London’s 2026 panto season has two big talking points: Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders reuniting as the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella at the London Palladium, and Clive Rowe back as Dame Trot in Jack and the Beanstalk at Hackney Empire. Beyond those, there is plenty to choose from across the capital, from Hammersmith to Wimbledon. If you want seats sorted now, Cinderella at the Lyric Hammersmith and Potted Panto at the Apollo Theatre both have tickets on sale on British Theatre.
Pantomimes in London 2026 at a glance
- Cinderella, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 (6+)
- Potted Panto, Apollo Theatre, 6 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 (70 minutes)
- Dick Whittington: Adults Only, King’s Head Theatre, 26 November 2026 to 2 January 2027 (16+)
- Cinderella, London Palladium, 5 December 2026 to 10 January 2027
- Jack and the Beanstalk, Hackney Empire, 21 November to 31 December 2026
- Dick Whittington and His Cat, King’s Head Theatre, 22 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 (all ages)
- Jack and the Beanstalk, Richmond Theatre, 5 December 2026 to 3 January 2027
- Peter Pan, New Wimbledon Theatre, 5 December 2026 to 3 January 2027
- Robin Hood and the Merry Mandem, Theatre Royal Stratford East, 21 November 2026 to 2 January 2027
- Sleeping Beauty, Churchill Theatre Bromley, 5 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 (3+)
- Cinderella, Orchard Theatre Dartford, 12 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 (3+)
Lyric Hammersmith panto 2026: Cinderella
West London’s favourite producing house goes for the glass slipper this year. Joel Horwood, who wrote the Lyric’s Aladdin in 2016, returns with a new version of Cinderella, directed by Robin Belfield, and gives the story a Hammersmith twist. Expect Buttons, a prince, some very troublesome relatives, plenty of songs and lots of shouting back at the stage.
It runs from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 and lasts about two hours. The theatre recommends it for ages 6 and over, which makes it a good pick for primary school children who are ready for a full evening show. See dates and tickets for Cinderella at the Lyric Hammersmith.
Potted Panto at the Apollo Theatre
For a short West End panto, Potted Panto squeezes seven classic pantomimes into 70 minutes on Shaftesbury Avenue. Fairy tales crash into each other as the performers race through heroes, villains and quick changes, and everyone is invited to join in.
The short running time makes it a handy choice for younger children, or for a matinee before tea and the lights on Regent Street. It plays from 6 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Pick a date and find tickets for Potted Panto at the Apollo Theatre.
London Palladium pantomime 2026: Cinderella
The Palladium panto is the biggest of the year, and 2026 is the eleventh season of the modern tradition at the Argyll Street theatre. Cinderella runs from 5 December 2026 to 10 January 2027, produced by Michael Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes.
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders play the Ugly Sisters, 17 years after they last appeared together on a West End stage. Julian Clary is the Fairy Godfather, Dex Lee is Prince Charming and Hope Dawe plays Cinderella, with Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Rob Madge also in the cast.
The show is full of cheeky innuendo and the theatre advises parental discretion. Under 4s are not admitted. Running time is still to be announced.
Hackney Empire panto 2026: Jack and the Beanstalk
Hackney Empire is celebrating its 125th anniversary, and its panto is in safe hands. Olivier winner Clive Rowe directs Jack and the Beanstalk and plays Dame Trot, joined by Kat B, Louise Cielecki, Christopher Staines, Marina Lawrence-Mahrra, Summer Priest and Andre Antonio. Will Brenton has written the script, with music by Steven Edis.
Hackney’s pantos are known for big voices, local jokes and a proper community feel. It runs from 21 November to 31 December 2026 and is suitable for all ages, with children aged 3 and under able to sit on a lap. Read more about Jack and the Beanstalk at Hackney Empire (coming soon).
King’s Head Theatre family panto 2026: Dick Whittington
The Islington pub theatre is back for its third year of panto with Dick Whittington and His Cat, written and directed by Andrew Pollard, who has won Best Writer at the UK Pantomime Awards. Drag star Victoria Scone plays Dragpuss and River Medway plays the Rat Queen.
This is the all ages version. Under 3s go free on a lap, and children aged 4 and over need their own seat. It runs from 22 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 and lasts about two hours. In a room this size, every child is close to the action. Find out more about Dick Whittington and His Cat at the King’s Head Theatre (coming soon).
Richmond Theatre panto 2026: Jack and the Beanstalk
Richmond has a starry line-up for its Crossroads panto. Bonnie Langford plays Mrs Blunderbore, Dr Ranj is the Spirit of the Beans and Basil Brush turns up as Farmer Basil, with Lloyd Hollett as Silly Simon and James Hume as Dame Trot.
It runs from 5 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 at Richmond Theatre. Age guidance and running time are still to be announced. Read more about Jack and the Beanstalk at Richmond Theatre (coming soon).
New Wimbledon Theatre panto 2026: Peter Pan
Wimbledon heads to Neverland, with Jessie Wallace as Captain Hook and Aston Merrygold flying in as Peter Pan. Tom Read Wilson plays the Magical Merman and magician Pete Firman returns for his fifth Wimbledon panto as Smee.
The show runs from 5 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. With pirates, a crocodile and a flying boy, it is a strong choice for families with children who love an adventure. Find out more about Peter Pan at New Wimbledon Theatre (coming soon).
Stratford East panto 2026: Robin Hood and the Merry Mandem
Theatre Royal Stratford East always does panto its own way. This year Yolanda Mercy has written Robin Hood and the Merry Mandem, directed by Jade Lewis, with Ashley Joseph as Robin Hood. It runs from 21 November 2026 to 2 January 2027, is suitable for all ages and lasts about two hours plus an interval. Read our Stratford East panto casting story.
Bromley and Dartford pantos 2026
In south east London, the Churchill Theatre Bromley stages Sleeping Beauty from 5 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Vernon Kay plays Billy and Andrew Agnew is Dame Bella More, with Rebekah Lowings, James Bisp, Jayme-Lee Zanoncelli and Sophie Naglik. It runs for about 125 minutes including the interval and is recommended for ages 3 and up. Read more about Sleeping Beauty at the Churchill Theatre Bromley (coming soon).
Just outside London, the Orchard Theatre Dartford has Joe Pasquale in Cinderella from 12 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Abbie Budden is Cinderella, Keith Jack is Prince Charming and Ben Goffe plays Buttons, with Vanessa Dumatey, and Gareth Mitchell and Garnon Davies as the stepsisters. It also runs for about 125 minutes and suits ages 3 and up. Find out more about Cinderella at the Orchard Theatre Dartford (coming soon).
Adults-only panto in London
The King’s Head Theatre also runs Dick Whittington: Adults Only, separate performances of its Islington panto with the drag and innuendo turned right up. Victoria Scone and River Medway lead again, and each adult performance has a guest star from musical theatre or drag.
It is for ages 16 and over. Sixteen and 17 year olds must come with a parent, and the theatre strongly advises parental discretion. Do not confuse it with the all ages family show in the same building. It runs from 26 November 2026 to 2 January 2027 and lasts about two hours. See dates and tickets for Dick Whittington: Adults Only at the King’s Head Theatre.
Relaxed and accessible panto performances in London
These are the relaxed, signed, captioned and audio described performances announced so far. Check with the venue before you go, as access dates can change.
| Show | Relaxed | Signed (BSL) | Captioned | Audio described |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinderella, Lyric Hammersmith | 1 Dec, 10am | 11 Dec, 7pm | 16 Dec, 7pm | 10 Dec, 7pm |
| Jack and the Beanstalk, Hackney Empire | 5 Dec, 1.30pm (also dementia friendly) | 5 Dec, 1.30pm and 6pm; 17 Dec, 1.30pm and 7pm | Not announced | 6 Dec, 1pm |
| Robin Hood and the Merry Mandem, Stratford East | 2 Jan, 12pm | 11 Dec, 6.30pm | 18 Dec, 6.30pm | 19 Dec, 12pm |
| Sleeping Beauty, Bromley | 12 Dec, 11am; 15 Dec, 1.30pm | 9 Dec, 7pm | 17 Dec, 5.30pm | 11 Dec, 5.30pm |
| Cinderella, Dartford | 17 Dec, 10am | 28 Dec, 5pm | Not announced | 28 Dec, 1pm |
| Jack and the Beanstalk, Richmond | Not announced | 10 Dec, 7pm | Not announced | 30 Dec, 5.30pm |
| Peter Pan, Wimbledon | Not announced | 3 Jan, 1pm | Not announced | 16 Dec, 7pm |
For the youngest children, the Lyric Hammersmith is also staging Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas in its smaller space from 18 November to 27 December 2026. It lasts 50 minutes, is made for under 6s and has relaxed performances on 24 November at 10.30am and 29 November at 9.30am, a BSL performance on 30 November at 11.30am and an audio described performance on 3 December at 9.45am. Find out more about Father Christmas at the Lyric Hammersmith (coming soon).
Other family Christmas shows in London
Not every family wants a panto. These festive shows are on sale now.
- A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic, 10 November 2026 to 9 January 2027. The Waterloo theatre’s much loved Dickens adaptation, recommended for ages 8 and up.
- Christmas Carol Goes Wrong at Wyndham’s Theatre, this Christmas until 23 January 2027. Mischief’s accident-prone take on Dickens, for ages 8 and up. See our rehearsal photos and cast news.
- Nutcracker at the London Coliseum, 17 December 2026 to 10 January 2027. English National Ballet’s festive favourite, suitable for ages 5 and up.
- The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre, 21 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. The wordless stage version of the Raymond Briggs story, about 1 hour 30 minutes including the interval. Read more in our Snowman 2026 news story.
- Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella at Sadler’s Wells, 1 December 2026 to 17 January 2027. Dance theatre set in wartime London, for ages 8 and up.
- Room on the Broom at the Lyric Theatre, 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. The witch, her cat and their friends on stage, for ages 3 and up.
- The Smartest Giant in Town at St Martin’s Theatre, 9 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, aimed at children aged 2 to 8.
- Stick Man at the Bloomsbury Theatre, 3 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.
For The Lion King, Matilda, My Neighbour Totoro, Paddington and more, see our guide to the best Christmas West End shows for 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the London Palladium panto for 2026?
The London Palladium panto for 2026 is Cinderella. It runs from 5 December 2026 to 10 January 2027.
Who is in the London Palladium panto 2026?
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders play the Ugly Sisters and Julian Clary is the Fairy Godfather. Dex Lee, Hope Dawe, Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Rob Madge complete the headline cast.
When is the Hackney Empire panto 2026?
Jack and the Beanstalk plays Hackney Empire from 21 November to 31 December 2026, with Clive Rowe as Dame Trot.
Is there an adults-only panto in London?
Yes. Dick Whittington: Adults Only plays the King’s Head Theatre in Islington from 26 November 2026 to 2 January 2027. It is for ages 16 and over, and 16 and 17 year olds must come with a parent.
Which London pantos have relaxed performances?
Relaxed performances have been announced for Cinderella at the Lyric Hammersmith, Jack and the Beanstalk at Hackney Empire, Robin Hood and the Merry Mandem at Stratford East, Sleeping Beauty in Bromley and Cinderella in Dartford. Dates are in the table above.
What age is the Palladium panto suitable for?
The Palladium panto has plenty of cheeky innuendo, so the theatre advises parental discretion. Children under 4 are not admitted.
What other family Christmas shows are on in London this year?
A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic, Christmas Carol Goes Wrong at Wyndham’s Theatre, Nutcracker at the London Coliseum and The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre are all on sale, along with shorter shows for young children such as Room on the Broom and Stick Man.
West End Correspondent
Daphne covers West End news for British Theatre: openings, casting, extensions and on-sale alerts across London's major theatres.
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