Best Christmas Shows and Pantomimes this Christmas
The nights are drawing in, the temperature's dropping, and the shops will soon be featuring red and green rather prominently... it can only mean one thing: Christmas is coming! There are loads of things to look forward to this Christmas, but the best Christmas present of all is spending time with your loved ones. There's something unparalleled about going to a Christmas show with your family and friends, experiencing the buzz of anticipation as it spreads through the audience, and feeling the nostalgia of seeing young children getting excited - just like you used to. If you're thinking of organising a family night out over Christmas, here's a 2022 panto guide with a mix of classic favourites and exciting new shows to look out for.
Find a Christmas show near you...
Here are our top tips for finding the best Christmas shows to go and see this year. There's something in here for everyone, whether you're from the south coast, the Scottish highlands, or anywhere in between:
| Unmissable Christmas shows & Pantos in London | ||
| Duke of York's Theatre | Richmond Theatre | New Wimbledon Theatre |
| There's Magic in the Midlands this Crimbo | ||
| Regent Theatre, Stoke | ||
| Noel Enjoyment in the North of England | ||
| Grand Opera House, York | Liverpool Empire | Opera House, Manchester |
| Sunderland Empire | ||
| This Panto Party is set to be a Scottish scorcher | ||
| King's Theatre, Glasgow | ||
Unmissable Christmas Shows & Pantos in London:
Mother Goose, Duke of York's Theatre
The whole nation is flocking to see Ian McKellen and John Bishop as they join forces to bring you a hilarious family-friendly panto. Mother Goose is the ultimate theatrical feast - full of fun, farce and surprises that will make you honk out loud.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Richmond Theatre
Goldilocks’ circus is under threat from an evil rival circus owner and, with the help of their madcap circus friends, they’re battling to rescue their Big Top from ruin. Will they succeed? All seems lost, until three brilliant bears join the gang…
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, New Wimbledon Theatre
West End Legend and multi-award-winning actor Ruthie Henshall leads our star cast alongside X Factor singer, actress and television personality Brenda Edwards, musical theatre star Lee Mead, legendary panto Dame and TV presenter Matthew Kelly, comedy television presenters Dick & Dom, Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist John Archer and TikTok sensation Hannah Lowther.
Panto sizzlers in the South:
Aladdin, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
We are delighted to announce that the devilishly good Davood Ghadami (EastEnders, Casualty, Holby City, Strictly Come Dancing) will be joining us as the evil Abanazar in Aladdin this Christmas! Starring alongside the hilarious Andy Collins (BBC 3 Counties Breakfast Show) as Wishee Washee and the fabulous La Voix (Britain’s Got Talent, Queen of the Universe) as Widow Twankey, this is going to be a carpet ride to remember!
Cinderella, Bristol Hippodrome
Join Cinders as she goes from rags to riches, outwits her very wicked sisters and meets her dashing Prince Charming. Craig Revel Horwood leads the cast as the Wicked Stepmother, alongside Bristol's favourite panto comic Andy Ford as Buttons, musical theatre and cabaret star Alison Jiear as the Fairy Godmother with Daniel Norford as Dandini and Lauren Hampton as Cinderella.
Aladdin, Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone
Full of magic, mystery and make-believe, Aladdin will delight your senses in a blaze of shimmering scenery, sparkling costumes, sensational song and dance, and side-splitting laughter, not to mention plenty of chances for you to join in the fun, booing the baddie and cheering the champions in true pantomime tradition.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Milton Keynes Theatre
Comedy actress and musical theatre star Lesley Joseph will be heading to Milton Keynes this Christmas to star as The Wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. On hand to offer Lesley some legal advice will be favourite TV judge, Rob Rinder as The Man In The Mirror. Comedians Paul Chuckle and Aaron James will also join the line-up of this year’s magical pantomime, along with Charlotte Haines in the titular role of Snow White and Dale Mathurin as the Prince.
Mother Goose, New Theatre Oxford
Who puts a panto on in March? Ian McKellen and John Bishop do! The whole nation is flocking to see them as they join forces to bring you a hilarious family-friendly panto. Mother Goose is the ultimate theatrical feast - full of fun, farce and surprises that will make you honk out loud.
Cinderella, New Victoria Theatre, Woking
Starring comedy legend, musical theatre, television, Strictly and soap star Brian Conley, Cinderella will be packed with all the traditional pantomime ingredients Woking audiences expect. Cinderella will feature laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses.
Aladdin, Princess Theatre, Torquay
Aladdin is the poor son of a laundry owner. He falls in love with the Princess and is eager to prove himself worthy to marry her. Aladdin discovers a rusty old lamp and becomes master of a powerful Genie. Get ready to boo the wicked Sorcerer as he plans to rob Aladdin of his lamp. Hi Di Hi’s Ruth Madoc joins the cast of Aladdin as The Empress. Eastenders’ Ricky Norwood is Genie of the Ring. X Factor’s Jay Edwards is Aladdin and the hilarious Phil Randall is Widow Twankey!
Mother Goose, Theatre Royal Brighton
Meet Mother Goose (Ian McKellen) and her husband Vic (John Bishop). Running an Animal Sanctuary for waifs and strays, they live a wholesome life inside an abandoned Debenhams. But when a magical goose comes a-knocking, will fame & fortune get the better of them?!
There's Magic in the Midlands this Crimbo:
The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan, Regent Theatre, Stoke
Join Stoke-on-Trent’s King of Panto Jonathan Wilkes as Smee and Torchwood’s Kai Owen as Captain Hook as they set sail on a brand new adventure this Christmas. With amazing special effects, stunning sets, beautiful costumes and barrel-loads of laughter, The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan will take your whole family on a swashbuckling trip to Neverland like never before!
Noel Enjoyment in the North:
Old Granny Goose, Grand Opera House York
Berwick Kaler is back with another spectacular pantomime for Christmas 2022 and joining him will be the dastardly David Leonard, side-kick Martin Barrass, principal ‘girl’ Suzy Cooper and favourite funny man AJ Powell. The juggernaut of laughter and joy that is York’s best loved pantomime is arriving once more at the Grand Opera House for this year’s show entitled The Adventures of Old Granny Goose.
Mother Goose, Liverpool Empire
Who puts a panto on in February? Ian McKellen and John Bishop do! The whole nation is flocking to see them as they join forces to bring you a hilarious family-friendly panto. Mother Goose is the ultimate theatrical feast - full of fun, farce and surprises that will make you honk out loud.
The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan, Opera House Manchester
Comedy superstar Jason Manford will lead the cast in The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan in the role of Captain Hook, joined by returning Manchester panto favourite and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Ben Nickless as Smee and musical theatre stars Jessica Croll as Wendy, Samara Casteallo as Tinkerbell and Ross Carpenter as Peter Pan.
Aladdin, Sunderland Empire
From the streets of Chester to the city of Sunderland, Hollyoaks’ Gary Lucy is set to stir up a storm as the villainous Abanazar, in this year’s pantomime spectacular. Gary will be joining North East Queen of Comedy, the fabulous Miss Rory (Boulevard) as Widow Twankey and hilarious local comic Tom Whalley as Wishee Washee, Filled with mystical adventure, stunning sets and costumes, a lamp load of comedy and sensational song and dance numbers – join us on magical carpet ride with Aladdin this festive season.
This panto party is set to be a Scottish scorcher:
Beauty and the Beast, King's Theatre, Glasgow
One of the most romantic pantos of all time, Beauty and the Beast stars pantomime legends Elaine C Smith and Johnny Mac, in what will be a spectacular and enchanting production for all the family. With over 85,000 theatregoers attending the King’s Theatre panto every year, it’s never too early to secure seats for Glasgow’s favourite festive tradition.
Top Panto Tip:
Wherever you are this Christmas, there will definitely be a magical show close to home. If you haven't experienced a family panto night out then 2022 could be the year to do so.
Bear in mind that pantomime tickets can sometimes sell out quicker than you can say crimbo! So to avoid disappointment over the Christmas period make sure you book in advance.