Pantomime Season 2026-27

Pantomime is one of Britain's great theatrical traditions — slapstick, audience participation, terrible jokes, and cross-dressing dames, performed in theatres across the country from late November through January. Every major regional theatre produces a panto, and the best ones — Birmingham Hippodrome, the Palladium, Hackney Empire, York Theatre Royal — are genuine theatrical events that sell out months in advance. The format is brilliantly inclusive — children see their first live theatre, grandparents relive their own childhood pantos, and the whole family gets to shout 'He's behind you!' together. The best pantos feature TV and stage stars alongside experienced panto performers, and the quality of the writing, staging, and performances at the top theatres is genuinely impressive. Book early for the best theatres — Birmingham Hippodrome's panto (the UK's biggest) sells over 100,000 tickets. School holiday performances sell out first. The cheapest seats are often perfectly good — panto is designed to be seen from everywhere. Dress codes are non-existent and enthusiasm is compulsory.