Ten of the Best - your guide to what to see around Notts in the days ahead

1 Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, Mansfield Palace Theatre, Saturday November 22 to New Year's Eve

It’s the fairest pantomime of all – and it’s taking to the stage in Mansfield. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs promises to be packed with everything audiences love about pantomime: a wicked stepmother, a poisoned apple, a magic mirror, sparkling dance numbers, glittering costumes and spectacular sets.

The show features an array of talent. Prince Fredrick is played by Joseph Dockree, who trained at The Royal Ballet School and Laine Theatre Arts and has graced the West End stage in Mrs Doubtfire, Mary Poppins and Cabaret, as well as performing internationally in Beauty and the Beast in Paris and Dance of the Vampires in Berlin.

Emilie du Leslay enchants audiences as Snow White, bringing her radiant charm and outstanding vocals to the title role. A graduate of ArtsEd with credits including Starlight Express in Germany, Wind in the Willows in the West End and an international tour of Les Misérables, Emilie is no stranger to bringing fairytale heroines to life, having played Alice, Wendy and Princess Jasmine in previous pantomime seasons.

Joining them is an exceptional line-up of much-loved panto favourites and television stars. Katrina Bryan, adored by families nationwide from her appearances in CBeebies’ Nina and the Neurons and Molly & Mack, takes a deliciously wicked turn as the Wicked Queen.

Mansfield favourite Ben Harlow returns by popular demand as Dame Dilly Donut, bringing his trademark warmth, humour and outrageous sense of fun, while Adam Moss is back as the irrepressible Muddles, guaranteeing his unique brand of comedy chaos. Completing the line-up are Snow White’s seven sensational dwarfs played by Hayley Burroughs, Denise Coppen, Willie Coppen, Emily Dyer, Simeon Dyer, Kieran DuMont and Ben Holmes.

Visit mansfieldpalace.co.uk or call 01623 463133 to book.

2 Festive fun day, Mansfield Town Centre, Saturday November 29

Enjoy entertainment and activities for all the family in the heart of the in Mansfield town centre. Visit www.mansfield.gov.uk/christmas for details.

3 Forgotten Objects, Mansfield Museum and Art Gallery, until Thursday December 4

Visitors can uncover the hidden stories behind everyday artefacts in this new exhibition. Each artefact, once commonplace or dismissed as obsolete, now takes centre stage - inviting visitors to reflect on memory and the passage of time. From household items to personal keepsakes, industrial relics to artistic curiosities, the exhibition offers a unique opportunity to see Mansfield’s heritage from a fresh perspective. Visitors are encouraged to share their own stories and interpretations. Dominic Hobson from Mansfield District Council’s Cultural Services team said: “Forgotten Objects is about rediscovery - not just of the artefacts themselves, but of the people, stories, and histories that give them meaning. These items might once have been considered insignificant, but together they reveal a powerful narrative about community, memory, and identity.” Call 01623 463088 or visit mansfield.gov.uk/museum for details.

4 Cinderella, Theatre Royal, Nottingham, Friday November 28 to Sunday January 4

Craig Revel Horwood, panto comic Neil Hurst, and singer, actor, and impressionist Christina Bianco lead the star-studded cast for this year’s panto at the Theatre Royal. Craig Revel Horwood is a household name having appeared as a judge on all 22 series of Strictly Come Dancing. Craig has also appeared in many West End musicals including Miss Saigon and Crazy for You and, after many years, returned to play Miss Hannigan in Annie, which he successfully toured around the UK twice, including the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham. He has also starred in a variety of pantomimes including the Wicked Queen in Snow White and Captain Hook in Peter Pan.

Neil Hurst returns to the Theatre Royal after performing as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray! in November 2024. Best known for his TV roles in The Syndicate and Fresh Meat, Neil also co-hosted ITV’s All-Star Family Fortunes, starred in The ABC Murders for the BBC and has appeared in family favourites such as Coronation Street, All Creatures Great and Small and Casualty.

Following her standout performance as the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in February, Christina Bianco returns to the Theatre Royal to play The Fairy Godmother in this year’s pantomime. A two-time Drama Desk Award nominee, Christina Bianco is an internationally acclaimed performer, best known for her vocal versatility and captivating stage presence. Her West End credits include Forbidden Broadway at the Vaudeville Theatre, Glinda in The Wizard of Oz at The London Palladium and Ado Annie in Oklahoma! at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. In New York, she played leading roles in Rent and Hello, Dolly!. A viral sensation with over 25 million views of her ‘diva’ impressions, Christina has appeared on The Paul O’Grady Show, This Morning and RuPaul’s Drag Race, and has performed her solo concerts to sold-out audiences across the globe.

Join Cinders as she goes from rags to riches, outwits her very wicked sisters and meets her Prince Charming.

Visit www.trch.co.uk or call 0115 989 5555 to book.

5 Wollaton Hall Light Trail, Wednesday November 26 until New Year’s Eve

Families can embark on a glittering adventure on the new-look trail. Visitors are promised never-before-seen installations on a trail that lasts for almost a mile, with enchanting surprises at every turn.

There will also be a chance to warm up by the fire, toast marshmallows, and sip mulled wine or hot chocolate, with delicious food available from local independent vendors. For those who want to end the evening in style, there is an Alpine-inspired private chalet for eight to ten people. Visit www.winterlighttrail.co.uk/wollaton to book or for more information.

6 Light Post Farm, White Post Farm, Newark, until Tuesday December 23

One of the East Midlands’ most magical festive experiences returns with a new after-dark Christmas trail, bringing together the team behind the region’s biggest family festival, Gloworm, with the award-winning White Post Farm. The trail has been completely redesigned, weaving in new features including a revamped pond and pier, as well as introducing special dog-friendly evenings for the very first time. Following the positive reception from families at its launch last year, the illuminated trail promises even more festive sparkle, enchanting installations, and plenty of chances to see the farm favourites in a whole new light. The fields of Farnsfield will once again be transformed by more than 250,000 sparkling lights, casting the farm in a dazzling new glow. Visitors are promised imaginative displays and plenty of picture-perfect moments along the kilometre-long trail.

Visit www.gigantic.com/light-post-farm-tickets to book.

7 The Muppet Christmas Carol Live in Concert, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, Sunday November 30

The much-loved film is presented with its musical score performed live by orchestra. When the grumpy Scrooge receives Christmas Eve visits from the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, they show him the error of his self-serving ways. Though the miserable old man seems beyond any hope of redemption and happiness, the kind and humble Bob Cratchit, his family, and the Spirits open Scrooge's eyes – and his heart – to the true meaning of Christmas. The Muppets perform Charles Dickens’ classic tale alongside Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge. Visit www.trch.co.uk or call 0115 989 5555 to book.

8 Sleeping Beauty, Nottingham Playhouse, Friday November 28 to Saturday January 17

Outraged at not being invited to the Princess’s party, the evil Maleficent casts a spell that sends the Princess and her whole kingdom into a deep sleep, when she pricks her finger on an enchanted spinning wheel. As they snooze, a tangled forest springs up around them. Only one thing can break the curse – the magic of true love. Enter our Prince, who must battle through the thorns, and work with the Princess to defeat the wicked fairy. The magical extravaganza is packed with Notts talent, with much-loved dame John Elkington as Nelly the Nanny. Visit nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk or call 0115 941 9419 to book.

9 Wild: The Drone Light Show, Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Friday November 28 to Sunday November 30

The event aims to bring the animal kingdom to life in a fusion of cutting-edge technology, artistry and music in a 40-minute performance in which more than 600 drones light up the night sky, creating vivid depictions of four wild worlds — desert, ocean, arctic, and jungle — synchronised with music. Visit www.wilddroneshow.com to book.

10 Blondied, Festival Inn, Trowell, Friday November 28

Top Blondie tribute act Blondied are next up at a regular live entertainment night in Trowell. The event is organised by VIP Cabaret, a non-profit organisation that hosts four live shows per year featuring some of the best tribute acts in the industry. Call 0791 7773 003 to book.