Edinburgh

A Christmas Carol
While the future of The Brunton Theatre remains in jeopardy, Christmas props to the company who have adapted with aplomb. Splitting their run between Musselburgh and Haddington hopefully means even more hyper-local jokes for what’s always a brilliant community-focused show.
Corn Exchange, Haddington, Friday 6–Saturday 14 December; Loretto Theatre, Musselburgh, Wednesday 18 December–Saturday 4 January.

Cinderella
You shall, of course, go to the ball with this line-up of Edinburgh legends: Allan Stewart, Jordan Young and Grant Stott are all present and correct, the latter celebrating his 30th year in panto. But even with a carriage packed with pantomime royalty, Cinders still needs to get home before midnight…
Festival Theatre, Saturday 23 November–Tuesday 31 December.

The Gift
Specially designed for under-5s, this award-winning show is bursting with energy, dance, sounds and colour. Celebrating the power of the imagination, it’s playful, magical fun that tinies will love, without the scary bits.
Festival Theatre, Saturday 14–Tuesday 31 December. 

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Donny Osmond stars as Pharoah in the global juggernaut that is Joseph. While not exactly a Christmas show (’cos Old Testament) there’s still more than enough joyful family feels to count as a festive treat if you and yours fancy a change from a traditional panto this yule.
Edinburgh Playhouse, Tuesday 3–Sunday 29 December.

Treasure Island
X marks the spot… or does it? With buckets of sea shanties and piles of Jolly Rogers, Young Jim Hawkins leaves Edinburgh’s finest accommodation for reformed pirates and journeys over the water to find Captain Flint’s hidden treasure. In Orkney. And that’s plenty far away, kids.
Lyceum Theatre, Thursday 28 November–Saturday 4 January. 

Glasgow

Beauty And The Beastie
Things aren’t too tranquil in Cludgie Castle. Can Prince Lorenzo break the curse and change his ways? With a cast of well-kent faces including Liam Dolan, Stephen Purdon, Jack Jester and Valissa Scott, this traditional panto brings all the fun.
Pavilion Theatre, Thursday 28 November–Sunday 12 January.

Peter Pan
Comedy legend Elaine C Smith leads the gang in The King’s 60th year of panto. Expect thrills and spills as Wendy journeys into Neverland, with plenty of songs and laughs to keep the whole family involved.
King’s Theatre, Saturday 23 November–Sunday 5 January.

Peter Panto And The Incredible Stinkerbell
West End Wendy is whisked away from the safety of her Byres Road home to face sharp-toothed crocodiles, salt’n’sauce on her chips and the truly evil Captain Hook and his bumbling side-kick Anita Wee-Wee. Jonny McKnight’s pantos are a national treasure for sure.
Tron Theatre, Friday 22 November–Sunday 5 January. 

Rumpelstiltskin
Platform’s panto is fast becoming an institution for its cockle-warming community ethos, which extends into accessible, pocket-friendly pricing. It’s panto for everyone, bursting with heart and soul. Will Rumpelstiltskin ever make friends? We think you know the answer to that one…
Platform, Easterhouse, Tuesday 3–Tuesday 24 December.

Weans In The Woodlands
Carlotta Kelvinbridge and Shuggy (so poor his mammy couldn’t afford a surname) are best pals, but they definitely don’t fancy each other, right? But when evil Lady Titania Of Townhead decides there are too many weans in the world, they’ve got to do something about it. Martin McCormick offers a different take on panto (for 14+).
Òran Mór, Tuesday 26 November–Sunday 5 January. 

Main picture: Greg Macvean.