Nothing quite gets you in the festive spirit like a Christmas pantomime - oh no it doesn't!
After last year's cancellations many families are looking forward to some live entertainment once again and thankfully there are plenty of shows to choose from.
With a host of family favourites including Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
With the festive season almost upon us, tickets are already selling fast for many of these shows, so don't hang around if you want to be sure of getting some good seats.
Here's what's on offer across the region this Christmas...
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe at The Lowry
C.S. Lewis' much-loved The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe is coming to the Salford venue this Christmas.
Sally Cookson’s highly acclaimed stage production was initially set for a seven-week run here in 2020, but was cancelled amid the pandemic.
Now excitement is building for the show, which opens on December 8 and runs until January 15.
The 'spell-binding and imaginative production' promises to re-tell the story with 'a mix of Cookson’s trade-mark theatricality, humour, music and puppetry'.
It promises to take audiences on 'the most mystical of adventures in a faraway land' as they step through the wardrobe into the icy, enchanted realm of Narnia.
Tickets cost from £26.50. Visit the website to book.
Swipe right through the gallery for more images from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Aladdin at Manchester Opera House
Pantomime is set to return to the Opera House with a huge production of Aladdin.
The show will see X-Factor singer Alexandra Burke in her panto debut as the Spirit of the Ring, while Rochdale-born comedian Ben Nickless will take on the role of Aladdin's hapless brother Wishee Washee.
'Spectacular' special effects, live music, beautiful costumes and 'stunning' sets are promised by Crossroads Pantomimes.
Aladdin runs at Manchester Opera House from December 11 to January 2.
Tickets will start at £13 and can be booked at atgtickets.com.
Beauty and the Beast at Albert Halls, Bolton
'A truly magical family pantomime' is promised in Beauty and the Beast at the Albert Halls.
It stars Melody Thornton from the Pussycat Dolls and Dancing On Ice as Fairy Fabulous, plus Nick Newbould as French Franc and Mark Two as Dame Dolly Doughnut.
The show promises 'spectacular scenery, glittering costumes, amazing special effects and plenty of audience participation' and runs from November 27 to December 31.
For tickets, costing £20 each or £16 if booked as a group of four or more, visit the website.
Sleeping Beauty at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham
Sleeping Beauty is coming to Oldham with a host of stars including Kerry Katona, Corrie's Les Battersby, aka Bruce Jones, and Nathan Morris, Milo from Hollyoaks.
Strictly Come Dancing contestant, businesswoman Sara Davies, will rather aptly be the voice behind the dragon, with Oldham panto favourites Kate Salmon, Jeffrey Longmore, Chris Jefferies and Enola Dyer are all making a return.
The production was initially scheduled to run at the Grange Theatre, but will now be on at the nearby Queen Elizabeth Hall, from December 14 to January 2.
For tickets, adults £17, children £14.50 or £55 for a family, visit the website here.
Sleeping Beauty at Victoria Hall, Bolton
Sleeping Beauty is also coming to Bolton this Christmas.
Twirly Productions is promising 'the pantomime of your dreams with lavish costumes, sensational singing, dazzling dance routines and laugh out loud comedy'.
Bolton’s very own David Potts, who stars as the head rep boss in the popular ITV2 reality series Ibiza Weekender, will play the role of Fairy Potts, while Antonella Brollini, otherwise known as internet sensation The Uncensored Reviewer, will star as Fairy Nelly.
The production runs from November 19 until Christmas Eve.
For tickets, costing £7 each plus a £2 booking fee, visit the website here.
Dick Whittington at The Plaza, Stockport
Dick Whittington will finally make his arrival at The Plaza this Christmas after being rescheduled from last year.
Brian Capron, aka Corrie serial killer Richard Hillman, makes a welcome return as the ‘oh so evil’ King Rat alongside the ever popular Bradley Thompson who is a firm family favourite at the venue.
The production's running from December 3 to January 9. Tickets, costing £21.45, can be booked online.
Aladdin at Oldham Coliseum
Aladdin is also the production of choice at Oldham Coliseum this year which is promising 'a magic carpet ride of a proper traditional panto - jam packed with hit songs, slapstick and silliness'.
Coliseum favourite Richard J Fletcher is back in heels as Dame Widow Twankee. 2021 marks Richard’s 14th Christmas with the Coliseum - with 11 years as the Comic under his belt he made a triumphant Dame debut as Dame Dotty Trott in 2019’s Jack and the Beanstalk.
Shorelle Hepkin has been practising her thigh-slapping as she prepares to step into the role of Aladdin.
And fresh from filming feature film Three Day Millionaire, which will be released in cinemas next year, Sam Glen heads home to Oldham to play the part of Wishee Washee.
Liz Carney, who played Carabosse in 2016's Sleeping Beauty and Fairy Nell in Dick Whittington in 2017, returns to the dark side as the wicked villain Aunty Banazar.
For the first time this year the Coliseum also welcomes professional dancers to the production, including three former members of the Coliseum’s youth chorus returning to the stage that inspired their love of performing.
It runs from November 13 to January 8. For tickets - £20 adults, £15 children - call 0161 624 2829 or visit the website.
The Not So Ugly Sisters at Waterside Arts Centre, Sale
There's singing, puppetry and more promised in The Not So Ugly Sisters this Christmas.
The brand new musical play is inspired by everybody’s favourite fairy tale - Cinderella .
Presented by award-winning children’s theatre makers, Wrongsemble, in a co-production with Leeds Playhouse and Red Ladder, The Not So Ugly Sisters is billed as 'a funny, fast-paced family show' where the action centres around Dolly and Barb in their hairdressing salon on the day of their sister Cindy’s wedding to Prince Smarming.
Running at just under an hour with no interval it promises to be 'jam-packed with up-tempo original songs, puppetry and many funky moves'.
It's running from November 24 to January 1 with some early evening slumber shows where children are encouraged to wear their pyjamas and take their favourite bedtime bear along.
Milk and cookie packs are also available to pre-order.
For tickets, costing from £12, visit the website.
Treasure Island at Middleton Arena
Families are being treated to Treasure Island at the Middleton Arena this year.
The 'swashbuckling pantomime adventure' comes from Shone Productions Ltd and is running at the venue from November 30 to December 28.
It stars Lloyd Daniels as Jim Hawkins, Jazmine Franks as the Magical Mermaid, Scott Wright as Long John Silver, Ben Coles as Silly Billy Bones, Matthew Siveter as Captain Smollett and Ella Holt as the Island Chief.
A 'magical pantomime' is promised with 'great songs, dazzling dance routines, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and amazing special effects'.
Tickets, from £12.50, can be booked online.
Peter Pan at Octagon, Bolton
Peter Pan is running at Bolton's Octagon theatre this Christmas.
J.M Barrie's classic tale has been adapted for the stage by Sarah Punshon and promises to be 'the perfect family treat - filled with music, mischief and magic'.
The production's running from November 26 until January 9.
For tickets, from £15, visit the website here.
The Wiz at Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester
Family fave The Wizard of Oz is coming to Hope Mill Theatre with a new twist this Christmas.
The award-winning venue is bringing 'a radical new version' of the 70s musical The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical 'Wonderful Wizard of Oz' to audiences in Manchester.
It's billed as 'a joyous retelling' of L. Frank Baum’s classic children’s novel, reflecting contemporary African-American culture.
Its 1975 Broadway premiere production won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and this is the first new UK production of the musical in 10 years.
The production, which is suitable for the whole family, is running from November 24 to January 16. Tickets, costing £26.50, can be booked online.
Eight-Freestyle: Dick Whittington and His Amazing Cat at Contact, Manchester
The Dancehouse Theatre is putting on a show at the nearby Contact this year while the building undergoes some changes.
Eight-Freestyle: Dick Whittington and His Amazing Cat is from the same company and cast that brought us the thrills of Goldilocks: The Panto back in 2019.
This 'upbeat, modern production' of the classic rags-to-riches story tells the tale of young Dick Whittington and his loyal cat ‘Scratch’ on their exciting quest for fame and fortune.
It's running from December 11 to January 3. For tickets, costing £18 for under 35s and £22 full price, visit the website here.
Duckie at HOME, Manchester
Duckie is a family show coming to HOME this Christmas.
The production is a reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling with 'a message of tolerance and self acceptance at its core'.
Family-friendly glamour and glitz takes centre stage in what is billed as a 'fabulous children’s show' originally created by cabaret superstar Le Gateau Chocolat.
Set in an animal circus, the audience joins Duckie on an adventure of self-discovery, asking questions of the ‘happy ever after’ in a celebration of difference.
Performances, running from December 15 to 23, last for an hour and are recommended for ages three plus.
For tickets, £12.50 adults and £10.50 children 17 and under, visit the website here.
Sleeping Beauty at Salford Arts Theatre
There's another production of Sleeping Beauty this festive season, this time at Salford Arts Theatre.
The 'traditional pantomime for all the family', by Harry Luty, runs from December 2 to 31 and tickets are already selling fast.
Tickets, costing £10 for adults, £7 for children or £30 for a family, can be booked online here.
