Christmas Films, Pantos and Shows

Published: 20th December 2024

Christmas is a great opportunity to enjoy a family outing to a film, show or panto, so I've rounded up lots of local options.

If you know of events that are not in this guide, then please add them using this form.

I will continue to add to this guide as more events are added to the website, and there will be more guides as we get closer to Christmas, so do bookmark this page and come back!

There are a number of other guides where you can find even more great events:

Pantos, Films and Christmas Shows

Hitchin

The Elves and The Jingle Bell Ball at The British Schools Museum, Hitchin
Sat 28th December 2024 - Tue 31st December 2024 9.30, 11.30, 13.30, 15.30
It's that time between Christmas and New Year, when all the presents have been delivered and it's time for the North Pole's annual Jingle Bell Ball! This year, it's up to our elves to organise the most magical event of the year - what could possibly go wrong?! Our family friendly show is suitably for all children 1-12, with a little something for everyone. We have packed our show with more songs and silliness to keep the whole family entertained and this year we end our performance with a mini disco to celebrate the end of Christmas and the beginning of a new year!
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Dick Whittington - A Christmas Show For Children aged 3-8 at The Market Theatre, Hitchin
Sat 7th December 2024 - Sat 28th December 2024
This Christmas, the Market Theatre stages a brand new version of another classic fairy story. Join plucky Dick Whittington and his trusty cat Timmy on their quest to London to seek their fortune. On the way they meet up with Polly who is trying to escape her wicked aunt Willma the Lord Mayoress of London. What Polly doesn't know is her dad has left her a huge amount of treasure in London and Willma is determined to lay her hands on it! Will Polly and Dick realise the fortune that awaits them and find it before WIlma does? With the help of the children (and grown-ups) they surely will! Book now for this epic adventure packed full of laughs, songs and audience participation (including the grown-ups!). Perfect for children ages 3-8yrs.
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Letchworth, Stotfold, Arlesey and surrounding villages

Broadway Cinema Kids Club at Broadway Cinema & Theatre
LOW COST - £1.75 PER PERSON
Saturday and Sunday mornings in November and December 2024
Regular screenings on Saturday and Sunday mornings, tickets are £1.75 per person.
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Christmas Movies at Broadway Cinema & Theatre
Throughout December
It’s not Christmas on Broad Street without a liberal dusting of our festive staples, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Elf and, of course, It’s A Wonderful Life, but this year the jewel in the crown of our holiday line-up is an immersive screening of The Polar Express, complete with a visit from Father Christmas himself. Elsewhere in the programme we have Tim Burton and Dr. Seuss’ sideways takes on the festive season, Nora Ephron’s sparkling wit, and a double-dose of Kevin McCallister – in other words, something for everyone.
Family tickets available for all family-friendly titles in this year’s Christmas programme.
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Nearby (within 30 mins' drive)

Panto: Peter Pan at The Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage
Fri 22nd November 2024 - Sun 19th January 2025
Relaxed Performance: Thursday 2nd January 2025 at 1pm. This performance will also be Signed
Signed Performances - Friday 13th December at 4.30pm & Wednesday 15th January 2025 at 7pm
Soar to Neverland in this high-flying Pantomime adventure. Take to the skies with Peter, Wendy and Tinker Bell as the Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage presents their next sensational pantomime The New Adventures of Peter Pan, flying onto our stage from Friday 22 November 2024 until Sunday 19 January 2025. Test your sea-legs as we set sail in Captain Hook's pirate ship and join his crazy crew in this swashbuckling adventure that is fun for the whole family. Featuring a sensational cast, including Stevenage Favourite, Aidan O'Neill returning as Smee, the loyal but useless first mate to the dastardly Captain Hook played by Steven Serlin. Back by popular demand, Steven wowed Gordon Craig audiences as the evil Abanazaar in the smash hit production of Aladdin in 2021. Relaxed Performance - Thursday 2nd January 2025 at 1pm. This performance will also be Signed. Signed Performances - Friday 13th December at 4.30pm & Wednesday 15th January 2025 at 7pm.
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Sleeping Beauty at The Eric Morecambe Centre, Harpenden
Sat 7th December 2024 - Mon 30th December 2024
This Christmas, you're invited to the pantomime of your dreams - SLEEPING BEAUTY, at the Eric Morecambe Centre, Harpenden. Once upon a time in a Pantoland far, far away, a beautiful princess is cursed by the evil Carbosse to perish on her 18th birthday by pricking her finger on a spinning wheel. Thanks to Fairy Nuff, Sleeping Beauty falls into a deep sleep that can only be broken by her one true love. Will the handsome prince come to her rescue, fight the dragon, destroy Carabosse, and save the day? Will the hilarious Nurse Nelly finally find the man of her dreams and will Chester the Jester find his own super powers to protect the princess? There's only one way to find out... Don't miss this year's spectacular pantomime from the same team that brought you last year's smash hit show Beauty and the Beast. Featuring great songs, dazzling dance routines, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and spectacular special effects this dream of a pantomime will be an unforgettable experience for children and adults alike.
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Sleeping Beauty at Campus West, Welwyn Garden City
Thu 12th December 2024 - Sun 5th January 2025
Get ready for a royal awakening! The highly-acclaimed Campus West Panto is bringing Sleeping Beauty's magic to Welwyn Garden City!
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Further Afield

Cinderella at The Alban Arena, St Albans
Thu 12th December 2024 - Sun 12th January 2025
Don't miss this year's fantastic, fun-filled family pantomime, Cinderella, starring SAMANTHA WOMACK (EastEnders) as the Fairy, alongside St Albans Legends, BOB GOLDING and IAN KIRKBY as the Wicked (but very funny) Step-Sisters! Joining them are GEORGE SHELLEY (I'm a Celebrity & Union J), the hilarious OLIVER SCOTT and DAMIAN PATTON, and the wonderful BESSY EWA (&Juliet). Cinderella, once again, will be written by Paul Hendy and produced by Evolution Productions, the same award-winning team that brought you last year's smash-hit, five-star pantomime, The All-New Adventures of Peter Pan. With stunning sets, hilarious comedy and breathtaking special effects, this year's show promises to be our biggest and funniest pantomime ever! Tickets are selling fast so don't be late to the ball... Book Today!
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Puss In Boots at The Sandpit Theatre, St Albans
Sat 14th December 2024 - Sun 29th December 2024
Following the fantastic success of 'Hansel and Gretel' & 'Rapunzel' our creative team are back with a Brand New pantomime adventure based on the classic tale. Puss In Boots and the Pea Green detective agency are ready to save pantoland from a terrible threat! The Hickory Dickory Dock clock has been stolen and someone is messing with the pantomime timeline. The police are struggling to sniff out a suspect and things are getting stranger by the hour! Join Puss In Boots on their epic quest to bring the time thief to justice. This sword-swinging, paw-scratching, time-stopping pantomime is an action packed treat for all ages!
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A Christmas Carol at the Roman Theatre of Verulamium, St Albans
Sat 30th November 2024 - Sun 29th December 2024 15:00, 16:30, 18:00, 19:30 - Times vary each day
OVO's smash hit, critically acclaimed production of Charles Dickens' Christmas classic returns to the Roman Theatre by popular demand for a third year. Taking audiences on an open air promenade journey through the stunning grounds of the UK's oldest theatre, this is a truly unique festive experience that immerses audiences in the spirit of Christmas past, present and yet to come. This magical 60 minute performance has been refreshed for 2024 and is guaranteed to delight, amuse and move both children and adults alike, and send you home filled to the brim with festive cheer - not to mention our ever popular mulled wine, luxury hot chocolate and seasonal snacks.
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peppa pig london
Peppa Pig - Fun Day Out at Theatre Royal, London
Thu 28th November 2024 - Sun 5th January 2025
Peppa Pig is back in the West End this Christmas in her oinktastic brand new live show, Fun Day Out. Join Peppa, along with her family and friends as they go to the zoo and also the beach for a special party- it's going to be an exciting and fun packed day. Prepare to sing and dance with colourful scarecrows, feed the penguins, build big sandcastles, and even swim in the sea! Packed full of songs, dance and muddy puddles, Peppa's Fun Day Out guarantees giggles and snorts for all Peppa fans, and a perfect introduction to theatre.
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Stickman at Bloomsbury Theatre, London
Wed 4th December 2024 - Sun 5th January 2025
Touching, funny and utterly original, Freckle Productions' delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's Stick Man is back in town! What starts off as a morning jog becomes quite the misadventure for Stick Man: a dog wants to play fetch with him, a swan builds a nest with him, and he even ends up on a fire! How will Stick Man ever get back to the family tree? This award-winning production, from the team behind Zog and Zog and the Flying Doctors, features a trio of top actors and is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves.
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