“Oh yes it is!” shaping up to be a huge panto year across Norfolk and North Suffolk, with theatres right across the region already selling fast for Christmas 2025. If you’re planning a festive trip to the theatre, here’s a round-up of the big shows to have on your radar.

Norwich – Cinderella at Norwich Theatre Royal
Norwich’s biggest panto returns with a beach-side twist. Norwich Theatre Royal is staging Cinderella from 6 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, with a story that swaps ballrooms for a run-down seaside hotel and stars Georgia May Foote in the title role. Expect all the classic “oh no it isn’t!” moments, big production values and plenty of local in-jokes.

Cromer – Cromer Pier Christmas Show 2025
Out on the pier, the famous Cromer variety show is back from 5–28 December 2025. It’s not a traditional fairy-tale panto, but it has all the ingredients: comedy, huge musical numbers, glitzy costumes and a very family-friendly dose of seaside silliness, hosted once again by Norfolk favourite Olly Day.

Gorleston – Jack and the Beanstalk at the Pavilion Theatre
Down the coast in Gorleston, the Pavilion Theatre is going giant with Jack and the Beanstalk from 6 December 2025 to 4 January 2026. This traditional family panto promises songs, sparkle, slapstick and a towering beanstalk, plus all the audience participation you can shout at.

Great Yarmouth – Cinderella at St George’s Theatre
Great Yarmouth’s St George’s Theatre is also heading to the ball with its own version of Cinderella, running 13–30 December 2025. This modern take weaves in social-media twists and a big Christmas TV party, while keeping all the classic magic – fairy godmother, pumpkin coach and a prince on the lookout for true love.

Sheringham – The Wizard of Oz at Sheringham Little Theatre
On the north Norfolk coast, Sheringham Little Theatre is inviting audiences to follow the yellow brick road. The Wizard of Oz – The Pantomime runs from 13 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, re-imagining Dorothy’s journey from Sheringham to Oz with plenty of music, comedy and a scarecrow, tin man and lion in need of a bit of courage.

King’s Lynn – Jack and the Beanstalk at the Corn Exchange
Over in west Norfolk, the Alive Corn Exchange in King’s Lynn is also going big with Jack and the Beanstalk from 12 December 2025 to 4 January 2026. Produced by Jordan Productions, it promises a “larger-than-life” adventure full of magic beans, castles in the clouds and a very bad-tempered giant.

Lowestoft – Sleeping Beauty at Marina Theatre
Just over the border in north Suffolk, Lowestoft’s Marina Theatre is serving up Sleeping Beauty from 12 December 2025 to 1 January 2026. With returning favourites like comic Terry Gleed and Dame Luke Byeford, it’s billed as a high-energy, joke-packed show that’s “everything but sleepy”.

Hunstanton – Aladdin at the Princess Theatre
Finally, on the west Norfolk coast, the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton is hopping aboard the magic carpet for Aladdin, running 6 December 2025 to 4 January 2026. Expect special effects, big song-and-dance routines and plenty of chances for the kids (and grown-ups) to shout along.

With so many choices, you’re never far from a “he’s behind you!” this Christmas. Whichever show you pick, book early – a lot of these pantos are local traditions, and they sell out faster than you can say “bibbidi-bobbidi-boo”.