The Best Shows and Christmas Pantomimes in Ireland

Looking for some Christmas pantos in Ireland to go to this festive season with the family?

Then look no further than my list of the best shows and Christmas pantomimes in Ireland for some great traditional family fun this festive season.

The festive season has many traditions in Ireland and there is one that brings back fond memories of childhood.

Pantos and shows were a regular feature of my childhood festive seasons, and they are such a good way to either get into the spirit of the season or a good way to round off the Christmas festivities.

We were often treated to some of the best children’s Christmas pantomimes by our aunts growing up, which took place in either the Gaiety Theatre or the Olympia in Dublin.

I fondly remember evenings before or after Christmas shouting “he’s behind you” at the top of my lungs, along with everyone else in the audience.

Note: Pantomimes are hugely popular during the festive season. We highly recommend you book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Originally published October 2021. Updated November 2023.

Best Christmas Shows and Pantomimes in Ireland (Republic)

In this section, you will find a guide to the best Christmas shows and pantomimes Ireland has to offer families and theatre-goers this festive season.

Beauty and the Beast, The Lark, Dublin

Address: The Lark, Church St, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin

The Irish Institute of Music and Song and the Sean Gilligan Performing Arts will be in Ireland’s only purpose-built music campus and will be holding its inaugural panto in the new state-of-the-art concert hall this year.

A star-studded cast will be thrilling the audience with their performance of Beauty and the Beast this festive season. This fully immersive performance will also have special school shows and also a sensory-friendly show.

For more information and to book your tickets, CLICK HERE.

Jack and the Beanstalk, Glór, Clare

Address: Causeway Link, Cappahard, Ennis, Co. Clare, V95 VHP0

This year at Glór in County Clare, you can enjoy a relaxed performance of Jack and the Beanstalk over one weekend before Christmas. This fun pantomime will bring laughs, songs and amazing dance routines to this classic pantomimer tale.

For more information and to book your ticket, CLICK HERE.

Jack and the Beanstalk, Cork Opera House, Cork

Address: Emmett Pl, Centre, Cork, T12 DW6P

The panto at the Cork Opera House for 2023 is Jack and the Beanstalk. Enjoy this classic Christmas pantomime during December and January brought to you by the team that did Sleeping Beauty in 2022.

Join Jack, Nanny Nelly and their friends as they take on the Giant, and wonder at spellbinding costumes, breath-taking dance and music, and belly-fulls of laughs.

For more information and to book your tickets, CLICK HERE.

Olly, Polly and the Magic Lamp Pantomime, 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin

Address: 72 Dame St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 K135

Enjoy a fun-filled panto at the Olympia this Christmas with Olly, Polly and the Magic Lamp. With big laughs and lots of surprises, this is a Christmas panto for the whole family. Expect an action-packed spin on the classic Aladdin tale with lots of singing dancing and audience interaction.

For more information and to book your tickets, CLICK HERE.

Cinderella, Gaiety Theatre, Dublin

Address: South King St, Dublin 2

Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre will be transformed into a Fairy tale wonderland where children and adults alike can enjoy a Christmas panto with lots of singing, dancing and laugh-out-loud fun and adventure.

Enjoy a pantomime extravaganza with this production of the classic Cinderella tale at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin.

For more information and to book your tickets, CLICK HERE.

Rapunzel, Liberty Hall Theatre, Dublin

Address: 1 Eden Quay, North City, Dublin 1

Get ready to be whisked off to a magical far-off kingdom this December with the Liberty Panto production of Rapunzel.

If you are looking for great children’s Christmas pantomimes in and around Dublin, get your tickets for this one and enjoy lots of hair-larious fun.

For more information and to book your tickets, CLICK HERE.

Treasure Island, The Helix, Dublin

Address: DCU, Collins Avenue, Dublin 9

Join the cast as they journey through the magical pantosphere of intrigue and adventure through pantoland. With a new script and twists and turns, this is a great family panto in Ireland this year.

Laugh your troubles away with the great Christmas pantomime in Dublin. There is also a special sensory performance for families with children with autism and sensory disabilities.

For more information and to book your tickets, CLICK HERE.

Freezin the Panto, Draíocht, Dublin

Address: The Blanchardstown Centre, Blanchardstown, Co. Dublin, D15 RYX6

If you are looking for one of the best Christmas pantos in Ireland this year, head for Draíocht in Blanchardstown where the Coolmine Panto Group are performing a pantomime version of Frozen.

This classic tale of two princess sisters is sure to delight the whole family. Expect all the laugh-out-loud and “oh yes, it is” moments you’ve come to expect from a panto.

For more information and to book your tickets, CLICK HERE.

Frozen, Grange Woodbine Club, Dublin

Address: Woodbine Club, Raheny Rd, Grange, Dublin, D05 E061

Dublin Panto is back and with a live audience in Februsry 2024, with a production of Frozen. Expect lots of comedy, singing, dancing and laugh-out-loud moments.

For more information and to book your tickets, CLICK HERE.

Sammy, Buffy and the Beanstalk, National Stadium, Dublin

Address: 145 S Circular Rd, Saint Catherine’s, Dublin, D08 HY40

Panto is back to the National Stadium in Dublin with a production of their take on the classic tale of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Ticket are seeling fast for this Christmas pantomime!

For more information and to book your tickets, CLICK HERE.

Sleeping Beauty, dlr Mill Theatre, Dublin

Address: Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin 16

Mill Productions presents Sleeping Beauty at the Mill Theatre in Dundrum.

Sleep my Beauty, that’s what I decree. No pretty Princess will get the better of me.

Find out whether Prince Charming will awaken Sleeping Beauty in this classic panto.

Mischievous comedy, amazing special effects and lots of boos and hisses await audiences at this great Christmas pantomime in Dublin.

For more information and to book your tickets, CLICK HERE.

Renmore Pantomine Society Puss in Boots, Town Hall Theatre, Galway

Address: 1 Courthouse Square, Galway, H91 H3C2

The Renmore Pantomime Society will be showing their production of the Puss in Boots pantomime in January 2024 in the Town Hall Theatre in County Galway.

Follow Puss in Boots and his friends on a wonderful adventure through fairy-tale land in this classic Christmas panto.

More information.

Sleeping Beauty, Longford Traditional Panto, Longford,

Address: St Mel’s Rd, Templemichael Glebe, Longford

Enjoy a festive panto with Longford’s Traditional Panto, taking place at St Mel’s College.

This year’s production is The Adventures of Billy and Sleeping Beauty, and the audience can expect lots of singing, dancing and quite a few “he’s behind you” opportunities.

For more information go to their Facebook page, and to book your tickets, CLICK HERE.

Rapunzel, Theatre Royal, Waterford

Address: The Mall, Waterford

The Waterford Panto Society return this December with Rapunzel. Let your hair down for this Tangled tale!

Familiar faces will be singing and dancing their way through this action-packed family-friendly production.

So, if you are based in Waterford and have been wondering “is there a Christmas panto near me?” get yourself down to the Theatre Royal for Rapunzel.

For more information and to book your tickets, CLICK HERE. Limited tickets remain.

The Little Mermaid, Mullingar Arts Centre, Westmeath

Address: Mount St, Commons, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

Presented by the Mullingar Pantomime Group, this festive season audiences can enjoy a production of the Little Mermaid at the Mullingar Arts Centre. Head under the sea for an unforgettable family night out this Christmas.

Featuring well-known songs and lots of great dancing, this is a Christmas panto experience not to be missed.

For more information and to book your tickets, CLICK HERE.

Rapunzel, National Opera House, Wexford

Address: High St, Ferrybank South, Wexford, Y35 FEP3

This year’s pantomime at the National Opera House in Wexford is a production of the classic tale of Rapunzel.

Join the heroes Rapunzel, Cinderella and Snow White as they team up against the evil Gothel to rescue their Princes.

This laugh-a-minute production is filled with great songs, dances and jokes for the whole family.

For more information and to book your tickets, CLICK HERE.

Best Christmas Shows and Pantomimes in Northern Ireland

If you are based in Northern Ireland and have been wondering “is there a Christmas pantomime near me?” then this section is for you with a guide to some of the best ones taking place in Northern Ireland this year.

Rapunzel, Waterfront Hall, Antrim

Address: 2 Lanyon Pl, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT1 3WH (UK)

One of the top pantomimes of all is taking place at the Waterfront Hall Studio in Belfast this festive season.

Let your hair down and join Prince Ryder and his friends as they try to help Rapunzel escape the tower. Will they succeed?

This glittering production features a great cast, lots of humour, amazing costumes, and scenery, and plenty of laugh-out-loud and hissing moments for the audience.

For more information and to book your tickets, CLICK HERE. Tickets are selling fast!

Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Grand Opera House, Antrim

Address: 2-4 Great Victoria St, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT2 7HR (UK)

This year’s Christmas panto at the Grand Opera House in Belfast is a production of the classic tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Enjoy this classic panto with a star-studded cast.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, don’t miss the fairest pantomime of them all!

Prepare to be swept away by this magical pantomime spectacle.

For more information and to book your tickets, CLICK HERE.

Hansel and Gretel, Lyric Theatre, Antrim

Address: 55 Ridgeway St, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT9 5FB (UK)

If you are looking for a great Christmas panto in Northern Ireland, then head to the Lyric Theatre in Belfast for their musical version of Hansel and Gretel.

This all-new musical re-imagining of the classic fairy tale will delight audiences, young and old. With sensational musicians and unforgettable characters, this is a stunning performance not to miss this festive season.

For more information and to book your tickets, CLICK HERE.

Jack and the Beanstalk, Courtyard Theatre, Antrim

Address: 585 Doagh Rd, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim, BT36 5RZ (UK)

This year, the Mr Hullabaloo Children’s Interactive Theatre are performing Jack and the Beanstalk at the Courtyard Theatre during the festive season.

Enjoy a magical, fun-filled performance with original script, music and lyrics. Join this musical adventure and have fun with the whole family.

More information.

Jack and the Beanstalk, Millennium Forum, Derry/Londonderry

Address: 3 Newmarket St, Londonderry, Co. Derry BT48 6EB (UK)

Fun, frolics and laughter await audiences at the Millennium Forum which is hosting the Jack and the Beanstalk panto this year.

This is a hilarious comedy, with special effects that will take your breath away. Expect lots of “oh yes, it is” moments too in this fun panto for all the family and see if you shall go to the ball.

For more information and to book your tickets, CLICK HERE.

Final thoughts

So, whether you are looking for the best Christmas panto Ireland has to offer in the north, south, east, or west of the country, I hope you will find something near you in my guide to the best shows and Christmas pantomimes in Ireland for the festive season.

Read more about Christmas in Ireland:

• Best Christmas Tree Farms in Ireland
• Best Christmas Light Displays in Ireland
• Best Christmas Markets in Ireland
• Irish Christmas Traditions
• Traditional Irish Christmas Dinner
• Irish Christmas Sayings and Blessings
• How to Say Merry Christmas in Irish
• Best Christmas Events in Ireland
• Best Santa Trains in Ireland
• Best Christmas Sleepovers With Santa