Yorkshire

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-panto">PANTO</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="625" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/12/The-cast-of-Aladdin-pose-together-on-stage.-Credit-Ben-Fletcher-Standard.jpg" alt="pants leeds" class="wp-image-6357" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/12/The-cast-of-Aladdin-pose-together-on-stage.-Credit-Ben-Fletcher-Standard.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/12/The-cast-of-Aladdin-pose-together-on-stage.-Credit-Ben-Fletcher-Standard-300x188.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/12/The-cast-of-Aladdin-pose-together-on-stage.-Credit-Ben-Fletcher-Standard-768x480.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Aladdin at City Varieties</figcaption></figure>



First up, head over to the Carriageworks in Leeds from&nbsp;21 Nov to 4 Jan, where <a href="https://www.carriageworkstheatre.co.uk/whats-on/sleeping-beauty-bcdv" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sleeping Beauty</a>&nbsp;bursts onto stage in a riot of sparkle, spells and panto mayhem. Expect big laughs, bigger magic and the kind of chaos that guarantees sugar-high-level giggling from smalls and grown-ups alike.



Whilst we’re in Leeds, let’s not forget about City Varieties’ iconic Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto which returns from&nbsp;28 Nov to 11 Jan&nbsp;with&nbsp;<a href="https://leedsheritagetheatres.com/whats-on/the-rock-n-roll-pantomime-2025-26/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aladdin</a>, just not as you know it. Think classic panto chaos fused with big rock anthems and chart-toppers, all played live by an ultra-talented cast. Loud, proud and absolutely brilliant.&nbsp;



Over in Sheffield, fly into the Lyceum from&nbsp;5 Dec to 4 Jan&nbsp;for another version of the sparkling&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/aladdin-panto-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aladdin</a>&nbsp;starring Kevin Clifton, Evie Pickerill and panto legend Damian Williams. Genie giggles, glitter explosions and all the classic panto mischief – you know the drill. 



A giant of a pantomime can be found at Harrogate Theatre from 10 Dec to 18 Jan as <a href="https://www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk/events/jack-and-the-beanstalk-magical-family-pantomime/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jack and the Beanstalk</a> comes storming onto stage. Packed with sparkling and jokes galore, this is a family favourite you won&#8217;t want to miss.



Another classic takes to the stage in Halifax from&nbsp;13 Dec to 4 Jan&nbsp;with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.victoriatheatre.co.uk/whats-on/beauty-and-beast" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beauty and the Beast</a>, a joyful romp of slapstick hilarity, singalongs and pure family entertainment.&nbsp;



And if you need a bit more Wickedness in your life, then skip down the yellow brick road on&nbsp;20 &amp; 21 Dec&nbsp;as Scarborough Theatre Company brings&nbsp;<a href="https://www.scarboroughspa.co.uk/whats-on/the-wizard-of-oz-25" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Wizard of Oz</a>&nbsp;to life, complete with all the iconic MGM tunes. A short, sweet festive treat bursting with nostalgia and feel-good magic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-christmas-classics">CHRISTMAS CLASSICS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="681" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/12/Harry-Skoupas-in-The-Nutcracker.-Photo-Emily-Nuttall.jpg" alt="the nutcracker" class="wp-image-6356" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/12/Harry-Skoupas-in-The-Nutcracker.-Photo-Emily-Nuttall.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/12/Harry-Skoupas-in-The-Nutcracker.-Photo-Emily-Nuttall-300x204.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/12/Harry-Skoupas-in-The-Nutcracker.-Photo-Emily-Nuttall-768x523.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Nutcracker</figcaption></figure>



Over in East Yorkshire, Hull Truck Theatre unwraps&nbsp;a good old classic –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hulltruck.co.uk/whats-on/christmas/oliver-twist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oliver Twist</a>&nbsp;– from&nbsp;28 Nov to 4 Jan, delivering Dickens with a festive twist. Singalongs, toe-tapping folk tunes, gleeful carols and a whole lot of heart follow young Oliver on his adventure of a lifetime, complete with Christmas cosiness along the way.



Choo-choo all the way into Christmas spirit with this atmospheric&nbsp;<a href="https://kwvr.co.uk/events/a-christmas-carol/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Christmas Carol</a>&nbsp;taking to the stage at the&nbsp;Keighley &amp; Worth Valley Railway&nbsp;running&nbsp;4–5, 11–12 and 18–19 Dec. Steam through the Yorkshire hills as Scrooge and Marley guide you on a magical journey through Dickens’ tale, made even more enchanting by the wintry moorland backdrop. Pure festive escapism.



There’s also the beloved Northern Ballet in the city who invites you into an enchanted world with&nbsp;<a href="https://leedsheritagetheatres.com/whats-on/nb-the-nutcracker-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Nutcracker</a> from&nbsp;18 Dec to 4 Jan. Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, dancing snowflakes and the Sugar Plum Fairy all take centre stage in this magical festive tradition. Pure, glittering Christmas joy.



Another festive fave takes to the stage as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eastridingtheatre.co.uk/the-snow-queen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Snow Queen</a>&nbsp;transforms East Riding Theatre into a wintry Scandinavian wonderland from&nbsp;4 to 27 Dec. Expect bandits, reindeer, brave hearts and frosty villains – a magical family show with buckets of warmth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-musical-magic">MUSICAL MAGIC</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="844" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/12/Carol-service-pic-small-resized-1.jpg" alt="York Minster carols" class="wp-image-6443" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/12/Carol-service-pic-small-resized-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/12/Carol-service-pic-small-resized-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/12/Carol-service-pic-small-resized-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/12/Carol-service-pic-small-resized-1-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">York Minster</figcaption></figure>



York Minster sets December aglow on&nbsp;4 and 5 December&nbsp;with its much-loved&nbsp;<a href="https://yorkminster.org/whats-on/event/christmas-carol-concerts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christmas Carol Concerts</a>. The cathedral choir delivers traditional carols under the soaring gothic arches – it’s spine-tingling, serene and the perfect seasonal starter.&nbsp;



<a href="https://igniteconcertsyork.com/events/alistair-griffin-presents-the-big-christmas-concert-12th-december/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Big Christmas Concert</a>&nbsp;returns on&nbsp;12 and 13 Dec, filling Q Church in York with brass fanfares, acoustic sparkle and all the Christmas classics – from the soulful to the full-on Slade. With mulled wine flowing and the ambience of old York as your backdrop, this show has fast become a beloved local tradition (and for good reason).



Head over to <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/ormesby-hall/events/85eb2d61-d26d-4b12-945b-b59ecf320514?origin=search" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ormesby Hall</a> in Middlesborough on 12 Dec for a special late-night opening where the house is dressed for Christmas with two musical performances taking place at 6pm &amp; 7pm. Mrs Christmas will be telling stories in the library and the café will be selling seasonal food and drink, including mince pies and mulled wine, with marshmallow toasting to enjoy by the fire pit.



Back over in Leeds you’re invited to glide into the feels on&nbsp;13 and 14 December&nbsp;as&nbsp;<a href="https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/whats-on/the-snowman-and-the-snowdog-in-concert-bj4d" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Snowman and The Snowdog</a>&nbsp;come to life with a live orchestra from Leeds Conservatoire. Heart-tugging animation paired with soaring music? Bring tissues and small people.&nbsp;



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://yorkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/cafes-afternoon-tea/best-festive-afternoon-teas-in-yorkshire/">8 of the best festive afternoon teas</a></li>



<li><a href="https://yorkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/best-illuminated-light-trails-around-yorkshire-during-winter/">Light trails to get the glow</a></li>



<li><a href="https://yorkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/xmas/bauble-icious-local-decorations-your-christmas-tree-needs/">Locally made baubles for your tree</a></li>
</ul>

The best festive theatre in Yorkshire

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