They’re back once again this year, and with classic sing-along tunes, panto dames, tight and bright costumes and drag queens aplenty, 2024’s crop of pantos in London are a real humdinger. From classics such as ‘Robin Hood’ – headed up by camp icons Jane McDonald and Julian Clary – to the fun, fabulous and downright crude in the best possible way. From family-friendly options to naughtier iterations for adults only, here’s our rundown of the best pantomimes in London this festive season:
1. Robin Hood at the London Palladium
Kicking off this roundup of the best pantomimes in London is none other than the London Palladium – who are putting on a rip-roaring production of Robin Hood, featuring none other than the beloved national treasure Jane Mcdonald, who will be playing Maid Marion, as well as Julian Clary who’ll play Robin Hood.
Arguably the ‘home’ of London panto, you’re in excellent hands at the London Palladium. So, be sure to embark on this marvellous adventure with Robin Hood and his merry men before it comes to an end in the new year.
📍Robin Hood runs from December 7 2024 to January 14 2025 at the London Palladium, 8 Argyll Street, London, W1F 7TF. Get your tickets here.
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
2. Dick Whittington and His Cat at the Greenwich Theatre
Another panto classic, Dick Whittington and His Cat will be whittingly taking over the Greenwich Theatre this festive season, following the footsteps of last year’s award-winning production of Snow White (pictured above).
Watch Whittington and his cat take over the street of London Town as they seek fame and fortune, but not without some trouble from evil King Rat and his revolting rodents. *hiss* The play is written by and starring Greenwich Pantomime veteran Anthony Spargo, who will be celebrating his eleventh year at the Greenwich panto institute!
📍 Dick Whittington and his Cat runs from November 22 2024 until January 5 2025 at the Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, London, SE10 8ES. Get your tickets here.
🚇 Nearest station is Greenwich.
3. Peter Pan at the Pheonix Theatre
There’s an all-drag production of Peter Pan coming to the West End this Christmas! This star-studded panto will feature RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Ginger Johnson, as well as Cheryl, Kate Butch, and Kitty Scott Claus. But it doesn’t stop there, folks! TikTok legend Baily J. Mills will be Tinkerbell and local drag icon Yshee Black will be Smee! Count us well and truly in.
You are not going to want to miss this fantabulous show that’s guarunteed to be a barrel of laughs (and sell out pretty quickly, mind you). However, as previously mentioned, this is one of those pantomimes for the adult crowd, with parental discretion advised for those aged 16 or younger. So, don’t be a drag, go see these Kings and Queens sleigh Peter Pan before it’s gone!
📍 Peter Pan will run for seven shows only from December 2 2024 to January 6 2024 at the Pheonix Theatre, Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0JP. Get your tickets here.
🚇 Nearest stations are Charing Cross, Leicester Square, and Covent Garden.
4. Aladdin at the Lyric Hammersmith
Our next addition to this roundup of the best pantomimes in London this Christmas season is none other than Aladdin – playing at the iconic Lyric Hammersmith. Soar above the streets on this magic-carpet-ride of a production that will feature chart-topping tunes, side-splitting comedy and a fresh yet familiar take on this beloved tale.
Following the success of last year’s pantomime, award-winning writer Sonia Jalaly and director Nicholai La Barrie have teamed up for another must-see, and it sounds like an absolute dream.
📍 Aladdin runs from November 16 2024 to January 5 2025 at the Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King Street, London, W6 0QL. Get your tickets here.
🚇 Nearest station is Hammersmith.
5. Cinderella at the King’s Head Theatre
The classic story of Cinderella is being brought to life at the King’s Head Theatre’s first-ever family pantomime. This must-see production will feature sensational songs, hilarious slapstick comedy, romance, and even puppetry provided by Little Angel Theatre. However, it’s not the traditional story as we know it, as Cinders is getting a North London transformation with the panto celebrating Islington’s rich history!
As well as this family-friendly production, there will also be adult-only performances throughout the festive season if you’re looking for something even cheekier than your bog-standard panto! There’s even a star-studded line-up of performers to boot including Drag Race UK royalty, and even some voiceovers from Miriam Margoles and Dame Judi Dench.
📍 Cinderella runs from November 30 2024 to January 5 2025 at the the King’s Head Theatre, 15 Upper St, London N1 1QN. Get your tickets here.
🚇 Nearest stations are Angel and Highbury & Islington.
6. Pinocchio at the Theatre Royal Stratford East
After last year’s ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ – which was a roaring success, might we add – the team at the Theatre Royal Stratford East are back with a bang for 2024 and are bringing the classical story of Pinocchio to the panto stage. It’s a unique twist on the classical tale, which revolves around the beloved, magical puppet and his quest to be a real boy.
Will Blue Rinse Fairy and Krik Krak the cricket be able to keep Pinocchio off the crooked path, as he battles the trials and tribulations of following his dream? There’s only one way to find out, and that’s heading to Stratford East!
📍Pinocchio runs from November 23 2024 to January 4 2025 at the Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, Theatre Square, E15 1BN. Get your tickets here.
🚇 Nearest stations are Stratford and Maryland.
7. Jack and the Beanstalk at the New Wimbledon Theatre
The New Wimbledon Theatre will be bringing the classical panto Jack and the Beanstalk to the stage, in a fabulous, unmissable production starring X-Factor legend Alexandra Burke and British comedy hero Joe Pasquale.
Cabaret Star Ceri Dupree and West-End star Ria Joneswill also be taking centre-stage for this epic pantomime extravaganza, that’s guarunteed to be jam-packed with belly laughs, musical numbers, special effects, and of course, magical beans.
📍Jack and the Beanstalk runs from December 7 2024 to January 5 2025 at the New Wimbledon Theatre, 93 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1QG. Get your tickets here.
🚇 Nearest station is Wimbledon.
8. Dick Whittington and his Cat at the Hackney Empire
We have a double-whammy for Dick Whittington, and it’s from none other than the iconic Hackney Empire, a beloved home for panto classics throughout the years. Follow the renowned story of Dick Whittington and experience the adventure of a lifetime; battling rats, falling in love, and finding Dick on the path to becoming the Mayor of London!
This will be the twenty-fifth Hackney Empire pantomime, making it a true celebration of the decades providing joy for all the family, and in several cases, a vital introduction to the magic of theatre.
📍Dick Whittington and his Cat runs from 23 November 2024 to 5 January 2025 at the Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, E8 1EJ. Get your tickets here.
🚇 Nearest station is Hackney Central.
9. Snow White and the Seven Drag Queens at the Clapham Grand
The Clapham Grand always goes all out for the festive season, and that’s certainly the case this year. The touring North East Adult Pantomime company are bringing that northern charm and humour down south for a whole lot of debauchery and fun at the iconic Clapham venue.
Gogglebox favourite and Queen of the Jungle, Scarlett Moffatt will be headlining the cast as the fairest of them all, Snow White. Other stars in the show include CBB legend David Potts, and RuPaul’s Drag Race icons, Michael Marouli and Tomara Thomas. You can expect fabulous costumes, larger-than-life storytelling, and a camp soundtrack to boot!
📍Snow White and the Seven Drag Queens will be at the Clapham Grand (21-25, St John’s Hl, London SW11 1TT) on January 7th 2025. Get your tickets here.
🚇 Nearest station is Hackney Central.
10. Potted Panto at Wilton’s Music Hall
The West End’s longest running pantomime is returning to the East End this Christmas, taking pride of place at the magnificent Grade II* listed Wilton’s Music Hall in Shadwell. Olivier Award-nominated, the Potted Panto is designed to bring you seven classic pantomimes in just 80 minutes.
It’s a rip-roaring adventure featuring some of the most beloved characters from pantomime, including Dick Whittington and Cinderella of course. The only question is – will she make the ball this year? Great for kids and adults alike – tickets also start at 12 quid, so this one also offers excellent bang for your buck too!
📍Potted Panto runs from November 29 to December 30 2023 at Wilton’s Music Hall, 1 Graces Alley, London, E1 8JB. Get your tickets here.
🚇 Nearest station is Shadwell.
11. Sensory Cinders at Soho Place
We all know that the pantomime can be a little overwhelming at times, but that’s where Sensory Cineders comes into play. This fabulous adaptation of the fairytale classic has been curated for audiences living with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), all while featuring original music in the process.
The production takes on those beautiful themes from Cinderella, including those of identity, self-expression, transformation, and connection. It will be the first inclusive sensory pantomime of its kind so be sure to get your tickets before it’s too late!
📍 Sensory Cinders runs from October 30 2024 to November 5 2025 at Soho Place, Charing Cross Rd, London W1D 3BG. Get your tickets here.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
12. The Liar, The Bitch, and The Wardrobe at the Turbine Theatre
Head to Battersea to witness the very adult panto at the iconic Turbine Theatre this Christmas. Inspired by the wonderful world of Narnia, The Lion, The Bitch and The Wardrobe will whisk you off into a hilarious fantasy where the iconic childhood story has a naughty makeover.
Meet familiar characters like Mr Topless, The Hungry Beaver, The Tight Bi*ch and Aslan, as they pursue their own quests of discovery to obtain world peace among the chaos.
📍 The Liar, The Bitch, and the Wardrobe runs from 21 November to 22 December 2024 at Turbine Theatre, Arches Ln, Nine Elms, SW11 8AB. Get your tickets here.
🚇 Nearest station is Battersea Power Station.
13. Sleeping Beauty at Broadway Theatre
If you’ve made it through the entirety of this list and you’re still on the hunt for some family-friendly festive fun, try Sleeping Beauty at the Broadway Theatre in Catford. This enchanting performance promises all the classic elements you’d come to expect from a panto – like slapstick laughs, dazzling costumes, and toe-tapping musical numbers.
Set in the grand surroundings of this historic theatre, this production of Sleeping Beauty brings the well-loved princess fairytale to life with a fresh and interactive twist.
📍Sleeping Beauty runs from 4 December to Tuesday 31 December 2024 at the Broadway Theatre, Rushey Green, Catford, SE6 4RU. Get your tickets here.
🚇 Nearest station is Catford Bridge.
14. Beauty and the Beast at Richmond Theatre
Prepare to be spellbound this Christmas as Beauty and the Beast transforms Richmond Theatre into a magical panto wonderland! This family favourite will have you laughing, singing, and shouting “He’s behind you!” at every twist and turn.
Expect those larger-than-life characters, from the delightfully over-the-top Dame to loveable sidekicks, all coming together to serve up a pantomime that pulls out all the stops-oh yes it does!
📍Beauty and the Beast runs from 7 December 2024 to Tuesday 5 January 2025 at the Richmond Theatre, 1 Little Green, Richmond TW9 1QJ. Get your tickets here.
🚇 Nearest station is Catford Bridge.
15. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Fairfields Hall
Head to Croydon for this fabulous panto-rific production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Croydon’s own Kellie Shirley (EastEnders and Casualty) will star as the notorious ‘Wicked Queen’, with other panto favourites such as Jamie Steen and Charlie Guest also taking to the stage.
Will the Wicked Queen have her way with Snow White, or will her handsome Prince come to her rescute? Find out at this utterly delightful festive treat of a show at the beloved Fairfields Hall.
📍Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs runs from Fri 13 Dec 2024 – Sun 5 Jan 2025 at the Fairfields Hall, Park Ln, Croydon CR0 1JD. Get your tickets here.
🚇 Nearest station is East Croydon.
16. Jack and the Beanstalk: What a Whopper at Charing Cross Theatre
This self-proclaimed ‘queer, camp, & colossal’ production of Jack and the Beanstalk is an adult-only panto creating quite the buzz around London. With this beloved theatre in Charing Cross famed for its annual adult pantos, this is everything a great festive outing should be, plus so much more; especially if you’re always on the hunt for a barrel of laughs.
Brought to you by the team behind Sleeping Beauty Takes A Prick! and the legendary Above The Stag Theatre gay pantos, it’s guaranteed lols all around. So, don’t miss out on this profoundly silly and joyously naughty magical adventure over Christmas – you won’t regret it!
📍Jack and the Beanstalk: What a Whopper is running from 23 November 2024 to 11 January 2025 at Charing Cross Theatre, The Arches, Villiers St, London WC2N 6NL. Get your tickets here.
🚇 Nearest station is Charing Cross.
17. Horrible Christmas at Alexandra Palace
Although not technically a pantomime in the traditional sense, delve into the darker side of Christmas at Horrible Histories Live on Stage, who are bringing their beloved Horrible Christmas show to Ally Pally this Christmas. Find out the (often macabre) foundations of our Christmas traditions, with sing-a-longs, “behind you!” moments, and plenty of laughter to coinside.
This time-travelling escapade will take you everywhere and anywhere, from a meeting with some Medieval monks to a drool-worthy Tudor feast, with special guest appearances from legendary historic characters like Henry VIII, Charles Dickens, and more.
📍 Horrible Christmas will be at Alexandra Palace (Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY) from the 12th of December until the 4th of January. Get your tickets here.
🚇 Nearest station is East Croydon.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best pantomimes in London which all promise to give you a fun night out on the town. All together now… “he’s behind youuuuu!”