Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
It's Showtime! Panto, Christmas and Winter Theatre for Families in Dorset
Christmas and Winter Theatre and Panto for Families in Dorset 2024
We have pulled together a selection of the finest family theatre, including pantos, that families can expect to see across Dorset for November 2024 through to January 2025.
Updated 28/10/2024
Lighthouse Poole
Paddington in Peru brings Paddington’s story back to Peru, as he, and the Browns, visit his beloved Aunt Lucy. A thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey through the Amazon and beyond.
Dates from 7th December 2024
Tutti Frutti Productions re-imagines this classic story, with some new twists and turns to make you chuckle and inspire your real self to shine through.
The real story… of a girl who is brave, strong, clever, and determined to prove herself.
The real story… about a lonely prince, a new family and sisters who might not be as bad as you think.
The real story… of everyday objects that change with a touch of magic and a clock that at the stroke of midnight changes everything.
This is the real story… of Cinderella and the glass slippers
With a top team of actor musicians, songs, dancing, and inventive design, all thrown in with a bit of sparkle and magic for good measure!
6th December 2024
This Christmas feel-good show brings all the magic of the season to life, with all your favourite songs you will know and love including – All I Want for Christmas Is You, Last Christmas, Jingle Bell Rock, Stay Another Day, Let it Snow, White Christmas, Do They Know it’s Christmas, A Winter’s Tale and Merry Xmas Everybody.
12th December to 5th January
Fall under a spell as Lighthouse Poole bring you the pantomime of your dreams – Sleeping Beauty.
The princess is ready to take on a brilliant new adventure beyond her castle walls, but the evil Carabosse has other ideas. Can true love save the day? One kiss is all it takes.Expect tons of laughter and spectacular special effects as CBeebies and Lighthouse favourite, Chris Jarvis, puts the magic into this classic fairytale.
Produced by Lighthouse and the same creative team that brought you the UK Panto Award-winning Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella and last year’s hit Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty really will be your dream pantomime.
14th December 2024
Cherished by children and adults alike, The Snowman is the soundtrack to everyone’s Christmas. We’re walking in the air…join the Snowman and James on their magical journey through the winter sky in this special showing of the festive classic on the large screen, accompanied by the BSO. Guaranteed to send tingles down your spine as you relive this enchanted animated film together with a live orchestral performance of Howard Blake’s iconic score. And as a special bonus to herald the coming of the holiday season, the Orchestra is joined by BSO Voices for a selection of Christmas classics, including Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer, The 12 Days of Christmas and Jingle Bells, as well as an exciting selection of Disney songs from Beauty and the Beast and Frozen.
14th December 2024
Films and Fun: Arthur Christmas
Santa’s clumsy son Arthur sets out on a mission with Grandsanta to give out a present they misplaced to a young girl in less than two hours.
8th and 9th February
Based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
THEY’RE FUNNY…THEY’RE SILLY… AND THEY’RE REALLY, REALLY BAD
Meet the very worst Baddies in the world! Don’t you dare to come too close to a witch, a troll and an ancient ghost!
The Baddies love being bad. They roar, spook and cast wicked spells to try and scare a girl out of her wits…who will succeed? Or perhaps the girl is braver than they think…
With songs by Joe Stilgoe (Zog and Zog and The Flying Doctors), The Baddies is a wickedly hilarious adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s smash-hit story. A laugh-out-loud riot for all the family.
Other Christmas and Winter Family Theatre Shows |
Weymouth Pavilion
20th December 2024 to 5th January 2025
Let your dreams take flight at Weymouth Pavilion…Join the boy who never grows up… Peter Pan and take part in his adventures with Wendy as they fly off to Neverland and meet some fantastical characters along the way; Tinker Bell, the Lost Children, Tiger Lily, Nana the dog, Pirates, Mr Smee and the wicked Captain Hook.
STARRING JAMIE RIDING AS PANTO DAME MRS SMEE AND BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT STAR TONY RUDD AS SMEE!
Don’t miss another spectacular family pantomime from the same team behind previous Christmas productions of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Sleeping Beauty. With a star cast, impressive music, plenty of laughter and flying that will thrill the child in all of us. Come and see Peter Pan soar to new heights at Weymouth Pavilion Christmas 2024.
Marine Theatre
www.marinetheatre.com
11th December
I don’t know if you know, but filling the stockings of every child in the world in just one night is a HUMONGOUS undertaking. It requires planning, team work, dedication and - of course - a sprinkling of Christmas magic. These last few years Santa has taken to recce-ing ahead of the big drop to help Christmas Eve run as smoothly as possible. He brings with him Sven the reindeer handler, his excitable and talented Snow Elf.
Together, they’re hoping to shave valuable seconds off their busy Christmas Eve schedule by gathering crucial stocking location and roof landing intel ahead of time. Are you up to the challenge of helping our festive heroes with their quest? Get a peek into their enchanting world, see Sven play with his favourite snow elf circus toys, enjoy a Q&A with Santa and more. They’ll also answer the big questions of the Santa story and show glimpses of their Christmas magic. Come and see why they’ve been selling out venues from Tobacco Factory Theatres to Soho House and beyond! Guaranteed to bring a sense of fun, mischief and anticipation to all.
19th to 22nd December
A Christmas Carol By Charles Dickens
Hot on the heels of their successful Summer Season of Plays, Gilroy Theatre brings you A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens – a ghost story of Christmas! Bring the whole family to enjoy this tale as old as time and take advantage of our special family ticket deal.
We meet Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas Eve, in his counting house, metaphorically counting out his money.
What sort of a man is Scrooge? Does he care for anybody else except himself? Or anything else? Yes, perhaps that money he’s spent so long accumulating!Thanks to the intervention of his business partner, Marley, (who just happens to have been dead for seven years!), Scrooge is introduced to three ghosts, all of whom have a vital, if scary, lesson for him.Will he learn from his mistakes? Will he become a better person? Will he finally realise that some things are more important than money?
And what will happen to Tiny Tim, the poor boy whose poverty threatens his very life? Don’t miss this exciting Christmas story, performed by a cast of professional actors, together with members of the Marine Youth Theatre.
The Mowlem
www.themowlem.com
10th to 18th January 2025
Jack and the Beanstalk
The NODA nominated Swanage Drama Company are back with their annual family pantomime, packed full of fun and laughter. Dame Trott and her sons are poor and matters aren't helped when Jack meets Fairy Lights and exchanges the family cow for some magic beans. Overnight, a beanstalk appears - but will it change the family's fortunes? Will Jack get to marry Jill? Will the Squire get all he's owed? Or will the Giant and Mrs Blunderdore foil everything? Come along and find out all the answers.
The Regent Centre
www.regentcentre.co.uk
Dates from 16th December 2023
How does Santa deliver presents to every child across the whole world in one night? Time travel of course!
But when something goes wrong with Santa’s Time Machine, Christmas could be no more...
Join Squash the Christmas Elf and Santa’s only daughter Joy as they travel through time to save Santa!
Will they save Christmas in the nick of time? Will Squash find a new way to make the whole audience jingle their bells? There’s only one way to find out!
With dazzling costumes, sensational dance routines and enough Christmas magic to make your whole family feel warm and fuzzy inside, this years Christmas Spectacular is not to be missed.
26th to 28th January 2024
Highcliffe Charity Players proudly presents Robin Hood, a spellbinding pantomime that will transport you into a world of enchantment and laughter!
Embark on a thrilling journey filled with adventure and mischief as Robin Hood takes on the notorious Sheriff of Nottingham. Will our fearless hero and his mischievous companions triumph over the Sheriff's wicked schemes?
With dazzling costumes, toe-tapping music and rib-tickling humour, this one-act pantomime by Tom Whalley Pantomimes promises entertainment for the whole family.
Support a great cause while enjoying top-notch entertainment. HCP are dedicated to giving back to the community, with profits being donated to help those in need.
Bournemouth International Centre
15th and 16th December
Elf, the hit Hollywood blockbuster movie has been supersized into a live arena spectacular for this Christmas with a massive stage featuring amazing film backdrops on a huge LED screen plus a mobile stage that travels the auditorium, so everyone gets a close-up view of the action.
The presentation features Santa’s flying sleigh, audience snowball fight, indoor snowstorm, a giant candy cane journey from the North Pole, aerial cirque stars and giant tv screens so you don’t miss any of the spectacle.
The story is hilariously recreated by a large cast of performers into the biggest live Christmas show in the UK. The festive spectacular will feature West End star Steven Serlin stepping into the big floppy shoes of Will Ferrell to play Buddy the Elf.
The cast also features ‘Birds Of A Feather’ comedy actor Charlie Quirke as Buddy’s New York pal, Charlotte Hall as Jovie, Buddy’s love interest and Barry Bloxham as Buddy’s long suffering dad.
This Christmas Spectacular production features a book written by Bob Martin and Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers and Hairspray) and an original score of great songs by Matt Sklar and Chad Beguelin that has delighted audiences on Broadway and the West End.
Bridport Arts Centre
17th December
Bridport Arts Centre. www.bridport-arts.com
The snow is falling and the solstice is approaching. Ratty is getting ready. She wants everything to be really rat-tastic! But will her friends make it through the snow to the winter woodland revels?
Can you help them on their journey? There’ll be excitement, adventure, play-acting, games, music, a splattering of silliness and lots of snow!
Led by Sidney & Tristan from The Last Baguette, A Winter’s Tail is a fun, relaxed play-along theatre adventure. Expect to play, move, watch and laugh.
The show lasts 1 hour including a stay and play session, and is created for ages 2+ and their grown-ups. Younger and older siblings welcome!
19th December
The Christmassy Christmas Show of Christmassy Christmasness
This festive show from Squashbox Theatre is a celebration of everything Christmassy, from fir trees, fairy lights, sleigh bells and snowflakes to crackers, carols, presents and puddings!
Try and spot some naughty elves, meet a wise-cracking snowman, say hello to an over-excited Christmas puppy, endure the world’s worst Christmas jumper, join the hunt for the magical Twelve Sprouts of Christmas and gaze in awe at the “beautiful” Christmas tree fairy…
‘The Christmassy Christmas Show of Christmassy Christmasness!’ is an over-stuffed stocking of seasonal surprises crammed with puppets, songs and comedy, and over-flowing with crazy characters, silly slapstick, tall tales and fantastic facts – all presented in that unique Squashbox style!
Dorchester Arts/Dorchester Corn Exchange
9th December
“What would you do if one year Winter moved into your house? Well, that’s what happens in this snowy spectacular show, where you are guaranteed a white Christmas, no matter what the weather!
Snow Play is a showdown between Winter and Spring over who gets to stay and who must go away. So please come and help Mr Green against Mr White in this highly interactive smash-hit production. You get to make a giant snowman, cover a whole house in snow and have a super snowball fight!
‘A fantastic, utterly enchanting show…children (and adults) will be captivated. (Evening Standard)
Artsreach
www.artsreach.co.uk
8th December – West Stafford Village Hall, Dorchester
9th December – Burton Bradstock Village Hall, Bridport
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood
Can Robin and his barmy band of brigands save the poor people of the Forest from the scheming Sheriff? Can they thwart his greedy plans? Can they find a way to level up? And can Robin right the wrongs, with mischief and merriment, without getting into a terrible mess? Who will he meet in the woods? Come see for yourself!
With quirky storytelling, merriment and mischief, the Travelling Players present a stout-hearted tale of epic proportions. Expect a great deal of swashbuckling, a number of ridiculous fights and some improbable archery. With live music, puppets and far too many trees, this co-production with Bumblefly, Forest Forge and Mischievous Theatre will hit the target this festive season.
Suitable 5+
Poole High School Theatre
www.tinyrul.com/80dayspanto
24th and 25th November
Around The World In 80 Days – The Panto
Pack your imagination and dive into a whirlwind adventure! Join Philias Fogg and a colourful cast in a panto race against time.
Hold onto your hats, adventure enthusiasts and panto lovers! The Zenith Theatre Company presents an exhilarating reimagining of the classic tale featuring the daring Phileas Fogg! Join him as he endeavours to traverse the globe in precisely 80 days.
Lurking in the shadows is the scheming bank manager, Grimsworthy! With a mind full of plots and a heart set on Fogg’s fortune, he’s out to make Fogg’s journey anything but smooth. Will Fogg prevail, or will Grimsworthy manage to foil his plans and seize his fortune?
This tale of adventure and scheming, courage and cunning, is a must-see spectacle for the whole family. Don't miss out!
Lighthouse Poole
6th December
Step Into Christmas
Feel-good family friendly show with festive songs
7th to 24th December
The Glass Slippers
Reimagination of Cinderella with a team of actor musicians, songs, dancing and inventive design.
14th December
BSO: The Snowman
Special showing of the festive classic on the large screen accompanied by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and BSO Voices as well a a selection of Christmas classics and exciting selection of Disney songs from Beauty and the Beast and Frozen
14th December
BSO: The Snowman with BSO Voices
Special showing of the festive classic on the large screen, accompanied by the BSO with an extended second half of the evening celebrating the coming of the holiday season with a selection of Christmas classics
Weymouth Panto
Regent
www.
Bournemouth Pavilion
19th and 20th November
Bournemouth Schools Music Association: Annual Carol Festival
Concert featuring children and young people from primary and secondary schools throughout the Bournemouth Conurbation with around 300 performers each evening performing a selection of festive songs.
21st November
Royal Marines Christmas Spectacular
Military music spectacular featuring festive music, military marches, big band hits and popular showstoppers
24th November
Western Association of Ballet Schools: The Art of Dance
Over 250 young dancers from 7 affiliated dance schools in the area showcasing an exciting mix of dance genres including ballet and contemporary.
7th December to 5th January
Jack and the Beanstalk
Pantomime production full of sparkling sets, lavish costumes, song and dance numbers, giggles galore and bags of audience participation
11th January
Sing The Musicals
Live band, character singers and giant screen with sing-a-long lyrics with performances of songs from the greatest musicals of all time
12th January
Taylormania: All Eras
Taylor Swift tribute performance.
The Minster Theatre, Allendale Centre
13th December to 24th December
Best Ever Christmas Show 2024
Pantomime Christmas show for all the family
13th to 24th December
Best Ever Christmas Show
Pantomime for all the family
Weymouth Pavilion
28th November
Rhythm of the Dance
Festive songs performed by musicians, star vocalists and world-champion dancers
3rd December
The Lions Club Christmas Variety Show
Diverse range of perfromers in this fundraising show
6th December
Ultimate Pro Wrestling presents New Dawn
Wrestling show – see website for details
20th December to 5th January
Peter Pan
Family pantomime with a star cast, impressive music, plenty of laughter and flying. Relaxed performance on 30th December
The Mowlem
7th December
A Winter’s Tail
Play-along theatre adventure with excitement, adventure, play-acting, games, music, a splattering of silliness and lots of snow.
11th December
Santa and Sven
Christmas themed show – see website for details
19th to 22nd December
A Christmas Carol
Adaptation of the classic story from Gilroy Theatre
Electric Palace
16th to 19th December
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Musical adventure inspired by the popular Roald Dahl book and subsequent films from Bridport Young Performers
The Regent
Dates from 15th November
Paddington In Peru
Highly anticipated third Paddington film bringing the titular character’s story to Peru as he returns to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy
17th November
Rhythm of the Dance Christmas Special
Festive songs performed live by world-class musicians, star vocalists and worl-champion dancers
14th December
Christmas Spectacular 2024
Show full of Christmas family favourites, show-stopping musical numbers and dazzling costumes
9th January
Priestlands School Presents The Addams Family Musical
Production of the musical play from Priestlands School
24th to 26th January
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Laughter packed adventure from Highcliffe Charity Players
Bridport Arts
8th December 2024
A play-along theatre adventure with The Last Baguette
The snow is falling and the solstice is approaching. Ratty is getting ready. She wants everything to be really rat-tastic! But will her friends make it through the snow to the winter woodland revels?Can you help them on their journey? There’ll be excitement, adventure, play-acting, games, music, a splattering of silliness and lots of snow!
Led by The Last Baguette theatre company, A Winter’s Tail is a fun, relaxed play-along theatre adventure. Expect to play, move, watch and laugh. The show lasts 1 hour including a stay and play session, and is created for ages 2+ and their grown-ups. Younger and older siblings welcome!
14th December 2024
Christmassy Christmas Show of Christmassy Christmasness
his festive show from Squashbox Theatre is a celebration of everything Christmassy, from fir trees, fairy lights, sleigh bells and snowflakes to crackers, carols, presents and puddings!
Try and spot some naughty elves, meet a wise-cracking snowman, say hello to an over-excited Christmas puppy, endure the world’s worst Christmas jumper, join the hunt for the magical Twelve Sprouts of Christmas and gaze in awe at the “beautiful” Christmas tree fairy…
‘The Christmassy Christmas Show of Christmassy Christmasness!’ is an over-stuffed stocking of seasonal surprises crammed with puppets, songs and comedy, and over-flowing with crazy characters, silly slapstick, tall tales and fantastic facts – all presented in that unique Squashbox style!
Dorchester Corn Exchange
8th December 2024
The Travelling Players return with their suitcases bursting with merriment, mayhem and humbug! They tell the haunting tale of a mean and miserly old man; the tight-fisted curmudgeon, Ebenezer Scrooge!
Between dusk and dawn Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future! Will he mend his ways? Will he become a new man? Will he greet themorning with a … Merry Christmas Everyone?
Through their unique brand of quirky storytelling, live action, music, a puppet or two, a host of Gothic surprises, some ghostly flights of fancy and a clanking of chains, the Travelling Players bring this Yuletide classic to life.
Join us for this heartfelt hug of a tale! After all, as Dickens said: “There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour.”
A sociable event to send you home warm and happy!
Child Okeford Village Hall
30th November 2024
The Enchanted Cinema: The Snowman
his winter, The Enchanted Cinema invites kids and their grown-ups to join their pop-up orchestra and help bring to life scenes from the much-loved animation, The Snowman.
Every child gets a chance to be involved if they choose to, and the session starts with a vocal warm-up, preparing the chorister within for the unforgettable Walking in the Air sequence. Our workshop leader musicians then need help to create sound FX for different images seen in the film including an owl, a toothbrush, a whale, the sea, a musical box, a running tap, feet jumping through the snow, and a tearaway motorbike – you can use FX instruments provided by The Enchanted Cinema or even your own voice to mimic sounds!
The interactive workshop is followed by a screening of Dianne Jackson’s magical animation, The Snowman, which was first shown over 40 years ago. To end this festive treat, audiences are warmly welcomed onto the stage to meet the artists and try out any instruments, or leaf through a copy of the original Raymond Briggs children’s book.
Ideal for children aged 4+ and their grown-ups
Various locations
Various dates – 13th to 15th December 2024
13th December 2024 – Marnhull Village Hall
14th December 2024 – Millborne St Andrew Village Hall
15th December 2024 – Burton Bradstock Village Hall
David Mynne ‘A Christmas Carol’
Celebrate the festive season with a mesmerising one-man performance of Dickens’ timeless, transformative story: A Christmas Carol. Bah! Humbug!
David Mynne, veteran Cornish actor and a founder member of Kneehigh, returns to Dorset with a one-man performance of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Spend an evening in the company of a mean, tight-fisted, squeezing, grasping, clutching old miser. Bah!
Watch horrified as Ebenezer Scrooge is haunted by four creepy ghosts (wooo-oooh) each one more terrifying than the last. Bah!
Sob at the bedside of a tiny, malnourished child riven with rickets. Bah!
In their inimitable style, the team that brought you Great Expectations, The Odyssey, Canterbury Tales and Dracula: the Vampyr will now take you on a grim journey through the dark, dismal streets of Victorian London.
This is Dickens’ original words with added silliness. Silliness? Bah!
Suitable for adults and older children (9+)
The Exchange, Sturminster Newton
15th December 2024
BSO Mixed Ensemble: ‘Curious Creatures’
An ensemble of fourteen musicians from across the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra invite you to join them on a musical journey through the natural world, in a programme presented especially for families. Travel with us on this symphonic venture through verdant forests and across the open ocean. Embrace the wild with a catchy Mancini tune and Elgar’s spirited The Wild Bears. Explore the elements with Williams’ ode to the sea and de Falla’s frenzied Ritual Fire Dance, and enjoy an orchestral adaptation of a popular work by Björk with music that delves into emotions of the heart through the crystallisation of minerals and rocks. The sing-a-long favourite from the blockbuster Moana and Vaughan Williams’ musical flight of the lark completes the programme. Proudly presented in partnership with Artsreach, this adventurous afternoon is an escapade fit for all to join in with! Supported by The Pitt-Rivers Charitable Trust