Robin Hood: the Garrick pantomime (30 performances, one relaxed show)
Altrincham Garrick Playhouse · 10 min
Fri 4 Dec - Sun 3 Jan; evenings 7.30pm, weekend/holiday shows 1.30pm and 5.30pm; relaxed performance Sat 12 Dec 5.30pm; dark 24-26 Dec and 1 Jan; ages 3+Selling fastRelaxed
Pantomimes near Altrincham, Sale and Timperley 2026, compared
There are 33 pantos within an hour of Timperley this Christmas. The nearest is Robin Hood: the Garrick pantomime at Altrincham Garrick Playhouse (10 min, from Fri 4 Dec). 5 are selling fast or sold out.
Updated . We look for new ones every week and add them as they're announced.
Our picks
There are more than 30 family pantos within an hour of Timperley this Christmas, from a £4 community show in Sale Moor to the Opera House’s big production with Jason Manford. This guide picks out the nearest, the cheapest and the ones with relaxed performances. Prices, dates and booking status in the rows come from our weekly checks and update themselves.
Closest to Timperley
The Garrick’s own panto, ten minutes away, with 30 performances from 4 December. The theatre suggests it for ages 3 and up and warns of loud bangs and pyrotechnics. Weekend matinees before Christmas sell fastest; midweek evenings have more room.
Robin Hood and His Merry Men
Waterside Arts, Sale · 10 min
Fri 8 - Sun 17 Jan 2027. Family matinees Sat 9 Jan 2pm, Sun 10 Jan 12pm & 4pm, Sat 16 Jan 2pm, Sun 17 Jan 12pmUnder £10
A community panto from the Sale Nomads in January, after the Christmas rush: five family matinees across two weekends. It runs two and a half hours with an interval.
Jack and the Beanstalk on ice (Planet Ice Christmas show)
Planet Ice Altrincham, Oakfield Road · 10 min
Tuesday 8 December, matinee 1pm (doors noon) and evening 7pm. Local Learn to Skate skaters with a professional touring cast.£10–25
A panto story on skates at the Altrincham rink, with local Learn to Skate skaters and a touring cast. One day only, Tuesday 8 December, at 1pm and 7pm.
Cheapest
Aladdin and His Amazing Lamp (The Players Sale panto)
Sale Moor Community Centre, Norris Road · 10 min
Date unconfirmed · Thu 10 and Fri 11 Dec 7.30pm, Sat 12 Dec 2pm. Tickets by phone or text from the group (number on the source page).Under £10
The Players Sale’s panto at Sale Moor Community Centre: £4 a child, £8 an adult, £20 for a family of four. Three shows, booked by phone or text with the group.
Christmas Pantomime: Cinderella (Forum Events with OnYa Bike Theatre)
Wythenshawe Forum · 15 min
Fri 4 Dec 7pm, Sat 5 Dec 1.30pm, Sun 6 Dec 1.30pm; doors 30 min beforeUnder £10
A traditional Cinderella in the Forum’s main hall, one weekend only, with two weekend matinees. The £24 family ticket covers two adults and two children.
ComedySportz Improvised Panto (Juniors, 7+)
Waterside Arts, Sale · 15 min
Fri 18 Dec 6pm; Sat 19 Dec 4.30pm and 6.30pm; 75 mins; the Tots version (6 and under, Sat 2.30pm) is sold outUnder £10
A panto made up on the spot from the audience’s suggestions, at Waterside in Sale. It’s 75 minutes with no interval and aimed at 7 and up; the version for under-6s has already sold out.
The big shows
Dick Whittington (Jason Manford & Ben Nickless)
Opera House Manchester · 25 min
Daily matinees and evenings; relaxed performance Wed 30 Dec 1.30pmRelaxed Wed 30 Dec£10–25
Manchester’s biggest panto, with Jason Manford and Ben Nickless and sets and costumes from the London Palladium. Tickets for the relaxed performance on 30 December start at £14.42.
Jack and the Beanstalk (Stockport's family panto)
Stockport Plaza · 25 min
Performance times on the Plaza website£10–25
Todd Carty plays the villain in the Plaza’s restored Art Deco theatre, about 25 minutes away. There are BSL-interpreted shows, and babies of 12 months and under need a free ticket booked by phone.
Sleeping Beauty (The Big Tiny)
Contact, Manchester · 25 min
Thu 10 - Thu 31 DecRelaxed Sat 12 Dec£10–25
A comic, modern take from The Big Tiny, suited to primary-age children who like their panto silly. A few £13 “pinch” tickets are available.
After Christmas
Aladdin (Parr Hall family pantomime)
Parr Hall, Warrington · 35 min
Wed 30 Dec - Sun 10 Jan; morning, afternoon and evening shows (9.45am, 11am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm, 6.30pm, 7pm)Relaxed Sat 9 Jan£10–25
Runs from 30 December into the second week of January, with shows from 9.45am, which helps with younger children. With a 2+2 family ticket, adults pay the child price.
Relaxed performances
House lights stay up, the sound is quieter, there are no bangs or pyrotechnics, and you can come and go:
- Altrincham Garrick, Robin Hood: Saturday 12 December, 5.30pm.
- Contact, Sleeping Beauty: Saturday 12 December, 1.30pm, with a chill-out space.
- The Met, Bury, Jack and the Beanstalk: Sunday 13 December, 11am, with a touch tour first.
- Opera House Manchester, Dick Whittington: Wednesday 30 December, 1.30pm, booked as a separate show.
- Octagon, Bolton, Cinderella: Sunday 3 January, 1pm.
- Parr Hall, Warrington, Aladdin: Saturday 9 January, 9.45am.
Further afield, Crewe Lyceum, the Regent in Stoke, Storyhouse in Chester, the Liverpool Everyman and Buxton Opera House also have relaxed shows: see SEN-friendly days out.
Side by side
| What | Price | When | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robin Hood: the Garrick pantomimeAltrincham Garrick Playhouse · 10 min | £17-£22 by seat area; programme £6; Friends discount | 4 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan | Selling fast |
| Aladdin and His Amazing LampSale Moor Community Centre, Norris Road · 10 min | Adults £8, children £4, family (2+2) £20 | 10–12 Dec | On sale |
| Christmas Pantomime: CinderellaWythenshawe Forum · 15 min | Adult £8, concession £6, family £24 | 4–6 Dec | On sale |
| Robin Hood and His Merry MenWaterside Arts · 10 min | Adult £17, concessions/under-16s £15, family ticket (2+2) £58 on most shows | 8–17 Jan | On sale |
| Peter Pan: A Magical Christmas PantomimeThe Evans Theatre · 25 min | £14-£22 | 10–13 Dec | On sale |
| Sleeping BeautyContact · 25 min | £25, concessions £20, under-16s £17; a few £13 pinch tickets | 10–31 Dec | On sale |
| Jack and the BeanstalkStockport Plaza · 25 min | Price not listed | 4 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan | On sale |
| Dick WhittingtonOpera House Manchester · 25 min | Relaxed performance from £14.42 | 5 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan | On sale |
| Sleeping Beauty - A Traditional PantomimeSalford Arts Theatre · 25 min | Prices on the theatre site; in-house professional panto | 5–31 Dec | On sale |
| Aladdin (Parr Hall family pantomime)Parr Hall · 35 min | £9-£20 plus booking and restoration levy | 30 Dec 2026 – 10 Jan | On sale |
| Jack and the BeanstalkThe Met · 40 min | From £15 | 5–28 Dec | Selling fast |
| Cinderella (Sally Cookson & Adam Peck)Octagon Theatre · 35 min | From £15 | 20 Nov 2026 – 9 Jan | On sale |
For every Christmas show, grotto and trail, see Christmas with kids; for Santa visits, Santa grottos compared.
Nothing matches all of those.
On the doorstep 7
Robin Hood: the Garrick pantomime (30 performances, one relaxed show)
Altrincham Garrick Playhouse · 10 min
Fri 4 Dec - Sun 3 Jan; evenings 7.30pm, weekend/holiday shows 1.30pm and 5.30pm; relaxed performance Sat 12 Dec 5.30pm; dark 24-26 Dec and 1 Jan; ages 3+Selling fastRelaxed
Jack and the Beanstalk on ice (Planet Ice Christmas show)
Planet Ice Altrincham, Oakfield Road · 10 min
Tuesday 8 December, matinee 1pm (doors noon) and evening 7pm. Local Learn to Skate skaters with a professional touring cast.£10–25
Aladdin and His Amazing Lamp (The Players Sale panto)
Sale Moor Community Centre, Norris Road · 10 min
Date unconfirmed · Thu 10 and Fri 11 Dec 7.30pm, Sat 12 Dec 2pm. Tickets by phone or text from the group (number on the source page).Under £10
Robin Hood and His Merry Men
Waterside Arts, Sale · 10 min
Fri 8 - Sun 17 Jan 2027. Family matinees Sat 9 Jan 2pm, Sun 10 Jan 12pm & 4pm, Sat 16 Jan 2pm, Sun 17 Jan 12pmUnder £10
Christmas Pantomime: Cinderella (Forum Events with OnYa Bike Theatre)
Wythenshawe Forum · 15 min
Fri 4 Dec 7pm, Sat 5 Dec 1.30pm, Sun 6 Dec 1.30pm; doors 30 min beforeUnder £10
ComedySportz Improvised Panto (Juniors, 7+)
Waterside Arts, Sale · 15 min
Fri 18 Dec 6pm; Sat 19 Dec 4.30pm and 6.30pm; 75 mins; the Tots version (6 and under, Sat 2.30pm) is sold outUnder £10
ComedySportz Improvised Panto (Tots) - SOLD OUT
Waterside Arts, Sale · 15 min
Sat 19 Dec, 2.30pm, 75 mins, ages 6 and underSold outUnder £10
Under half an hour away 7
The Little Mermaid (South Manchester AOS panto)
Z-arts, Hulme, Manchester · 20 min
Wed 18 - Fri 20 Nov 7.30pm; Sat 21 Nov 12.30pm & 5.30pm£10–25
Jack and the Beanstalk (Stockport's family panto)
Stockport Plaza · 25 min
Performance times on the Plaza website£10–25
Sleeping Beauty - A Traditional Pantomime
Salford Arts Theatre · 25 min
Sat 5 - Thu 31 Dec; 11am, 2pm and 7pm performances£10–25
Dick Whittington (Jason Manford & Ben Nickless)
Opera House Manchester · 25 min
Daily matinees and evenings; relaxed performance Wed 30 Dec 1.30pmRelaxed Wed 30 Dec£10–25
Peter Pan: A Magical Christmas Pantomime (DATS)
The Evans Theatre, Wilmslow · 25 min
Thu/Fri 7pm; Sat and Sun 1pm and 5pm£10–25
Sleeping Beauty (The Big Tiny)
Contact, Manchester · 25 min
Thu 10 - Thu 31 DecRelaxed Sat 12 Dec£10–25
The Wizard of Oz - Easter Family Panto
Stockport Plaza · 25 min
Tue 30 Mar 2027, 3pm & 7pm (Easter holidays)£10–25
Under 45 minutes away 9
Cinderella (Sally Cookson & Adam Peck)
Octagon Theatre, Bolton · 35 min
Fri 20 Nov - Sat 9 Jan; check performance timesRelaxed Sun 3 Jan£10–25
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Bolton's biggest ever pantomime)
Albert Halls Bolton · 35 min
1–31 Dec; shows at 10.15am, 1.30pm and 6.30pm depending on the day; no shows Mon 7, Mon 14, Fri 18, Fri 25 Dec£10–25
Snow White (family pantomime)
Northwich Memorial Court · 35 min
Sun 6 to Thu 31 Dec; matinees at 2pm, evening shows at 6pm and some 10.30am shows. Meet and greet after the 6pm show on Sun 13 Dec; the 6pm show on Wed 30 Dec is the Prank Show£10–25
Aladdin (Parr Hall family pantomime)
Parr Hall, Warrington · 35 min
Wed 30 Dec - Sun 10 Jan; morning, afternoon and evening shows (9.45am, 11am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm, 6.30pm, 7pm)Relaxed Sat 9 Jan£10–25
Jack and the Beanstalk (family panto)
The Met, Bury · 40 min
Sat 5-Mon 28 Dec; relaxed show Sun 13 Dec 11am; pyjama show Fri 11 Dec 6.30pmSelling fastRelaxed Sun 13 Dec
Goldilocks and the Three Bears (half-term pantomime)
St Helens Theatre Royal · 45 min
Daily through October half-term; check the theatre for show times£10–25
The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan and the Return of Captain Hook (Mark Labbett as Hook)
St Helens Theatre Royal · 45 min
Matinees and evenings from Sat 28 Nov; box office 01744 756000£10–25
Sleeping Beauty (Buxton Opera House pantomime)
Buxton Opera House · 45 min
Fri 4 Dec - Sat 2 JanRelaxed£10–25
Sleeping Beauty (Crewe Lyceum pantomime)
Lyceum Theatre, Crewe · 45 min
Fri 11 Dec - Sun 3 Jan; marked 'selling fast'Selling fastRelaxed Wed 30 Dec
Worth the drive 10
A Christmas Carol pantomime (M&M Theatrical Productions)
Chorley Town Hall · 50 min
Sun 6 Dec, three performances: 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pmUnder £10
A Christmas Carol Pantomime at The Lancastrian
Chorley town centre · 50 min
Sun 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pmUnder £10
The Rock 'n' Roll Panto: Beauty and the Beast
Liverpool Everyman · 55 min
Sat 14 Nov - Sat 16 Jan; relaxed, BSL, captioned and audio-described performances availableSelling fastRelaxed Thu 14 Jan
Rapunzel (Storyhouse Originals pantomime)
Storyhouse, Chester · 55 min
Matinees 12pm/2pm and evenings 5pm–7pm; relaxed Sun 27 Dec 12pm; BSL Sat 2 Jan 2pm; audio-described Sun 20 Dec 12pmRelaxed Sun 27 Dec£10–25
Snow White (Epstein Theatre pantomime)
The Epstein Theatre, Liverpool · 55 min
Matinees and evenings; see the theatre for times£10–25
The Wizard of Oz (King George's Hall pantomime)
King George's Hall, Blackburn · 55 min
From Fri 11 Dec 6pm; weekends 12pm and 4pm; times on the booking page£10–25
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Regent Theatre pantomime with Jonathan Wilkes)
Regent Theatre, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent · 55 min
Opens Fri 11 Dec; audio-described/BSL show 29 Dec; performance times on ATG listingRelaxed Wed 30 Dec£10–25
Cinderella - Liverpool's biggest ever pantomime
M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool · 55 min
12-29 Dec; mostly 2.30pm & 6pm, some 1pm/5pm and 11am shows; BSL Mon 21 Dec 6pm£10–25
Aladdin (Floral Pavilion pantomime)
Floral Pavilion, New Brighton · 60 min
Matinees and evenings from Sat 5 Dec; box office 0151 666 0000£10–25
Aladdin (Halifax pantomime, relaxed and signed shows)
Victoria Theatre, Halifax · 60 min
Matinees and evenings from Fri 11 Dec; relaxed, BSL, captioned and audio-described performances£10–25
By area 33
Nearest areas first.
In Trafford (Altrincham, Sale Moor, Sale)
6
- Robin Hood: the Garrick pantomime Altrincham · until Sun 3 Jan · 10 min
- Jack and the Beanstalk on ice Altrincham · Tue 8 Dec · 10 min
- Aladdin and His Amazing Lamp Sale Moor · Thu 10 Dec · 10 min
- Robin Hood and His Merry Men Sale · until Sun 17 Jan · 10 min
- ComedySportz Improvised Panto Sale · Fri 18 Dec · 15 min
- ComedySportz Improvised Panto Sale · Sat 19 Dec · 15 min
In Manchester (Wythenshawe, Hulme)
4
- Christmas Pantomime: Cinderella Wythenshawe · Fri 4 Dec · 15 min
- The Little Mermaid Hulme · Wed 18 Nov · 20 min
- Dick Whittington Manchester · until Sun 3 Jan · 25 min
- Sleeping Beauty Manchester · until Thu 31 Dec · 25 min
In Stockport
2
- Jack and the Beanstalk Stockport · until Sun 3 Jan · 25 min
- The Wizard of Oz - Easter Family Panto Stockport · Tue 30 Mar · 25 min
In Cheshire East (Wilmslow, Crewe)
2
- Peter Pan: A Magical Christmas Pantomime Wilmslow · Thu 10 Dec · 25 min
- Sleeping Beauty Crewe · until Sun 3 Jan · 45 min
In Bolton
2
- Cinderella (Sally Cookson & Adam Peck) Bolton · until Sat 9 Jan · 35 min
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Bolton · until Thu 31 Dec · 35 min
In Cheshire West and Chester (Northwich, Chester)
2
- Snow White (family pantomime) Northwich · until Thu 31 Dec · 35 min
- Rapunzel (Storyhouse Originals pantomime) Chester · until Sun 3 Jan · 55 min
In St. Helens (St Helens)
2
- Goldilocks and the Three Bears St Helens · until Sun 1 Nov · 45 min
- The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan and the Return of Captain Hook St Helens · until Sun 10 Jan · 45 min
Further afield
13
- Sleeping Beauty - A Traditional Pantomime Salford · until Thu 31 Dec · 25 min
- Aladdin (Parr Hall family pantomime) Warrington · until Sun 10 Jan · 35 min
- Jack and the Beanstalk Bury · until Mon 28 Dec · 40 min
- Sleeping Beauty Buxton · until Sat 2 Jan · 45 min
- A Christmas Carol pantomime Chorley · Sun 6 Dec · 50 min
- A Christmas Carol Pantomime at The Lancastrian Chorley · Sun 6 Dec · 50 min
- The Rock 'n' Roll Panto: Beauty and the Beast Liverpool · until Sat 16 Jan · 55 min
- Snow White (Epstein Theatre pantomime) Liverpool · until Sun 3 Jan · 55 min
- Cinderella - Liverpool's biggest ever pantomime Liverpool · until Tue 29 Dec · 55 min
- The Wizard of Oz Blackburn · until Thu 31 Dec · 55 min
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Hanley · until Sun 3 Jan · 55 min
- Aladdin (Floral Pavilion pantomime) New Brighton · until Sun 3 Jan · 60 min
- Aladdin (Halifax pantomime, relaxed and signed shows) Halifax · until Sun 3 Jan · 60 min
Every one side by side
The same list as a table, nearest first. A dash means the organiser doesn't say.
| What | When | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robin Hood: the Garrick pantomimeAltrincham Garrick Playhouse · 10 min | 4 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | £17-£22 by seat area; programme £6; Friends discount | Selling fast |
| Jack and the Beanstalk on icePlanet Ice Altrincham · 10 min | Tue 8 Dec 2026 | Block seats from £11.50 child / £14.50 adult; on-ice seats £15–£17.50; 12% booking fee | – |
| Aladdin and His Amazing LampSale Moor Community Centre · 10 min | 10–12 Dec 2026 | Adults £8, children £4, family (2+2) £20 | On sale |
| Robin Hood and His Merry MenWaterside Arts · 10 min | 8–17 Jan 2027 | Adult £17, concessions/under-16s £15, family ticket (2+2) £58 on most shows | On sale |
| Christmas Pantomime: CinderellaWythenshawe Forum · 15 min | 4–6 Dec 2026 | Adult £8, concession £6, family £24 | On sale |
| ComedySportz Improvised PantoWaterside Arts · 15 min | 18–19 Dec 2026 | £8.50 adult, £6.50 child; 10% off for members | On sale |
| ComedySportz Improvised PantoWaterside Arts · 15 min | Sat 19 Dec 2026 | £6 adult, £4 child | Sold out |
| The Little MermaidZ-arts · 20 min | 18–21 Nov 2026 | Adult £19, under-14s £14 | On sale |
| Jack and the BeanstalkStockport Plaza · 25 min | 4 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | Price not listed | On sale |
| Sleeping Beauty - A Traditional PantomimeSalford Arts Theatre · 25 min | 5–31 Dec 2026 | Prices on the theatre site; in-house professional panto | On sale |
| Dick WhittingtonOpera House Manchester · 25 min | 5 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | Relaxed performance from £14.42 | On sale |
| Peter Pan: A Magical Christmas PantomimeThe Evans Theatre · 25 min | 10–13 Dec 2026 | £14-£22 | On sale |
| Sleeping BeautyContact · 25 min | 10–31 Dec 2026 | £25, concessions £20, under-16s £17; a few £13 pinch tickets | On sale |
| The Wizard of Oz - Easter Family PantoStockport Plaza · 25 min | Tue 30 Mar 2027 | £10–25 | On sale |
| Cinderella (Sally Cookson & Adam Peck)Octagon Theatre · 35 min | 20 Nov 2026 – 9 Jan 2027 | From £15 | On sale |
| Snow White and the Seven DwarfsAlbert Halls Bolton · 35 min | 1–31 Dec 2026 | Varies plus booking fee | On sale |
| Snow White (family pantomime)Northwich Memorial Court · 35 min | 6–31 Dec 2026 | £10–25 | – |
| Aladdin (Parr Hall family pantomime)Parr Hall · 35 min | 30 Dec 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 | £9-£20 plus booking and restoration levy | On sale |
| Jack and the BeanstalkThe Met · 40 min | 5–28 Dec 2026 | From £15 | Selling fast |
| Goldilocks and the Three BearsSt Helens Theatre Royal · 45 min | 24 Oct – 1 Nov 2026 | See the theatre for prices | On sale |
| The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan and the Return of Captain HookSt Helens Theatre Royal · 45 min | 28 Nov 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 | From £20 | On sale |
| Sleeping BeautyBuxton Opera House · 45 min | 4 Dec 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 | From £15; under-16s £2 off; under-2s £3.50 on a knee | On sale |
| Sleeping BeautyLyceum Theatre · 45 min | 11 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | Prices on the Lyceum site (Trafalgar Entertainment) | Selling fast |
| A Christmas Carol pantomimeChorley Town Hall · 50 min | Sun 6 Dec 2026 | Tickets required; price not stated on page | On sale |
| A Christmas Carol Pantomime at The LancastrianChorley town centre · 50 min | Sun 6 Dec 2026 | £7 | On sale |
| The Rock 'n' Roll Panto: Beauty and the BeastLiverpool Everyman · 55 min | 14 Nov 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 | £20-£47 | Selling fast |
| Rapunzel (Storyhouse Originals pantomime)Storyhouse · 55 min | 4 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | From £19.50 (£17.70 members), up to £48 | On sale |
| Snow White (Epstein Theatre pantomime)The Epstein Theatre · 55 min | 5 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | See the theatre for prices | On sale |
| The Wizard of OzKing George's Hall · 55 min | 11–31 Dec 2026 | £14.50 to £22.50 | On sale |
| Snow White and the Seven DwarfsRegent Theatre · 55 min | 11 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | Prices via ATG Tickets | On sale |
| Cinderella - Liverpool's biggest ever pantomimeM&S Bank Arena · 55 min | 12–29 Dec 2026 | £10–25 | On sale |
| Aladdin (Floral Pavilion pantomime)Floral Pavilion · 60 min | 5 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | See the theatre for prices | On sale |
| Aladdin (Halifax pantomime, relaxed and signed shows)Victoria Theatre · 60 min | 11 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | Family tickets at some shows (not usually near Christmas) | On sale |
Questions parents ask
What's the nearest panto to Timperley?
The Altrincham Garrick’s Robin Hood, about 10 minutes away, from 4 December to 3 January. Also close by are The Players Sale’s Aladdin at Sale Moor Community Centre and the Sale Nomads’ Robin Hood and His Merry Men at Waterside in January.
What's the cheapest panto near Sale and Altrincham?
The community pantos. The Players Sale charge £4 a child and £8 an adult (£20 for a family of four), and Wythenshawe Forum’s Cinderella is £8 an adult or £24 for a family. Professional pantos nearby mostly start at £15 to £20 a seat.
Are there relaxed panto performances?
Yes, at most of the bigger theatres. The Garrick’s is on Saturday 12 December at 5.30pm, Contact’s at 1.30pm the same day, the Opera House’s on Wednesday 30 December at 1.30pm, and Parr Hall’s on Saturday 9 January at 9.45am. See the list in this guide, or SEN-friendly days out.
What age is panto suitable for?
Most say all ages, but theatres warn about loud bangs, flashing lights and pyrotechnics, and big shows run over two hours with an interval. For a first panto with under-5s, a morning or matinee show at a small venue is easier. The Octagon in Bolton recommends its Cinderella for 5 and up.
When should I book panto tickets?
Weekend matinees before Christmas go first; when we checked on 23 October the Garrick’s Sunday 20 December matinee was about 80% sold. Midweek evenings and the shows after Christmas have the most room.