Christmas Pantos 2024 in London
Date post added: 5th November 2024
A very British tradition, pantomime is a big part of our festive entertainment. Up and down the country, from Glasgow to Swansea, Manchester to Bristol, we gather together to laugh, scream and singalong to a festive, family pantomime.
Men dress as women. Women dress as boys. There are slapstick jokes aplenty and the good guys always beat the baddies. The theatrical production is usually based on an age old fairy tale with a few topical jokes and modern songs shoehorned in.
If you’ve never had the pleasure of experiencing a Christmas pantomime, you’re missing a treat. It’s the perfect way to spend family time together over the festive season (except for the super saucy, adult only pantos!). Book tickets now as they sell out fast.
10 of the top-rated Christmas pantomimes in London 2024
1. Robin Hood – The London Palladium
The London Palladium pantomime is the stuff of legends. It’s always a big box office sensation, with stunning sets and creative costumes. But it’s the silliness that’s the real thrill of this show.
Led by Julian Clary as Robin Hood and Jane McDonald as Maid Marion, there’ll be many, very merry men and women in the audience. Pantomime pros, Paul Zerdin and Nigel Havers are there as Will Scarlet and Friar Tuck. It’ll be panto at its best.
Robin Hood runs from 7th December to 12th January 2025.
2. Aladdin – Lyric Hammersmith
Take a ride on a magic carpet, and enjoy the classic tale of Aladdin. Along with Jasmine and the Genie, Aladdin takes you on an adventure packed with turmoil, laughs and musical mayhem.
It’s a wonderful, family show and audience participation is very much encouraged.
Aladdin runs from 22nd November to 5th January 2025.
3. Cinderella – King’s Head Theatre, Islington
Billed as an immersive experience, Cinderella at the King’s Head will be a more intimate show than some of the bigger theatre offerings. It’s written and directed by the British Panto Award winner Andrew Pollard (CBeebies’ Robin Hood), and he knows how to entertain and engage a family audience.
Head along to the big Disco Ball this Christmas, and watch Cinderella find (and run away from) her Prince Charming.
Cinderella runs from 30th November 2024 to 5th January 2025.
4. Jack and the Beanstalk – New Wimbledon Theatre
Despite its title of ‘New Wimbledon Theatre’, this breathtaking Grade II listed venue dates back to 1910. And within these dramatic and highly decorated four walls, you can expect an epic pantomime.
With Joe Pasquale as Jack’s feckless brother, you know that slapstick comedy will abound. Alexandra Burke will get the boos and hisses in her role as Mrs Blunderbore. Cabaret star Ceri Dupree and West End star Ria Jones join them, adding even more star appeal and kudos.
Jack and the Beanstalk runs from 7th December 2024 to 5th January 2025.
5. Dick Whittington and his cat – Greenwich Theatre
A pantomime paved with gold, Dick Whittington and his all important cat is a very London tale. Dick Whittington seeks fame and fortune in the streets of London Town. But King Rat and his rodent gang try to quash him.
Can Dick find true love with Alice Fitzwarren? Could he possibly become Lord Mayor of London? You’ll have to watch to find out (or Google it but that’s a lot less fun).
Dick Whittington runs from 22nd November 2024 to 5th January 2025
If you have an aversion to going south of the river, never fear. Dick Whittington is also showing at the Hackney Empire.
6. Snow White – Compass Theatre, Ickenham
Who is the fairest of them all? Snow White vs the Wicked Queen is an age old tale, but a good one. Expect a whole heap of fun and singing along, at this lovely production in North West London.
Smaller scale productions may not have the jaw-dropping special effects and big name actors involved in the West End shows, but they have an abundance of energy, enthusiasm, interactivity and heart. Importantly, they make theatre more accessible.
Snow White runs from 5th December to 4th January 2025.
7. Pinocchio at Theatre Royal Stratford East
Pinocchio is not a traditional panto choice, so if you fancy a slightly less predictable Christmas show it could be one for you. As you’d expect, there’s a little wooden puppet who comes to life and makes toymaker Geppetto’s dreams come true.
Joining Pinocchio are Blue Rinse Fairy and Krik Krak the cricket who help the wooden boy along the way, learning valuable life lessons as he goes.
Pinocchio runs from 23rd November 2024 to 4th January 2025.
8. Sleeping Beauty – Broadway Theatre, Catford
Billed as ‘The perfect Gothic fairytale with a soulful twist for Christmas 2024,’ you can look forward to a magical production of Sleeping Beauty. It ticks the traditional panto boxes – wicked woman, beautiful princess, evil spell. But it also ticks the boxes for showstopping dance numbers, cracking comedy routines and wonderfully colourful characters.
Sleeping Beauty runs from Wednesday 4th Dec to Tue 31 Dec 2024.
9. Beauty and the Beast – Richmond Theatre
One of the most romantic pantomimes, Beauty and the Beast, is a tale of true love. There’s village girl Belle, a bad-mannered prince who’s transformed into a beast, and the third wheel – a good fairy.
It’s beautiful story for the whole family. To top it off, there’ll be beautiful costumes, incredible scenery, awesome special effects and the magic of live theatre.
Beauty and the Beast runs from 7th December 2024 to 5th January 2025.
10. Peter Pan – Phoenix Theatre
If you though panto wasn’t quite camp enough, try the all drag version for size! It’ll be lewd and crude and side-splittingly funny.
You’ll find a hand-picked selection of lost boys here, especially Drag Race veterans. There’s Ginger Johnson as Captain Hook, and Kitty Scott-Claus, Cheryl Hole, Kate Butch as the Darling children for starters. Not for young eyes and ears, this isn’t a family affair, but it will be a hilarious spectacular.
Peter Pan – the All Drag Panto runs from 2nd December 2024 until 6th January 2025.
Other Christmas shows
It’s not all about pantos – “Oh yes it is!” “Oh no it isn’t!”
There are so many wonderful festive theatre shows on in town at Christmas time, including:
- The Nutcracker – the festive ballet is at London Coliseum
- The Snowman – the Raymond Briggs’ classic as at the Peacock Theatre
- A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens’ story is on at The Old Vic
- The Stick Man – Julia Donaldon’s children’s story is told at Bloomsbury Theatre
- Fairytale of New York – an Irish treat at the Dominion Theatre
- Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas – take the kids to the Lyric Hammersmith Studio
- Father Christmas Needs A Wee! – family fun at the Arts Theatre, Great Newport Street WC2
- Horrible Christmas – the Horrible Histories gang will be at Alexandra Palace.
A perfect Christmas activity
Once Santa’s treats have been discovered, get out and active with a London walk. We run a range of festive walks, including a selection on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. If you’ve ever wondered about Samuels Pepys’ or Charles Dickens’ Christmas, this is your chance to have your questions answered.
Don’t miss our recommendations for things to do in London at Christmas, and more ideas for Boxing Day.
Pippa Jackson
Pippa is a word nerd and content aficionado with a background of working in TV on both sides of the globe. She loves to discover and share the diverse and wonderful stories of her much-loved London. When she’s not writing blogs and articles, you’ll find her walking beside the Thames or even paddleboarding on it (in the finest of conditions only!) or enjoying a coffee in the sunshine with a good book.
David Tucker
David – the Seigneur of this favoured realm – broods over words, breeds enthusiasms and is “unmanageable.”* He’s a balterer, literary historian, university lecturer, journalist, logophile and lifelong thanatophobe. For good measure, he’s the doyen of London guides.