Pantos & Entertainment

Nottingham's pantomimes have become the stuff of legends, and with good reason! Nottinghamshire hosts a variety of pantomimes and entertainment across various acclaimed theatre and performance spaces to bring some much-needed joy this festive season!

Pantomimes in Nottingham

Nottingham Playhouse's legendary panto is back for 2024, with a giant of a story in Jack & the Beanstalk from 29th November 2024 - 18th January 2025. When Jack exchanges the family cow for mysterious beans, he begins an epic adventure when they grow into an enormous beanstalk. Join Jack as he bravely climbs to discover a land above the clouds, where a ferocious giant lurks in his castle. Packed with comedy chaos courtesy of Nottingham's favourite dame, John Elkington, join us for a show jam-packed with laughter, live music, and spectacular special effects.  Expect top tunes, dazzling costumes, and plenty of audience participation in this super-sized extravaganza that will leave everyone feeling sky-high.

Join Peter Pan and the characters you know and love next Christmas in this high-flying swashbuckling adventure at the Theatre Royal from Saturday 7th December 2024 – Sunday 12th January 2025. This family treat will include all your favourites from Neverland including Tinker Bell, Wendy, John and Michael Darling. With amazing special effects, stunning sets, beautiful costumes and barrel-loads of laughter, Peter Pan will take your whole family on a magical trip to Neverland like never before!

Packed with comedy and festive fun for all the family, don't miss Cinderella at Squire Performing Arts Theatre from 30th November - Sunday 15 December. After being raised at Hardup Hall by her father, the Baron, Cinderella finds herself with a new step-mother and two step-sisters. They treat Cinderella like a servant but she has a few friends to help her along the way including; Buttons & Moz, a teenage mouse! Prince Charming is holding a very big party for everyone in the town but the Baroness won't let Cinderella go until she has finished all her chores. Will Cinderella get to the party and meet her Prince Charming? We'll need to ask the very magical Fairy Godmother...

Family Christmas Shows 

Catch The Storm Whale at Lakeside Arts from Saturday 14th December – Sunday 5th January. Based on the award-winning books The Storm Whale and The Storm Whale in Winter by Benji Davies, this tender and heart-warming story of loneliness, love and courage are brought to life as one magical piece of festive theatre. 

The whole family will enjoy The Gruffalo at Theatre Royal from Thursday 14th - Sunday 17th November. Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories' magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

A brand new version of The Ugly Duckling has been specially created for children ages 3 – 8. It is the perfect introduction to live theatre for young families. Full of music, creative captioning and plenty of opportunities to join in, this 50-minute-long show is a great festive treat for little ones. Catch it at Nottingham Playhouse from Thursday 5th December 2024 - Saturday 4th January 2025.

Christmas Theatre

Southwell Minster Chapterhouse Theatre Company present: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. On Christmas Eve, the most magical night of the year, the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is whisked away on a terrifying journey through the past and into the future, accompanied by three fearsome ghosts determined to make him realize the true meaning of Christmas. Book early to avoid disappointment as this fabulous show has sold out both times when hosted at Southwell Minster!

Also at Southwell Minster, don't miss The Snow Queen this November. When her friend is stolen by the cold hearted Snow Queen, Gerda must find the strength and courage to travel across the lands to save him. An array of characters along the way will guide and aid her journey but can Gerda bring the warmth of summer back to her friend? With live music, songs and characters all ages will love, this beautiful adaptation will warm hearts this Christmas!

Enjoy a new theatrical adaptation of 'It's A Wonderful Life' at Squire Performing Arts Centre on Sunday 1st December. The show explores how the movie journeyed from Hollywood failure to feel-good, festive film success. It is based on the original screenplay by Frank Capra and source material "The Greatest Gift" by Philip Van Doren. Starring you as the live studio audience, a small cast with a selection of wigs and props will take you behind the scenes of this festive classic. Expect a tickling of the funny bones and a tugging of the heartstrings in this new Christmas production.

Live Music and Carols at Christmas 

Start your Christmas season with an evening of inspirational music. Handel's magnificent oratorio Messiah tells the story of Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection, through many narrative and explanatory extracts from the Bible. This dramatic work features several of the greatest arias and choruses ever written. Catch it at the Theatre Royal on Saturday 7th December.

Join the Nottingham Youth Orchestra for the first of this season's concerts on Sunday 24th November showcasing NYO's amazing family of youth orchestras performing classical favourites, popular & jazz hits - an ideal concert for families and to inspire musical youngsters.

Down For The Count, one of the UK's premier swing orchestras, is embarking on their most ambitious festive tour to date this Christmas, with a stop at the Albert Hall Tuesday 17th December. The acclaimed 30-piece orchestra, under the baton of conductor Mike Paul-Smith, continues to make waves on the UK jazz scene and is set to bring the magic of the festive season to life with their enchanting performances.

The Nottingham Harmonic Choir returns to the Royal Concert Hall on Saturday 21st December with its well-loved Family Carol Concert. There is nothing like heartily singing carols with hundreds of fellow concertgoers to get you in the Christmas spirit. Join in and sway along to Schneewalzer and enjoy the magical Let It Go from Frozen. With Christmas only days away, add some sparkle to your festive season with our family friendly concert and enjoy the very best of traditional and popular music.

Rufford Abbey Country Park are hosting some fantastic events this Winter, including Carols by Candlelight on Sundays throughout December. These events are perfect for those looking for a more understated event, while getting into the Christmas spirit. 

Join in the Christmas celebrations with traditional carols in the stunning surroundings of Bolsover Castle on Thursday 12th and 19th December. This event takes place after the site closes for the day, so entry in the evening is just for the carols.

Join Southwell Minster for a special concert, The Magic of Christmas, on Saturday 14th December. You can expect a special evening of festive fun in the company of the Cathedral Choir and the East Midlands' professional orchestra, Sinfonia Viva. Sing along to Christmas classics and discover glorious choral and instrumental music – perfect to get you in the Christmas spirit.

Mozart's Requiem, his final masterwork, forms the centrepiece of Nottingham Bach Choir's first concert of its 70th Anniversary season on Saturday 30th November. In addition, Joshua Davis - finalist in Nottingham Young Musician of the Year - will be performing Mozart's Horn Concerto No.3.

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Click here for more Christmas Events in Nottinghamshire 2024 - 2025.