What’s on guide to Manchester: pantos and family shows you can enjoy this Christmas

While the coronavirus pandemic prevented theatres from running their usual packed seasonal programmes last year, one of the favourite family traditions - the Christmas pantomime has returned. Here’s a round up a few of the many shows on offer this festive season.

Firstly The Not So Ugly Sisters has come to Waterside in Sale. The funny, family show takes a modern twist on the traditional Cinderella tale. The show is coming to Waterside until January 2022.

Tickets are priced £12-14 and can be found here.

For those wanting a socially distance show, the AJ Bell Stadium is hosting a Car Park Panto of Horrible Histories. Audiences will get the chance to laugh and boo at their favourite historical figures as they figure out Christmas traditions. Why not get your PJs on, bring some blankets, cuddly toys, delicious snacks and get cosy for the show.

Tickets can be found here.

Next up and Aladdin comes to the Manchester Opera House this weekend. Former X Factor singer Alexandra Burke is heading up the cast of the family favourite tale. Audiences can follow Aladdinon a spectacular adventure he’ll never forget, with flying carpets, a wish-granting genie, an evil sorcerer and plenty of festive magic.

Tickets can be found here.

Finally, while not strictly a traditional panto, Stick Man at the Lowry still hopes to get audiences in that Christmas spirit. It tells the tale of an unfortunate Stick Man who gets lost while out jogging and is desperate to return to the family tree to celebrate Christmas with his stick family - and was penned by Gruffalo bestseller Julia Donaldson.

Tickets can be found here.