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All the best pantomimes to see across the UK for Christmas 2026 – from Glasgow to the London Palladium

Christmas will be here before you know it! Here's everything you need to know to snap up pantomime tickets this festive season.

The Christmas pantomime 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs', is performed at St Helens Theatre Royal 2025

Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images

Published: Monday, 9 November 2026 at 7:00 am

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Doctor Who stars, famous puppets and soap opera faithfuls, pantomime season is officially back this Christmas.

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While December in the UK can be a time for poignant carols or a classy glass of mulled wine, our real life-blood lies in insane comedy, toilet humour and Julian Clary stepping out in a loud feathered costume.

The tradition dates back to the 16th century, to a form of Italian outdoor theatre called ‘Commedia dell ‘Arte,’ which then arrived on British shores a century later.

Now, it's an essential part of Christmas culture, known for classic tropes like the Dames, the sidekick and of course, plenty of audience interaction (oh no it isn't!). It's also a huge boost for local theatres, with almost all town venues hosting a show of their own.

In an exclusive chat Michael Harrison, producer of literally hundreds of pantomimes, said: "Pantomime gets people through the doors of a theatre when they're unlikely to for the rest of the year. You might have a piece of drama or dance commissioned in a local theatre that's only financially viable because of the money made in panto season, so it's hugely important."

And why, really do we as Brits love pantomimes so much? "It really is a unique British tradition and it's a rare occasion where the entire family can collectively come together where you're not there to be challenged, you're there for joy and entertainment."

So with that in mind, we've listed our favourite UK pantomimes taking place this year, from the grandest heights of the London Palladium where French and Saunders returns, to the smaller stages of Woking or Aylesbury.

Shop pantomime tickets at ATG Tickets

Best pantomimes to see in the UK at a glance:

Best pantomimes to see in the UK for Christmas 2026

Cinderella at the London Palladium

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 12: (L to R) Nigel Havers, Julian Clary and Paul Zerdin bow at the curtain call during the press night pantomime performance of "Robin Hood," at The London Palladium, on December 12, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Dave Benett/Getty Images

This year's London Palladium pantomime is decided: Cinderella will arrive at the West End starring comedy duo French and Saunders, Julian Clary, Nigel Havers and more. Marking 11 years since pantomime returned to the Palladium, this show is sure to be the biggest and best yet. For more ticket info, here's how to get London Palladium panto tickets.

Buy Cinderella tickets from £39.50 at LW Theatres

Potted Panto at Apollo Theatre

Potted Panto poster

ATG Tickets

Seven pantos, 80 minutes. Potted Panto is the West End’s longest running pantomime and it's returning to London's Apollo Theatre this Christmas. In this madcap performance, the double act dash from rubbing Aladdin’s lamp to roaming the golden streets of Dick Whittington’s London and making sure that Cinderella gets to the Ball.

Buy Potted Panto tickets from £30 at ATG Tickets

Sleeping Beauty at Aylesbury Waterside

Sunderland Empire pantomime poster

Call the Midwife star Laura Main is taking centre stage in Aylesbury to appear in Sleeping Beauty. The BBC actress will be sprinkling fairy dust over the production with the help of Andy Collins who returns as Lester the Jester.

Buy Sleeping Beauty tickets from £18.95 at ATG Tickets

Aladdin at Kings Theatre Glasgow

Aladdin pantomime poster

It's a tale we all know but one we'll never get bored of! Follow Aladdin as he discovers a mysterious lamp, goes head-to-head with Abanazar, and flies his enchanted carpet with Princess Jasmine. In typical pantomime style, Aladdin has plenty of laughs, dazzling costumes and musical numbers.

Buy Aladdin tickets from £18.95 at ATG Tickets

Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Woking Theatre

Brian Conley poses in a black top against dark background in a headshot photo.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears is coming to Woking this Christmas. Woking Theatre is one of our favourite venues, and it'll be a great place to see the panto, whether you're based in the city or are travelling from further afield. Plus, this year's event has TV and musical theatre star Brian Conley returning to the stage.

Buy Goldilocks and the Three Bears tickets from £18.95 at ATG Tickets

Sleeping Beauty at Bristol Hippodrome

Craig Revel Horwood at the judges table in Strictly Come Dancing, talking seriously and gesturing.

Craig Revel Horwood at the judges table in Strictly Come Dancing. BBC

Make Sleeping Beauty the pantomime of your dreams at Bristol Hippodrome with fab-u-lous TV judge and musical theatre star Craig Revel Horwood as the wicked Carabosse and Bristol panto favourite Andy Ford as Muddles.

Buy Sleeping Beauty tickets from £18.95 at ATG Tickets

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Dick Whittington at Opera House Manchester

Jason Manford wearing a tux and looking ahead whilst smiling on the red carpet at the Royal Variety Performance which he hosted.

Jason Manford. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Jason Manford is lacing up his boots once again for a panto performance in Manchester, starring the Lord Mayor of London, Dick Whittington. It's sure to be a merry evening.

Buy Dick Whittington tickets from £18.95 at ATG Tickets

Sleeping Beauty at Milton Keynes Theatre

Sleeping Beauty panto poster

Alexandra Burke returns to panto alongside legends Christopher Biggins and Sooty and Sweep. The troupe will appear in Sleeping Beauty at Milton Keynes Theatre.

Buy Sleeping Beauty tickets from £18.95 at ATG Tickets

Jack and the Beanstalk at Richmond Theatre

Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime poster

Two iconic redheads unite at Richmond's run of Jack and the Beanstalk: Bonnie Langford and Basil Brush. Comedian Lloyd Hollett joins as Silly Simon, and musical theatre’s James Hume making his panto dame debut as Dame Trot.

Buy Jack and the Beanstalk tickets from £28.95 at ATG Tickets

Snow White at Princess Theatre Torquay

Snow White pantomime poster

Snow White is back at the beach at the Princess Theatre Torquay. The town's favourite dame, Michael Neilson is back as the outrageously glamorous Dame Dolly, whilst the hilarious Matthew Curnier returns as Herbie the Huntsman, plus Strictly's Karen Hauer as the Wicked Queen.

Buy Snow White tickets from £15.60 at ATG Tickets

Peter Pan at New Wimbledon Theatre

Peter Pan poster

At the New Wimbledon TV star Jessie Wallace takes the helm as Captain Hook, alongside pop icon and JLS legend Aston Merrygold as Peter Pan. Joining them is television presenter, author, actor and singer Tom Read Wilson as the Magical Merman, and much-loved magician and comic Pete Firman as Smee.

Buy Peter Pan tickets from £15 at ATG Tickets

The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook

The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook (Pantomime)

Join Peter Pan, Tinkerbell and Smee at the Grand Opera House York and the Sunderland Empire for a brand-new adventure - The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook. Packed full of action, gravity-defying flying scenes and laugh-out-loud comedy, this show is the perfect new addition to the panto roster.

Snow White at Stoke-on-Trent

Snow White pantomime poster

Stoke pantomime legend Jonathan Wilkes returns to the Regent Theatre as Muddles, alongside Kai Owen starring as The Man in the Mirror, in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Buy Snow White tickets from £15 at ATG Tickets

Cinderella at Dartford Orchard Theatre

Cinderella pantomime poster

Panto legend Joe Pasquale stars in this year’s family pantomime Cinderella at the refurbished Orchard Theatre. Pasquale will be joined by Keith Jack as Prince Charming and West End Star Abbie Budden as Cinderella.

Buy Cinderella tickets from £28 at London Theatre Direct

Beauty and the Beast at New Theatre Cardiff

Beauty and the Beast panto

"When a proud Prince is cursed to live as a fearsome Beast, only true love can break the spell before the last petal falls from a magical rose. But could Belle – a bright, book-loving village girl who dreams of adventure – be the heroine of his story?"

Buy Beauty and the Beast from £25 at London Theatre Direct

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Looking for some family-friendly days out? Check out the best kids theatre shows, best UK family days out, and what is the Merlin Pass?

Authors

Olivia Garrett

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