Jack and the Beanstalk , Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, 5 Dec – 4 Jan

This year’s Christmas panto at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre is sure to draw in the panto regulars as well as a fresh crowd itching to see Nigel Harman as villain Fleshcreep. Leon Craig is also heading into his 20th year as a dame, so we’re expecting even bigger laughs than usual. There’s some very impressive 3D effects waiting in the wings and a West End cast that’ll have you toe-tapping all the way home. Oh – and little tip from Muddy – don’t forget to take your waterproofs. You’ll thank us later. Stay tuned for the Muddy review coming soon.

Craving more festive theatrics? It’s like all your Christmases have come at once in Aylesbury, with A Christmas Carol also showing – it’s at the Norman Bragg Studio from 10-13 Dec.

The Nutcracker, Creation Theatre, 29 Nov – 3 Jan

You can always rely on Creation Theatre to put a spin on a classic and this year’s telling (and dancing) of The Nutcracker will be no exception. The mobile and digital theatre company is taking up residency at Oxford’s North Wall Theatre and transforming it into a winter woodland complete with magical sweets and a fearsome Mouse King. Read the Muddy review here before snapping up tickets on the FROW – you’re in for a real treat.

Beauty and The Beast, The Theatre, Chipping Norton, 19 Nov – 18 Jan

Beauty and The Beast panto chippy theatre 2025 — Photo: Felicity Fox

The panto at the Chippy Theatre is a reliable calendar highlight – the costumes, the performances, the music and the choreo are always top notch. This year’s production of Beauty and The Beast features magical entrepreneurs, love blooming in unlikely places and an on-stage baguette fight. It’s sure to be a riot. For a more trad Christmas show, check out Royal Opera and Ballet: The Nutcracker, which will be shown live at Chippy on 10 Dec.

Dick Whittington, Oxford Playhouse, 25 Nov – 4 Jan

The clever beans at Oxford Playhouse are appealing to the current nostalgia wave by giving this year’s panto a Ninenties spin. Expect laughs and Britpop anthems aplenty for the grown ups and plenty of ‘oh no he didn’t’s’ for the kids. Also on the billing for December is Where’s Father Christmas?, a cute show for littlies with plenty of relaxed performances if it’s their first go in the theatre.

Goldilocks and The Three Bears, MK Theatre, 6 Dec – 11 Jan

The tale you as you know it has taken a trip to the circus, with comedian and TV star Brian Conley as big top host Billy Barnum. His daughter Lucy plays Goldilocks and there’s even on-stage acrobatics to look forward to from The Timbuktu Tumblers. Gary Milner (aka The Evil Ringmaster) has excellent smokey eye game if you’re seeking some Christmas party make-up inspo too.

Jack and The Beanstalk, Wycombe Swan, 12 Dec – 4 Jan

We’re heading back up the beanstalk, this time at the Wycombe Swan with a coup of a cast – A1 boyband member Mark Read plays Jack, Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills is Mayor Mills and drag veteran La Voix is back treading the boards for a third year. The digital set parachutes panto into the future too.

Peter Pan, Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-Thames, 6 – 30 Dec

Henley’s fab little historic theatre has such a broad range of events throughout the year, from magic shows to author talks and ballet, and it’s much-loved for its festive panto too. Peter Pan is the chosen story this year with Immersion Theatre taking the reins – expect audience participation by the bucketload, lots of laughs, great costumes and a high energy affair. Also on the festive line-up is A Christmas Carol ballet on 29 Nov; who knew ghosts were so graceful?!.

More 2025 Christmas theatre to entertain the gang

A Christmas Carol at Didcot Railway Centre on 17 Dec is performed by Gerald Dickens – an actual relation of Charles! Train transfer to the performance shed is included. Meanwhile, Didcot’s main arts venue, Cornerstone, is putting on Beauty and The Beast from 18 – 31 Dec and the rapidly selling-out Let’s All Dance’s The Nutcracker on 29 Nov for little ones. Over in Oxford, take a look at the Pegasus Theatre, which has Supermarket Scrooge lined up from 10-24 Dec. It’s a wacky take on a seasonal Christmas shop, aimed at slightly younger kids with singing and puppets. Then there’s The Story Museum’s A Present for Jack (20-30 Dec), in which a little boy goes on a quest to find the perfect song as a present for his dad. Sounds like a certain Christmas ad this year to us. If you miss the boat before Christmas, Millets Farm Centre is bringing The Littlest Fir Tree to life on 29 & 30 Dec to get you through the betwixtmas lull.

Oh yes it is! Time to book these Christmas shows in Bucks & Oxon

You may also like