Pick of the pantos? Oh yes it is! With Dawn French, Meera Syal… and who’d have thought Jimmy Osmond would end up as Captain Hook!
1. The Snowman
Audiences are sure to be Walking In The Air as the enchanting pairing of Raymond Briggs’s story and Howard Blake’s music lights up The Peacock Theatre, London. Until Jan 6
2. A Christmas Carol
Matthew Warchus’s heart-warming production of the Dickens classic is back with Stephen Tompkinson as the legendary miser Scrooge. Until Jan 19, The Old Vic, London
Join Jimmy Osmond’s Captain Hook as he and Meera Syal set sail for Neverland (via Birmingham) in a production glittering with flying effects and acrobatics
3. Nativity! The Musical
The festival stage show is on tour with Jo Brand starring as the critic in Edinburgh and London, and Danny Dyer joining her on stage at the Apollo as the Hollywood Producer. Until Dec 31, touring to Edinburgh, Stoke, Oxford and London; nativitythemusical.com
4. Aladdin
The Cambridge Arts Theatre transforms into a whole new world for the swashbuckling magic lamp adventure, with fleet-footed Wayne Sleep enduring the boos as Abanazar. From Thu to Jan 6
5. Aladdin
Will Steps’ Lee Latchford-Evans let Brian Blessed’s genie out of the lamp in this spectacular? From Fri to Jan 1, Pavilion Theatre, Worthing
6. Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs
Lee Mead stars as the dashing prince in this reworking of the fairy tale. From Sat to Jan 6, His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen
7. Cinderella
Craig Revel Horwood swaps judging Strictly for the equally acid-tongued role of Cinders’ wicked stepmother in this seasonal treat. From Dec 7 to Jan 6, New Victoria Theatre, Woking
Dawn French (above with Danielle Hope) makes her panto debut flanked by Nigel Havers and Julian Clary (expect stockingfuls of smut from the latter’s Magic Mirror)
8. Snow White
Dawn French makes her panto debut flanked by two elder statesmen of the genre, Nigel Havers and Julian Clary (expect stockingfuls of smut from the latter’s Magic Mirror). From Dec 8 to Jan 13, London Palladium
9. Beauty And The Beast
Rugby star Gareth Thomas joins forces with Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley to bring the timeless romance to the Welsh capital. From Dec 8 to Jan 13, New Theatre, Cardiff
10. Aladdin
Paul Merton will be firing out the witty one-liners as Widow Twankey – alongside Lee Ryan’s Aladdin – in a magic carpet ride into the festive season. From Dec 8 to Jan 6, New Wimbledon Theatre
11. The Nutcracker
English National Ballet perform the iconic Christmas ballet, set to Tchaikovsky’s magical score, at the London Coliseum. From Dec 13 to 30
12. Grand Christmas Classics
Countryfile’s Matt Baker hosts an evening of festive music at London’s Royal Festival Hall. Dec 14
13. Elf
Tam Ryan’s Buddy finds love with Martine McCutcheon after leaving the North Pole in search of his real father in this touring arena spectacular. From Dec 14 to 30, touring to Cardiff, Birmingham and Nottingham; buddytheelf.co.uk
14. Jack And The Beanstalk
Fee-fi-fo-fum! Liverpool’s panto giant sees Jack and his brother scooting up the towering shrub to save his family’s fortunes. From Dec 14 to Jan 6, Liverpool Empire
15. Peter Pan
Join Jimmy Osmond’s Captain Hook (inset) as he and Meera Syal set sail for Neverland (via Birmingham) in a production glittering with flying effects and acrobatics. From Dec 19 to Jan 27, Birmingham Hippodrome