The sound of Santa’s sleigh bells are just around the corner and for many of us, it simply isn’t Christmas without a panto. With so many fabulous pantomimes across the UK, many of us are asking ourselves “which panto near me should I book?” To help find the panto for you, we’ve compared dames, slapstick moments and happily ever afters up and down the country to recommend the very biggest and best pantomimes in each region.
- Pantomimes in London
- Pantomimes in the South West
- Pantomimes in the South East
- Pantomimes in the East of England
- Pantomimes in the West Midlands
- Pantomimes in the East Midlands
- Pantomimes in Yorkshire & Humber
- Pantomimes in the North West
- Pantomimes in the North East
- Pantomimes in Scotland
- Pantomimes in Wales
- Pantomimes in Northern Ireland
Pantomimes in London
London hosts more pantomimes than any other city in the UK, and they range wildly from elaborate West End productions to modern takes on classic tales. Every borough has its own unique history of panto, so if you think it isn’t for you, London is here to prove you wrong. There are also a wide range of other Christmas shows in London to nurture your budding festive spirit including world-class ballet, snow-sprinkled musicals and shows made especially for children.
Palladium Panto – Jack and the Beanstalk
From 10 December – 15 January, London’s wonderful home of pantomime presents an adventure of gigantic proportions. The UK’s biggest panto has bucket loads of spectacle, magic and thrilling effects that will have you rushing to book for next year as soon as the curtain falls! This year’s starry cast includes Julian Clary, Dawn French and Alexandra Burke.
Lyric Hammersmith Panto – Jack and the Beanstalk
From 19 November – 7 January, a fresh, modern and thoroughly entertaining take on classic fairy stories makes pantomime at the Lyric Hammersmith one of the coolest ways to celebrate Christmas. Jack and the Beanstalk gets a West London makeover that includes skateboarding and Beyoncé! A great alternative to the bombastic Palladium panto if you fancy something a little more offbeat.
Richmond Theatre Panto – Goldilocks and the Three Bears
From 3 – 31 December, London’s leafy suburb of Richmond is transformed into a spectacular circus for this year’s pantomime. TV favourite Matt Baker and panto regular Nigel Ellacott (Dame Betty Barnum) appear in this dazzler of a show which follows Goldilocks and her circus as it comes under threat from a rival. Luckily, the three bears are here to save the day!
Wimbledon Theatre Panto – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
From 3 – 31 December, the Wimbledon panto promises an exciting, star-studded affair. West End legend Ruthie Henshall, actress and TV personality Brenda Edwards, legendary panto dame Matthew Kelly and musical theatre star Lee Mead all appearing in Snow White. With a line-up like that, this might just be the fairest panto of them all…
Pantomimes in the South West
Pantomime in Bath – Aladdin
From 8 December – 8 January, the Theatre Royal Bath panto 2022 is granting us a whole lot of wishes: magic carpet rides, slapstick comedy and heaps of audience participation! Written by and starring Bath’s own Jon Monie, Aladdin promises excitement and adventure for the whole family. This year’s pantomime also features Tom Lister as the wicked Abanazar, and veteran dame Nick Wilton.
Pantomime in Bournemouth – Beauty and the Beast
From 3 December- 2 January, enchantments, magical transformations and stunning family fun make Beauty and the Beast an unmissable panto at Bournemouth Pavilion! EastEnders star Emma Barton waves her magic wand as Fairy Bon Bon, and Noel Brodie returns for another year, this time as the hilarious Louis La Plonk.
Pantomime in Bristol – Cinderella
From 2-31 December, Bristol panto is a tale of rags to riches as Cinderella rides in on a pumpkin carriage. The Bristol Hippodrome panto stars Craig Revel Horwood as the Wicked Stepmother. His fab-u-lous performance is joined by local favourite Andy Ford as Buttons, Alison Jiear as the Fairy Godmother, Daniel Norford as Dandini and Lauren Hampton as Cinderella.
Pantomime in Plymouth – Sleeping Beauty
From 16 December – 14 January, will true love break the spinning wheel’s curse at Theatre Royal Plymouth panto? Sleeping Beauty works its magic with a stunning combination of audience participation, dazzling sets and a brilliant cast led by soap star Shane Richie and drag queen Ceri Dupree.
Pantomime in Torquay – Aladdin
From 9 – 31 December, Princess Theatre is the home of panto in Torquay. This year audiences are transported from the English seaside town to a wonderful world of enchanted lamps, friendly genies and flying carpets. Aladdin is a treasure trove for families, with plenty of opportunities to boo and hiss at the wicked Sorcerer.
Pantomimes in the South East
Pantomime in Aylesbury – Aladdin
From 2 December – 2 January, rub the magic lamp and wish for tickets to Aylesbury panto , because Aladdin is sure to be an unforgettable, genie-us bit of festive fun! Starring EastEnders’ Davood Ghadami as evil Abanazar and La Voix as the very fabulous Widow Twankey, you might just find yourself cheering more than jeering at this pantomime.
Pantomime in Brighton
Mother Goose at Theatre Royal Brighton
From 3 – 11 December, there’s an extra-special pantomime at Theatre Royal Brighton as Ian McKellen and John Bishop bring their UK tour of Mother Goose to the city. McKellen stars as Mother Goose herself, making this an unmissable opportunity to enjoy an acting legend giving his all as a panto dame!
Aladdin at The Brighton Centre
From 22 – 27 December 2022, the second of two short but sweet Brighton panto 2022 offerings is Aladdin, a high-speed, hilarious magic carpet ride through villains, singalongs and eye-popping effects. If that wasn’t enough, Aladdin features one of our favourite panto dames, Widow Twankey!
Pantomime in Canterbury – Sleeping Beauty
From 25 November – 8 January, Marlowe Theatre panto follows up last year’s Pantomime Award-winning Jack and the Beanstalk with a dreamy version of Sleeping Beauty, written and directed by Paul Hendy. He’s assembled a fantastic cast too, including West End star Carrie Hope Fletcher, TV favourite Ore Oduba and Canterbury pantomime dame Ben Roddy.
Pantomime in Milton Keynes – Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs
From 10 December – 8 January, Lesley Joseph stars as the deliciously despicable Wicked Queen in this year’s Milton Keynes panto. As she plots and schemes against beautiful Snow White, you’ll be delighted by Rob Rinder giving her legal advice as The Man In The Mirror – but will her evil plan succeed?
Pantomime in Oxford – Cinderella
From 25 November – 8 January you’re cordially invited to the Playhouse Party of the year! The Oxford pantomime 2022 is a unique and fun take on Cinderella featuring a handsome prince fresh from university, a mistreated heroine who fights for justice and, of course, a ghoulish villain to jeer at.
Pantomime in Reading – Jack and the Beanstalk
From 3 December – 2 January, a pantomime of gigantic proportions is in Reading starring kids’ TV star Justin Fletcher as Gil Trott and Paul Morse as Nanny Hydrangea Trott. Fans of Reading panto will be pleased to hear that the Junior Chorus returns, so you can enjoy wonderful singing and slapstick humour during your family theatre trip.
Pantomime in Woking – Cinderella
From 2 – 31 December, actor and entertainer Brian Conley is escorting Woking panto audiences to the ball in Cinderella. Starring as Buttons, Conley and his fantastic panto co-stars will get audiences at the New Victoria Theatre to shout as the clock strikes midnight, hiss at the Wicked Stepsisters, and cheer for true love’s kiss.
Pantomimes in the East of England
Pantomime in Cambridge – Dick Whittington and his Cat
From 1 December – 8 January, seek your fortune in London and battle the dastardly King Rat in the Cambridge panto 2022. The classic story of Dick Whittington is a magical rags to riches fable starring Cambridge’s premier panto dame Matt Crosby as Sarah the Cook and Rolan Bell as King Rat.
Pantomime in Norwich – Jack and the Beanstalk
From 10 December – 7 January… Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum, we sense a panto that’s lots of fun! Joe Tracini stars as Jack at Theatre Royal Norwich, a year after his loveable turn as Tommy the Cat in Dick Whittington. Joining him is Rufus Hound as King Nigel of Norwich, EastEnders’ Dayle Hudson as scary villain Nightshade, and in his 22nd year at Norwich panto, Richard Gauntlett as Dame Trott.
Pantomime in Peterborough – Peter Pan
From 15 – 31 December, prepare yourself for an awfully big adventure at The Cresset. The boy who never grew up takes audiences across the night sky to Neverland, where ticking crocodiles, playful lost boys and the fearsome Captain Hook await. Don’t forget to clap extra loudly if you believe in fairies!
Pantomimes in the West Midlands
Pantomime in Birmingham – Dick Whittington
From 17 December – 29 January, the UK’s biggest regional panto is paving the streets with gold! Matt Slack returns to Birmingham Hippodrome as the lad seeking good fortune in London, opposite Marti Pellow as The Ratman. This big, bombastic and plain good fun family show even borrows costumes and sets from the legendary Palladium Panto in London.
Pantomime in Stoke-on-Trent – The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan
From 9 – 31 December, Stoke’s very own King of Panto Jonathan Wilkes is back as fumbling sidekick Smee, joined by Torchwood’s Kai Owen as Captain Hook in Peter Pan. This panto is non-stop swashbuckling fun at Regents Theatre from the moment Peter introduces Wendy to the Lost Boys all the way through to a thrilling appearance from the ticking crocodile…
Pantomime in Wolverhampton – Aladdin
From 3 December – 7 January, a spellbinding battle between good and evil descends on Wolverhampton Grand Theatre and it’s sure to be more magical than the cave of wonders itself! Ben Cajee stars as Aladdin, Duane Gooden as the jovial genie and Michael Greco as evil Abanazar. Wolves panto favourites Tam Ryan and Ian Adams team up to provide the laughs as Wishee Washee and Widow Twankey.
Pantomimes in the East Midlands
Pantomime in Lincoln – Cinderella
From 9 December – 8 January, you shall go to the New Theatre Royal Lincoln pantomime! Glass slippers, dancing, audience participation – this panto has a whole pumpkin carriage full of surprises to enjoy. The star-studded cast includes Ian Waite and Jake Quickenden sharing the role of Fairy Godfather, and Kerry Katona as the cheekily-named Ugly Sisters Botox.
Pantomime in Northampton – Jack and the Beanstalk
From 9 December – 2 January, film star and incredible vocalist Keala Settle swaps The Greatest Showman for panto in Northampton and it’s going to be magical! Settle’s Fairy Sugarsnap joins Jack for a climb up the beanstalk where the giant awaits… you’ll be full of beans as the twists, turns and hilarious jokes unfold at Royal & Derngate Theatre.
Pantomime in Nottingham – Dick Whittington
From 25 November – 14 January, Nottingham Playhouse panto invites you to join aspirational Dick Whittington on a swashbuckling journey to London. This action-packed, cheerful panto stars Lisa Ambalavanar as Dick Whittington, Christopher Chandler as King Rat and John Elkington as Sarah the Cook.
Pantomimes in Yorkshire & Humber
Pantomime in Leeds
Rock and Roll Dick Whittington at City Varieties Music Hall
From 25 November – 8 January, enjoy the panto adventures of Dick Whittington remixed with a jukebox-full of rock anthems and chart-topping hits. This delightfully off-piste panto is performed by a talented cast of actor-musicians who’ll make the golden streets of London vibrate with the sounds of guitars!
Cinderella at Carriageworks Theatre
From 25 November – 8 January, let the Fairy Godmother escort you to Cinderella at Carriageworks Theatre. If a more traditional panto is on your wish list, this heart-warming story of Cinders finding true love and a beautiful pair of glass slippers is an enchanting treat for all ages.
Pantomime in Sheffield – Jack and the Beanstalk
From 2 December – 3 January, Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre has paw-suaded CBBC’s Waffle the Wonder Dog to join the fee-fi-fo-fantastic cast of Jack and the Beanstalk . If an adorable furry friend isn’t enough to make you book, rest assured that the human cast are top notch and chaotic fun for all ages will be bursting off the stage.
Pantomime in York – Old Granny Goose
From 10 December – 8 January, pantomime dame Berwick Kaler continues his tradition of taking panto back to its roots – with a healthy dose of anarchic fun! The York panto in 2022 stands apart from other pantos thanks to Kaler’s utterly unique approach. This is a real golden goose at the Grand Opera House!
Pantomimes in the North West
Pantomime in Blackpool – Sleeping Beauty
From 2 December – 1 January, will the beautiful princess be awoken from her slumber and find true love? Book tickets for the Blackpool pantomime and find out! This magical show has a fantastic cast to keep the laughs, gasps and cheers coming, including Emmerdale‘s Hayley Tamaddon as the Good Fairy and Britain’s Got Talent’s Steve Royle as Silly Billy.
Pantomime in Liverpool
The Rock n Roll Panto: Red Riding Hood at Everyman Theatre
From 25 November – 14 January, Liverpool panto is a little off the beaten track, but still huge fun for kids and adults alike. This quirky version of Little Red’s journey through the forest to Grandma mixes panto tradition with a playlist of rock anthems. Lots of plot twists, dazzling costumes and live music make the Everyman panto completely unique, and completely brilliant.
Mother Goose at Liverpool Empire
From 28 February – 4 March 2023, you can extend the Christmas season well into the new year as this star-driven panto arrives in Liverpool as part of its UK tour. Mother Goose stars the legendary Ian McKellen and primetime comedian John Bishop, with more incredible casting to be announced soon. A very special pantomime, not to be missed.
Pantomime in Manchester – The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan
From 10 – 31 December, set sail for Manchester Opera House, but make sure you avoid the ticking crocodile! Homegrown comedian Jason Manford stars as Captain Hook in Peter Pan – swapping stand-up hecklers for panto boos and hisses. Manchester panto favourite Ben Nickless is his hapless, hilarious sidekick Smee.
Pantomimes in the North East
Pantomime in Darlington – The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan
From 9 – 31 December, one of the nation’s favourite dames returns to Darlington over 45 years after he started his panto career there. Christopher Biggins will deliver big laughs and wonderful costumes as Peter and Wendy fly to Neverland, meet the Lost Boys and battle terrifying Captain Hook in this action-packed adventure.
Pantomime in Newcastle – Cinderella
From 29 November – 15 January, pop on your glass slippers for a trip to the Newcastle pantomime. Theatre Royal presents Cinderella with a brand-new script and costumes from the London Palladium. Expect plenty of madcap humour from panto regulars Danny Adams, Clive Webb and Chris Hayward in this spectacular Christmas show.
Pantomime in Sunderland – Aladdin
From 9 December – 2 January, take a trip to a faraway land via the Sunderland Empire panto. Aladdin is an all-singing, all-dancing delight with a treasure-trove of jokes, audience participation and exciting adventures to keep the whole family transfixed. Hollyoaks’ Gary Lucy stars as evil sorcerer Abanazar alongside North East Queen of Comedy Miss Rory as Widow Twankey.
Pantomimes in Scotland
Pantomime in Aberdeen – The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan
From 3 December – 8 January, take the second star to the right and head straight on to His Majesty’s Theatre for the Aberdeen panto. Strictly Come Dancing’s Brendan Cole stars as Captain Hook in this swashbuckling adventure. It may be about the boy who never grew up, but all ages will have fun on this festive trip to Neverland.
Pantomime in Edinburgh – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
From 17 December – 22 January, mirror, mirror on the wall, Edinburgh panto is the fairest of them all! This lavish and entertaining production is based on the London Palladium’s version of Snow White. The King’s Theatre is closed for refurbishment, so they’re pulling out all the stops at Festival Theatre to deliver a big, bold and spectacular Christmas treat.
Pantomime in Glasgow – Beauty and the Beast
From 26 November – 31 December, Glasgow panto favourites Elaine C Smith and Johnny Mac lead this year’s spellbinding show at the King’s Theatre. Join Belle as she explores an enchanted castle filled with eccentric inhabitants. They’re led by a fearsome Beast who might not be all that he seems… can she help lift the curse and find a happily ever after?
Pantomimes in Wales
Pantomime in Cardiff – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
From 10 December – 8 January, you’ll have endless fun at this year’s New Theatre panto – there’s an Evil Queen to jeer at, friendly dwarfs to cheer and laugh with, and a soppy love story to keep romantics happy. Ian ‘H’ Watkins appears as The Man in the Mirror, starring alongside last year’s dynamic duo: rugby legend Gareth Thomas and panto dame Mike Doyle.
Pantomime in Swansea – Beauty and the Beast
From 14 December – 15 January, the timeless story of Belle and the Beast is perfect Christmas entertainment at Swansea Grand. As the final petal trembles on the Beast’s enchanted red rose, will he find a way to lift the curse? The spellbinding Swansea panto stars Holby City’s Joe McFadden as Barry Island and West End performer Hayley Gallivan returning to her hometown as Belle.
Pantomimes in Northern Ireland
Pantomime in Belfast – Cinderella
From 3 December – 15 January, the Godmother of all pantos will be entertaining Belfast families. Get ready to cheer for Cinders as she goes to the ball and jeer at the Wicked Stepmother and Stepsisters in this unmissable festive favourite. You’ll also love Northern Ireland panto legend May McFettridge – back for her 32nd Grand Opera House panto.
More UK Panto Near Me
If you’re looking for something even more local, including amateur theatre company productions, visit Big Panto Guide for a full rundown of pantomimes in 2022.
Who is Your Favourite Panto Star?
Some of the biggest names in panto are performing all over the country in 2022. Do you have a favourite pantomime star? Are they in a pantomime near you this year? Let us know in the comments.
