Pantomimes in Essex bring seasonal joy to audiences, blending laughter, music, and interactive fun in theatres across the county.
From Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion to venues in Chelmsford, Colchester, and Harlow, Essex hosts vibrant pantomime productions every winter, making it a festive hotspot for family entertainment.
Popular fairy tales like Jack and the Beanstalk, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast are transformed into hilarious, song-filled spectacles with plenty of audience participation.
Known for their charismatic characters, dazzling costumes, and humor that entertains both children and adults, Essex pantomimes draw local talent and sometimes even TV personalities to their stages.
The lively interaction—complete with cheers, boos, and “It’s behind you!” moments—creates a heartwarming experience that keeps families coming back year after year.
For many, attending a pantomime in Essex is an annual holiday tradition that brings warmth, joy, and community spirit to the festive season.
Which Pantomimes in Essex Will You Be Booking?
Dick Whittington
Location : Harlow Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Harlow, Essex CM20 1LS
Join Dick on his journey through panto land as he seeks fame and fortune!
Facing the wicked King Rat and his rat horde threatening global chaos, Dick and friends must do all they can to save the day!
Dates : 1st Nov 2024 to 5th Jan 2025
For further information CLICK HERE
Cinderella
Location : Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch RM11 1QT
Cinderella dreams of a glamorous life far removed from the everyday grind of primping and preening her vain sisters, and an invitation to the Prince’s royal ball is just the ticket!
But the Sisters have other plans for Cinders, confiscating her ticket to the party of the decade…
Fear not, for her Fairy Godmother arrives in the nick of time, ready to weave her magic and transform Cinderella’s fortunes!
But can she sashay away from the sensational soirée before the clock strikes midnight and her riches turn back to rags once more…?
Dates : 21st Nov 2024 to 4th Jan 2025
For further information CLICK HERE
The New Adventures of Peter Pan
Location : Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, Colchester, CO1 1PT
Neverland is in chaos! The dastardly and devilish Captain Hook is back and seeking vengeance…
With Peter Pan and the lost children in mortal danger Tinkerbell heads back to Colchester to get help.
On arrival she realises many years have passed, and she must now convince Wendy’s granddaughter, to travel to Neverland and help save the legendary Peter Pan from certain death.
Dates : 23rd Nov 2024 to 19th Jan 2025
For further information CLICK HERE
Santas Christmas Cracker!
Location : Thameside Theatre, Orsett Road, Grays, Essex RM17 5DX
Join Father Christmas and friends for a fun, festive, musical adventure to discover the wonder of Christmas – you may even get to pull a cracker with Dotty the Elf!
Dates : 24th November 2024
For further information CLICK HERE
A Christmas Carol
Location : Palace Theatre, Station Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7RA
Dickens Theatre Company are back in Westcliff with their joyously authentic staging of this Victorian classic.
Two of Dickens’ closest theatrical companions find themselves trapped in the footlights’ glare.
With the rest of the cast stuck on a train, actress Frances Ternan and Dickens’ faithful tour manager George Dolby take on the daunting challenge of portraying over 30 characters. But, who will play Scrooge?
Dates : 25th Nov 2024 to 27th Nov 2024
For further information CLICK HERE
Jack and the Beanstalk
Location : Towngate Theatre, St Martins Square, Basildon, SS14 1DW
Panto favourites, Sophie Ladds and Ian Hallard, will be returning as Basildon’s best baddie and fabulous Dame!
Joining Sophie and Ian will be Aidan Banyard as Jack, Alice Hoult as Jill, Sophia Ragavelas as Fairy Sugarplum and Ashley Cavender as Silly Billy.
Dates : 28th Nov 2024 to 5th Jan 2025
For further information CLICK HERE
Snow White
Location : Chelmsford Theatre, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1JG
When an all too honest Magic Mirror reveals to the Wicked Queen that she is no longer the fairest in the land.
An adventure begins where the jealous queen seeks to do away with her competition, the kind and friendly Snow White.
Fleeing to a new life deep into the forest, Snow White lives happily until one day she is tempted into eating a poison apple.
Dates : 29th Nov 2024 to 5th Jan 2025
For further information CLICK HERE
The Ho Ho Ho Christmas Show
Location : Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, Colchester, CO1 1PT
Get into the festive spirit as you travel to Santa’s workshop to meet Ivy the new Head Elf.
She is busy preparing everything for Santa in time for Christmas Eve. There are presents to wrap and reindeer to feed, so she needs your help to get it all done before the big night.
You’ll meet her friends Rusty the cook, Rudolph and Tiny Tina, one of the workshop mice, who will have lots of fun along the way.
The Elves think Santa Claus is such a kind man, but wonder whether anyone gets him any Christmas presents?… Before long Santa returns to the workshop to see all the good work and his faithful elf learns the true meaning of Christmas.
The show is full of wonder and enchantment, which the whole family can enjoy together.
Dates : 3rd December 2024 to 24th December 2024
For further information CLICK HERE
A Christmas Carol
Location : Brentwood Theatre, 15 Shenfield Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 8AG
A snowy and foggy old London of 24 December 1843 is where we begin our journey with Scrooge and the Spirits.
Travelling through time to a multitude of places in Scrooge’s past, present and future, we see joy, sadness and frightening prospects … but isn’t the future yet to be written?
Dates : 4th Dec 2024 to 7th Dec 2024
For further information CLICK HERE
Snow White
Location : Thameside Theatre, Orsett Road, Grays, Essex RM17 5DX
This enchanting fairytale will captivate audiences of all ages and is the perfect festive treat for the whole family.
With spectacular scenery, dazzling costumes, amazing special effects, hilarious jokes and plenty of audience participation SNOW WHITE promises something for everyone.
Dates : 4th Dec 2024 to 5th Jan 2025
For further information CLICK HERE
Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs
Location : Princes Theatre, Town Hall, Station Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO15 1SE
Come and see the beautiful Snow White and her seven little friends from the enchanted forest as they attempt to defeat the evil Wicked Queen.
She is overcome with jealously when her magic mirror declares that Snow White is the fairest in all the land.
Will Snow White meet her handsome Prince and live happily ever after? There’s only one way to find out…
Dates : 7th Dec 2024 to 29th Dec 2024
For further information CLICK HERE
Santas Wish
Location : Palace Theatre, Station Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7RA
Snowflake the magical elf is in a tricky spot, Santa’s sleigh has crashed and now he is lost.
Can Snowflake help Santa and save Christmas?
Join Snowflake on her extraordinary journey around the world as she tries to get back to the North Pole and help spread joy at Christmas time along with the enchanting characters she meets on her amazing yuletide travels.
Dates : 12th Dec 2024 to 15th Dec 2024
For further information CLICK HERE
Dear Santa
Location : Chelmsford Theatre, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1JG
Santa is determined to deliver the most fantastic Christmas present to Sarah, but he doesn’t get it right straight away!
With the help of his cheeky Elf, he finally settles on something ‘perfect’, just in time for Christmas Eve.
Dates : 13th December 2024 – 24th December 2024
For further information CLICK HERE
Elf: The Musical
Location : Charter Hall, Colchester Leisure World, Cowdray Ave, Colchester CO1 1YH
ELF-THE MUSICAL tells the hilarious tale of Buddy, who, as a baby, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and grows up in the North Pole.
Raised as an elf and never quite fitting in, when Santa tells him the truth of his birth father, Buddy sets out to New York for a family reunion to remember.
Dates : 14th December 2024 to 5th January 2025
For further information CLICK HERE
Jack and the Beanstalk
Location : Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7RA
Doomed to sell his trusty cow, join Jack and his family as they fight to outwit the evil giant, win riches beyond his wildest dreams and the hand of the girl he loves.
Expect laughs, music, special effects, magic beans and bundles of audience participation in this giant of a pantomime!
Dates : 14th Dec 2024 to 5th Jan 2025
For further information CLICK HERE
The Hilarious Adventures of Robin Hood
Location : Witham Public Hall, Collingwood Road, Witham, Essex CM8 2DY
The Essex Group are delighted to transport you all to Nottingham Forest for their 14th consecutive panto at the Public Hall, Robin Hood.
This classic fairytale will be a fantastic fun show for everyone.
Dates : 20th Dec 2024 to 29th Dec 2024
For further information CLICK HERE
Jack and the Beanstalk
Location : Saffron Hall, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4UH
Will Jack outwit the ferocious Giant Blunderbore and save the village from his wicked ways?
His mum Dame Trott, brother Silly Billy and the family cow Daisy certainly hope so!
With the hand of the girl he loves at stake, Jack needs your help on his gigantic adventure!
Dates : 22nd Dec 2024 to 29th Dec 2024
For further information CLICK HERE
The Owl Who Came For Christmas
Location : Palace Theatre, Station Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7RA
Join Rosie the Owl on her enchanting adventures as she finds herself nestled amidst the branches of a family’s new Christmas tree.
Witness the joy and wonder as the family discovers their unexpected visitor and endeavours to help Rosie find her way back home to the forest.
Dates : 27th Dec 2024 to 31st Dec 2024
For further information CLICK HERE
Sleeping Beauty
Location : The Columbine Centre, Prince’s Esplanade, Walton-on-the-Naze, CO14 8PZ
In this Sleeping Beauty pantomime script Princess Aurora, her cousin Avarice, and their friend Prince Arthur have been friends for as long as they can remember. But Aurora’s aunty Carabosse, jealous of Aurora’s right to inherit the throne, revengefully tries anything she can to get in the way of the young royals’ destiny.
Luckily Aurora has Nanny Nightnurse, Muddles and the Archbishop looking out for her, along with three fairy godmothers! But it won’t be easy to rescue the princess from dreamland and get her back in time to stop Carabosse declaring her descendants the rightful royal rulers.
Join the royal family and a host of colourful characters in the fun and hilarity that ensues. We journey from young Aurora to her adult self, and encounter plenty of mishaps along the way. But will they manage to wake up the Sleeping Beauty?
Dates : 10th Jan 2025 to 11th Jan 2025
For further information CLICK HERE
Beauty and The Beast
Location : Brightlingsea Community Centre, Lower Park Rd, Brightlingsea CO7 0LG
Panto isn’t just for Christmas! Be their guest at this 2025 panto!
Dates : 29th Jan 2025 to 2nd Feb 2025
For further information CLICK HERE
The Wizard of Oz
Location : Harlow Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Harlow, Essex CM20 1LS
Join Dorothy as she goes on a magical adventure to the Land of Oz.
Along the way she makes new friends with the Scarecrow who longs for a brain, the Tin Man who really wants a heart and the very cowardly Lion who is desperate to be brave and have some courage.
Dorothy needs to find her way home, but it’s not going to be easy with the Wicked Witch of the West keeping a close eye on her! Will the Great and Powerful Oz be able to help?
Dates : 4th Apr 2025 to 10th Apr 2025
For further information CLICK HERE
Pinocchio Easter Panto
Location : Princes Theatre, Town Hall, Station Road, Clacton-On-Sea, CO15 1SE
Anton Benson Productions return with their hilarious new Easter Pantomime… with no strings attached!
Join Pinocchio as he sets off on his adventure to Fantasy Island, where he hopes to learn right from wrong and fulfill his dreams of becoming a real boy.
But will he follow his conscience or will the wicked Stromboli have other plans?
Dates : 6th Apr 2025
For further information CLICK HERE
The Wizard Of Oz
Location : Palace Theatre, Station Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7RA
Join Dorothy as she goes on a magical adventure to the Land of Oz.
Along the way she makes new friends with the Scarecrow who longs for a brain, the Tin Man who really wants a heart and the very cowardly Lion who is desperate to be brave and find some courage.
Dates : 13th April 2025
For further information CLICK HERE
The Wizard Of Oz
Location : Chelmsford Theatre, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1JG
Dorothy needs to find her way home, but it’s not going to be easy with the Wicked Witch of the West keeping a close eye on her. Will the Great and Powerful Oz be able to help?
Dates : 1st Jun 2025
For further information CLICK HERE
If you can’t see your favourite pantomime listed, why not check out Pantomimes in nearby counties Pantomimes in Norfolk and Pantomimes in Suffolk, or if you are looking for a more grown up night out, check out Adult Pantomimes in East Anglia.