Devon

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-panto">PANTO</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="581" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/dick-whittington-1000x581.jpg" alt="Dick Whittington Panto 2025 at Theatre Royal Plymouth in Devon " class="wp-image-83085" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/dick-whittington-1000x581.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/dick-whittington-800x465.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/dick-whittington-768x446.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/dick-whittington.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dick Whittington at Theatre Royal / Credit Steve Tanner</figcaption></figure>



The award for the biggest pantomime celeb in Devon in 2025 goes to Shane Ritchie. He&#8217;s playing the eponymous cheeky chappie in <a href="https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/dick-whittington/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dick Whittington </a>at Theatre Royal Plymouth from 12 Dec – 10 Jan. Here to grant your every wish, <a href="https://queenstheatre-barnstaple.com/events/aladdin/#event-booking" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aladdin</a> is letting the genie out the bottle on 12 &#8211; 30 Dec at Queen’s Theatre Barnstaple, and Exeter Corn Exchange goes over the rainbow with <a href="https://www.exetercornexchange.co.uk/whats-on/wizard-of-oz/?p=1&amp;d=12-2025&amp;c=" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wizard of Oz</a> from 13 Dec – 1 Jan. And it’s himself with the magic beans – with the popular Stuart Earp back in the title role – in <a href="https://www.exmouthpavilion.co.uk/whats-on/jack-the-beanstalk-family-pantomime/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jack and the Beanstalk</a> on 22 Dec &#8211; 1 Jan at Exmouth Pavilions. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/Matt-Freeman-as-Dame-Trott-and-Molly-Cheesley-as-Bella-the-Cow-in-Jack-and-the-Beanstalk-©-Craig-Fuller-1.jpg" alt="Le Navet Bete Jack and the Beanstalk at Exeter Northcott theatre 2025" class="wp-image-82773" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/Matt-Freeman-as-Dame-Trott-and-Molly-Cheesley-as-Bella-the-Cow-in-Jack-and-the-Beanstalk-©-Craig-Fuller-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/Matt-Freeman-as-Dame-Trott-and-Molly-Cheesley-as-Bella-the-Cow-in-Jack-and-the-Beanstalk-©-Craig-Fuller-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/Matt-Freeman-as-Dame-Trott-and-Molly-Cheesley-as-Bella-the-Cow-in-Jack-and-the-Beanstalk-©-Craig-Fuller-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/Matt-Freeman-as-Dame-Trott-and-Molly-Cheesley-as-Bella-the-Cow-in-Jack-and-the-Beanstalk-©-Craig-Fuller-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Popular Devon theatre company, Le Navet Bête, are guaranteed to bring the non-cheesy belly laughs with <a href="https://exeternorthcott.co.uk/events/jack-and-the-beanstalk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jack and the Beanstalk </a>on 27 Nov &#8211; 4 Jan at Exeter Northcott. We&#8217;ve just seen it and it&#8217;s brilliant, filled with subversive, innuendo-fuelled silliness &#8211; check out the brand-new <a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/xmas/jack-and-the-beanstalk-at-exeter-northcott-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Muddy review</a>. Book yourself onto that extra front row if you&#8217;re feeling brave, folks! 



It’s all merry men with Wonder Pantomimes <a href="https://events.gatewaytheatre.co.uk/ticketbooth/shows/1173668885" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robin Hood</a> from 19 &#8211; 20 Dec at Seaton Gateway, and at Torquay’s Princess Theatre it’s <a href="https://www.torquay-theatre.co.uk/shows/princess-theatre-torquay/sleeping-beauty" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sleeping Beauty </a>from 12 Dec &#8211; 3 Jan. Palace Theatre Paignton are swashling their buckles from 20 Dec &#8211; 4 Jan 2026 with their first ever in-house production of <a href="https://www.palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk/shows/robinson-crusoe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robinson Crusoe</a> in search of treasure with pirates in hot pursuit.



Can&#8217;t get through Christmas without seeing <a href="https://exeternorthcott.co.uk/events/cinderella/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cinderella</a>? Over to Exeter&#8217;s Barnfield Theatre for the rags to riches tale on 3 &#8211; 13 Dec, followed there by a quick post-Christmas two-day run of <a href="https://exeternorthcott.co.uk/events/robin-hood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robin Hood </a>on 30 &#8211; 31 Dec.



Bringing the post-Christmas panto hit, Palace Theatre Paignton continues the big jinks with <a href="https://www.palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk/shows/robin-hood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robin Hood</a> on 11 Jan 2026, a risqué adults-only <a href="https://www.palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk/shows/jack-off-the-beanstalk-adult-panto/2026-02-08/1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jack Off the Beanstalk </a>on 8 Feb and <a href="https://www.palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk/shows/rapunzel-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rapunzel </a>on 19 Feb.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-christmas-shows">CHRISTMAS SHOWS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/dommoore_23_trp_drum_father_christmas_300dpi-7918-scaled-1.jpeg" alt="dommoore_23_trp_drum_father_christmas" class="wp-image-79429" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/dommoore_23_trp_drum_father_christmas_300dpi-7918-scaled-1.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/dommoore_23_trp_drum_father_christmas_300dpi-7918-scaled-1-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/dommoore_23_trp_drum_father_christmas_300dpi-7918-scaled-1-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/dommoore_23_trp_drum_father_christmas_300dpi-7918-scaled-1-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit Dom Moore </figcaption></figure>



Lyric Hammersmith family favourite, co-produced with the Olivier Award-nominated Pins &amp; Needles Productions brings Raymond Briggs’ <a href="https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/father-christmas-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Father Christmas </a>to Theatre Royal Plymouth on 27 Nov &#8211; 28 Dec.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1257" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/quirk-craigfuller.jpg" alt="Ernie and the Sea of Ice Quirk Theatre credit Craig Fuller " class="wp-image-83068" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/quirk-craigfuller.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/quirk-craigfuller-800x670.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/quirk-craigfuller-1000x838.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/quirk-craigfuller-768x644.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit Quirk Theatre / Craig Fuller </figcaption></figure>



The brilliant Exeter-based Quirk Theatre are back for their 22nd year at the Phoenix on 14 &#8211; 28 Dec with <a href="https://exeterphoenix.org.uk/events/ernie-and-the-sea-of-ice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ernie and the Sea of Ice</a>. Their ship gets stuck in the ice, leaving 28 men, 69 dogs and 1 (rather chilly) ship’s cat stranded, thousands of miles from anywhere. Cue lots of fun penguin-filled derring do with three actors playing ALL the parts. Read our <a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/for-kids/review-ernie-and-the-sea-of-ice-quirk-theatre-exeter-phoenix/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Muddy review</a>.



Aimed at young kids aged 6+, <a href="https://www.barbicantheatre.co.uk/whats-on/the-snow-beast-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Snow Beast</a> at Plymouth&#8217;s Quad Theatre combines interactive science with storytelling, puppetry and original music &#8211; perfect for the budding scientists in the family.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-family-concerts">FAMILY CONCERTS </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/11/dartington.jpg" alt="Great Hall and Christmas tree at the Dartington Estate in Devon at Christmas" class="wp-image-60589" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/11/dartington.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/11/dartington-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/11/dartington-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/11/dartington-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/11/dartington-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/11/dartington-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Get festive and sing-along with big band swooning and seasonal silliness <a href="https://babbacombe-theatre.com/upcoming-shows/crooners-christmas-special/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Crooners Christmas Special</a> at Babbacombe Theatre on 6 Dec or enjoy the festive ambience and tunes of their <a href="https://babbacombe-theatre.com/upcoming-shows/christmas-by-candlelight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Candlelight Concert </a>on Fri 19 Dec. Dartington&#8217;s <a href="https://ticket.dartington.org/EventAvailability?EventId=849198AKQLKKQGDDHMCJMDQPLQVMHKQKL&amp;_gl=1*cnu2b8*_gcl_au*NTIxNTUxMzY0LjE3NjI4NjIyMTM.&amp;_ga=2.114903943.1445585118.1762862213-343868934.1762862213" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christmas Cracker</a> and on Mon 15 Dec sounds fun with the promise of &#8216;unusual carols&#8217;, readings and a chance to exercise your vocal chords. 



Fancy a freebie? Head to Axminster Guildhall for their <a href="https://www.axminster-guildhall.co.uk/home/christmas-concert" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christmas Concert</a> on the afternoon of Sun 21 Dec when the Lyme Regis Community Band and local choir will be in full song.



Lots more local <a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/carol-concerts-christmas-devon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carols and candle-lit concerts here</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-for-tiny-tots">FOR TINY TOTS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1280" height="720" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/11/Jolly-Postman-web-image-1920x1080-1-1280x720-1.png" alt="The Jolly Christmas Postman at Exeter Northcott 2025 " class="wp-image-81667" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/11/Jolly-Postman-web-image-1920x1080-1-1280x720-1.png 1280w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/11/Jolly-Postman-web-image-1920x1080-1-1280x720-1-800x450.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/11/Jolly-Postman-web-image-1920x1080-1-1280x720-1-1000x563.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/11/Jolly-Postman-web-image-1920x1080-1-1280x720-1-768x432.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



Baby&#8217;s first Chrimbo? For the wee ones, Exeter Northcott and Paddleboat Theatre&#8217;s joint adaption of <a href="https://exeternorthcott.co.uk/events/the-jolly-christmas-postman/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Jolly Christmas Postman</a> is a lovely way to bring the story-time classic to life for 3-8 year olds on 16 &#8211; 28 Dec. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/Star-Snowball-Amber-Palfreyman-dommoore_2024_trp_lab_star_who_danced_300dpi-9739-scaled-1.jpg" alt="The Star Who Danced at Theatre Royal Plymouth Credit Dom Moore" class="wp-image-83094" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/Star-Snowball-Amber-Palfreyman-dommoore_2024_trp_lab_star_who_danced_300dpi-9739-scaled-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/Star-Snowball-Amber-Palfreyman-dommoore_2024_trp_lab_star_who_danced_300dpi-9739-scaled-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/Star-Snowball-Amber-Palfreyman-dommoore_2024_trp_lab_star_who_danced_300dpi-9739-scaled-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/Star-Snowball-Amber-Palfreyman-dommoore_2024_trp_lab_star_who_danced_300dpi-9739-scaled-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Star Who Danced at Theatre Royal Plymouth Credit Dom Moore</figcaption></figure>



For 0-3 year olds, Theatre Royal&#8217;s <a href="https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/star-who-danced-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Star Who Danced</a> is a relaxed, sensory 45-minute show set on a frosty Christmas Eve, from 4 &#8211; 24 Dec. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-just-missed">JUST MISSED</h2>



Don’t do panto? Step into Narnia with the West End smash-hit production of <a href="https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/lion-witch-wardrobe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe </a>at Theatre Royal Plymouth on 25 &#8211; 29 Nov. For young kids, Babbacombe Theatre’s midday performance of <a href="https://babbacombe-theatre.com/upcoming-shows/the-santa-express/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Santa Express</a> on 16 Nov is sure to excite.



Queen&#8217;s Theatre Barnstaple has the best festive musical line-up in 2025, so clear your pipes for <a href="https://queenstheatre-barnstaple.com/events/the-rat-pack-christmas-in-vegas/#event-booking" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Rat Pack Christmas in Vegas</a> on 23 Nov, <a href="https://queenstheatre-barnstaple.com/events/a-christmas-night-at-the-opera/#event-booking" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Christmas Night at the Opera</a> on 27 Nov, and <a href="https://queenstheatre-barnstaple.com/events/abba-merry-christmas/#event-booking" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Abba Merry Christmas</a> on 28 Nov. 



For musical interludes, <a href="https://www.torquay-theatre.co.uk/shows/princess-theatre-torquay/fairytale-for-christmas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Fairytale for Christmas </a>at Torquay&#8217;s Princess Theatre on 16 Nov brings a night of Irish festive hits and carols, including the best Xmas song ever written to be sure, Fairytale of New York.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-want-more-festive-feels-head-here">WANT MORE FESTIVE FEELS? HEAD HERE</h2>



<a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/xmas/christmas-light-trails-devon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Local light trails &amp; after-dark experiences</a>



<a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/santa-fun-runs-devon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ho, ho, GO! Local Santa Fun Runs for charity 2025</a>



<a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/best-santa-father-christmas-grottos-devon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Grotto guide: 19 places to Meet Santa in Devon </a>

Beauties, beasts and beanstalks! Panto & Christmas shows in Devon

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