Christmas Panto 2026: The UK’s Biggest Pantos and Where to See Them

Pantomime is Britain’s most dependable Christmas tradition: around 260 professional pantos play across the UK each festive season, reaching more than three million people and generating over £60 million at the box office, according to Spotlight. For many regional theatres, the Christmas panto accounts for 30 to 50 per cent of the entire year’s income. The season runs right through Christmas Day itself — see our companion guide to Christmas Day 2026 for the day’s bank holidays, opening times and what’s on TV. If you are making a day of it, our guide to the UK’s Christmas markets covers the ten biggest, every fact from the official source.

The ten big pantos of 2026

Cinderella — London Palladium

The London Palladium’s panto is the undisputed flagship of the season, and this year it returns with Cinderella running Saturday 5 December 2026 to Sunday 10 January 2027. The cast, announced by the venue’s operator LW Theatres, reads like a variety bill from another era: Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders as the Ugly Sisters, Julian Clary as the Fairy Godfather, Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers, Rob Madge, Dex Lee as Prince Charming and Hope Dawe as Cinderella. Tickets start from £25 with no booking fees when you book direct. One note for parents: the Palladium states that under-4s are not admitted and that the show contains “playful innuendo and cheeky jokes” — parental discretion is advised.

Sleeping Beauty — Birmingham Hippodrome

Birmingham Hippodrome runs Sleeping Beauty from Saturday 19 December 2026 to Sunday 31 January 2027. The venue page names Rylan as the Diva of Dreams, Matt Slack as Lester the Jester, Zoe Birkett as Carabosse, Andrew Ryan as Queen Patsy of Pantoland, Ben Culleton as Prince Peter of Perry Barr and Keziah Ibe as Princess Aurora. The production is staged by Crossroads Pantomimes with sets and costumes from the London Palladium.

Dick Whittington — Manchester Opera House

Manchester Opera House runs Dick Whittington from Saturday 5 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, with Jason Manford and Ben Nickless returning to the cast, Adam Strong as King Rat, Landi Oshinowo as the Spirit of Bow Bells and Sarah Vaughan as Alice Fitzwarren, all confirmed on the venue operator’s own listings. Note: the venue replaced its previously announced Snow White with Dick Whittington, so if you saw early advertising, the current production is the Manford show.

Cinderella — Sheffield Lyceum

Sheffield Lyceum opens Cinderella on Saturday 28 November 2026, running through to Sunday 3 January 2027. The venue’s own news page confirms Damian Williams as the Dame — his 19th year in the role. Regional reports add Ore Oduba as Prince Charming, Bibi Simpson as Cinderella and Andy Day as Dandini, though those names come from press coverage rather than the venue’s own announcement.

Sleeping Beauty — Bristol Hippodrome

Bristol Hippodrome stages Sleeping Beauty from Friday 4 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, with Craig Revel Horwood — best known as a Strictly judge — starring as Carabosse, and Andy Ford as Muddles, both named on the venue operator’s own pages. The dates come from the producer’s own announcement, as the operator’s show page did not render dates in text at the time of checking.

Aladdin — Glasgow King’s Theatre

The King’s Theatre presents a brand-new Aladdin, with the venue’s own page naming Elaine C Smith and Johnny Mac as the stars. The production runs Saturday 21 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 according to the regional listings.

Jack and the Beanstalk — Newcastle Theatre Royal

Newcastle Theatre Royal runs Jack and the Beanstalk from Tuesday 24 November 2026 to Sunday 17 January 2027, one of the longest runs of the season. The venue page names Danny Adams as Jack Trot, Clive Webb as Farmer Trot, Chris Hayward as Dame Trot and Joe McElderry as the Spirit of the Beans. The theatre’s own advice: book early, “or even magic beans won’t get you the best seats!”

The Little Mermaid — Grand Opera House, Belfast

The Grand Opera House in Belfast presents The Little Mermaid, running Saturday 28 November 2026 to Sunday 10 January 2027. The venue page names a full cast led by May McFettridge as Queen May — her 36th panto season at the theatre — alongside Paddy Jenkins as The King, Adam C Booth as Conor Crabsticks, Jolene O’Hara as the Sea Spirit, Jalisa Phoenix-Roberts as the Sea Witch, Rhiannon Chesterman as Ariel and Adam Gillian as Prince Eric. The production is by Crossroads Pantomimes and Michael Harrison.

Robin Hood (Family Pantomime) — Southampton Mayflower

Southampton’s Mayflower stages Robin Hood from Saturday 12 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, headlined by Ashley Banjo and Diversity as Robin Hood and the Merry Men, with Max Fulham as Will Scarlett, Nic Greenshields as the Sheriff of Nottingham, Amelia Walker as the Spirit of Sherwood and Kirsty Ingram as Maid Marion. Tickets start from £19.50, the show runs about two hours including the interval, and the venue recommends it for ages 3 and up.

The All New Adventures of Peter Pan — Norwich Theatre Royal

Norwich Theatre Royal presents The All New Adventures of Peter Pan from Saturday 5 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. The venue page names Joe Tracini as Smee, Milo Clarke as Peter Pan, Kerry Ingram as Wendy, Quinn Patrick as Tink and Karl Queensborough as Captain Hook, and describes the show as welcoming to all families — with captioned, audio-described, BSL-interpreted and sensory-adapted performances listed.

Where there is no traditional panto this Christmas

A panto guide is only useful if it is honest about the gaps. Liverpool Empire is not staging a panto this season — Mamma Mia! occupies the Christmas slot there from 8 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Edinburgh Festival Theatre has no panto either; the city’s annual panto has returned to the King’s Theatre, Edinburgh after its redevelopment (The Adventures of Pinocchio, 28 November 2026 to 17 January 2027), corroborated by regional press rather than verified directly on the venue’s own page. In Cardiff, Wales Millennium Centre’s Christmas main-house show is Matilda The Musical (9 December 2026 to 17 January 2027), with the adults-only 18+ drag parody Barrylesque as the alternative in the Weston Studio. And Leeds Grand Theatre has no panto at the Grand itself this year — its Christmas slate is Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (8–12 December) followed by Northern Ballet’s Cinderella (15 December to 2 January).

Tips for booking panto tickets

• Book early. The venues say it themselves: Newcastle warns that “even magic beans won’t get you the best seats”, and pre-Christmas afternoon performances sell fastest everywhere.
• Check the age guidance before you book. The Palladium admits no under-4s and flags its cheeky innuendo; Southampton recommends 3+; Sheffield suggests 4+. Casting is never guaranteed at any performance — both the Palladium and the Mayflower say producers cannot promise a particular artist will appear on a given night.
• Book direct with the venue’s own box office. The Palladium sells tickets from £25 with no booking fees through its own site; third-party sellers add their own mark-ups.
• Look for access performances. Norwich offers captioned, audio-described, BSL and sensory-adapted shows; Manchester lists a relaxed performance — check each venue’s own access pages.
• Going as a group? Venue operators commonly offer discounts for groups of ten or more — call the venue’s group line.

Frequently asked questions

What is the biggest panto in the UK for Christmas 2026?

The London Palladium’s Cinderella (5 December 2026 – 10 January 2027) is the flagship: Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders as the Ugly Sisters and Julian Clary as the Fairy Godfather, with tickets from £25 and no booking fees when booked direct.

Is there a panto in Manchester, Birmingham or Leeds this Christmas?

Yes to Manchester (Dick Whittington at the Opera House) and Birmingham (Sleeping Beauty at the Hippodrome). Leeds Grand Theatre has no traditional panto this year — its Christmas slate is Christmas Carol Goes Wrong and Northern Ballet’s Cinderella.

Are pantos suitable for young children?

Most are, but check each venue’s age guidance: the Palladium admits no under-4s, Southampton recommends 3+, and shows contain audience-participation noise that some toddlers find overwhelming. Norwich and Manchester list sensory-adapted and relaxed performances.

How much do panto tickets cost in 2026?

The London Palladium lists tickets from £25 with no booking fees; Southampton’s Mayflower lists from £19.50. Prices rise for weekend and peak-date performances everywhere.

Is the panto cast guaranteed?

No. The Palladium and Mayflower both state that producers cannot guarantee any particular artist will appear at a given performance — casting changes are normal.