Is Leeds the destination for hilariously immersive pantomimes and festive theatre fun this year? “Oh yes it is!”
As the days get shorter, the weather gets colder and Christmas songs take over the radio, it can only mean one thing – it’s panto season. Luckily for us, Leeds has some of the best pantomimes and Christmas shows around to help make your festive season a memorable one. From classic fabled fairytales to outlandish rock ’n’ roll musical theatre, there’s something everyone.
The Gingerbread Man
Leeds Children’s Theatre are kicking off a jam-packed season of festive shows with a 90th anniversary production of David Wood’s The Gingerbread Man. The fun-filled, family-friendly plot takes place in the kitchen dresser where Salt, Pepper and The Gingerbread Man team up to save the Cuckoo in the Clock from being thrown away. It’s a musical caper in which the team must avoid the threats of The Old Tea Bag on the top shelf and the gangster mouse to help their friend.
The Gingerbread Man is on at The Carriageworks Theatre from Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th November 2025.
A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens’ timeless tale is reimagined in McDeborah Andrew’s musical rendition of A Christmas Carol. You’ll be glued to your seat watching the four ghostly spirits transport Ebeneezer Scrooge on a whirlwind escapade through his past, present and future, encouraging redemption and showing him the true meaning of Christmas. With plenty of festive fun, lively music and a sprinkle of magic, it’s the perfect excursion to get the whole family in the mood for Christmas.
A Christmas Carol is on at Leeds Playhouse from Thursday 20th November 2025 to Saturday 17th January 2026.
Sleeping Beauty
Escape into the enchanting world of Sleeping Beauty this Christmas as the popular pantomime returns for another year. You can join in with the mayhem as you witness Princess Aurora’s plight to beat the curse placed on her by the wicked fairy Carabosse. The show promises dazzling sets, captivating costumes, toe-tapping tunes and audience participation aplenty. It’s a festive family outing you won’t want to miss.
Sleeping Beauty is on at The Carriageworks Theatre from Friday 21st November 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026.
A Hit and Miss Christmas
A Hit and Miss Christmas is chock-full of seasonal cheer, cheeky comedy and heartwarming moments. It follows a theatre company in disarray as they try to figure out how to get bums in seats for their annual Christmas show. Will they stick with tradition or be swayed in a different direction by the ambitious new Artistic Director?
A Hit and Miss Christmas is on at The Carriageworks Theatre from Wednesday 26th to Saturday 29th November 2025.
Aladdin: The Rock’n’Roll Panto
Ditch your traditional Panto for this rock’n’roll spectacular that’ll leave you thoroughly entertained. Aladdin: The Rock’n’Roll panto is a brilliant blend of audience participation, stitch-inducing cheesy jokes, high-energy rock anthems and chart-smashing hits. The multi-talented cast will blow you away with their musical and acting prowess. It’s a festive extravaganza that more than deserves its place on your Christmas calendar.
Aladdin: The Rock’n’Roll Panto is on at the City Varieties Music Hall from Friday 28th November 2025 to Sunday 11th January 2026.
Stick Man
Credit: Mark Senior
When Stick Man embarks on his morning jog, he soon encounters challenges along the way – from dogs wanting to play fetch with him to swans using him to build their nest. This wonderfully funny and original stage adaptation by Freckle Productions features live music, dancing and fantastic puppetry, as we follow the titular Stick Man in his quest to get back his family tree.
Stick Man is at Leeds Playhouse from Saturday 6th December 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026.
A Christmas Carol at The Carriageworks
Another adaptation of the Dickens classic, this time with a gothic twist. The Book of Darkness and Light return to The Carriageworks after the success of last year’s Nightmares, to tell the story of Scrooge as you’ve never seen it before. This one-man show presents Scrooge’s journey into the past, present and future in a chilling light, bringing the bleakness of Victorian London to the forefront and leaving you thrilled as the spirits of Christmas come back from the dead.
A Christmas Carol is on at The Carriageworks from Wednesday 10th to Saturday 13th December 2025.
Christopher’s Christmas
As the Nibbles family settle into their Christmas Eve ritual, they learn some shocking news– Santa Clause is lost! Being the brave guinea pigs that they are, they decide to gather together and come up with a plan to save Christmas in Dandeville. This family-friendly production is written specifically for 2-7 year olds, getting your tots in the seasonal spirit while teaching them important lessons about team work. Performances are Makaton friendly also, making them accessible to everyone.
Christopher’s Christmas is on at The Carriageworks from Sunday 14th to Wednesday 24th December 2025.
Emporium Curioso 2
Bright Sparks Theatre Company invites you into the Emporium Curioso. What used to be a hustling and bustling shop, is now a treasure trove of memories, where the shop keepers will take you through the stories hidden behind each item on the shelves. Some will make you laugh, some might make you cry and others will leave you gasping in shock– at the Emporium Curioso, reflection is the main attraction. Performed by a cast of learning disabled actors and their creative enablers, this festive production has inclusivity at the forefront.
Emporium Curioso 2 is on at Leeds Playhouse on Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th December 2025.
Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Join Clara on her Christmas adventure as she gets swept away to a Winter Wonderland by the charming Nutcracker Prince. There’ll be dazzling dancing snowflakes, the sweeter-than-candy Sugarplum Fairy and the notorious Mouse King threatening to ruin the fun. In true Northern Ballet style, the magnificent music will be played live, the set design will be spectacular and the choreography and costume breathtaking. There’s no better time than Christmas to enjoy a night at the ballet!
Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker is on at Leeds Grand Theatre from Sunday 18th December 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026.
The Wicked Wizard of Oz– A Cirque Spectacular
In the Emerald Circus, Cirque and Pantomime combine for an incredible performance that defies all expectations. The producers of Elf the Musical are bringing their latest theatrical venture to Leeds– a high flying trip down the yellow brick road. Prepare to be mesmerised as the familiar tale of Oz is reimagined with incredible acrobatics, fabulously festive panto-style production and plenty of surprises along the way.
The Wicked Wizard of Oz– A Cirque Spectacular is on at the first direct bank arena on Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th December 2025.
Pinocchio
Credit: LIDOS Theatre
The award-winning LIDOS theatre troupe are back with yet another phenomenal pantomime. This time you’ll follow the old toy-maker Geppetto who, after years of longing, finally gets his wish of a son of his own. Before he can relax into his new role as a father to the once-puppet-now-boy Pinocchio, he must protect his creation from the evil showman Stromboli. Will Pinocchio learn what it takes to be a ‘real boy’, before it’s too late?
Pinocchio is on at The Carriageworks from Friday 16th January to Saturday 24th January 2026.
Cover image credit: Abby Swaine
