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, until 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 Cinderella, Theatre Royal, Nottingham, until 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. 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!.

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.

3 Winter Wonderland, Mansfield Museum, until Saturday December 20

Enjoy twinkling lights, creative craft activities and festive fun for all ages. Admission is free of charge. Visit www.mansfield.gov.uk/museum or call 01623 463088 for details.

4 Sleeping Beauty, Nottingham Playhouse, until 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.

5 The Little Mermaid, Nottingham Playhouse, until Saturday January 3

Families can dive into a world of magic and music with The Little Mermaid. Based on the classic fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen, the show tells of a mermaid who dreams of a life on the land but finds herself out of her depth when her dreams finally come true. It has been especially created for children aged three to eight. Visit nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk or call 0115 941 9419 to book.

6 Peter Kay, Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham, Friday December 19 and Saturday December 20

Kay’s record-breaking tour - now in its third year - continues to draw sold-out crowds nationwide, reaffirming his place as one of Britain’s most loved entertainers. Visit www.motorpointarenanottingham.com to book.

7 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.

8 Fleetwood Bac, Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, Thursday December 18

Raved about by Peter Green’s biographer, Fleetwood Bac replicate the classic line-up that recorded Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours album - Stevie, Lindsey, Christine, John and Mick

The show promises the sound, the look, the mystical atmosphere and on-stage chemistry of the originals, with the band having built a following through numerous tours, festival appearances appearance on and TV and radio all over Europe. Visit www.alttickets.com to book.

9 Kate Rusby: Christmas is Merry, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, Friday December 19

The folk favourite invites audiences to join her for a glittering celebration of 20 years of Christmas tours with her new festive extravaganza. For two decades, Kate’s Christmas tours have been a highlight of the season, filling concert halls across the country with warmth, laughter, sparkle and Yorkshire charm. Audience members will be taken on a journey from lush cinematic soundscapes to moments of intimacy. Expect a joyful mix of Christmas classics, alongside cherished Yorkshire carols. Visit www.trch.co.uk or call 0115 989 5555 to book.

10 The Snowman Live, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, Sunday December 21, 1pm and 5pm

Enjoy a magical live screening and live orchestral performance of Raymond Briggs’ classic story, accompanied by English Pro Musica. The event will also include fun and festive music, with audience participation. Visit www.trch.co.uk or call 0115 989 5555 to book.