It's panto season once again - oh yes it is! 

There's a full-on feast of festive shows in Southampton and around Hampshire this Christmas. 

Here's our pick of some of the best...

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Mayflower Theatre...

Daily Echo: The cast launch Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Mayflower Theatre's 2023 pantomime

It's the fairest pantomime of them all - and it opens this weekend. 

The South's biggest pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs takes to the Mayflower stage on Saturday (December 9)  with a press night on Tuesday. 

Expect comedy, sensational song and dance numbers, fabulous costumes, and stunning scenery. Throw in a magical mirror, the magnificent seven and plenty of audience participation and you have the perfect recipe to outwit the Wicked Queen and let love prevail in this glittering festive treat for all ages.

Leading the cast of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be Britain’s Got Talent winners and Street Dance sensations Ashley Banjo & Diversity as Prince Ashley and The Palace Guards. They will be joined by pantomime legend, the one-and-only, Christopher Biggins as the Man in the Mirror.

A Christmas Carol, MAST Mayflower Studios...

“Bah! Humbug! What reason have you to be merry?” Here’s a great reason… featuring a cast of 50 young people, this classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and one eventful night comes brilliantly to life in a new festive musical that will thrill families this Christmas.

It’s a classic from the past with the music of the present and a cast for the future.

A Christmas Carol runs from December 19 to 31.

Father Christmas, The Berry Theatre...

Daily Echo: Father Christmas is at Berry Theatre this December

Bloomin' snow! Bloomin' reindeer! Bloomin' Christmas!

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Raymond Briggs' joyful (and at times a bit grumpy!) Father Christmas.

From the writer of The Snowman and co-produced by the Lyric Hammersmith with Olivier Award-nominated Pins & Needles, this much loved family story of Father Christmas getting ready for a night's hard work on bloomin' Christmas Eve will bring festive cheer to all ages, 0 to 90!

The Christmas classic is at Berry Theatre Hedge End from Saturday (December 9) until New Year's Eve.

Red Riding Hood, Titchfield Festival Theatre...

Fareham's exciting new venue Fareham Live will not open until 2024, but east side theatre lovers can enjoy Red Riding Hood at Titchfield this Christmas.

Follow the thrilling story of our red-cloaked heroine. As the Big Bad Wolf threatens the village of Boosemburg, Little Red and her mum, Widow Streaky set out to find missing Granny, with songs, laughter and your favourite pantomime gags.
 
See the classic fairy tale like you’ve never seen it before, reimagined with a twist or two in a brand new adaptation by Director Sassy Harvey and the same team that brought you The Nutcracker, Goose Girl and Sleeping Beauty.

It runs from December 15 to 23.

Cinderella, Theatre Royal Winchester...

Daily Echo: A scene from Cinderella at Theatre Royal Winchester

Cinderella is the rags to riches story of a servant girl magically transformed into a beautiful princess to go to the ball to meet the handsome prince.

Packed with corny jokes, original songs, live music and plenty of audience participation, Cinderella will endear itself to even the most apprehensive panto-goers.

The run is already underway and continues until January 1 2024.