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- Pantomime highlights around the country
- Robin Hood — The Gaiety Theatre
- Rapunzel — The Ambassador Theatre
- Cinderella — Olly and the Glass Slipper — 3Olympia
- Neverland — The Helix
- Beauty and the Beast — Cork Opera House
- Jack and the Beanstalk — University Concert Hall, Limerick
- Goldilocks and the Three Bears — The MAC, Belfast
- Aladdin — Sammy & Buffy, and the Magic Lamp — The National Stadium
- Snow White — SETU Arena, Waterford
- Sleeping Booty — The Late Night Panto — 3Olympia
Pantomime season for the 2026 Christmas period is shaping up across Ireland, with family-friendly shows, celebrity appearances and a handful of late-night, adult-only performances. From the Gaiety’s landmark staging to new faces making their panto debuts, there is variety for all tastes.
Pantomime highlights around the country
Robin Hood — The Gaiety Theatre
The Gaiety has chosen the Robin Hood story to mark a milestone year: its annual Christmas pantomime reaches its 150th anniversary, continuing a run that began in 1873. The production promises a traditional festive spectacle to celebrate the theatre’s long pantomime history.
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Where to see Christmas pantomimes around Ireland this season
Leading the cast is David James Whelan as Robin Hood, with Tara Flanagan as Maid Marian. Michael Joseph appears as Dame Patsy, and David Crowley plays the Sheriff of Snottingham.
Rapunzel — The Ambassador Theatre
Nicole Filan, daughter of Shane Filan, makes her panto debut as Rapunzel at The Ambassador. The 21-year-old, who has grown up around performance, steps into the title role for the Christmas season.
Tracy Leonard Lipman will take on the role of the villainous Mother Gothel, and James Kelleher appears as Lord Mountjoy.
Cinderella — Olly and the Glass Slipper — 3Olympia
Olly, Polly and Dolly return for another run at the 3Olympia in a production billed by some as “Ireland’s funniest panto.” This take on Cinderella mixes the classic fairytale with comic chaos from the returning trio.
The cast includes Ryan Andrews, Michaela O’Neill, Erin McGregor and James Patrice. The show is written and directed by Al Porter together with Ryan Andrews.
Neverland — The Helix
The Helix presents a reinterpretation of Peter Pan titled Neverland, led by Katie Rose Weir as Tinkerbell. The production aims to blend festive fun with song, dance and family-friendly humour.
Other cast members named for the show include Rachel Gaughan as Wendy, Brian Dalton as Buddy, Chris Corroon as Dame Lola, Aidan Mannion as Laurel, Michael Kiersey as Captain Hook and James Deegan as Kevin the Gnome.
Beauty and the Beast — Cork Opera House
The Cork Opera House will stage Beauty and the Beast for its 2026 pantomime season. Audiences are promised a colourful, musical production featuring Belle and an array of familiar supporting characters.
Organisers describe the show as packed with elaborate costumes, live music and broad comedy aimed at family audiences.
Jack and the Beanstalk — University Concert Hall, Limerick
Tolü Makay joins the Limerick pantomime for the first time as Fairy in Jack and the Beanstalk. The production pairs newcomers and returning favourites in a lively staging of the well-known tale.
Panto regular Myles Breen appears as Dame Trort, with John Sharpson as Seamus. Keith Hanley returns as Evil O’Reilly and Chris Currid reprises Pat the Cow. Cian O’Riain is cast as Jack and Caoileann Faith plays Jill.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears — The MAC, Belfast
The MAC invites families into a wintry woodland for Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The story centres on Baby Bear, who arrives with a small suitcase and hopes of finding a home, only to tumble into a series of comic mishaps.
Promotional notes highlight catchy songs and physical comedy, with moments described as reminiscent of classic slapstick and holiday film gags.
Aladdin — Sammy & Buffy, and the Magic Lamp — The National Stadium
Brian Dowling and Arthur Gourounlian will share the role of the Genie in the National Stadium’s Aladdin. Dowling is a familiar panto face, while Gourounlian is set to make his panto debut.
Alan Hughes plays Sammy Sausages and Johnny Ward appears as Jafar in this family-oriented production.
Snow White — SETU Arena, Waterford
Snow White heads to the SETU Arena in Waterford with a cast described as “star-studded” and a production that mixes musical numbers, dance and broad comedy for a festive crowd. The venue promises a lively, laugh-filled show set in a playful version of Deiseville.
Sleeping Booty — The Late Night Panto — 3Olympia
For adults looking for a late-night treat, the 3Olympia will stage Sleeping Booty, a late-night pantomime aimed at over-18 audiences. The show’s promotional copy teases a risqué take on the familiar Sleeping Beauty story and warns of an anything-goes atmosphere.
Organisers have set out a few ground rules: no rehearsals, no filter, no refunds. They add that once the doors close, what happens inside the 3Olympia stays inside the 3Olympia.
