Christmas pantomimes and shows in and around Manchester in 2023

Panto season is back, oh yes it is, and families across Greater Manchester are spoilt for choice this year.

With a host of family favourites including three productions of Jack and the Beanstalk, three Cinderellas and the return of the smash hit production of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt at The Lowry, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

And with the festive season almost upon us, tickets have already been selling fast for many of these shows, so don't hang around if you want to be sure of getting some good seats.

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Here are the pantomimes Greater Manchester has to offer

The family favourite Manchester Opera House pantomime returns with a Jack and the Beanstalk production this Christmas.

Returning by popular demand is Jason Manford, who will take to the stage as Jack and he'll be joined by Manchester panto favourite Ben Nickless as Silly Simon, star of stage and screen Myra DuBois, and West End performers Samara Casteallo and Emma Williams.

The show promises ‘laughs, music, special effects, magic beans and bundles of audience participation in this giant of a pantomime’.

It will run from Saturday, December 2 to Sunday, December 31. Tickets, from £13, can be bought online.

There's something for everyone at The Lowry this Christmas, including the award-winning Life of Pi and the return of the smash-hit production of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.

Based on the much-loved picture book from Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury, music, laughter, rhymes, rhythms and repetitions together with puppetry, paint, water and mud - not to