Panto season in and around Dublin runs from late November to the end of January, and with well over a dozen shows on at once it's easy to book the wrong one. This guide splits everything by area: the big Dublin stages, north Dublin and Fingal, west and south Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare, then Meath and Drogheda, followed by the shorter mini-pantos and the relaxed and sensory-friendly performances confirmed so far. Every show has its DublinGuide listing with dates, prices and a booking link.
Start here: compare a few options
| Show | Where | Dates | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robin Hood | The Gaiety Theatre, Dublin 2 | 22 Nov–3 Jan | See booking page |
| The Wizard of Oz | Bray Musical Society, Bray | 27–29 Nov & 4–6 Dec | Adults €15.50, children €10.50, family €40.50 |
| Jingle Fest mini-panto | Emerald Park, Ashbourne | Selected dates, 20 Nov–23 Dec | Included in €20 park admission |
| Santo Panto | Smithfield Square, Dublin 7 | Selected dates, 21 Nov–23 Dec | €5 + €2 booking fee |
| Pinocchio (theatre bonus) | dlr Mill Theatre, Dundrum | 5 Dec–3 Jan | From €20 |
These are highlights, not the full list: every show below has its own entry.
The Dublin big stages
Robin Hood, The Gaiety Theatre
Date: Sun 22 Nov + 37 more
Location: Gaiety Theatre, Dublin
See details
Where: The Gaiety Theatre, South King Street, Dublin 2
Dates: 22 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
Tickets: See the booking page for current prices
Best for: Families who want the full, traditional big-stage panto in Dublin's best-known panto venue.
Dublin's longest-running home for panto, with its usual mix of big musical numbers, slapstick and a hero-and-villain story the whole family can follow.
Aladdin: A Sammy and Buffy Adventure, National Stadium
The Stadium Panto – Aladdin – A Sammy and Buffy Adventure
Date: Tue 8 Dec – Sun 3 Jan 2027
Location: National Stadium, Dublin
See details
Where: National Stadium, South Circular Road, Dublin 8
Dates: 8 December 2026 – 3 January 2027
Tickets: €34.50–€39.50
Best for: Families who want a well-established Dublin panto away from the Gaiety's crowds.
A long-standing Dublin panto favourite, built around the Stadium's own Sammy and Buffy characters alongside the classic Aladdin story.
Cinderella: Olly and the Glass Slipper, 3Olympia Theatre
Cinderella: Olly And The Glass Slipper
Date: Sat 19 Dec + 13 more
Location: 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin
See details
Where: 3Olympia Theatre, Dame Street, Dublin 2
Dates: 19 December 2026 – 3 January 2027
Tickets: From €23.50
Best for: Families wanting a classic fairy-tale panto in one of Dublin's most atmospheric theatres.
Rapunzel, The Ambassador Theatre
Date: Tue 22 Dec + 16 more
Location: Ambassador Theatre, Dublin 1
See details
Where: The Ambassador Theatre, O'Connell Street Upper, Dublin 1
Dates: 22 December 2026 – 10 January 2027
Tickets: See the booking page for current prices
Best for: Families looking for a big-stage panto that starts closer to Christmas and runs into January.
A fairy-tale panto in one of Dublin's grand old cinema-turned-theatre venues, with the longest January run of the city-centre stages.
North Dublin and Fingal
Neverland, The Helix
The Helix Panto 2026 - NEVERLAND
Date: Sat 21 Nov + 36 more
Location: The Helix, Dublin
See details
Where: The Helix, DCU Campus, Glasnevin, Dublin 9
Dates: 20 November 2026 – 10 January 2027
Tickets: €33–€45 + booking fee
Best for: North Dublin families who want a big-stage panto without heading into the city centre.
The longest run of any panto in this guide, opening before most others.
The Little Mermaid, The Lark
The Lark Panto: The Little Mermaid (Dec 5th – 30th)
Date: Sat 5 Dec + 15 more
Location: Lark Concert Hall, Balbriggan
See details
Where: The Lark, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin
Dates: 5–30 December 2026
Tickets: €32 + fees
Best for: Families in north County Dublin, and anyone wanting a sensory-friendly panto visit.
A local panto with a dedicated sensory-friendly performance on 22 December.
Beauty & The Beast, Axis Ballymun
Beauty & The Beast: Axis Ballymun Panto 2026
Date: Thu 17 Dec + 18 more
Location: Axis Ballymun, Dublin City
See details
Where: Axis, Ballymun, Dublin 9
Dates: 17 December 2026 – 24 January 2027
Tickets: Adults €22 · children, over-65s and carers €18 · family €75 · Thursdays in January €16
Best for: Families wanting plenty of flexibility into late January.
Not to be confused with the other Beauty and the Beast at the Red Cow Inn in December; see the FAQs below.
West and south Dublin
Tickles & Dottie are Freezin', The Civic
Tickles and Dottie are Freezin’ – The Civic Panto 2026
Date: Wed 2 Dec + 27 more
Location: Civic Theatre, Dublin
See details
Where: The Civic, Tallaght, Dublin 24
Dates: 2 December 2026 – 3 January 2027
Tickets: €27, concession €25
Best for: Tallaght and south-west Dublin families looking for a local panto without the trip into town.
Not to be confused with Freezin' at the TLT in Drogheda; see the FAQs below.
Beauty and the Beast, Red Cow Inn
Beauty and the Beast: The Panto at the Red Cow Inn
Date: Wed 2 Dec – Sun 6 Dec
Location: Red Cow Inn, Dublin 22
See details
Where: Red Cow Inn, Naas Road, Dublin 22
Dates: 2–6 December 2026
Tickets: Adults €26 · children and seniors €24 · family €85
Best for: A short, early-December run if you want panto done before the Christmas rush.
A short run, so book early if it suits your dates: it wraps up before most other shows open.
Snow White, Draíocht
Date: Thu 7 Jan 2027 + 11 more
Location: Draíocht Blanchardstown, Blanchardstown
See details
Where: Draíocht, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
Dates: 7–24 January 2027
Tickets: €32, concession €30
Best for: Families who'd rather skip the pre-Christmas rush and see a panto in the quieter January weeks.
The latest-starting show in this guide, with a sensory-friendly performance on 9 January.
Theatre bonus: Pinocchio, dlr Mill Theatre
Where: dlr Mill Theatre, Dundrum, Dublin 16
Dates: 5 December 2026 – 3 January 2027 (the first two performance days are school shows, not open to the public)
Tickets: From €20
Best for: Families who want polished Christmas theatre that isn't a traditional panto.
Not a pantomime in the panto-dame sense, but a Christmas theatre staple, and one of the few shows here with confirmed relaxed performances.
Wicklow and Kildare
The Wizard of Oz, Bray Musical Society
Date: Fri 27 Nov + 5 more
Location: St. Patrick's Loreto Primary School, Bray
See details
Where: St Patrick's Loreto Primary School, Bray, Co. Wicklow
Dates: 27–29 November & 4–6 December 2026 (8 performances)
Tickets: Adults €15.50 · children €10.50 · concessions €12.50 · family €40.50
Best for: Budget-conscious families: one of the cheapest full-length pantos here.
A community-run panto with some of the best-value family pricing in this guide, over two short weekends.
Jack and the Beanstalk, The Moat Theatre
Where: The Moat Theatre, Naas, Co. Kildare
Dates: 27 November – 12 December 2026
Tickets: See the booking page for current prices
Best for: Kildare families wanting a classic panto early in the season.
The Moat also stages a separate production, Smash and Grab and the Sleeping Beauty, over Christmas and New Year, so check you're booking the right show.
Alice in Wonderland, An Nuadha Players
Alice in Wonderland: An Nuadha Players Panto, Maynooth
Date: Thu 3 Dec – Sun 6 Dec
Location: Aula Maxima, St Patrick's College, Maynooth
See details
Where: Aula Maxima, St Patrick's College, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
Dates: 3–6 December 2026
Tickets: Adults €18 · concessions €15 · family €55, plus a booking fee
Best for: Kildare families wanting a community-run panto on a short, easy-to-plan run.
A four-day run, so book early if your dates are fixed.
Meath and Drogheda
Hansel and Gretel, Trim Musical Society
Hansel and Gretel: The Panto, Trim Musical Society
Date: Fri 27 Nov – Sun 6 Dec
Location: Swift Cultural Centre, Trim
See details
Where: Swift Cultural Centre, Trim, Co. Meath
Dates: 27 November – 6 December 2026
Tickets: €22
Best for: Meath families wanting a classic fairy-tale panto close to home.
Individual performance times weren't published at the time of writing, so check the booking page before you plan your visit.
Robin Hood, St Mary's Musical Society
Robin Hood: St Mary's Musical Society Panto, Navan
Date: Thu 3 Dec + 7 more
Location: Solstice Arts Centre, Navan
See details
Where: Solstice Arts Centre, Railway Street, Navan, Co. Meath
Dates: 3–13 December 2026
Tickets: €24.50 per ticket · family of four €89 (booking fees included)
Best for: Meath families wanting plenty of date choice.
Not to be confused with the Gaiety's Robin Hood in Dublin: same story, completely different production.
Freezin', The TLT
Freezin': The TLT Panto 2026, Drogheda
Date: Fri 18 Dec + 10 more
Location: The TLT (Tommy Leddy Theatre), Drogheda
See details
Where: The TLT, 12 Matthew's Lane, East Coast Business Park, Drogheda, Co. Louth
Dates: 18–31 December 2026, at 2pm and/or 7pm (17 performances)
Tickets: €28 per ticket, plus a booking fee
Best for: Drogheda and Louth families wanting plenty of choice over Christmas week itself.
A family panto inspired by Frozen. It's a different show from Tickles & Dottie are Freezin' at The Civic in Tallaght, so double-check the venue before you book.
Mini-pantos and short shows
Santo Panto, TwinkleTown
Date: Sat 21 Nov + 15 more
Location: Smithfield Square, Smithfield
See details
Where: Smithfield Square, Dublin 7
Dates: Selected dates, 21 November – 23 December 2026 (16 dates)
Tickets: €5 per person + €2 booking fee; babies up to two sit free on a lap but need a ticket for a gift
Best for: A quick, cheap festive show as part of a wider TwinkleTown visit.
A 20-minute stage show rather than a full-length panto, with a small gift for every ticket holder. Easy to combine with TwinkleTown's free market and ice rink.
Good to know: The first Saturday and Sunday show each week (12pm) is neurodivergent-friendly with a smaller audience, and the Sunday 6 December shows from 12pm to 4pm have Irish Sign Language interpretation. Book your show time online and arrive 10 minutes early: seats aren't allocated.
Jingle Fest mini-panto, Emerald Park
Jingle Fest with Santa at Emerald Park
Date: Fri 20 Nov + 20 more
Location: Emerald Park, Ashbourne
See details
Where: Emerald Park, Kilbrew, Ashbourne, Co. Meath
Dates: Selected dates, 20 November – 23 December 2026
Tickets: A 25-minute mini-panto included in Jingle Fest admission (€20, adult or child)
Best for: Families already planning a Jingle Fest day out.
Part of the wider Jingle Fest programme, alongside rides, lights and a Santa visit (booked separately if you want one).
Good to know: Emerald Park also runs Sleeping Booty, a late-night 18+ panto parody, as a separate ticketed event. It is not suitable for children.
Relaxed and accessible performances
Confirmed so far:
- Pinocchio, dlr Mill Theatre: relaxed performances are scheduled. Relaxed performance details
- The Little Mermaid, The Lark, Balbriggan: a sensory-friendly performance on 22 December 2026.
- Snow White, Draíocht: a sensory-friendly performance on 9 January 2027.
- Santo Panto, Smithfield: the first Saturday and Sunday show each week (12pm) is neurodivergent-friendly, and the Sunday 6 December shows (12pm–4pm) have Irish Sign Language interpretation.
For the other pantos, access and relaxed-performance details weren't confirmed at the time of writing. Contact the venue before you book if you need them, and we'll update this section as venues confirm.
Booking tips and FAQs
Are the two "Beauty and the Beast" pantos the same show?
No. Axis Ballymun's Beauty & The Beast (17 Dec – 24 Jan) and the Red Cow Inn's Beauty and the Beast (2–6 Dec) are separate productions on completely different dates. Check the venue name before you book.
Are the two "Robin Hood" pantos the same show?
No. One is the Gaiety Theatre's city-centre production (22 Nov – 3 Jan); the other is St Mary's Musical Society's production at the Solstice Arts Centre in Navan (3–13 Dec).
Is "Freezin'" at the TLT the same as the Civic's panto?
No. The TLT in Drogheda stages a Frozen-inspired panto called Freezin' (18–31 Dec). The Civic in Tallaght stages Tickles & Dottie are Freezin' (2 Dec – 3 Jan). They just share part of a name.
Which panto is the cheapest?
Santo Panto at Smithfield is the lowest-priced ticketed show at €5 per person plus a booking fee, though it's a 20-minute show. For a full-length panto, The Wizard of Oz in Bray (adults €15.50, children €10.50, family €40.50) is the best value.
Which pantos run the longest?
The Helix's Neverland (20 Nov – 10 Jan) and Axis Ballymun's Beauty & The Beast (17 Dec – 24 Jan) give you the most dates, and Draíocht's Snow White runs through January.
Is any panto included in a day out I've already paid for?
Yes: the Jingle Fest mini-panto at Emerald Park is included in park admission, with no extra ticket.
Still deciding? Our quick picks
| Looking for… | Top pick | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The classic big-stage panto | Robin Hood, The Gaiety Theatre | See booking page |
| Best value full-length panto | The Wizard of Oz, Bray | Adults €15.50, children €10.50, family €40.50 |
| Cheapest short show | Santo Panto, Smithfield | €5 + booking fee |
| Included in a day out | Jingle Fest mini-panto, Emerald Park | Included in €20 admission |
| Most date flexibility | Neverland, The Helix, or Beauty & The Beast, Axis Ballymun | From €18 |
| A relaxed or sensory-friendly show | Pinocchio, The Little Mermaid or Snow White | See booking pages |
A few general tips
- Watch for near-identical names. Two Beauty and the Beasts, two Robin Hoods and two "Freezin'" pantos are on this year: always check the venue, not just the title.
- Check for school shows. Pinocchio's first two days are school performances only, which is common in panto season, so check before booking an early date.
- Book early for short runs. The Red Cow Inn's Beauty and the Beast and the Moat's Jack and the Beanstalk both finish in early-to-mid December.
- Ask the venue about access needs if a relaxed or sensory-friendly performance isn't listed here yet.
More Christmas in Dublin
- Christmas lights switch-on dates in Dublin and nearby
- Christmas markets in Dublin and nearby
- Where to meet Santa in Dublin and nearby
- All pantos and comedy in Dublin
- Everything in the Christmas category
Spotted an error, a sold-out date or a price that's changed? Let us know and we'll update the guide.
