Pantomimes in the Cotswolds: Winter 2026
Most countries have their quirky traditions to celebrate holidays and special times of the year. In the UK, pantomimes are everywhere at Christmas. If you aren’t familiar with them, they can sound a little bizarre.
In simple terms, they are live musical comedies, often based around a famous fairy tale. They are a bit silly, with key features like ‘the dame’ (a slapstick female character usually played by a man in drag), audience participation, and pantomime costume animals (usually a cow with someone playing the front and someone the back).
They are aimed at the whole family, so they are a great thing to do with children (or just adults!) in the festive period.
Here is your guide to where to see a pantomime this winter in the Cotswolds.
The Snow Queen: Chipping Norton
Chipping Norton Theatre
18 Nov–17 Jan
Tickets from £18
Loosely based on the story that inspired Frozen, this will be a firm favourite of any little girls or boys who love Anna, Elsa, and Olaf.
This theatre was opened in 1975, with the help of the local community, who all donated £1 for the building’s restoration. It now focuses on homegrown productions, with their yearly panto being a big crowd pleaser.
Book tickets here
Honk!: Cirencester
Barn Theatre
21 Nov–3 Jan
Tickets from £19
This family musical is based on Hans Christian Anderson’s tale “The Ugly Duckling.” This is one of the bigger productions, starring West End actors Timi Akinyosade and Claire-Marie Hall. Suitable for the whole family, this is a great one if you have younger children or are trying to keep people of different ages happy.
This award-winning theatre is in the heart of the Cotswolds. The building itself dates all the way back to 1812, with the theatre opening in 2018.
Book tickets here
Cinderella: Chipping Campden
Cider Mill Theatre
12 Dec–3 Jan
Tickets from £18
When it comes to pantos, Cinderella is a classic. As a fairy tale, it has it all: evil stepsisters, Prince Charming, and a fairy godmother. This pantomime is suitable for the whole family and is in the quieter village of Chipping Campden.
Book tickets here
Cinderella: Cheltenham
Tickets from £12
27 Nov–10 Jan
Another production of Cinderella, this one is at a bigger theatre with a bigger cast and budget. The big draw here is Tweedy, the clown who works with Gifford’s Circus. He will be a big hit with younger children; my son is his biggest fan! Everyman Theatre is absolutely beautiful inside, which all adds to the magic and Christmas joy.
Book tickets here
Sleeping Beauty: Tewkesbury
The Roses Theatre
Tickets from £25
28 Nov–2 Jan
Written and produced by an award-winning team, this new production of Sleeping Beauty promises to bring the chaos! Set on the eve of the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471, it focuses on the War of the Roses (which gave the theatre its name!) They also have sensory-friendly performances for anyone looking for a quieter experience.
Book tickets here
Peter Pan: Cheltenham
Cheltenham Playhouse
Tickets from £15
11 Dec–2 Jan
Peter Pan is a firm favourite in my house as my son has a fascination with pirates, making this right up his street. Also in Cheltenham, this is at the smaller Cheltenham Playhouse Theatre. Tickets are more affordable but still promise all the slapstick fun of a festive pantomime. They also have adults-only shows which are less censored for a more grown up audience.
Book tickets here
Beauty and the Beast: Stroud
The Sub Rooms
Tickets from £15
18 Dec–3 Jan
Another one for any princess fans out there, Beauty and the Beast is less often done as a pantomime, so don’t miss your chance to see it. This is quite a small production, so it lacks the budgets of some of the other shows here, but it is more affordable, with tickets at a maximum of £ 25.
Book tickets here
Pantomimes are a fun and silly way to enjoy the festive period. With so many great options in the Cotswolds, there is a production to suit all budgets, tastes, and ages.
