Best pantomimes to see across the UK for Christmas 2023

There are a few things that are perfect for getting you in the festive spirit: seeing the lights get turned on by celebrities of varying levels of fame in your local town centre, a glass of mulled wine warming up your chilly hands at a Christmas market, and seeing the Christmas adverts appear on TV.

But few things will truly get you into the spirit of Christmas like a good old pantomime.

We always keep an ear to the ground throughout the year to see what events are going on up and down the UK, but we know it's especially important when it comes to Christmastime. There's always so much choice, it can be difficult to know where to look! That's where we come in.

When it comes to pantomimes, there are plenty of options across the UK, and we've narrowed down the best ones in a range of cities. Many of the most popular pantos will be in the largest cities, especially in London, with tickets for these likely selling out quickest. Even if you usually head to your local panto, there will be popular dates like Christmas Eve that sell out in no time.

So, whether you're a world-class planner who like to have plans for December months in advance, or you're just looking to dip your toe into Christmas without feeling guilty for wishing the time away, don't worry — we've got you covered.

Without further ado, here are the best pantomimes to see this year.

It's not Christmas just yet, so if you're looking for somewhere to take the kids this weekend, check out what is Shrek's Adventure and what is the Merlin Pass?

Best pantomimes to see in the UK at a glance:

• Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury | from £13
• The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan at the Bristol Hippodrome, Bristol | from £13
• Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs at the King's Theatre, Glasgow | from £13
• Beauty and the Beast at Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone | from £13
• Cinderella at Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes | from £13
• The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking | from £13
• Cinderella at the New Wimbledon Theatre, London | from £13
• Jack and the Beanstalk at the Opera House Manchester, Manchester | from £13
• Jack and the Beanstalk at the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent | from £13
• Dick Wittington at the Richmond Theatre, London | from £13
• Beauty and the Beast at the Sunderland Empire, Sunderland | from £13
• Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates of the River Ouse at the Grand Opera House, York | from £13
• Beauty and the Beast at Baths Hall, Scunthorpe | from £20
• Peter Pan at Resorts World Arena, Birmingham | from £28.80
• Beauty and the Beast at The Globe, Blackpool Pleasure Beach | from £12

Best Pantomimes to see in the UK for Christmas 2023

Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury

Andy Collins, best known for his role on BBC Three Counties Breakfast Show, will be returning to his role of Muddles for this year's pantomime in Aylesbury. He'll be joined by soap star and Strictly Come Dancing alumni, James Bye. Be prepared for an evening full of fun and laughter and lots of singing with the classic Twelve days of Christmas routine.

They will be performing the classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs from Friday 1st December 2023 until Wednesday 3rd January 2024.

Buy tickets for Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs fr0m £13 at ATG Tickets

The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan at the Bristol Hippodrome, Bristol

The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan is coming to Bristol this Christmas. The Bristol Hippodrome 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.

This panto will be running from Saturday 2nd December until New Year's Eve 2023, and we expect the bigger nights to sell out fast. This year's show is starring Faye Tozer as The Magical Mermaid and Bristol panto favourite Andy Ford as Smee.

Buy tickets for The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan from £13 at ATG Tickets

Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs at the King's Theatre, Glasgow

Elaine C Smith and Johnny Mac have legendary pantomime status in Glasgow and they'll be returning to the King's Theatre in 2023. With a slightly longer run than other shows, this panto will last from Saturday 2nd December 2023 until Sunday 7th January 2024, so there'll be lots of opportunity to see it.

The story will of course follow Snow White as she befriends the dwarfs in the forest, but will include all the haunts of panto including audience participation, singing, dancing and fabulous costumes.

Buy tickets to Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs from £13 at ATG Tickets

Beauty and the Beast at Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone

The tale as old as time is coming to Folkestone this Christmas. Again, it's a little early for cast information but we do know that this pantomime will run at Leas Cliff Hall from Friday 8th December until Sunday 31st December, with tickets starting at £13.

Buy tickets for Beauty and the Beast from £13 at ATG Tickets

Cinderella at Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes

Cinderella is an absolute classic for a pantomime and this is sure to be a great one. A wicked stepmother, a fairy godmother, prince charming and a glass slipper — what's not to love? Best of all, the show will see TV and musical theatre star Brian Conley returning as our old favourite, Buttons.

This show will be running from Saturday 9th December 2023 until Sunday 14th January 2024.

Buy tickets for Cinderella from £13 at ATG Tickets

The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking

Join the legendary Anton Du Beke and Paul Chuckle as they tackle the tale of Peter Pan, Wendy and the lost boys. Whether you're local to the Woking area or have family around, this is sure to be a great festive evening full of fun.

The show is running from Friday 8th December until Sunday 7th January 2024 and viewers have been promised "amazing special effects, stunning sets, beautiful costumes and barrel-loads of laughter."

Buy tickets for The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan from £13 at ATG Tickets

Cinderella at the New Wimbledon Theatre, London

Craig Revel Horwood is back in his role as the Wicked Stepmother in Cinderella at the New Wimbledon Theatre this Christmas. The family-friendly show will follow Cinderella as she outwits her stepsisters and finds love, all with the help of her Fairy Godmother and best friend Buttons.

You can expect all the panto classics — singing, dancing and the audience shouting "it’s behind you!" as someone looks for the key prop in the show.

Buy tickets for Cinderella from £13 at ATG Tickets

Jack and the Beanstalk at the Opera House Manchester, Manchester

Jason Manford returns to the pantomime stage this year in Jack and the Beanstalk alongside Ben Nickless, after their success in Peter Pan last year. This show will run from Saturday 2nd December until Sunday 31st December 2023 in Manchester.

Manford will star as Jack in the show, with Nickless playing Silly Simon, and the duo will be joined by other cast members to tell the story of Jack who sells his beloved cow for some magic beans.

Buy tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk from £13 at ATG Tickets

Jack and the Beanstalk at the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

Jonathan Wilkes stars in this rendition of Jack and the Beanstalk in Stoke-on-Trent this Christmas. The show has a slightly later run than many others we've seen, not beginning until Friday 15th December 2023, but it does last until Sunday 7th January 2024.

Buy tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk from £13 at ATG Tickets

Dick Wittington at the Richmond Theatre, London

Writer, actor, comedian, radio and television presenter Paul Merton will be taking to the London stage this winter to star in the classic tale of Dick Wittington. Although perhaps not as popular nowadays as Cinderella or Snow White, Dick Wittington's journey to become Lord Mayor of London, defeating evil rats and rodent kings along the way, is the perfect British panto.

The show will run at the Richmond Theatre from Saturday 9th December to Sunday 7th January.

Buy tickets for Dick Wittington at the Richmond Theatre from £13 at ATG Tickets

Beauty and the Beast at the Sunderland Empire, Sunderland

The north east's 'Queen of Comedy' is back by popular demand in Sunderland this Christmas! Miss Rory will be joined by Tom Whalley in this rendition of Beauty and the Beast, which is sure to delight adults and children alike.

This show will run from Friday 8th December until Sunday 31st December.

Buy tickets to see Beauty and the Beast from £13 at ATG Tickets

Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates of the River Ouse at the Grand Opera House, York

Perhaps not one of the more traditional pantomimes titles, Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates of the River Ouse will be coming to York this festive season. You'll be able to see the show from opening night on Saturday 9th December 2023 until it closes on Saturday 6th January 2024.

Local York legend Berwick Kaler will be returning to the stage alongside an ensemble cast, and the show will follow a sailor from York as he's stranded on a desert island – but discovers that he's not really alone after all.

Buy tickets to see Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates of the River Ouse from £13 at ATG Tickets

Beauty and the Beast at the Baths Hall, Scunthorpe

The tale as old as time is coming to Scunthorpe this Christmas. It will be showing from Thursday 7th December until New Year's Eve (Sunday 31st December), and will star Danny Johnson as Annie Fanny, who will be joined by Zoe Wright as Belle and Lauren Budd as Fairy Virtue.

Buy tickets to see Beauty and the Beast from £20 at Ticketmaster

Peter Pan at Resorts World Arena, Birmingham

Even we haven't seen a pantomime in an arena, and we consider ourselves somewhat panto experts here at RadioTimes.com. But if you're based near Birmingham, you could have a chance to do just that this Christmas and see Peter Pan in what promises to be a big budget extravaganza.

Boy George leads this star studded cast which also includes Dorit Kemsley of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and comedian Jordan Conway. There will only be four shows of this pantomime between Friday 22nd December and Sunday 24th December, so if you're keen to get your hands on tickets, we'd recommend you act sooner rather than later.

Buy tickets to see Peter Pan from £28.80 at The Ticket Factory

Beauty and the Beast at The Globe, Blackpool Pleasure Beach

The only thing that can make a pantomime even more magical is seeing it at an iconic location. This year, you can 'be our guest' to The Globe's production of Beauty and the Beast, right on entertainment hotspot Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

No cast information has been released yet, but we know that the panto will be running from 25th November until 24th December with up to three performances a day, giving you plenty of opportunities to enjoy the show.

If you fancy making your pantomime trip a big day out in Blackpool, you have to check out the Pick 'n' Mix Pass to the Blackpool Tower. This pass grants you access to the skywalk and ballroom in the Blackpool Tower, as well as other local attractions such as SEA LIFE Blackpool and Madame Tussauds. Plus you can choose between a one, two or seven-day pass.

Buy tickets to see Beauty and the Beast from £12 at The Globe, Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Buy a Pick 'n' Mix Pass for the Blackpool Tower

For more days and nights out, check out our Going Out section. For other activities, check out our best London escape rooms, best flight experiences and best UK water sports and water activities.

If you're a theatre fan, check out our West End theatre tips guide for all you need to know before heading to theatreland, plus our guide to the best West End shows.