CHRISTMAS is coming and what better way to get in the festive spirit than treating the family to a festive show?

Theatres around the region are getting ready to spread some sparkle and bring a little magic into youngters’ lives with a wide range of productions from the traditional panto to the specially-written family show.

So get ready to boo the baddies, shout for your heroes and sing along with gusto.

To help you choose, SIMONE O’KANE has produced an at-a-glance guide to all the major seasonal shows in East Lancashire and beyond over the festive period.

KING GEORGE’S HALL 

CINDERELLA

December 11 until December 31

0844 8471664

Blackburn’s ‘Mr Panto’ Phil Walker returns as Buttons in this classic fairytale. Produced by Stageworks, the company based at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, it’s got speacular costumes, dancing girls, thrillls and spills and plenty of singalongs too..

BURNLEY MECHANICS 

CINDERELLA

January 10 until January 19

01282 664400

Award winning Burnley Pantomime Society present one of the most popular fairytales ever told. Jam packed with comedy, great music, stunning scenery and wonderful customes this magical production is guaranteed to light up any winter night.

DARWEN LIBRARY THEATRE

THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ

December 13 until December 24

01254 706006

George Critchley for PMA Productions Ltd presents a fun-filled family show for the festive season with a great cast including DAPA Dance Studio.

ST MARY’S CENTRE, Clitheroe

MOTHER GOOSE

December 7, 8,13, 14,15

01253 792930

Nick Wymer the headmaster “Mr Tubbs” from the smash hit ITV children’s show “My Phone Genie” will be putting on his party frock and playing the starring role as Mother Goose.

THWAITES EMPIRE THEATRE

ALADDIN

December 4 until January 5

01254 685500

Aladdin sets out on his journey to find the lamp and earn the riches that will enable him to marry the Emperor’s daughter played by CBeebies favourite Nisha Anil, a festive performance for all.

COLNE MUNI

ALADDIN

January 4 until January 19

01282 661234

Pendle Leisure Trust and PMA Productions Ltd present this magical panto, starring Hollyoak’s Darren John Langford as the Emperor of China.

OSWALTWISTLE CIVIC THEATRE

ALADDIN

December 7 until December 15

01254 380293

Rub the magic lamp and make a wish as Aladdin comes to Hyndburn. Keith De Winter is Widow Twankey.

ALBERT HALLS, Bolton

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays starting November 30.

01204 334400

A gigantic production of Jack and the Beanstalk is and is set to have more sparkle, more dazzle and more magic than you can ever imagine. Stars Stu Francis.

PRESTON GUILD HALL

CINDERELLA

December 3 until 31

0845 344 2012

Topping the bill once again is one of Lancashire’s best known comedians and actors, Ted Robbins - just one first of its fantastic line up for this colourful production of arguably the favourite pantomime.

OCTAGON THEATRE, Bolton

ROBIN HOOD

Until January 11

01204 520661

Three young children are doing all they can to avoid the boring activities of a family camping holiday. Wishing for an adventure of their own, they find themselves transported back in time and end up in Shwerwood Forest.

GRAND THEATRE, Blackpool

PETER PAN

December 6 until January 5

01253 290190

Starring Tom Lister, aka Emmerdale's Carl King. See Wendy and her brothers join Peter and his friends the Lost Boys in an exhilarating life.

OPERA HOUSE, Blackpool

SCROOGE THE MUSICAL

December 16 to 21

Tommy Steele stars in this feel-good musical which comes to Blackpool from the West End.

PALACE THEATRE, Manchester

WEST SIDE STORY

December 10 to January 4

0844 871 7660

An alternative to the traditional festive fare, one of the greatest musicals of all time based loosely on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet with the magnificent Leonard Bernstein score.

OPERA HOUSE, Manchester

DICK WHITTINGTON

December 6 until January 5

0844 871 7660

All-star panto with Britain’s Got Talent winners Ashleigh and Pudsey, Jodie Prenger and CBeebies Ben Faulks in a spectacular show.

THE LOWRY, Salford Quays

WANTED! ROBIN HOOD

Until January 11

0844 815 4873

A family show directed by Darwen-born Amy Leach, and written for a family audience. Follow the adventures of the outlaw and his men in Sherwood Forest.