BASILDON

4th Dec – 4th Jan

Cinderella PANTO

You can take the whole family to Basildon’s fantastic pantomime starring Simon Fielding as Buttons. Various times and prices, Towngate Theatre, 01268 465465

BILLERICAY

20th December

Aladdin PANTO

Sit back and be ready to be entertained with this fantastic production of Aladdin – the most exciting pantomime at The Fold ever! 2pm/5pm, £7/£8, The Fold, 01277 659286

BRENTWOOD

1st-30th December

Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox PANTO

Join Mr and Mrs Fox, their family and friends as they dance the night away, feasting together and telling how they took on the loathsome trio of Boggis, Bunce and Bean, 3pm/7pm, £10/£12, Brentwood Theatre, 01277 200305

BARKING

4th Dec – 3rd Jan

Sleeping Beauty PANTO

Will the prince save the day and have the X factor or will Sleeping Beauty remain in bed for 100 years? Times vary, £8.50/£12.50, The Broadway Barking, 020 85075607

BURY ST EDMUNDS

5th Dec – 18th Jan

Puss in Boots PANTO

The wonderful pantomime world of Roundheads and Cavaliers in an adventure story where all comes out happily in the end. Various times, £6.50-£16.50, Theatre Royal, 01284 769505

16th – 21st February

Baa Moo Yellow Dog

CAMBRIDGE

11th Dec - 4th Jan

Beauty & the Beast

From a small Provincial town in France, through the shadow filled woods to the Beasts mysterious castle. 2pm/7:30pm, various prices, Cambridge Corn Exchange, 01223 357851

CHELMSFORD

3rd Dec - 4th Jan

Cinderella PANTO

With all the elements of the traditional pantomime, Cinderella will enchant audiences of all ages with this classic love story for all the family, various times and prices, Civic Theatre, 01245 606505

17th – 21st December

Snow White PANTO

The centre’s ice show spectacular is the only Christmas ice show in the whole of Essex, and provides magical entertainment that your children (and you!) will not forget, Various times and prices, Riverside Ice & Leisure,
01245 615089

22nd January

Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late

This lively show is full of fun, feathers, laughter and excitement and features original music and lots of audience participation. Ages 3-7, 11:30am/1:30pm, £7, Cramphorn Theatre, 01245 606505

30th January

Kunqu Opera

Kunqu Opera originated in the Kunshan region of Jiangsu. Using music, singing, dialogue, mime, acrobatics and dance, its characters express the full range of human emotions. 8pm, £7, Cramphorn Theatre, 01245 606505 

21st and 22nd February

Potted Pirates

Back by popular demand from the people that bought you Potted Potter.  Ages 3-7, 3pm & 7pm, £10.50/£8.50, Cramphorn Theatre, 01245 606505

24th – 28th February

The Pirates of Penzance

This hilarious Broadway version of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic is great entertainment for all the family. 3pm/7:30pm, £11-£14, Civic Theatre, 01245 606505

5th-7th March

The Tiger Who Came To Tea

Delightful show with oodles of magic and singalong songs. Great entertainment for all the family. 11.30am & 2pm, £7.50/£9.00, Civic Theatre, 01245 606505

24th March

Baa Moo Yellow Dog

Explore the playful imagination of a small boy as he tries to bring order to the unexpected. Ages 2-5, 11.30am & 1.30pm, £7/£5, Cramphorn Theatre, 01245 606505

CLACTON

4th - 14th December

Winter Special

Featuring comedian and impersonator Glenn Ford, singer Tania Honey, The Debbie Miller Dancers and more. 2:30pm/6:30pm/7:30pm, £12.50 (max 3 children free), West Cliff Theatre, 01255 433344

11th December

The Nutcracker

In this most famous of all fairytale ballets, Tchaikovsky’s score perfectly captures the spirit of Christmas Eve. 7:30pm, £16.50, Princes Theatre, 01255 686633

14th December

Voulez Vouz

Dust off your platforms, put on your flares and prepare to party. They’ll have you singing and dancing in the aisles. 7:30pm, £15, Princes Theatre, 01255 686633

19th - 21st December

Cinderella PANTO

Youth of Light with the Dance House Kids proudly present a Christmas panto. 2pm/7pm, £3/£5, St Charles Hall, Holland Road, 01255 420344

27th - 30th December

Sleeping Beauty

The Princes Theatre Youth Company presents this timeless classic of Sleeping Beauty. 2:30pm/7:30pm, £9, Princes Theatre, 01255 686633

1st - 4th January

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Clacton Amateur Operatic Society proudly presents this show for all to enjoy. 2:30pm/7pm/7:30pm, £5-£8, West Cliff Theatre, 01255 433344

21st February

The Indians

Irish show band The Indians provide a country and western blast in full Red Indian costume and make-up. 7:30pm, £12.50, West Cliff Theatre, 01255 433344

COLCHESTER

5th Dec - 10th Jan

Dick Whittington and the Pi-Rats of the Caribbean PANTO

Fun, songs, slapstick, sparkling sets, stunning costumes and quality entertainment for kids, big kids and adults alike. Various times and prices, Mercury Theatre, 01206 573948

13th December

The Very Ugly Duckling

Enjoy a magical new take on the classic story. Ages 3-9 years, 2pm, £3.95, Colchester Arts Centre, 01206 500900

20th December

Snow White & the Messy Dwarves

The story of beautiful Snow White  with lots of songs, action, puppets and audience participation. Ages 3-9 years, 12pm, £4.95, Colchester Arts Centre, 01206 500900

27th & 28th December

Christmas Spectacular

The award winning Co-Op Juniors bring their smash hit stage extravaganza to Colchester for the first time. 12pm/3pm/7pm, £15/£18, Charter Hall, 01206 282020

8th, 9th & 10th January

Cinderella PANTO

A fun filled pantomime presented by the children of Kids Acting and Theatre Skills (KATS). Thur & Fri 7.30pm, Sat 2.30pm, £7.50/£9.50. Lakeside Theatre, University of Essex. 01206 851796

DANBURY

18th – 21st December

Christmas in Pantoland PANTO

The Danbury Players proudly present Christmas in Pantoland for all the family to enjoy. 2:30pm/8pm, £6/£8/£30 family (2+3), Danbury Village Hall, 07774 046925 

FELIXSTOWE

20th Dec - 4th Jan

Dick Whittington PANTO

Dennis Lowe Theatre Company’s 43rd traditional family pantomime, 2:30pm/7:30pm, £7.50/£11.50/£34 family (2+2), The Spa Pavilion, 01394 282126

HORNCHURCH

29th Nov – 10th Jan

Dick Whittington PANTO

Join the brave hero Dick and his cat as they embark on a magical adventure of a lifetime. They follow their dreams to seek fame and fortune in London town. Various times and prices, Queens Theatre, 01708 443333

8th December

The Spirit of Christmas by Candlelight PANTO

With lavish period costume and ornate candle-lit setting this is the perfect atmosphere to get your family Christmas celebrations off to a festive start. 7:30pm, £9, Queens Theatre, 01708 443333

ILFORD

17th – 24th January

Aladdin PANTO

As always the panto will be a lavish, traditional, fun-filled spectacular for all the family to enjoy. Times vary £10/£12, Kenneth More Theatre, 0208 5534466

19th – 21st February

BIG

The 1987 hit movie bursts onto stage in this vibrant, funny and touching musical comedy with universal appeal. 7:30pm, £9/£13, Kenneth More Theatre, 0208 5534466

IPSWICH

4th December

Jake & Elwood’s Christmas Party

The legendary Jake & Elwood’s Blues will be raising the roof with their highly entertaining Christmas Party. 7:30pm, £15/£19.50/£22.50, Ipswich Regent, 01473 433100

10th Dec - 3rd Jan

Flyaway Katie

Flyaway Katie is an inspiring flight of fancy based on the popular children’s book by Polly Dunbar, 2-6 years, 11am/2pm, £6, New Wolsey Theatre, 01473 295900

27th Nov - 31st Jan

Cinderella

All the traditional ingredients, with lashings of rock, pop and soul, served up by the multi talented company of actor musicians. Various times and prices, New Wolsey Theatre, 01473 295900

12th Dec - 4th Jan

Aladdin

Will the evil Abanazer convince Aladdin to enter The Cave of A Thousand Dreams and fetch the lamp? Various times & prices, Ipswich Regent, 01473 433100

27th January

Swan Lake

The greatest romantic ballet of all!  This is an immortal love story filled with magic, emotion and beauty. 7:30pm, £15-£29, Ipswich Regent, 01473 433100

28th January

Coppelia

Mischief, mystery and comic chaos are perfectly entwined in this uplifting ballet. 7:30pm, £15-£29, Ipswich Regent, 01473 433100

29th January

The Nutcracker

LONDON

1st Dec – 4th Jan

Hansel & Gretel PANTO

This reinvention of Grimm’s classic fairytale is an exciting promenade adventure. Ages 8+, various times, £10/£18, Barbican Theatre, 0845 1207550

3rd – 14th December

The Sleeping Beauty PANTO

Reawaken the magic of the world’s favourite fairytale in an enchanted world of castles and curses, forests and fairies. Various times and prices, The London Coliseum, 0871 9110200

17th – 30th December

The Nutcracker

This ballet tells the story of Clara and her amazing adventures in the land of snow and the kingdom of the sweets. 2:30pm/7:30pm, various prices, The London Coliseum, 0871 9110200

MALDON

23rd – 31st Jan

The Wizard of Oz PANTO

Traditional pantomime for all the family, (tickets available from 4th December). 2:30pm/7:30pm, £5/£7/£9, Maldon Town Hall, 01621 856503

NORWICH

16th Dec - 18th Jan

Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

SOUTHEND

5th Dec – 4th Jan

Aladdin PANTO

A superb cast led by the hilarious Chuckle Brothers plus an array of special effects. Various times and prices, Cliffs Pavilion, 01702 351135

6th – 28th December

Jack & the Beanstalk PANTO

It promises to be one of the biggest pantos yet and will star Paul Ferguson (Bubble from Big Brother). Various times and prices, New Empire Theatre, 01702 353577

12th Dec – 4th Jan

Wizard of Oz PANTO

Follow the yellow brick road to the famous, magical family musical. Various times and prices, The Palace Theatre,
01702 351135

14th – 18th January

Beauty & the Beast PANTO

This amateur production is the perfect remedy for the post Christmas blues. The Wednesday Players present their own slant on the classic fairytale, in traditional panto style, various times, £3/£9, New Empire Theatre,
01702 353577

29th Jan - 1st Feb

Cirque De Glace

Cirque De Glace brings to life the story of the creation of our planet, man’s evolution and much more. Be there as this genre hits the live entertainment arena like a meteor and the explosion of fire and ice takes place before your very eyes. Various times and prices, Cliffs Pavilion, 01702 351135

23rd – 28th February

Flashdance – The Musical

Set in Pittsburgh, Flashdance tells the story of 18 year old Alex, a welder by day and ‘Flashdancer’ by night, whose dream is to obtain a place at the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy. Various times and prices, Cliffs Pavilion,
01702 351135

SUDBURY

19th Dec - 3rd Jan

Jack and the Beanstalk

With audience participation being the order of the day, this is everything you ever wanted from a pantomime and were afraid to ask for. Various times, £8/£10, Quay Theatre, 01787 374745

THURROCK

5th – 14th December

12 Days of Christmas at the Movies

Professional singers, dancers and swinging live band bring you all the magic of the silver screen, live on stage! 2pm/7:30pm, £6-£11, London Cruise Terminal, Tilbury, 0845 3005264 

4th Dec – 11th Jan

Cinderella PANTO

This is the classic story of Cinderella, with the handsome prince, very funny Buttons, a perfect Fairy Godmother, some wicked ugly sisters, a dotty old Baron, some fantastic singing and dancing and lots of sparkle, various times and prices, Thameside Theatre, 0845 3005264

12th – 14th February

Hi-Di-Hi

This is an adaptation of the great British comedy, set in the late 1950’s. 7:45pm, £6/£8, Thameside Theatre,
0845 3005264

17th February

The Wind in the Willows

A beautiful classic for all the family to enjoy. 1pm/2:30pm, £4.50/£5, Thameside Theatre, 0845 3005264

18th February

Eddy the Teddy

This is the perfect introduction to live entertainment for young children who’ve never been to a show before. Ages 3-6, 10:30am, £4.50/£5, Thameside Theatre, 0845 3005264  

WALTON ON THE NAZE

4th - 6th December

Cinderella

A traditional family pantomime presented by Walton Bloomers, raising funds for Walton in bloom. 2:30pm/7:30pm, prices vary, Columbine Centre, 01255 851680

11th January

Dick Whittington

Chaplin’s Pantos perform this classic show for all the family to enjoy. 3pm, £5, Columbine Centre, 01255 221473