Best Christmas Shows and Pantomimes in and around Leicester
New shows get announced all the time, so I’ll be adding to this list as I find out about them — keep checking back! If you’re putting on a Christmas show or panto, big or small, or know of one I’ve missed, please get in touch at leicester@raring2go.co.uk and I’ll endeavour to add it to the list.
Details correct at the time of sourcing – please check with individual venues for confirmed dates, times and prices, as these may change.
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a family trip to the panto! Fun for all the family from 2 to 102! From big stage musicals to classic am-dram-style pantomime chaos, Leicester and Leicestershire have a brilliant spread of Christmas shows this year. I’ve rounded up what’s on so far, so you can start planning which one to book first!
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Curve
21st November 2026 – 16th January 2027
Leicester’s got the Golden Ticket this Christmas with a brand new production of Roald Dahl’s magical, much-loved story, spectacularly brought to life in this thrilling Made at Curve production.
Age guidance: 8+
Running time: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes (including a 20 minute interval)
📍 Curve, 60 Rutland Street, Leicester, LE1 1SB
🔗 Book tickets
Daisy and the Trouble with Christmas at Curve
30th November 2026 – 3rd January 2027
Based on Kes Gray’s much-loved book, this brilliantly funny adventure is full of Christmas chaos for children and their grown-ups.
Age guidance: 3+
Running time: 1 hour (with no interval)
📍 Curve, 60 Rutland Street, Leicester, LE1 1SB
🔗 Book tickets
Beauty and the Beast at De Montfort Hall
12th December 2026 – 3rd January 2027
A fairytale beloved by generations young and old, with hilarious jokes, catchy songs and panto joy aplenty. TV quiz legend, singer and star of ITV’s The Chase Jenny Ryan leads the cast as the Enchantress, bringing her signature charm and wit to the Leicester stage for the first time. A relaxed performance runs on Wednesday 30th December at 11am for families who’d benefit from a calmer, more sensory-friendly show.
📍 De Montfort Hall, Granville Road, Leicester, LE1 7RU
🔗 Book tickets
Mother Goose at The Little Theatre
11 December 2026 – 3rd January 2027
It’s a golden egg of a show, bursting with egg-citement, eggs-quisite music and dance, eggs-traordinary comedy, and enough glitter to light up the whole of the Little Theatre (and probably half of Leicester too). Poor Mother Goose is down on her luck, until Fairy Fortune gifts her a magical goose named Caroline who lays golden eggs, but will riches bring happiness, or will the wicked Spirit of Discontent tempt her to trade friendship for something far more dangerous? Home to Leicester Drama Society, this predominantly voluntary-run theatre puts on a much-loved local pantomime every year.
Running Time : Approximately 2.5hrs (Including Interval)
📍 The Little Theatre, Dover Street, Leicester, LE1 6PT
🔗 Find out more
The Santa Show 2026: Santa’s Best Ever Christmas at The Y Theatre
5th December 2026
Following last year’s sell-out performances of Santa’s Christmas Party, this year’s show promises to be Santa’s best ever with every child getting a present from the man himself!
Running Time : Approximately 1 hr
📍 The Y Theatre, 7 East Street, Leicester, LE1 6EY
🔗 Find out more
Cosy Christmas Family Screenings at Phoenix
December 2026 (2025 programme shown as a guide – 2026 not yet published)
Not a panto, but a lovely festive alternative: curl up in front of the big screen with Phoenix’s Cosy Christmas family screenings. Bring a blanket, bring a teddy, put on your pyjamas, and settle in for a festive favourite! Last year’s programme included The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Polar Express and The Snowman, so expect a similar mix of family classics. (Phoenix’s 2026 Christmas programme hasn’t been published yet — check back nearer December for confirmed titles and dates.)
📍 Phoenix, 4 Midland Street, Leicester, LE1 1TG
🔗 Find out more
Aladdin at Peepul Centre
General Public Shows: 13th-24th December 2026 | School Shows: 9th-17th December (10am & 1pm)
Peepul Enterprise presents a magic carpet ride you won’t forget in this magical family pantomime. Will Aladdin win the heart of the beautiful Princess, or will the wicked Abanazar’s plans succeed? There’s only one way to find out. A classic story with a panto twist, all supporting a fantastic cause and fundraising for charity.
📍 Peepul Centre, Orchardson Avenue, Belgrave, Leicester, LE4 6D
🔗 Book tickets
Aladdin at MMC Venue, Mountsorrel
12th–24th December 2026
Join Talegate Theatre Productions this Christmas for the pantomime you’ve wished for. Follow our hero Aladdin and his troublesome mum, Widow Twankey, as they beat the evil Abanaza to the magic lamp and win the hand of Princess Jasmine. Guaranteed to be full of Eastern Promise, and packed with songs, slapstick, silliness and audience participation. To book wheelchair spaces or essential companion tickets, call the box office on 0116 230 4877.
📍 MMC Venue, 105 Leicester Road, Mountsorrel, Leicestershire, LE12 7DB
🔗 Find out more
Robin Hood at Melton Theatre
Robin Hood: 12th – 20th December 2026
Join Melton Theatre this Christmas for a magical adventure in Sherwood Forest, as Stuart Earp returns for his 12th year donning the famous green tights as the legendary Robin Hood. Melton Theatre also has an earlier festive show, Elf, running 10th-14th November 2026. A heart-warming musical narrated by Santa, telling the story of Buddy, an oversized elf raised in the North Pole.
📍 Melton Theatre, Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE13 0HJ
🔗 Find out more
Goldilocks and the Three Bears at The Century Theatre, Coalville
5th-6th December & 12th-13th December 2026
Step right up and enter a world of circus magic as Five Star Theatre brings Goldilocks and the Three Bears to The Century Theatre. This year the stage transforms into a dazzling big top, packed with fairytale adventure, spectacular costumes and larger-than-life characters, as Goldilocks finds herself at the heart of a whirlwind circus story full of mischief, music and mayhem. Show-stopping songs, high-energy dance routines and a boatload of laugh-out-loud comedy promise fun for the whole family. An accessible performance with a British Sign Language interpreter runs on Sunday 6th December at 6.30pm.
Running Time : 1 hour followed by 20 minutes interval, then a further 50 minutes.
📍 The Century Theatre, Ashby Road, Coalville, LE67 3LN
🔗 Find out more
Dick Whittington at Loughborough Town Hall
21st November 2026 – 3rd January 2027
Join Dick Whittington on his search for fame and fortune as he sets off for London, where the streets are supposedly paved with gold (or are they?). Produced by award-winning Little Wolf Entertainment and proudly sponsored by Loughborough Building Society for the 21st year. Accessible performances include a British Sign Language performance on Friday 4th December at 7pm, and a relaxed performance on Friday 11th December at 6pm (bookable by phone or email only).
📍 Loughborough Town Hall, Market Place, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3EB
🔗 Find out more
Cinderella at Concordia Theatre, Hinckley
14th January – 6th February 2027
This year’s (or next years!) magical family production is Cinderella. Tickets go on sale from 10am on Saturday 24th October 2026 for Concordia Theatre members, and from 10am on Saturday 31st October 2026 for the general public.
📍 Concordia Theatre, Stockwell Head, Hinckley, LE10 1RE
🔗 Find out more
However you spend it, we hope this Christmas brings plenty of “he’s behind you,” a few good singalongs, and at least one dame who steals the whole show. Oh yes it does!
