Sleeping Beauty – Watford Palace

The story of the sleeping princess and the wicked fairy is brought magically to life in this proper family pantomime, complete with live musicians on stage, stunning sets and costumes, more audience participation than you can shake a Christmas stick at, and song, dance and slapstick.

  • Watford Palace Theatre, Clarendon Road, Watford, from Friday, December 5 to Saturday, December 27. Details: 01923 225671, watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk

Santa Claus and the Christmas Adventure – Watford Colosseum

The adventure takes place at Santa’s HQ at the North Pole. The reindeer sat nav is programmed, the toys are piled high on the sleigh, and Santa is ready to go – when suddenly, chaos strikes! Rudolph is missing and the elves are up to no good. Will Santa ever deliver the presents to all the girls and boys?! This magical adventure is filled with songs, nursery rhymes and stories and is a real Christmas cracker.

  • Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, from Saturday, November 29 to Wednesday, December 24. Details: 0845 075 3993, watfordcolosseum.co.uk

Aladdin – Watersmeet

Fasten your seatbelts for a magic carpet ride of mystery, sparkling romance and dazzling adventure with this year’s lavish production. Come and cheer on Aladdin, Wishee Washee and Widow Twankee as the do battle with the evil magician Abanazar – evilly played by the vile Coronation Street villain Terry Duckworth, Nigel Pivaro!

  • Watersmeet, High Street, Rickmansworth, from Friday, December 5 to Wednesday, December 31. Details: 01923 711063, watersmeet.co.uk

Cinderella – Radlett Centre

A sparkling, traditional pantomime based on the classic rags-to-riches fairytale, with fabulous live music, hilarious comedy, dazzling costumes and loads of audience participation. Follow Cinderella’s magical story with her loveable friend Buttons, her nasty ugly sisters, a handsome prince, a pumpkin, a glass slipper, mice, and, of course, a friendly fairy godmother!

  • Radlett Centre, Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, from Saturday, December 6 to Wednesday, December 31. Details: 01923 859291, radlettcentre.co.uk

I’ve Seen Santa – 96 Theatre

It’s Christmas Eve and Little Bear can’t wait to see Santa. Using puppets and fantastic stage design, this lovely production delivers a fantastic story and high energy performances.

  • 96 Theatre, Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Saturday, December 6. Details: 01442 454001, hertsmereleisure.co.uk

The Twelve Days of Christmas – The Ark Theatre

Follow clumsy Christmas elf Christopher through his blunders as he hopes to return to the North Pole before Santa leaves to deliver presents on his sleigh.

  • The Ark Theatre, Thrift Farm Lane, Borenhamwood, from Wednesday, December 17 to Sunday, December 21. Details: 020 8238 7288, thearktheatre.co.uk

Jack and the Beanstalk – The Old Town Hall

Fee! Fi! Fo! Fum! It’s a giant of a show, so why don’t you come? Jack sells his cow for five magic beans and then finds himself in the land above the clouds. It’s a show for the over-threes (and their giants) with something for everyone – enormous shoes, tiny houses, showers of silver and gold, and a big, leafy explosion!

  • The Old Town Hall, High Street, Old Town, Hemel Hempstead, on Saturday, November 29. Details: 01442 228091, oldtownhall.co.uk

Jack and the Beanstalk – Alban Arena

Starring Steve McFadden as the evil giant’s henchman, Fleshcreep, and CBeebies’ Rebecca Keatley as Princess Sugarsnap, this year’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk promises to be the Arena’s biggest pantomime show ever.

  • The Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Albans, from Friday, December 5 to Sunday, January 4. Details: 01727 844488, alban-arena.co.uk

Beauty and the Beast – Abbey Theatre

Visit an enchanted world in this wonderful re-telling of the classic traditional tale that is as far from the Disney version as it comes.

  • Abbey Theatre, Holywell Hill, St Albans, Friday, December 19 to Monday, December 22, and from Saturday, December 27 to Tuesday, December 30. Details: 01727 844488, abbeytheatre.org.uk

Jack and the Beanstalk – Harrow Arts Centre

The evil Giant Blunderbore is threatening the village – and the princess! But Jack only has some silly old beans to help him. Will our hero save the day? Find out in Harrow Arts Centre’s magical pantomime, brought to life by talented local people. With live music and plenty of participation, this panto will entertain children and adults alike!

  • Harrow Arts Centre, Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, from Friday, December 19 to Monday, December 22 . Details: 020 8416 8989, harrowarts.com

FURTHER AFIELD

Beauty and the Beast

Something has happened to the prince, but what? Can true love break the spell before it’s too late or will the curse consume the Beast forever?

  • Wyllyotts Theatre, Wyllyotts Place, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, from Friday, December 12 to Sunday, January 4, at various times. Details: 01707 645005, tickets.wyllyottstheatre.co.uk

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Don’t eat that apple, Snow White! Make sure your voice is in top shape to wake Snow White from her spell.

  • Harpenden Public Halls, Southdown Road, from Friday, December 12 to Sunday, January 4, at various times. Details: 01582 762880, harpendenpublichalls.co.uk

Aladdin

Join Aladdin as he battles to overcome the dastardly magician Abanazaar – played by EastEnders’ Shaun Williamson – and save the princess. He won’t be able to do it, surely? Oh yes he will!

  • Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage, from Friday, November 28 to Sunday, January 25, at various times. Details: 01438 363200, gordon-craig.co.uk

Robin Hood

The wicked Sheriff of Nottingham is making the lives of the people of Sherwood miserable by collecting taxes to pay for his own plans to take over the English crown. Who can save them? Why only a man in tights of course! Featuring Neighbours’ Alan Fletcher as the evil Sheriff, this panto will have you laughing out loud.

  • The Grove Theatre, Grove Park, Court Drive, Dunstable, from Friday, December 12 to Sunday, January 4, at various times. Details: 01582 602080, grovetheatre.co.uk

Peter Pan

Go on a journey to Neverland, where children never grow up and pirates still sail the seas. Featuring Bradley Walsh as Captain Hook’s first mate Smee and street dance stars from Britain’s Got Talent’s Flawless, this will be an evening of fun and frolics.

  • Milton Keynes Theatre, Marlborough Gate, Militon Keynes, from Friday, December 5 to Sunday, January 11, at various times. Details: 0844 871 7652, atgtickets.com

Hansel and Gretel

Sneak into the forest with Hansel and Gretel and come across an old woman who lives in a house made of sweets and goodies; what could possibly go wrong?

  • The Market Theatre, Sun Street, Hitchin, from Saturday, December 6 to Saturday, January 3, at various times. Details: 01462 433553, markettheatre.co.uk

Scrooge: The Musical

Ebeneezer Scrooge is a miserable, cold-hearted man who despises Christmas and everthing that makes people happy. Can his heart be melted by the three ghosts of Christmas, and what of poor Tiny Tim? You’ll have to come to find out.

  • Leighton Buzzard Youth Theatre, Lake St, Leighton Buzzard, from Friday, November 21 to Saturday, November 22, at various times. Details: 0300 300 8130, centralbedfordshire.gov.uk