-off, eh? Selfridges Chrismas events, times and dates vary, see website for details