London's panto scene bounds back onto the stage for Christmas 2026, camper and funnier than ever — oh yes it does! Here's our pick of the biggest and best pantomimes happening in London's theatres this season. Most are family friendly, but a handful are strictly for the big kids 😉
Cinderella at Lyric Hammersmith
We all know the drill: poor old Cinders is trapped in a crumbling castle, cleaning for her wicked sisters (and someone called Suella, apparently...), looking for a way out. Cue a magical tale of shape-shifting pumpkins, glass slippers and fit princes. Joel Horwood — who penned the West End's The Ocean at the End of the Lane — is behind the Lyric's 2026 adaptation, so it promises to be a good 'un.
Cinderella at Lyric Hammersmith, 14 November 2026-3 January 2027. Relaxed performance 1 December, audio described performance 10 December, signed performance 11 December, open captioned performance 16 December.
Robin Hood and the Merry Mandem at Stratford East
As is its wont, Stratford East rips up the rulebook, putting its unique local twist on the panto format — and this year it's the tale of outlaw Robin Hood, who eschews Sherwood Forest for the mean streets of east London's Maryland. Audiences are all a-quiver for this panto, with tickets flying off the shelves faster than a barrage of arrows fired by Hood himself. Be quick!
Robin Hood and the Merry Mandem, 21 November 2026-2 January 2027. Signed performance 11 December, captioned performance 18 December, audio described performance 19 December, relaxed performance 2 January.
Jack and the Beanstalk at Hackney Empire
Long-time panto dame Clive Rowe is back in the double-dutied saddle of panto dame/director, for Hackney Empire's rendition of this plant-scaling classic. The costumes will be extravagant, the music will be rambunctious and — if previous pantos are anything to go by — some poor parent's going to end up being dragged up onto the stage...
Jack and the Beanstalk at Hackney Empire, 21 November-31 December 2026. Signed performances 5 and 17 December, relaxed and dementia-friendly performance 5 December, audio described performance 6 December.
Dick Whittington and His Cat, King's Head Theatre (family and adults-only versions), Islington
RuPaul's Drag Race UK faves River Medway (playing Queen Rat) and Victoria Scone (Dragpuss) star in this London-centric tale of the fame/fortune-seeking Dick who has a cat for a best friend/advisor. Running alongside it is a version of the same panto — with the same stars — and very different, grown-up gags. Double check you're booking the right one, or forever reside on Santa's naughty list.
Dick Whittington and His Cat at King's Head Theatre, 22 November 2026-3 January 2027.
Dick Whittington: Adults Only at King's Head Theatre, 26 November 2026-2 January 2027.
Pulled at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern
The RVT returns with another X-rated take on the traditional fairy tale — and this time, the people who brought us Wolfed, Rubbed, Tossed and Growled deliver Pulled (spot a theme there?), a mischievous riff on the legend of King Arthur. Hmm, Camelot? Can't think of any racy puns to be had there...
Pulled at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, 24 November-31 December 2026.
Pirates of the Carabiner: An Adult Panto at Two Brewers, Clapham
From the folks who brought you Star Whores, The Hunger Gays and Lord of the Rims, Pirates of the Carabiner is (unsurprisingly) a strictly-for-the-grown-ups-only panto, packed with enough double-entendres to make Julian Clary blush. Set on the tiny island of Skull Cove, it's packed with outrageous characters like Lez Goose and Willy Turner, although we've got a sneaking suspicion the plot/character arcs won't prove all that instrumental...
Pirates of the Carabiner: An Adult Panto at Two Brewers, 27 November 2026-3 January 2027.
Jack and the Beanstalk at Greenwich Theatre
Anthony Spargo — who's written for the Horrible Histories stage shows, so it's fair to say knows his onions/beanstalks — has penned the script for this take on the tale about an out-of-control vegetable vine with a very big/rich person living at the top. Expect gags and songs galore in a panto that promises — oh ho! — fee-fi-fo-FUN!
Jack and the Beanstalk at Greenwich Theatre, 27 November 2026-10 January 2027.
Aladdin at the Arts Centre, Hounslow
Be whisked away to a whole new world — or a highly fictionalised version of the Middle East, at least — for this panto based on a magical lamp which spouts a wish-granting genie. Can Aladdin prove himself to Princess Jasmin AND defeat the evil Abanazar? Of course he can. Can he do it without his mum, Widow Twankey, realising he's up to mischief? Probably not.
Aladdin at the Arts Centre, Hounslow, 30 November-24 December 2026.
Jack and the Beanstalk at Emerald Theatre, Victoria Embankment
It's the sixth anniversary of TuckShop's all-drag panto, as performed by the fabulous likes of Kyran Thrax, Kitty Scott-Claus and Kate Butch. The rambunctious style is obviously a winner with audiences, as 2026 marks the longest TuckShop panto run to date. By the way, the Giant is played by a roster of 'super special' guests throughout the run. Wonder who you'll get!
Jack and the Beanstalk at Emerald Theatre, Victoria Embankment, 2 December 2026-10 January 2027.
Sleeping Beauty at Churchill Theatre, Bromley
The semi-celebs are out in force for Bromley's big panto, with dazzlingly-dentured DJ Vernon Kay appearing alongside Andrew Agnew as the panto dame (he's better known to your kids as Balamory's PC Plum, although whether they'll recognise him in this getup remains to be seen). "Big laughs, big magic and big family fun" are billed.
Sleeping Beauty at Churchill Theatre, 5 December 2026-3 January 2027. Signed performance 9 December, audio described performance 11 December, relaxed performance 12 December.
Peter Pan at New Wimbledon Theatre
Jessie Wallace — aka EastEnders' Kat Slater — swaps fake nails for a hook, in what is (as far as we can tell) London's only major Peter Pan panto of 2026. If there aren't a few cliff-hanging 'doof-doofs', they've got something horribly wrong (or don't want to pay the BBC royalties). The usual comic relief/magic comes from from panto fave Pete Firman.
Peter Pan at New Wimbledon Theatre, 5 December 2026-3 January 2027. Audio described performance 16 December, signed performance 3 January.
Jack and the Beanstalk at Richmond Theatre
Basil Brush (he's 64 years old don't you know?) returns to the Richmond stage, ably accompanied by Bonnie Langford as Mrs Blunderbore, and Dr Ranj as The Spirit of the Beans. Well, they do say laughter is the best medicine — boom boom!
Jack and the Beanstalk at Richmond Theatre, 5 December 2026-3 January 2027. Signed performance 10 December, audio described performance 30 December.
Cinderella at the Palladium, Oxford Circus
One of the festive highlights of the year is finding out which OTT outfits Julian Clary will flounce out onto the Palladium stage in. The master of the double-entendre is once again ably abetted by some of panto's great veterans, including Nigel Havers and America's Got Talent winner, ventriloquist Paul Zerdin. But stealing the limelight this year is a rare appearance from both French and Saunders as the Ugly Sisters, their first West End appearance together in 17 years. What a treat!
Cinderella at The Palladium, 5 December 2026-10 January 2027. Signed performance 31 December, audio described performance 7 January, captioned performance 8 January.
Dick Whittingberg Gets Into a Pickle at JW3, Finchley Road
In case the title hadn't flagged it for you, JW3's yearly panto comes with a distinctly Jewish bent, although of course all and sundry are welcome to enjoy this family-friendly show. Dazzling costumes, colourful sets, foot-tapping songs and indiscriminately-thrown Chanukah gelt are promised.
Dick Whittingberg Gets Into a Pickle at JW3, 6 December 2026-3 January 2027.
Potted Panto at Apollo Theatre, West End
Crush multiple pantomimes for the price of one, as Potted Panto sweeps you through Aladdin, Dick Whittington, Cinderella and scores more, in 70 rib-tickling minutes. Sounds like an exhausting job for the cast, and with luck, it'll tire out your hyperactive kids too. Conversely, it might work them up into a catchphrase-yelling frenzy, who knows...
Potted Panto at Apollo Theatre, 6 December 2026-3 January 2027.
Cinderella at Broadway, Catford
Cinderella's a popular choice for 2026 — and that's the fairy tale Catford's plumped for, in this traditional retelling. However, it's not the floor-scrubber-turned-slipper-wearer who's getting all the marketing hype, but Amelle Berrabah, who stars as the Fairy Godmother, and was apparently once one of the 67 members of Sugababes.
Cinderella at Broadway, 9-31 December 2026. Signed and relaxed performance 30 December.
Cinderella at Fairfield Halls, Croydon
Fairfield Halls' second panto of the year — if you count the Reform rally it hosted back in March — Cinderella (yes, another one!) stars Lee Latchford-Evans from Steps as Prince Charming (you're never too old) while comedy duo Luke Attwood and Brandon Nicholson drag up as Melody and Harmony Hard-Up. Great songs, stunning dance routines and plenty of laughter are in the offing. Probably a joke or two at Croydon's expense as well.
Cinderella at Fairfield Halls, 11 December 2026-3 January 2027. Captioned performance 21 December, relaxed performance 30 December.
Jack Off the Beanstalk at Scala, King's Cross
Billed as London's 'naughtiest' panto, Jack Off the Beanstalk does away with all that old fashioned double-entendre nonsense, instead naming its characters things like Queen Genitalia, Thick Twatt and Clitty the Cow. You might need one or two stiff ones before watching this.
Jack Off the Beanstalk at Scala, 14 December 2026-3 January 2027.
