Christmas Shows and Pantomimes in Manchester This Year

Looking for the best pantomimes in Manchester this year? You’re in the right place. This guide rounds up confirmed pantos and family Christmas shows across Greater Manchester in one place so you can plan fast and book with confidence.

What you’ll find: dates, venues, prices, age guidance, access notes and direct booking links. I’m updating this regularly as new productions are announced, so check back for fresh listings.

Quick note: event details can change. Always double-check the theatre website for the latest dates, times, prices and age guidance. Manchester weather can be unpredictable, so allow extra travel time and bring layers.

Check out our what’s on in Manchester in December guide for more festive shows in the city. We also featured a handy Christmas light trails in Manchester guide that are the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit!

A fun and colourful family Christmas pantomime in Manchester.

Robin Hood at Manchester Opera House – Starring Jason Manford & Ben Nickless

Address: 3 Quay St, Manchester, M3 3HP.
Dates: Saturday 6th December 2025 – Sunday 5th January 2026. Relaxed performance on Tuesday 30th December at 1:30pm.
Times: Various performances daily. Check the official website for detailed timings or click here.
Pricing: Tickets start from £15 plus booking fees on top. Family packages are available.
Details: Classic panto chaos with Robin Hood (Jason Manford) and the Merry Men taking on the Sheriff of Nottingham. Expect big song-and-dance numbers, sparkle and plenty of audience laughs. Starring Landi Oshinowo as the Spirit of Sherwood, Adam Strong as the Sheriff and returning favourite Sarah Vaughan as Maid Marion.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Musical) at The Lowry, Salford

Address: Pier 8, Salford Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ.
Dates: Wednesday 3rd December 2025 – Sunday 11th January 2026.
Times: Matinee and evening performances available. Check here for further details.
Pricing: Prices start from £16, with discounts for group bookings. Suitable for ages 6 and up.
Details: West End smash-hit lands at The Lowry. Step through the wardrobe with Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter into Narnia for a spectacular, family-friendly adventure. Expect stunning staging, fierce foes, new friends and a story of courage, sacrifice and the power of love. Suitable for all ages.

The Enormous Crocodile – The Musical at The Lowry, Salford

Address: Pier 8, Salford Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ.
Dates: Wednesday 10th December 2025 – Sunday 4th January, 2026.
Times: Various performances, including matinee and evening shows. Check here for further details.
Pricing: Prices start from £15, with family and group discounts available.
Details: Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile snaps into The Lowry with a mischievous new musical packed with toe-tapping tunes, laugh-out-loud moments and brilliant jungle puppetry (from co-director/designer Toby Olié). Developed and directed by Emily Lim, with music by Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab and additional songs by Tom Brady, it’s a fun family pick. Offer: snap up 4 tickets for £50 for performances up to 19th December (applied automatically at checkout).

Little Bear and The Christmas Lights at The Lowry, Salford

Address: Pier 8, Salford Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ.
Dates: Sunday 28th December 2025 – Sunday 4th January 2026.
Times: Various performances, including morning and afternoon shows. Check here for further details.
Pricing: Prices start from £12, with parent and baby tickets at £17. For babies aged 0 – 36 months old.
Details: A gentle, interactive festive show for little ones. Join Little Bear on a sensory adventure to find the perfect Christmas lights, with puppetry, music and plenty of audience participation (you might even throw a snowball!). Created by Colour The Clouds Theatre Company, it’s a relaxed, welcoming first theatre experience for young families.

Aladdin at the Stockport Plaza – Starring Brian Capron, Karim Zeroual and Scott Gallagher

Address: Mersey Square, Stockport, Cheshire. SK1 1SP.
Dates: Friday 5th December 2025 – Sunday 4th January 2026.
Times: Various showtimes available – check the theatre’s schedule. Find further details here.
Pricing: Tickets from £25.85.
Details: Classic family panto sparkle at The Plaza with Aladdin. Brian Capron (Corrie) returns as a wonderfully wicked Abanazar, Karim Zeroual (CBBC, Strictly 2019 finalist) stars as Aladdin, and audience favourite Scott Gallagher is back as Wishee Washee. Expect big laughs, catchy songs and plenty of “oh yes it is!” fun at pocket-friendly prices.

Rumpelstiltskin at Contact Manchester

Address: Oxford Rd, Manchester M15 6JA.
Dates: Thursday 11th December 2025 – Wednesday 31st December 2025.
Times: Various showtimes available – check the theatre’s schedule. Find further details here.
Pricing: Adult tickets from £25 (off peak)/ £27 (peak). Under 16’s from £17 (off peak)/ £18 (peak). Concession prices available.
Details: A truly Mancunian panto from The Big Tiny, where Cupid returns to help Prince Dierdrick outwit the wicked Rumpelstiltskin and bring love back to Lieblingsberg. Expect big laughs, glittering sets, fabulous costumes and heaps of audience participation. A joyful, all-ages show with a diverse, all-local cast and plenty of Christmas cheer.

Aladdin at the Middleton Arena – Starring Neil Jones from Strictly Come Dancing

Address: Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Manchester M24 1AG.
Dates: Tuesday 25th November 2025 – Monday 29th December 2025.
Times: Various showtimes available – check the theatre’s schedule. Further details can be found here.
Duration: 2 hours 30 mins.
Pricing: Tickets from £16.50.
Details: Magic carpet time at Middleton Arena with Aladdin — a big, family-friendly panto packed with songs, dance, sparkly sets and laugh-out-loud silliness. Starring Neil Jones (Strictly Come Dancing) as Abanazar from 21 Dec onwards (Callum Arnott appears until 20 Dec), Chris Johnson (CBBC) as Billy, Ricky Groves (EastEnders) as The King, Tom Sentia as Aladdin, Craig Colley as Dame Betty, Ruby Millard as the Princess and Lucy Samuels as the Spirit of the Ring. Expect dazzling costumes, fun special effects and plenty of audience participation. Suitable for all ages.

A Christmas Carol at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton

Address: Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft South, Bolton, BL1 1SB.
Dates: Thursday 13th November 2025 – Saturday 10th January 2026.
Times: Various showtimes available – check the theatre’s schedule. Further details can be found here.
Pricing: From £15. Aimed at ages 5 years and above.
Details: Dickens’ classic gets a joyful new musical makeover at the Octagon. Follow Scrooge’s ghostly journey through past, present and future in a heart-warming, family-friendly production packed with toe-tapping music, festive magic and a big dose of Christmas spirit. Perfect festive theatre for a lovely family Christmas show.

Mrs Claus Saves Christmas at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton

Address: Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft South, Bolton, BL1 1SB.
Dates: Wednesday 10th December 2025 – Wednesday 24th December 2025.
Times: Various showtimes available – check the theatre’s schedule. Further details can be found here.
Duration: 40 minutes with no interval.
Pricing: From £15. Aimed at ages 5 years and above.
Details: Festive fun for little ones at the Octagon with Mrs Claus Saves Christmas. Join Mrs Claus and the elves for a cheerful, interactive adventure packed with songs, silliness and audience participation as they race to get Christmas back on track. A gentle, family-friendly pick that’s perfect for ages 3 – 7 years and first theatre trips.

Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas at Waterside Arts Centre, Sale

Address: 1 Waterside Plaza, Sale, Trafford, M33 7ZF.
Dates: Thursday 4th December 2025 – Saturday 27th December 2025. BSL & Relaxed Performance on 6th December at 11am.
Times: Various times. Further details can be found here.
Duration: 55 minutes – no interval.
Pricing: Tickets from £17.
Details: Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas comes to life in a charming, family-friendly show packed with live music, songs and playful puppetry. Follow the famously grumpy-but-loveable Father Christmas as he preps the sleigh, feeds the reindeer and battles chimneys and stormy skies, with plenty of mischief from Cat and Dog along the way. A delightful festive treat for young children (Ages 3 years plus) and their families.

The Pied Piper of Hamlin at The Met, Bury

Address: Market St, Bury BL9 0BW.
Dates: Various slots through Saturday 6th December 2025 – Sunday 28th December 2025. Wear your PJ’s on Friday 12th December at 6:30pm. Relaxed performance on Sunday 14th December at 11am. BSL performance on Friday 19th December at 6:30pm.
Times: Various. Further details can be found here.
Pricing: Tickets starting from £17. Group discounts available.
Details: A proudly local panto with a Bury twist. Join Rudy from the market, his mum Little Bea Poop and Fairy Bury as they take on the dastardly Pied Piper to save the town’s spirit (and its black puddings!). Expect big laughs, show-stopping musical numbers, colourful characters, spectacular effects and plenty of audience participation. A brilliant festive pick for Bury families of all ages.

Beauty and the Beast at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham

Address: West Street, Oldham, OL1 1QJ.
Dates: Various slots through Saturday 13th December 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026.
Times: Various. Further details can be found here.
Pricing: Tickets starting from £20. Family tickets and group discounts available.
Details: A classic family favourite comes to Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham with Beauty and the Beast. Expect big songs, sparkly costumes, laugh-out-loud comedy and plenty of “he’s behind you!” moments. A great value panto pick for all ages with easy parking and town-centre transport.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Altrincham Garrick Theatre

Address: The Garrick Playhouse, Barrington Road, Altrincham, WA14 1HZ
Dates: Various slots through Friday 5th December 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026.
Times: Various. Further details can be found here.
Pricing: Tickets from £15 – £19.
Details: Roll up for Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Altrincham Garrick. A bright, family-friendly panto packed with silly fun, sing-alongs, a larger-than-life Dame and plenty of “he’s behind you!” moments. Great for age 3 years plus.

The New Adventures of Peter Pan at Albert Halls, Bolton

Address: Victoria Square, Bolton, BL1 1RU.
Dates: Various slots through Saturday 29th November 2025 to Wednesday 31st December 2026.
Times: Various. Further details can be found here.
Pricing: Tickets £18 plus booking fee.
Details: Fly away to Neverland at Bolton’s Albert Halls with The New Adventures of Peter Pan. Expect high-energy flying effects, plenty of “oh yes it is!” audience participation, swashbuckling showdowns with Captain Hook, Tinker Bell sparkle, the Lost Boys, big songs and laugh-out-loud slapstick. A crowd-pleasing family panto that’s perfect for all ages.

Santa LIVE! at Albert Halls, Bolton

Address: Victoria Square, Bolton, BL1 1RU.
Dates: Various slots through Saturday 13th December 2025 to Wednesday 24th December 2026.
Times: Various. Further details can be found here.
Pricing: Tickets £12 plus booking fee.
Details: Sing, dance and join in with Santa Live at Bolton’s Albert Halls a cheerful, interactive festive show made for little ones. Expect songs, storytelling and plenty of audience participation, with photo opportunities after the show and a relaxed, family-friendly vibe. A lovely first theatre trip in the run-up to Christmas.

FAQs: Pantomimes in Manchester – What you should know

What pantomimes are on in Manchester this year?
This guide lists confirmed pantos and family Christmas shows across Greater Manchester, with dates, venues and ticket links. We add new productions as they’re announced.

When should I book panto tickets?
Popular weekend matinees and relaxed performances go first. If you need specific seats together, book as early as you can.

Are there relaxed, BSL or captioned performances?
Many venues offer them. We flag accessible dates where confirmed, but always double-check the theatre’s access page before booking.

What should I bring with kids?
Snacks, water, ear defenders for sensitive ears and layers for late finishes. Aim to arrive 20–30 minutes early to get settled.

Where should we eat before the show?
If you’re near Deansgate or St Peter’s Square, try our guides to restaurants in Spinningfields, restaurants in the Corn Exchange or Trafford Centre restaurants if you’re shopping first.

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Wrapping Up Manchester’s Pantomime Season

From big-stage classics to toddler-friendly first shows, pantomimes in Manchester are an easy win for festive family time. Bookmark this guide, pick your dates and get those tickets sorted before the best seats go.

If we’ve missed a production, send the details and I’ll add it. I keep this page updated as new shows and extra dates drop.