Your guide to Nottinghamshire pantomimes this Christmas
Panto season is here again – oh yes it is!
And in Nottinghamshire, there are a host of shows to choose from, ranging from big venues like Nottingham Theatre Royal to smaller more local venues.
But wherever the panto fun is this Christmas, one thing is assured – bags of festive family fun.
Here’s where the main panto action is happening in Nottinghamshire this Christmas.
Nottingham Theatre Royal – Jack and the Beanstalk
TV stars Rob Rinder and Samantha Womack lead a cast that also features Nottingham panto favourite Neil Hurst.
Doomed to sell his trusty cow, Jack must outwit the evil giant and win riches beyond his wildest dreams in a feast of festive family fun.
Runs from November 28 to January 3 – visit trch.co.uk or call 0115 9895555 to book.
Nottingham Playhouse – Aladdin
Renowned panto dame John Elkington stars as the infamous Widow Twankey with Danny Hendrix as Aladdin, Bradley Judge as the hapless Wishy Washy and Lara Sas as the Spirit of the Ring/Ruler.
Can the plucky Aladdin prove himself to the Princess or will the wicked sorcerer get his hands on the legendary lamp?
With the help of a hilarious genie and some panto magic, anything is possible.
Runs from November 27 to January 16 – visit nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk to book
Mansfield Palace Theatre – Cinderella
Emmerdale star Rosie Bentham polishes up her glass slippers to make her panto debut in Mansfield, alongside Joseph Dockree as Prince Charming, Niamh Hendron as Fairy Godmother and Mansfield panto stalwart Adam Moss as Buttons for this classic family favourite.
Runs from November 21 to January 3 – visit mansfieldpalace.co.uk or call 01623 463133 to book.
Nottingham Arts Theatre – Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Goldilocks has had enough of porridge and this year she’s running away to the circus.
Expect belly laughs, big tricks, bold costumes and all the panto madness you know and love.
A totally new tale, written by Amanda Hall and Liam Petruccio-Hall, this is a totally wild adventure, and a show that’s anything but ‘too small’ or ‘too big’, but ‘just right’.
Runs from December 5 to 20 – visit nottingham-theatre.co.uk/NottinghamArtsTheatre.dll/WhatsOn?f=2097893
Retford Majestic Theatre – Robin Hood
Celebrating 100 years of pantomime at the venue, Stuart Earp returns for his eighth year in Retford, donning the famous green tights as Robin with Jordan Bateman joining him as Friar Tuck.
Join Robin and his merry men as the take on the evil Sheriff of Nottingham in a daring battle to save Sherwood Forest.
Along the way, they’ll need plenty of courage, a little magic and help from the enchanting Fairy Thorn.
Will good triumph over evil, will justice be restored and will Robin finally marry the beautiful Maid Marion?
Runs from January 6 to 10 – visit majesticretford.org/whats-on or call 01777 706866 to book.
Newark Palace Theatre – Jack and the Beanstalk
Join Jack, Dame Trott and Clarabelle the Cow for a magical adventure with magical beans, a towering beanstalk, a majestic castle in the clouds and a fearsome bad-tempered giant.
Laura Pigott leads the cast as Jack with Steven Pinder as King Custard, Breanna Bradshaw as Princess Jill, Panto Awards nominee Luke Adamson as Dame Trott, Stefan Gough as Silly Billy and Ellis Kerkhoven as the villainous Fleshcreep.
Runs from December 8 to January 3 – visit palacenewark.com/whats-on/jack-and-beanstalk to book.
Worksop Arts Theatre – Cinderella
Presented by The Young Theatre Company, join Cinders, Buttons, the Fairy Godmother and a cast of crazy characters in this classic rags-to-riches fairytale where dreams really can come true.
Armed with a pumpkin, a handful of mice and the wave of a wand, can poor Cinderella swap the pantry for the palace?
Will she outwit her wicked sisters, make it to the Royal Ball and win the heart of the dashing Prince Charming before the clock strikes midnight? And, most importantly, will the glass slipper fit?.
Featuring 250 talented young performers plus special guests, this panto is bursting with spectacular singing, dancing and more fun than you can shake a pumpkin at.
Runs from November 29 to December 6 – visit ticketsource.com/acorntheatre/e-djdkxl to book.
Nottingham Lakeside Arts Theatre – The Snowsmith
This festive family show is an immersive adventure with puppetry, live music, and captivating storytelling.
What can unite the grumpy town of Thawmor this winter?
Legends tell of soft white snow that blankets the ground, and inventor Eira is determined to bring it back.
So she sets off on a madcap adventure where she battles a fearsome whale, explores an abandoned mine, and meets herds of goats, whilst finding unlikely friends in the strangest of places.
Runs from December 5 to January 3 – visit lakesidearts.org.uk/event/christmas-2026-at-lakeside-the-snowsmith/ to book.
Hucknall John Godber Centre – Snow White and the Seven Dwarves
Mirror, mirror on the wall, it’s Lovelace Theatre Group ending panto season with this much-loved fairy tale full of memorable characters, songs, comedy, chaos and, of course, a little bit of magic.
Runs from January 21 to 24 – visit facebook.com/LovelaceTheatreGroup or call 07761 092195 to book.