Written by Amanda David
Sexual innuendo, raunchy jokes, exuberant drag and girls dressed as boys in thigh-length boots; it doesn’t sound much like a kids’ show I know, but welcome to the world of pantomime!
We’ve rounded up the best pantos and Christmas shows in town (including a few that are definitely aimed at adults!).
What is a pantomime?
Pantomimes, or pantos for short, can trace their roots back to the sixteenth century and Italy’s Commedia dell’Arte, featuring the mischievous character of Harlequin. By the early eighteenth century these shows of music, slapstick comedy and acrobatics were so popular that in 1732 Harlequin actor John Rich used his panto profits to build Covent Garden Theatre. The Theatres Act of 1843 permitted the use of dialogue in all plays, which led to the introduction of the jokes, puns and cheeky word play so integral to pantos today. By the end of the nineteenth century, extravagant costumes became a key part of the shows which usually opened on Boxing Day, hence the link with Christmas.
Traditionally a woman plays the role of Principal Boy and a man plays the Dame. The Principal Boy usually wears a short, belted tunic and thigh-length boots, allowing for much thigh-slapping to take place, whilst the dame gets the most gaudy, glittery, over-the-top costume of the night. If you were playing panto-casting bingo, you’d be hoping for a burly retired boxer or rugby player for the dame, a glamorous soap opera/reality TV star for the principal boy, a comedian or magician for the sidekick and a singer (ideally a veteran diva or ex-boy band member) for any other role.
In stark contrast to most other theatre, audience participation is actively encouraged in the world of panto. This will be led and prompted by the cast, within traditional rules:
- Booing and hissing of baddies (don’t worry, you’ll know who the baddies are!)
- Warning the goodies when a baddie is around, or they are searching for something; spoiler alert, the warning is ‘It’s behind you!’
- Sympathising with goodies; a long ‘Aaaaaaaahh’ if you feel sorry for them
- Disagreeing with baddies; they will say ‘Oh yes it is!’ to which the audience shouts ‘Oh no it isn’t!’ (or the other way round)
If you go to the very last performance of a pantomime, it may not seem to run quite as smoothly as you might expect. This is traditionally when the cast and crew prank each other during the performance, leaving the actor to style it out live on stage.
London Pantos for 2025/6
Robin Hood at the New Wimbledon Theatre, Wimbledon
The majestic Edwardian auditorium of the New Wimbledon Theatre is a perfect backdrop to this classic, much-loved panto. A starry cast includes dancers Ashley Banjo and Diversity as Robin Hood and his Merry Men, comedian and magician Pete Firman as Will Scarlet, musical theatre star Lauren Hampton as Maid Marian and veteran panto villian Steve Arnott as the scheming Sheriff of Nottingham. Dates: 6th December 2025-4th January 2026
Best for: Those south of the river who want to go to a proper panto without trekking in to central London
Tickets from £15.00 (+ £3.95 booking fee)
Book here
Pinocchio, Wandsworth
This much-loved tale of everybody’s favourite pants-on-fire puppet promises an adventure for audiences of all ages, which you can enjoy at the Wandsworth Civic Suite this festive season. Along the way you’ll follow an unforgettable cast of characters on their journey of friendship, bravery, support and, above all, honesty.
Best for: Those looking for a great value family panto
Tickets from £13.50 (+ £1.35 booking fee)
Book here
Sleeping Beauty at the London Palladium, Soho
Undeniably pricy but the OG of London panto venues, expect extravagant sets, lavish costumes and every beloved panto trope you could hope for. With Julian Clary cast as King Julian alongside Catherine Tate as Carabosse the wicked fairy and Nigel Havers as Keeper of the Privy, we’re expecting the classic panto innuendo and double-entendre game to be particularly strong.
Dates: 6th December 2025-11th January 2026Best for: A star-studded cast, and the ultimate panto experience
Tickets from £39.50
Book here
Cinderella at the Hackney Empire, Hackney
Hackney Empire pantos are more of a good clean fun, community affair; this is reflected in the fact that children of all ages are welcome, with children aged 3 and under sitting on an adult’s lap getting in free of charge. Panto veteran Clive Rowe directs Siobhan James as Cinderella, Nicholas McLean as Buttons, Alexandra Waite-Roberts as the Wicked Stepmother and Kat B and George Heyworth as Flatula and Nausea, the Ugly Sisters. Running time is approximately 2 hours 15 minutes, including a 20 minute interval.
Dates: 25th November-31st December 2025Best for: Those with a young family
Tickets from £10.00 (plus £1.20 booking fee per ticket online, £1.40 per ticket over the phone)
Book here
Mama Goose at the Theatre Royal Stratford East, Stratford
Another lovely local panto suitable for all ages; if you are bringing a child under 2, then you can pay £1.00 for a lap seat. Expect a classic tale with a special East London twist. This year it’s the turn of Mama Goose, featuring Charlie Cameron as AI Jill, Duane Gooden as Mama Goose and Mya Fox-Scott as BFF (The Bougie Fierce Fairy). This is one of the most popular pantomimes outside of central London and well worth the trip; if you’re an east London local, lucky you. Running time is approximately 2 hours, plus an interval.
Dates: 21st November 2025-3rd January 2026Best for: Those with a young family, and panto-loving east Londoners who don’t fancy the West End
Tickets from £10.00
Book here
If pantos are not your thing, you can get your Christmas vibes from some outdoor ice skating, winter markets or a walking tour of London’s Christmas lights – or check out these other festive classics.
Other Christmas Shows
The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre, West End
Back for its 28th year with Sadler’s Wells in the West End, journey to the North Pole with Raymond Briggs’s famous snowman for an evening of magic, dance and storytelling. It also features a live orchestra and one of the most famous songs ever. All together now: ‘We’re walking in the air . . . ‘
Dates: 26th November 2025-5th January 2026Best for: Getting into the festive spirit
Tickets from £18.00
Book here
A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic, Waterloo
Paul Hilton (Slow Horses, The Crown) stars as Scrooge in Jack Thorne’s adaptation of Dickens’s classic Christmas tale. This fabulous immersive staging is suitable for children aged 8 and over; it’s a lovely way to get those festive feels – and The Old Vic will be raising money for charity throughout the run.
Dates: 12th November 2025-10th January 2026Best for: Celebrating a much-loved literary classic
Tickets from £39.00
Book here/strong>
Cheapo Top Tip: If you live in Lambeth or Southwark, you are eligible for local discounts: check out the details here.
The Nutcracker at the London Coliseum, Covent Garden
Nothing says it’s nearly Christmas like the English National Ballet’s production of this festive favourite (except maybe that half-opened advent calendar with the dodgy chocolate Santas). Adventures and romance abound, along with gorgeous scenery and costumes that whisk you into a magical world.
Dates: 11th Dec 2025-11th January 2026Best for: Ethereal Christmas entertainment
Tickets from £15.00 plus booking fees
Book here
David Copperfield at the Jermyn Street Theatre, West End
Charles Court Opera traditionally offer ‘boutique pantos’ with a more classic literary or historical inspiration than the usual fairy tale. This year’s co-production with the Guildford Shakespeare Company is Dickens classic David Copperfield – presented by just three actors playing dozens of roles.
Dates: 20th November-20th December 2025Best for: Eccentric intellectual fun
Tickets from £35.00
Book here
Asi Wind – Incredibly Human at Underbelly Boulevard, Soho
For a performance of close-up magic that you’ll never forget, treat yourself to this dazzling 80-minute show from the man The New York Times called “one of the great magicians of our time”. Entertainment of the highest order. (Please note show this designed for adults, contains some mild adult language and parental guidance is advised; recommended for 12+. Children under 10 will not be admitted.)
Dates: 26 Sept 2024-5 Jan 2025Best for: Believing in magic again
Tickets from £25.00
Book here
Shows for the Grown-Ups
These next two come with a Parental Advisory sticker: ‘contains filthy festive fun’.
Jack and the Beanstalk: What a Whopper!, Charing Cross Theatre
Jack Trott’s dreams look like coming true as he wakes up to something that just keeps growing. With the irrepressible Matthew Baldwin back for 2024 to play Dame Trott.
Dates: 23 Nov 2024-11 Jan 2025Best for: Adults only
Tickets from £32.00
Book here
A Very Naughty Christmas, Southwark Playhouse
Christmas cabaret, stand-up comedy, burlesque and naughty musical theatre all rolled into one, A Very Naughty Christmas is Australia’s most successful Christmas musical show and is coming to London for the very first time. Ideal for fans of Magic Mike, La Clique and The Play That Goes Wrong, A Very Naughty Christmas is a spectacular, sexy, silly, naughty and hilarious take on Christmas, and strictly for over-18s only.
Dates: 28 Nov 2024-11 Jan 2025Best for: Adults only
Tickets from £24.00
Book here
While we do our best to ensure it is correct, information is subject to change.
This article was originally published in November 2017. Last updated on 3rd December 2025.
