Pantomimes in Kent this Christmas
A pantomime is a Christmas tradition for many families. Here are the Kent theatres with confirmed pantomimes for the 2026 season, with dates taken from each theatre's own listings.
9 events we have checked
- BookMeet Father ChristmasFamily days out
Mission Christmas
The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Chatham · 1 November to 31 December 2026
A guided, story-led adventure in which families help an elf called Elfenezer recover his Christmas spirit by travelling through his past, present and future. After solving challenges to unlock the Golden Ledger, each family has a private meeting with Father Christmas and children receive a wrapped gift. The guided part takes about 45 minutes, and the venue suggests allowing around two hours in total.
- Price:
- From £8.50
- Ages:
- Best suited to ages 4 to 10
- Dates:
- Selected dates in November and December 2026; the venue has not published a full date list, so check the booking page. Quiet sessions on Sunday 29 November at 2.30pm and 3pm
- BookHeritage railwaysMeet Father Christmas
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
Spa Valley Railway, Tunbridge Wells West station, Tunbridge Wells · 7 November to 23 December 2026
A theatrical train ride from Tunbridge Wells West based on the much-loved film, with characters performing on board and the story read aloud. Hot chocolate and a cookie are served during the journey, and Santa hands each child a silver sleigh bell. Families are encouraged to come in pyjamas.
- Price:
- From £37.95
- Ages:
- Under 2s travel on an adult's lap
- Dates:
- Selected dates from 7 November 2026, with several departures a day. The official ticket site lists departures into late December (at least 23 December); check it for the full calendar
- BookPantomime and theatreFamily days out
The All New Adventures of Peter Pan (pantomime)
The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury · 27 November to 10 January 2027
The Marlowe's big-budget panto this year is Peter Pan, written and directed by Paul Hendy. The cast includes Janette Manrara, Phil Gallagher and Ben Roddy. The run continues into January 2027.
- Price:
- See website for prices
- Dates:
- 27 November 2026 to 10 January 2027. Audio-described performances on Sunday 6 December and Sunday 3 January
- BookPantomime and theatreFamily days out
Beauty and the Beast (pantomime)
The Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone · 28 November to 31 December 2026
Maidstone's town-centre theatre stages Beauty and the Beast as its 2026 pantomime, with the story of the cursed prince told in classic panto style. The show runs for just over two hours including a 15-minute interval. Two relaxed performances are scheduled for families who prefer a calmer setting.
- Price:
- See website for prices. Family and school offers are listed on the booking page.
- Ages:
- All ages welcome; under 16s must be with an adult. Contains innuendo typical of panto
- Dates:
- 28 November to 31 December 2026 on selected dates and times. Relaxed performances on 1 December at 10.30am and 11 December at 6pm
- BookPantomime and theatreFamily days out
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol at Eastgate House
Eastgate House, Rochester · 28 November to 13 December 2026
Dickens' A Christmas Carol is performed inside Eastgate House, the Rochester townhouse whose garden holds the chalet where Dickens wrote. Several short performances a day suit families exploring Rochester in the run-up to Christmas, and the Dickensian Christmas Festival weekend falls in the middle of the run.
- Price:
- From £12.50
- Dates:
- Selected dates from 28 November to 13 December 2026, including Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November and Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December. Performances at 12pm, 1.30pm, 3pm, 4.30pm and 6pm.
- BookPantomime and theatreMeet Father Christmas
The Christmas Cavity Calamity mini panto
Penshurst Place and Gardens, Penshurst · 5 December to 23 December 2026
A short, 20 to 25 minute pantomime in Penshurst Place's Garden Room, where Mother Christmas and her mischievous twin threaten to spoil the festivities. It is a good fit for younger children who might struggle with a full-length theatre panto. Quiet sessions have softer music, BSL signing where possible and time to meet Father Christmas.
- Price:
- See website for prices
- Dates:
- Selected performances from 5 to 23 December 2026. Two quiet sessions for children with SEND, 10am to 11am, between 5 and 12 December
- BookPantomime and theatreFamily days out
Robin Hood (pantomime)
The Stag Theatre, Sevenoaks · 11 December to 3 January 2027
The Sevenoaks Panto team returns to the Stag with Robin Hood, led by local favourites Silly Billy and Dame Elaine Staige. The show runs for around two and a half hours. Tickets are sold through the Stag Theatre box office.
- Price:
- See website for prices
- Dates:
- 11 December 2026 to 3 January 2027
- BookPantomime and theatreFamily days out
Cinderella (pantomime)
Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells · 12 December to 31 December 2026
Tunbridge Wells' family pantomime for 2026 is Cinderella, produced by Little Wolf Entertainment. Buttons, the Fairy Godmother and two dames lead the comedy, and the show runs for roughly two and a quarter to two and three quarter hours. There are morning, matinee and evening shows across the run.
- Price:
- From £20
- Dates:
- 12 to 31 December 2026, no shows on 18 or 25 December. Signed performance 30 December at 1pm; relaxed performance 30 December at 5pm
- BookPantomime and theatreFamily days out
Cinderella (pantomime)
The Orchard Theatre, Dartford · 12 December to 3 January 2027
Joe Pasquale leads Imagine Theatre's Cinderella in the newly refurbished Orchard Theatre. Expect animated scenery, special effects and plenty of audience participation in a traditional family panto. Relaxed, chilled and audio-described performances are scheduled.
- Price:
- From £21.50
- Dates:
- 12 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Relaxed performance 17 December at 10am, chilled performance 19 December at 11am, audio-described performance 28 December at 1pm
Questions people ask
Are relaxed or signed performances available?
Many theatres schedule relaxed, captioned or signed performances. Check the theatre's own page for the specific dates.