Here’s a rundown of some of the events taking place.
1. Sleeping Beauty, Sunderland Empire, December 12 - January 4
“It’s no snoozefest, I’ll tell you that,” says drama queen Miss Rory as the grand dame of the Empire’s pantos gears up for this year’s festive offering. Miss Rory will be stepping into the stilettos of Rorina the Cleaner in Sleeping Beauty, alongside silly sidekick Tom Whalley as Vesta the Jester. Running from Friday, December 12 to Sunday, January 4, the festive show also stars Call the Midwife star Laura Main as Fairy Snowfall, Channel 5 Milkshake! presenter David Ribi as Prince Vincent and West End star Jordan Lee Davies as Carabosse. | Sunderland Echo
2. Dick Whittington, Royalty Theatre, Sunderland, December 5-21
David Farn pens the panto at Sunderland's oldest community theatre, which this year marked 100 years in the city. Dick Whittington is more affordable than most pantos with tickets starting at £8.50. | Sunderland Echo
3. Goldilocks the Christmas Panto, The Point, December 5-7
Penned by Empire panto favourite, Tom Whalley, The Point is hosting Goldilocks across the weekend of December 5-7. It tells the story of Dame Gertie Dollop who runs the show with her son Silly Billy, but they have fallen on hard times particularly with the dastardly Ringmaster Heinkel, owner of the rival 'Circus of Horrors' up to his devious old tricks. | Sunderland Echo
4. Step Into Christmas, The Fire Station, December 9
A Christmas concert of all the classics is being performed at The Fire Station on December 9. From heartwarming ballads to upbeat festive anthems, it’s a real festive playlist performed by a live band/ | Sunderland Echo