Christmas Pantos & Theatre Shows - Guide to Christmas in Cheshire
Christmas Time Pantomimes and Theatre 2026 - Guide to Christmas in Cheshire & Beyond
Pantomimes are a classic Christmas tradition. It doesn’t matter what the weather is doing outside, a trip to the panto is a fail-safe Christmas activity for the whole family, usually packed with fun, plenty of audience participation and that good old-fashioned British humour.
And if pantos aren’t really your thing, there are plenty of Christmas shows and festive stories to choose from too, often filled with Christmas songs, magical moments and the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit.
Make sure you book your tickets in advance as a lot of the shows sell out quickly especially the weekend slots.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
If you are running an event and would like it to add added to the guide please get in touch and if you would like us to attend your event to create a full review for it also get in touch.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
🎄 Snowstorm by Gandeys Circus: A Frozen Adventure
📅 4th Dec – 3rd Jan
At The Trafford Centre
Journey into a breathtaking frozen kingdom where a brave rescue mission unfolds, an enchanted princess awaits, and a powerful dragon guards a mysterious ice castle. Filled with excitement, wonder, and Christmas magic, this stunning production brings an unforgettable story to life on ice. £15 tickets through Wowcher
Af Link] Book Here
🎭 Sleeping Beauty at Crewe Lyceum
📅 11th Dec - 3rd Jan
Su Pollard is joined by Cheshire’s favourite panto double act, MALCOLM LORD and STE JOHNSTON, back by popular demand to deliver more laughs, mischief and mayhem! Joining them is the multi-talented panto star BETHAN SEARLE as the wicked queen Carrabosse!
It is packed with everything you love about the Lyceum pantomime: a side-splitting comic, an outrageous dame, a delightfully devious baddie, spectacular musical numbers and plenty of slapstick fun for all ages!
🎭 Nativity at Crewe Lyceum
📅 25th - 28th Nov
Based on the hilarious and heart-warming British film, Nativity! The Musical follows the story of Mr Maddens, a primary school teacher who finds himself in charge of the school’s Christmas play. A laugh-out-loud, feel-good family musical filled with catchy songs, lovable characters, and more sparkle and shine than you can imagine.
🎭 Elf The Musical at Trentham Estate
In The Big Top Arena
📅 25th Nov - 6th Dec
Elf The Musical is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy's enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth.
🎭 The Snowman' film with live orchestra at Chester Cathedral
📅 21st Dec
All shows will feature a special screening of The Snowman, accompanied by our live orchestra.
As an extra festive treat, performances also include Fleece Navidad, a hilarious Shaun the Sheep Christmas short episode, accompanied live by the musicians.
🎭 Mr Popper's Penguins at Waterside Sale
📅 30th Nov - 27th Dec 2026
Featuring incredible penguin puppets, unforgettable songs and magical storytelling, this heartwarming family adventure has captivated audiences across the world.
🎭Jack and the Beanstalk at The Plaza Stockport
📅 4th Dec - 3rd Jan 2027
TODD CARTY known to millions of fans from his many roles including Eastenders and The Bill will appear on stage as Fleshcreep and will delight audiences of ALL Ages in this Spectacular Magical production that will provide you, your family and friends with sensational memories that will last a lifetime….Oh Yes They Will!
📍 Mersey Square, Stockport, SK1 1SP
🎭 Show White at Northwich Memorial Court
📅 6th - 19th Dec
Snow White awaits the arrival of her Prince in the Kingdom of Little Apple. However, Queen Morgana has other ideas and plans to marry the Prince herself. Starring local pantomime legend RYAN GREAVES as Wally and the return of Northwich's favourite Princess GEORGIE JACKSON as Snow White
📍 Northwich Memorial Court, Northwich, CW9 5QJ
🎭 Step Into Christmas at M&S Arena Liverpool
📅 5 Dec
This spectacular Christmas concert is guaranteed to fill your heart with festive cheer and have you singing along from start to finish. Packed with all your favourite Christmas classics, with dazzling performances, stunning festive visuals, and a sensational live band.
🎭 Cinderella at M&S Arena Liverpool
📅 12th -29th Dec
This year's star-studded cast features Bippo as Buttons, Strictly Come Dancing star Neil Jones as Prince Charming (appearing from 20th Dec), local internet icon The Queen of Scotty Road as Dandini, Dominic Mattos as the Fairy Godmother, West End powerhouses Orla Ridpath and Shelley Anne Rivers as the Ugly Sisters, and Rebecca Lake as Cinderella.
🎭 A Christmas Carol at The Grange theatre in Hartford
📅 4th - 31st Dec
Follow the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a transformative journey through past, present, and future, as he’s visited by a host of unforgettable spirits determined to change his fate. Bursting with festive energy, this spectacular show blends laugh-out-loud comedy, cheeky Christmas ghosts, and pop song favourites with heart-warming storytelling.
🎭 Aladdin - A Tale of Rugs to Riches! At The Kings Hall Stoke
📅 1st - 6th Dec
Join Stoke Amateur Theatre Society (SATS) this festive season. With original scripts, vibrant costumes, and a talented local cast, SATS pantomimes have become a much-loved Christmas tradition for Stokie families. Get Ready to rub that lamp, because this year's Aladdin pantomime is about to take you on a flying carpet ride that is absolute genie-us!
🎭 Rapunzel at Storyhouse Chester 2026
📅 Fri 4 Dec – Sun 3 Jan
This Christmas, we’re taking the classic tale of Rapunzel and giving it a glow-up with a show that’s funny, sparkly and bursting with energy for the whole family.
📍 Hunter Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2AR
🎭 The Reindeer Who Saved Christmas at Storyhouse Chester
📅 14th - 24th Dec
Narrated by Father Christmas himself, this heartwarming story takes a closer look at the beloved tale of a very special red-nosed reindeer. Step through the Naughty or Nice Scanner to discover your place on Santa’s list, bring your letters to post in Santa’s special postbox, and enjoy a festive treat from Father Christmas himself during the show.
🎭 Aladdin Parr Hall Warrington 2026
📅 30 December to 10 January
It’s off to old Warrington town, where we meet Aladdin, who is tricked by the evil Abanazar into entering the Cave of Wonders. This magical carpet ride of a pantomime is packed with song, dance, comedy, and magic,
🎭 Dick Whittington at Opera House Manchester
📅 5th Dec- 3rd Jan 2027
Manchester’s pantomime will be paved with gold as comedy sensation Jason Manford and panto favourite Ben Nickless return to the Opera House to star in Dick Whittington.
🎶 Gospel at Clonter Opera Theatre
📅 5th Dec 2026
Hailed as one of the world’s greatest gospel choirs, the London Adventist Chorale returns by popular request, to perform their annual Christmas special.
📍 Swettenham Heath, Congleton CW12 2LR
🎭 BOST Musicals presents Elf The Musical at Liverpool Empire
📅 19 Nov - 22 Nov
Festive chaos as Buddy brings his unique brand of Christmas cheer to Manhattan, discovers the true meaning of family, falls in love, and ultimately saves Christmas when Santa’s sleigh crash-lands in Central Park.
📍1 Lime St, Liverpool L1 1JE, UK
🎭 The Jolly Christmas Postman at The Lowry
📅 4th Dec - 3rd Jan
Based on the award-winning children’s book by much-loved duo Janet and Allan Ahlberg, this family show sees the Jolly Postman cycling through the snow to deliver parcels and letters to familiar friends as they prepare for Christmas celebrations.
🎭 A Christmas Carol at The Lowry
📅 11th Dec - 10th Jan
Matthew Warchus’ big-hearted, smash hit production of Charles Dickens’ immortal classic comes to Lowry following nine sell out years at The Old Vic, joyously adapted for the stage by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, His Dark Materials) and starring acclaimed actor, writer, comedian and presenter John Thomson (Cold Feet) as Ebenezer Scrooge.
🎭 A Very Messy Christmas at The Lowry
📅 23rd Dec - 3rd Jan
Eve likes everything to be calm and tidy and quiet but Christmas is loud and chaotic and cold so she doesn’t let it into her home. One day, a mysterious box arrives and a tiny bit of Christmas escapes!
A brand new sensory show for 0-3 year olds.
🎭 Ballet Shoes at The Lowry
📅8th Dec - 3rd Jan
Starring Anton Du Beke (Strictly Come Dancing) as Great Uncle Matthew.
In a crumbling house full of dinosaur bones and fossils, three adopted sisters – Pauline, Petrova and Posy – are discovering what they want to be. Under the watchful eyes of their new guardians and some unlikely lodgers, they fight to pursue their individual passions; but in a world that wasn’t built for women with big ambitions, can they forge a future, keep their family together, and even learn a dance or two along the way?
🎭 Snow White at Regent Theatre Stoke
📅 11th Dec - 3rd Jan
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.
🎭 Cinderella: A Fairytale at Octagon Theatre Bolton
📅 20th Nov – 9th Jan
Cinderella: A Fairytale brings this well-loved classic tale bang up to date with a funny, high-energy show that will be a real crowd pleaser for the whole family.
📍 Howell Croft South, BL1 1SB
🎭 Jack and the Beanstalk at Grand Theatre Blackpool
📅 4th Dec - 3rd Jan
Coronation Street favourite Lisa George leads the company as the magical Spirit of the Beans, alongside Blackpool panto legend, ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent finalist Steve Royle as Silly Simon.
📍 Blackpool, FY1 1HT
🎭 The Sorcerer's Apprentice at HOME Manchester
📅 27th Nov - 2nd Jan
Against the backdrop of the Northern Lights, a small town has been pushed to the brink of collapse in a bid for progress and prosperity. To rescue Midgard from certain destruction, the sorcerer and his apprentice must work out how to make magic together, and fast!
🎭 Robin Hood at Altrincham Garrick Playhouse
📅 4th Dec - 3rd Jan
Packed with laugh-out-loud comedy, audience interaction, toe-tapping tunes, dazzling dance numbers, and a fresh twist on a classic tale, ROBIN HOOD promises to be the perfect theatre outing for the entire family.
🎭 Peter Pan at The Evans Theatre Wilmslow
📅 10th - 13th Dec
Expect fairies, pirates, adventure, laughter and all the wonder of Neverland, wrapped up in the warmth and magic of Christmas.
📍Wilmslow Leisure Centre, Wilmslow, SK9 1BU
🎭 Christmas Lights at Z-Arts Manchester
📅 13th - 30th Dec
For children aged 1-4 and their families.
Snow is falling and the nights are drawing in and Christmas is just around the corner. Join friends, Alvie and Kit as they embark on a playful mission to light up their house in time for Christmas. But what happens when your Christmas Lights seem to have a mind of their own?
Comments