A trip to the theatre is a real festive treat. I know I go to a heck of a lot of live shows all year long because of work but there really is something magical in dragging the entire family to watch a classic children’s story or fairy tale come to life. It feels decadent and wholesome, charming and silly. It doesn’t have to mean panto and it doesn’t have to mean spending shedloads of money.
Family Friendly Shows in Cardiff and the Vale this Christmas
Sherman Theatre
Wind in the Willows / 1 – 30 December
£16 – £26 Range of prices. Previews (1 – 3 December) are cheaper so worth checking out. Under 25s are half price.
We’ve loved the annual Sherman Christmas show for many years and this sounds like it’ll hit the spot again. The classic Wind in the Willows story by Kenneth Graham will be brought to life with live music. There’s a lovely option to have a letter from Father Christmas for your child on their seat when you arrive. There are also accessible performances including Relaxed Performances.
The Magic Porridge Pot / 3 November – 30 December
£9. Recommended for ages 3-6.
Perfect for under 7s this show is overflowing with songs, music and fun. It’s a classic fairy tale by The Brothers Grimm, retold by the very funny Alun Saunders.
Chapter
The Giant Who Had No Heart in his Body / 22 – 23 December
£5. £17 family ticket. Aimed at ages 7+ but a comedy show for all ages. (Wins the CHEAPEST TICKETS award from me.)
A warm, funny show with original music, puppetry and a sprinkling of magic. Likely Story Theatre bring their unique story telling style to this classic Norwegian fairy tale. A story of friendship, courage, adventure, an umbrella cow, a giant’s heart and a silly duck.
Wales Millennium Centre
The Bear / 12 – 31 December
£10. Babes in arms tickets £2. Recommended for age 3+.
Based on the Raymond Briggs storybook this is a really lovely theatre show for children and their families. It’s only 55 minutes long so perfect for younger kids. It’s in the Wales Millennium Centre’s smaller studio space, the Weston Studio rather than the huge auditorium. The Centre are holding free Christmas crafting activities too so you can spend longer in the building. I walked through the building this week and it’s looking amazing with all the decorations.
Second Star to the Right / 30 November – 2 December
£9. Under 6s are £6 and under 2 year olds are FREE. Recommended for everyone, all babies welcome.
A cast of disabled and non-disabled performers from Odyssey and pupils from Woodlands High School restore hope to Neverland in this new production.
The Gate
Hansel and Gretel / 2 December – 16 December (Fridays and Saturdays only)
£8.50/£8 for adults and £6 children.
The classic Grimm fairy tale is brought to life with puppetry and music from Black RAT. We’ve seen a fair few of this company’s Christmas shows over the past 7 years and the songs and humour have been a hit with the children.
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Cinderella / 3 – 5 December
£10. Under 16s are £8.
For something a bit different, try out this introduction to the orchestra for an age old fairy tale. Cinderella as you’ve maybe never experienced before with music, film and illustrations.
St David’s Hall
Tiddly Prom: Bert and Cherry’s Christmas Plum Pudding / 16 December – 19 December (10.30 and 12.30 each day)
£7.50
Ideal for under 5s, you can expect lots of silly songs to sing along to, a lively festive story and a large helping of musical plum pudding.
Ballet (3 different shows: The Nutcracker, Cinderella and Swan Lake) / Cinderella 19 – 20 December / The Nutcracker 21 – 24 December / Swan Lake 27 – 31 December
Ticket prices vary. Lowest is £8.25 for under 16s and £16.50 for adults at the 2pm matinees with a family ticket (2 adult and 2 children) for £46.50.
The Nutcracker, Cinderella and Swan Lake are also all at St David’s Hall in December. The Russian State Ballet and Orchestra of Siberia bring these 3 classic and enchanting ballets to Cardiff. There are lots of offers on including a multi-ballet saver. If your child is into ballet and has never seen a live performance, this could be a really special experience watching a popular ballet with recognisable music. The Nutcracker is set at nightfall on Christmas Eve and is perfect for this time of year.
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If you’re really gagging for a full on Panto experience, here you go, these are for you. Oh no they aren’t. Oh yes they are.
New Theatre
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs / 9 December – 14 January
Cheapest standard ticket is £13. Family Offer 4 tickets for £79 (only some shows). There are about a billion different ticket price options so check with the box office what’s best for you.
It’s panto as you know it, big costumes, big sets and big names. This year’s includes Gareth Thomas, Mike Doyle, Samantha Womack and Chico!
Memo Arts Centre, Barry
Snow Queen “A Frozen Tale” / 14 – 17 December
£13. Children £11. Family group £45.
Barry’s amateur dramatic drama company BillBoard Ensemble are back at the Memo with panto. This year’s is based on the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale of the Snow Queen featuring songs from Disney’s Frozen.
Paget Rooms, Penarth
Beauty and The Beast / 7 – 10 December
£10. Children £8.
Penarth Operatic and Dramatic Society return with their annual family pantomime.
Jack and the Beanstalk / 4 – 10 January
£14. Children £8. Family £42.
Owen Money heads up this panto from Rainbow Valley Productions. It will be in Penarth following a tour of South Wales.
Let me know what you think of these if you get to any of them and if I’ve left any out!
Vale of Glam Mam 