PANTOMIME time is here again and we’ve got them all covered with our special Lancashire Telegraph Christmas diary, which also features the feast of entertainment, including plays, carol concerts and shows that will be staged across the north west during the festive period and into the New Year.

KING GEORGE’S HALL, BLACKBURN 0844 847 1664

MOTHER GOOSE AND THE MAGICAL CIRCUS Wednesday, December 12 to Monday, December 31 Enjoy all the traditional fun of possibly the oldest story to be turned into pantomime, when a poor widow meets a goose who lays golden eggs.

DARWEN LIBRARY THEATRE 01254 706006

AFTERNOON OF CAROLS AND MUSIC, BLACKBURN AND DARWEN BAND Sunday, December 2 Festive songs and music provide a traditional seasonal show.

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARVES Friday, December 14 to Monday, December 24 George Critchley returns to Darwen with his PMA Productions to tells the tale with modern, topical references, music and comedy.

GRAND THEATRE, CLITHEROE 01200 421599

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Saturday, December 8 Saltmine Theatre Company’s spectacular production of Dickens’ classic tale.

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Friday, January 4 and Saturday, January 5 Jam-packed with music, heroes, villains, audience participation and all the excitement that only pantomime can provide.

COLNE MUNI 01282 661234

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Saturday, January 5 to Sunday, January 20 Katie McGlynn takes on the role of Fairy Cupcake in this wonderful story for all the family.

ARION MALE VOICE CHOIR CHRISTMAS CRACKER Saturday, December 15. A variety of festive songs, carols and good old brass band favourites for Christmas cheer.

CIVIC CHOIRS CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT Sunday, December 16 A trio of choirs ring in the Christmas season with a host of favourite traditional carols.

70s CHRISTMAS CRACKERZ: THE JACKIE GENERATION Thursday, December 20 Get on board for a roller coaster ride of nostalgia with a show packed with 70's hits!

BURNLEY MECHANICS 01282 664400

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Friday, January 11 to Sunday, January 20. Burnley Pantomime Society are set to thrill audiences once again with their brand new production of the traditional panto.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL BALLET Sunday 9 December. Join Ballet Theatre UK on a magical journey to the dark and twisting streets of old Dickensian London

ROYAL COURT THEATRE, BACUP 01706 874080

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Friday, January 11 to Sunday, January 13 and Friday, January 18 to Sunday, January 20. Bacup Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society present that traditional favourite - oh yes they do.

THE DUKES, LANCASTER 01524 598500

TREASURE ISLAND Until Saturday, January 5. All aboard the good ship Hispaniola for a special journey to Treasure Island this Christmas.

CHRISTMAS CABARET Friday, December 14 to Saturday, December 15. A unique mix of classic cabaret and orchestrated madness.

THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL Friday, December 21 to Saturday, December 22 A well loved Christmas film which combines Dickens’ classic tale, Jim Henson’s Muppets and a host of catchy songs.

ALBERT HALLS, BOLTON 01204 334400

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS  Saturday, December 1 to Sunday, January 6. I could crush a grape...comedian Stu Francis and Duggie Brown star in this hilarious panto.

CHRISTMAS FOLK AND BRASS WITH THE WINGATES BAND Saturday, December 8. Join Wingates Band and The Houghton Weavers for fun and celebrations in this year's Christmas extravaganza.

PRESTON GUILD HALL 0844 844 7710

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Tuesday, December 4 to Monday, December 31.

Fe, Fi, Fo Fum — enjoy the panto that is packed with fun — and stars Ted Robbins.

FESTIVAL FOR CHRISTMAS: PRESTON ORPHEUS CHOIR. Saturday, December 8. Take your seat for a show packed with variety, a brass band, dancers, school choir and a pipe major.

CAROLS AND CAPERS: MADDY PRIOR AND THE CARNIVAL BAND Wednesday, December 12.

Offering a range of familiar and not-so-familiar festive fare, for a Christmas Party to remember.

THWAITES EMPIRE THEATRE, EWOOD 01254 685500

CINDERELLA Wednesday, December 5 to Saturday, January 5. Sit back to enjoy this family favourite, as Cinders makes it the ball and wins her Prince Charming.

GRAND THEATRE, BLACKPOOL 01253 290190

CINDERELLA Friday, December 7 to Sunday, January 6. Emmerdale’s Danny Miller as Prince Charming. Also starring Amy Thompson from Channel 5’s Milkshake.

BEYOND THE BARRICADE AT CHRISTMAS Tuesday, December 11.

Performers from the West End recreate original West End/Broadway musical hit songs.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT WITH CAROLS Tuesday, December 18.

Celebrate the festive season in rousing style with the Poulton-le-Fylde Band.

OPERA HOUSE, MANCHESTER 0844 871 3018

PETER PAN Saturday, December 8 to Sunday, January 13. American actor David Hasselhoff - of Knight Rider and Baywatch fame - plays the star role in the big Opera House panto.

CIVIC THEATRE, OSWALDTWISTLE 01254 380293

PETER PAN Saturday and Sunday, December 8 and 9, Friday and Saturday, December 14 and 15.

George Critchley and Hyndburn Leisure present the magical family panto about the boy who never grows up.

LIVERPOOL EMPIRE 0151 708 3222

CINDERELLA Friday, December 14 to Saturday, December 22. Former Atomic Kitten Liz McClarnon plays the lead role while Coleen Nolan is the fairy godmother

ST MARY’S CENTRE, CLITHEROE 01200 425522

DICK WHITTINGTON Monday, December 3 to Saturday, December 8 Starring Melissa Walton from Hollyoaks and Sally Naden from BBC Radio Lancashire

VALLEY ACADEMY, CRAWSHAWBOOTH DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT Friday December 7 to Sunday, December 9 and Friday, December 14 to Sunday, December 16.

THE LOWRY THEATRE, SALFORD QUAYS 0844 815 4873

IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS Friday, November 30 to Saturday, January 5. A spectacular stage musical of Bing Crosby’s classic 1954 movie, brimming with classic Irving Berlin hits.

ARABIAN NIGHTS Friday, November 30 to Saturday January 5. An imaginative and funny delight for the festive season, adapted from the world-famous folk tales.

KNICK KNACK & DOO DAD Thursday, December 27, to Saturday, January 5. A show for the youngsters, as our two heroes get to grips with living on a rubbish heap.

OCTAGON THEATRE, BOLTON. 01204 520661

PETER PAN Now on until Saturday, January 12.

Enjoy a magical adventure on a festive journey to Neverland.

ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE, MANCHESTER 0161 8339833

RATS' TALES Adaptations of folk stories from around the globe brought to you by live music, animation, puppetry and storytelling.

THE TEAR THIEF Tuesday, December 11 to Saturday, December 29.

Using puppetry, live music and narration by actress Juliet Steveson, this modern faity tale takes youngsters on a magical journey.

PALACE THEATRE, MANCHESTER 0844 871 7660

THE LION KING From today until Sunday March 31. Take a seat for Disney’s worldwide theatrical phenomenon, seen by over 65 million people.

BURY MET 0161 761 2216.

SNOW PLAY Monday December 3 and Tuesday, December 4. An enchanting show. for all ages, starring Patrick Lynch from CBeebies.

PINOCCHIO Monday, December 10 to Saturday, December 15; Tuesday, December 18 to Monday, December 24. The fantasy filled Christmas production of the little puppet who longs to be a real boy.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Saturday, December 15. The tale of a Victorian miser and his meeting with mysterious Christmas ghosts, especially for people with disabilities.

THE ACE CENTRE, NELSON 01282 661080

NELSON BRASS BAND'S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT Saturday, December 8. An evening of festive favourites old and new in aid of Pendleside Hospice.

CHRISTMAS VARIETY SPECTACULAR. Wednesday, December 12. Des Day leads an all star cast for a festive themed evening of music, comedy and magic.

STICKY KIDS CHRISTMAS SINGALONG Wednesday December 19, 10am and 1.30pm.

A show for two to six-year-olds, featuring favourite songs from the popular Sticky Kids CDs.

TODMORDEN HIPPODROME 01706 818181

JOSEPH Tuesday, December 4 to Saturday December 8Todmorden Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society youth theatre bring you all the colour, songs and energy of this popular musical.

A FESTIVE FEAST OF BRASS Friday, December 21. Join in for some festive fun Wardle Anderson Brass present a selection of Christmas favourites to get you in the festive mood.

HALIFAX PLAYHOUSE 01422 36998

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Tuesday, December 4 to Saturday, December 8. It’s a Scrooge of a festive season till the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come pay a visit.

VICTORIA THEATRE, HALIFAX 01422 351158

MESSIAH Sunday, December 2 Handel's masterpiece, performed by the Halifax Choral Society with the North of England Classical Orchestra.

CAROLS AND BRASS Thursday and Friday, December 6 and 7 The Halifax Choral Society's ever-popular concerts open up the delights of Christmas.