Christmas in Wales 2024: All the pantos, shows and events happening near you this festive season

It's that time again, (oh not it isn't, oh yes it is!) to start thinking about booking tickets for the Christmas pantomime or show near you. There are plenty to enjoy in Wales from The Holiday in Swansea, Jack and the Beanstalk in Milford Haven and Cinderella in Port Talbot.

And, not all of them are pantomimes. So if you are fancying something a bit different this Christmas, there are plenty of great options too. Find out about the latest events in Wales by signing up to our What's On newsletter here.

Here are some of the best pantomimes and shows taking place in Wales for Christmas 2024:

Cinderella at the New Theatre, Cardiff

Christmas is pantomime time and the New Theatre in Cardiff has already announced their Christmas pantomime will be Cinderella. The show will run from Saturday, December 7, 2024, to Sunday, January 5, 2025, and will star Welsh TV presenter Gethin Jones as Prince Charming.

Alongside Gethin will be BBC Radio 2 presenter Owain Wyn Evans as Dandini, celebrated New Theatre Cardiff panto Dame extraordinaire Mike Doyle as the Baroness with Denquar Chupak returning as Cinderella and Stephanie Webber joining as the Fairy Godmother. You can read more about the show here and book your tickets, here.

The Muppet Christmas Carol In Concert, Swansea

Beloved classic, The Muppets Christmas Carol, is coming to Swansea this Christmas. This will be a screening of the complete 1992 film with the musical score performed live alongside.

The Muppets perform Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine). Gonzo, as Dickens, narrates the story with the help of Rizzo the Rat.

The film also features Miss Piggy as Emily Cratchit, Fozzie Bear as Fozziwig, and Robin the Frog as Tiny Tim. The Muppet Christmas Carol In Concert will be at Swansea Arena on Tuesday, December 10.

Tickets are on sale for The Muppets Christmas Carol on Friday, July 12 from 10am. You can get them from Ticketmaster and Disney and read more about the show, here.

The Holiday film with a live orchestra, Swansea

Also showing at Swansea Arena is the heartwarming Christmas film The Holiday with a live orchestra. The Holiday is being shown and performed on Thursday, December 19 and you can buy your tickets, here. Ticket prices start at £36.85.

Elf The Musical, Newport

Elf The Musical is coming to ICC Wales in Newport this Christmas. You can see Elf the hit movie live on stage with this spectacular Christmas musical.

The story is magically recreated with catchy music, exciting sets, punchy jokes and a heart-warming tale the whole family will love. Elf is at ICC Wales from Saturday, December 14 to Saturday, January 4 and you can book your tickets, here.

Hamilton at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s multi-award-winning cultural phenomenon Hamilton is touring the UK for the very first time, and is coming to Wales Millennium Centre for Christmas 2024. Hamilton is the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and helped shape the very foundations of the America we know today.

The score blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway - the story of America then, as told by America now. The show will run at the Wales Millennium Centre from Tuesday, November 26 to Saturday, January 25 and you can buy your tickets, here.

Jack and the Beanstalk at Torch Theatre, Milford Haven

Running from Friday, December 13 to Sunday, December 29 is Jack and the Beanstalk at the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven. When Jack trades the family cow for a handful of magic beans he unwittingly creates a pathway to a mystical land above the clouds.

What will Jack find at the top of the beanstalk? There is also a relaxed performance on Saturday, December 14 and a BSL performance on Tuesday, December 17. You can book your tickets, here.

Snow White at Boulevard Theatre, Milford Haven

Snow White will run at the Boulevard Theatre in Milford Haven from Wednesday, November 11 to Tuesday, December 31. The cast will include Michelle Heaton as the woodland fairy, who is best known for being a member of the Pop band Liberty-X and taking part in Dancing on Ice. You can get your tickets, here.

Jack and the Beanstalk at Grand Theatre, Swansea

One of the UK's favourite broadcasters Scott Mills will join panto favourites Kev Johns and Matt Edwards, A1's Mark Read, Welsh actress, TikTok and YouTube star, Jo Osmond, and musical theatre performers, Celyn Cartwright and Christina Harris, in Swansea Grand's giant family pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk. Swansea Grand will have all the ingredients for a perfect family panto; with a dastardly villain, a hapless comic and a hilarious panto dame, as well as fabulous musical numbers and bags of slapstick fun.

The pantomime is running from Saturday, December 7 to Sunday, January 5, 2025. You can book your tickets, here.

Dick Whittington at Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre, Newport

Join the hero Dick Whittington and his trusty cat, as they set out on an epic journey from Newport in search of fame, fortune, friendship and adventure. This rags-to-riches tale promises to be full of laugh-out-loud gags, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes, the worst baddies and plenty of audience participation.

Dick Whittington is running at the Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre in Newport from Wednesday, November 27 until Saturday, January 4, 2025. You can find tickets, here.

Cardiff Christmas Festival, Cardiff

Taking place in the brilliant Spiegel Theatre, which pops up in Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, is the Cardiff Christmas Festival. With everything from cabaret, to family musical The Snow Queen to My My Abba - The Christmas Show, there is sure to be something to delight everyone.

The festival is running from Friday, November 29 until Tuesday, December 31st. You can buy your tickets, here.

Mother Goose - The Rock 'n' Rolls Panto at Theatr Clwyd, Mold

The legendary Rock ‘n’ Roll Pantomime returns to the redeveloped main theatre filled with the biggest rock, pop and soul songs, outrageous costumes, fantastic frocks, hilarious one-liners, water pistols galore and, of course, your favourite panto puppets. The show is running at Theatr Clwyd in Mold from Saturday, November 23 until Sunday, January 19, 2025. You can find tickets, here.

A Christmas Carol and Little Red Riding Hood at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff

There are two brilliant Christmas shows you can enjoy at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff. A Christmas Carol and Little Red Riding Hood are both running from November 2024 until January 2025 and you can book your tickets, here.

Cinderella and Sinderella at Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot

Showing both an adult and child-friendly version of the hit pantomime Cinderella is the Princess Royal Theatre in Port Talbot. The shows will run from late November to early December and you can buy your tickets, here.

Aladdin and The Polar Express at Park & Dare Theatre and Coliseum Theatre, Rhondda

Taking place across two Rhondda venues, Park & Dare Theatre and Coliseum Theatre, is Aladdin and The Polar Express. Aladdin begins in November and both options run throughout December. You can book your tickets, here.

Beauty and the Beast at Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen

Running from Thursday, December 12 until Friday, December 29 is Beauty and the Beast at Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen. The festive favourite promises to be a spectacular show filled with magical moments, plenty of laughs, and all the panto fun that families have come to love.

There will be accessible performances and you can book your tickets, here.

How to donate to our Christmas appeal

1. Buy an item from our Amazon wishlist and have it sent directly to us. You can access the list here.

2. Bring any items - new, unopened, and if food, in date, to the WalesOnline office at 6 Park Street, Cardiff, CF10 1XR, Monday to Friday 8am until 6pm.

We will then give the items to the staff at Canolfan Pentre to distribute.