9 Pantos and Christmas Performances in Newcastle, Gateshead and North East

Panto season is just around the corner, and there are plenty of opportunities to grab the whole family and head off to the theatre in Newcastle and the North East this Christmas.

Let us help you find the perfect panto or festive, family performance in Newcastle, Gateshead and the North East...

A wonderfully wicked panto is coming to Sunderland Empire this Christmas! Call the Midwife star Laura Main sprinkles festive magic as Fairy Snowfall, joined by Milkshake! presenter David Ribi as Prince Vincent and West End performer Jordan Lee Davies (Chicago, Bat Out of Hell) as the villainous Carabosse. They’ll share the stage with local favourites Miss Rory (Boulevard) as Rorina the Cleaner and Tom Whalley as Vesta the Jester in this spellbinding family adventure. Expect laughter, magic, and plenty of North East sparkle - don’t sleep on this one!

Celebrate 20 years of Danny and Clive with a brand-new, Tyneside twist on Aladdin! Set in the magical Kingdom of Pantomania, expect flying carpets, fairytale mashups, and plenty of laughs. The star cast includes Chris Hayward as Mother Goose, Joe McElderry as The Spirit of the Ring, Mick Potts as The Genie, and Rachel Stanley and Billie-Kay as the Wicked Witch and Princess Jasmine. With dazzling new sets and costumes, this year’s Aladdin promises pure panto magic.

Enjoy the classic Cinderella with the lovable Buttons, the handsome Prince Charming, the wicked Ugly Sisters, the magical Fairy Godmother and, of course, the beautiful Cinderella at Tyne Theatre & Opera House this Christmas. Watch with amazement from 5th December - 4th January, as Cinderella’s pumpkin and white mice are transformed into a beautiful coach and horses in this true rags-to-riches story, but will Cinderella remember to leave the ball before midnight?

From the same team behind last year’s magical production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Tyne Theatre & Opera House in association with Enchanted Entertainment bring the nation’s favourite and most treasured pantomime to life. Starring singing legend Maureen Nolan as the Fairy Godmother, Britain’s Got Talent winners Twist & Pulse, panto favourites Charlie Richmond as Buttons, Radio legend Robbie Dee, plus Lewis Denny and Micky Cochrane as the Ugly Sisters. 

Experience the magic of Christmas with a heartwarming performance of The Snowman in Concert at The Glasshouse by the Royal Northern Sinfonia, led by conductor Ellie Slorach. Enjoy the timeless soundtrack of The Snowman and the playful musical story In the Swamp by the Light of the Moon, composed especially for this event. The relaxed performance will also feature a British Sign Language interpreter. Watch the show from Monday 22nd December–Wednesday 24th December.

Step into rural France for a magical, musical twist on a timeless tale! Featuring tunes from the quirky Insect Orchestra and a cast of colourful characters, Northern Stage’s Beauty and the Beast reimagines the classic story with humour, heart, and plenty of North East charm. A stolen rose spells bad news for our heroine Belle and her unfortunate dad in this enchantingly wicked retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Families are invited to join our narrators, two mischievous fairies, a ‘Thoughtsnatcher machine’, and a helpful rabbit to experience this tale as old as time in new and touching ways for Christmas 2025. 

This Christmas, enjoy a brand-new festive play at Live Theatre inspired by ideas from local children! Filled with warmth, wit, and a touch of winter magic, Where Do All The Kittiwakes Go At Christmas is a delightful story that promises to have the whole family squawking with laughter. Make sure to catch it from Tuesday 9th December - Sunday 21st December.

Roll up, roll up for a magical circus adventure this Christmas at The Customs House! Join Dame Bella and her lovable sidekick Dennis as they fight to save their big top from disaster in this fun-filled twist on Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Packed with laughter, magic, and plenty of panto mayhem, this show will be 'just right'. The show will run from Friday 21st November - Saturday 3rd January.

Experience Home Alone like never before at The Glasshouse as Royal Northern Sinfonia performs John Williams’ iconic score live to the film on the big screen. The show will run from Saturday 6th December - Sunday 7th December. The Voices of the River’s Edge choir adds extra festive sparkle with the heart-warming classic Somewhere in My Memory. Expect sleigh bells, twinkly tunes, and holiday hits like Jingle Bell Rock in this unforgettable Christmas treat for the whole family.

Follow Dorothy and Toto on a whirlwind adventure to the magical land of Oz in this wicked and wonderful panto, The Wizard of Oz at People's Theatre! Join familiar friends, and foes, on the yellow brick road as they search for brains, heart, courage, and a way home. The show will run from Saturday 13th December - Sunday 21st December, so catch it while you can.