Oh no it isn’t! Oh yes it is… that time of year already – pantomime and Christmas show season. If you’re hoping to boo, hiss, cheer and sing along at a panto this year, now’s the time to get those tickets booked. And if you’re not a fan of panto, there are plenty of other festive events on offer too. Here are our top picks of the best pantos and Christmas shows in and around Brighton and Hove, including classic pantomimes in nearby Worthing and Eastbourne.
Christmas Shows and Pantomimes all theatre lovers in Brighton need to see in 2023
Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus presents Sing-derella
Coming up first is a Cinderella show with a twist – the performance is done through the medium of song. This show, cleverly renamed Sing-Derella, is performed by the amazing Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus and will be unmissable, fun and flamboyant. It promises “camp classics and Christmas songs a-plenty” and guarantees “a happy ending”. How cheeky.
Tickets are £12, £15, £19 and £27. If you’ve not had the pleasure of seeing Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus before, visit their website or socials to find out more. If you love your heart being warmed and a festive dose of sparkle, you won’t want to miss Sing-Derella this season.
When: Saturday the 2nd of December 2023 – 7.30pm
Where: Brighton Dome, Church Street, BN1 1UE
Website: https://brightondome.org/event/34098/brighton_gay_mens_chorus
Horrible Christmas
Ah Horrible Histories, I loved those books as a kid. These days the franchise has moved beyond books to TV and theatre and is offering a live stage show telling “the terrific tale of Christmas” at Brighton’s Theatre Royal. According to previous reviews, this show is “the perfect festive treat for all the family”.
This show features Victorian villains, Mediaeval monks, Puritan parties and Tudor treats and promises “a hair-raising adventure through the history of Christmas”. The audience will come across characters from history including Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell, King Henry VIII and St Nicholas, as they join forces to save the festive season. Recommended for ages five and over. Tickets from £21.75.
Other shows at Brighton’s Theatre Royal this festive season include a Christmas special Jurassic Live family show on December 9 and 10, a Live at Christmas comedy special headlined by Ed Gamble on Monday, December 11 and Fairytale of New York concert direct from London’s West End on December 14 and 15, which is unfortunately already sold out. Make sure you don’t miss the other shows we’ve recommended if you’re planning to see them to avoid missing out.
When: Saturday the 16th of December – 2pm and 5.30pm
Where: Theatre Royal Brighton, New Road BN1 1SD
Website: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/horrible-christmas/theatre-royal-brighton/
Cinderella – Brighton Family Panto
Brighton Family Panto is back for the fourth time this year with an all singing and dancing colourful new production of Cinderella at the Hilton Metropole Hotel on Brighton seafront. Billed as “the fairy godmother of all pantos”, it’s time to go to the ball for “all the magic and mayhem you have come to expect from Brighton’s biggest family panto”.
It’s the classic tale of Cinders going from rags to riches with the standout characters of the wicked stepsisters and Prince Charming of course. Performed by a West-end cast, the show promises to be “spectacular” with “rip-roaring comedy, dazzling costumes, stunning scenery and live music”.
Have a look on the Brighton Family Panto website to get a flavour of previous shows and read five-star reviews. Tickets can be purchased here and prices range from £8 to £30 with concessions and group booking discounts available.
When: 20th until the 30th of December – various start times including matinees
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole, Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2FU
Website: https://www.brightonfamilypanto.com/
Cinderella – Brighton’s Biggest Adult Only Panto
If your classic family-friendly innuendos aren’t enough, then for one night only the same company is bringing back an adult’s only one-off special edition of Cinderella on Thursday December, 28. Expect “panto but with extra sauce”. Tickets are available here from £9 to £33.
When: 28th of December at 8pm
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole, Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2FU
Brighton’s Alternative Panto- Cinderella: Remixed
Cinderella appears to be the flavour of the season in Brighton this year. Brighton’s Alternative Panto, another one for the adults, doesn’t take place until January though, so may provide the post-Christmas January blues fix I know I’ll be needing.
This is the first year the alternative show, featuring “Brighton’s favourite cabaret stars”, will be at Ironworks, a fab entertainment venue revered for comedy, cabaret and drag shows. What we love about this one is that the show on January 25th is a fundraiser for brilliant local charity Sussex Beacon, which supports people living with HIV.
Tickets are £25 plus booking fee and seating is unreserved so make sure you get there early for your pre-show drink and nab a seat, although the venue says all seats face the stage with a great view. Tickts can be bought here.
When: 24th until the 28th of January 2024 – 7.30pm with additional matinee at 3pm on Saturday and 4pm on Sunday
Where: Ironworks Studios, 30 Cheapside, Brighton, BN1 4GD
Website: https://www.ironworks-studios.co.uk/alternative-pantomime-cinderella-remixed
Elf The Musical
It’s been 20 years since the now-Christmas favourite film Elf came onto our screens so what better way to celebrate than to take the family to Elf The Musical on the last weekend of the school Christmas break? This West End show performed by an all-star cast has been supersized into a “live arena spectacular”.
It features Steven Serlin as beloved Buddy the Elf and includes Santa’s flying sleigh, an audience snowball fight, an indoor snowstorm and aerial cirque stars. There will be giant screens so that you don’t miss any of the action.
‘Birds Of A Feather’ comedy actor Charlie Quirke plays Buddy’s New York pal, Charlotte Hall is Buddy’s love interest Jovie and Barry Bloxham plays Buddy’s long suffering dad. This is the fourth year of this “epic” version of the show and the producer and director says this year is “even bigger and better with new features to make it a really thrilling experience”. Tickets from £26.50.
When: Friday the 5th of December until Saturday the 6th of January – 1pm, 5pm and 7pm (depending on day)
Where: Brighton Centre, Kings Road, BN1 2GR
Website: https://brightoncentre.co.uk/whats-on/2024/elf-the-musical/
Pantomimes & Christmas Shows Near Brighton
Sleeping Beauty: The Pantomime
If you want a traditional pantomime with all the usual shenanigans including a cheeky Dame to keep the family entertained, it’s worth venturing to a nearby town such as Worthing or Eastbourne this year.
With a range of dates and times including some morning, matinee and evening performances as well as BSL signed, dementia friendly, captioned and a relaxed performance, Sleeping Beauty offers something for everyone.
Michael Auger from Britain’s Got Talent winner Collabro plays The Dashing Hero, comedian Patrick Monahan is The Evil Underlord and another BGT star Jay Rawlings will be on stage as Muddles. Watch the trailer on YouTube. Tickets available from £10.
When: Friday the 1st of December 2023 until Monday the 1st of January 2024
Where: Pavilion Theatre, Marine Parade, Worthing, BN11 3PX
Website: https://wtm.uk/events/sleeping-beauty-the-pantomime
Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs
If you’re looking for a Santa’s Grotto and a pantomime near Brighton then Eastbourne has both on offer this Christmas at The Royal Hippodrome. Described as “the fairest Panto in all the land”, there are also lots of different timed performances for this family show, which makes it a perfect activity for the Christmas holidays.
It opens on December 15 after a string of shows just for schools from December 11 and promises “tons of comedy, sensational music, fabulous costumes and stunning scenery”. Another classic fairytale which includes key characters such as seven dwarfs and the Wicked Queen of course.
Tickets on the opening weekend are £10 with prices varying for peak and off-peak times on other days and family tickets also available (£46 to £58). You can add on a Santa’s Grotto visit to any booking for £6.50 which includes a present.
For the big boys and girls, there will be an adult performance (18+) on Tuesday, December 19. Tickets are £15.
When: Friday the 15th of December 2023 until Tuesday the 2nd of January 2024
Where: Royal Hippodrome Theatre, 106-114 Seaside Rd, Eastbourne, BN21 3PF
Website: https://royalhippodrome.com/event/snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs/
Final thoughts on the Pantomimes & Christmas Shows in brighton
There are plenty of other Christmas shows around town including ones at the Brighton Dome this winter:
- The Muppets Christmas Carol in concert with a live orchestra on Saturday, December 9,
- Christmas with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra looks dazzling on Sunday, December 10
- If comedy is more your cup of tea then the Live at Brighton Dome Christmas Special on Thursday, December 14 features a stellar line up of Maisie Adam, Nina Conti & Dylan Moran.
You can see The Dome’s Christmas offering here. https://brightondome.org/whats_on/festive%20events/
We’re so lucky in this city to have such a thriving art scene with something for everyone this Christmas. Whatever takes your fancy this season, we hope you enjoy the show.
