Panto lovers do not need to limit their festive viewing to just one show, and as huge lovers of pantomime season at Blackpool Grand, we thought we’d round up Top Five Places to See Panto in the North West, inspiring readers to get along to as many shows as possible.

Here’s our selection of five of the best places to pantomime in the North West this year.

Peter Pan at Manchester’s Opera House

Manchester is the urban hub of the North West, and there are bound to be plenty of festive shows this Christmas. When it comes to pantomime, The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan at the Opera House is bound to be a great watch. It stars TV comedian and local legend Jason Manford as Captain Hook and one of Manchester’s favourite panto stars, Ben Nickless, in the role of Smee. More cast members are yet to be announced, but it’s bound to be a blockbuster of a show in a great Mancunian venue.

Robin Hood at the Oldham Coliseum

Oldham Coliseum has a fantastic local reputation for its authentic and intrinsically British pantos. This year is no different, with Robin Hood as their chosen show for 2022. Sherwood Forest meets Oldham as Robin Hood, and his band of Merry Men (in tights) take to the stage and try to save their beloved Maid Marian from the evil clutches of the Sheriff. Expect traditional panto fun, plenty of silly songs, slapstick and an all-around great night out.

Goldilocks at Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre

Liverpool always attracts a lot of local stars to its pantomimes, and this year is no different. Goldilocks And The Three Bears is showing at the Epstein Theatre, and the story is a little unusual, to say the least. Rather than your traditional bowls of porridge and wonky chairs, Goldilocks, with help from the Three Bears, try to save her Big Top from a rival circus owner. The circus really is in town in Liverpool this Christmas! The show is starring Hollyoaks actor David Tag as the ringmaster as well as local legend Timothy Lucas as the antagonist Baron Von Vippenhall. Mama G of Britain’s Got Talent fame is also involved, doing her bit as a classic dame.

Cinderella at the Blackburn Empire

Cinderella is one of the festive season’s classics, so we’re pleased to see it playing down the road in Blackburn. Cinderella is the big show at the Blackburn Empire this Christmas, and the magic is well and truly being kept alive with their fantastic cast and staging. In the starring role of the magical Fairy Godmother is actress Linda Lusardi and she’s joined by popular entertainer JezO and voice singer (and Lusardi’s daughter) Lucy Kane. The cast also includes some super cute miniature ponies and a pair of truly Ugly Sisters who do not disappoint in the classic comedic dame act.

Sleeping Beauty at Blackpool Grand

Of course we couldn’t complete this list without shining a light on our own fantastic show for 2022. Our Sleeping Beauty pantomime is a Martin Dodd production in association with Blackpool Grand Theatre. We are so excited for the run to begin and for our fantastic cast of characters to wow audiences throughout December. Our show marks the UK professional debut for Maisie Sellwood as Princess Rose and a fantastic cast of stars. Come along to see actress and Dancing On Ice champion Hayley Tamaddon as Good Fairy, comedian and Britain’s Got Talent Finalist Steve Royle as Silly Billy, and legendary dame Philip Meeks as our beloved Nursie! The show is a fantastic celebration of all things panto as we watch to see if Princess Rose will ever be woken and whether she will find her happily ever after.

We’re proud to be part of a rich and culturally diverse area in the North West of England and excited that so many of our towns and cities are set to put on fantastic shows for pantomime season. The only thing left is to decide how many you can fit in and which show to see first.

Check out our availability here!

If this has whetted your appetite for seeing a pantomime this year, why not book your tickets for Blackpool Grand Sleeping Beauty pantomime HERE!