Last-minute panto & theatre tickets in Stratford-upon-Avon (2025 end of year guide)
The school run is finally over. The out-of-office autoreply is switched on. You have successfully purchased the turkey, the crackers, and enough cheese to sink a small boat. But then, in the quiet of a Tuesday evening, a sudden realization hits you: you haven’t booked a panto.
Don’t panic. While the “prime time” slots – those golden Christmas Eve matinees – are indeed long gone, Stratford-upon-Avon has not completely hung up its tinsel yet. If you know where to look (and are willing to be flexible), there are still seats to be found.
From world-class theatre to hidden village gems and the best “Plan B” options just a short drive away, here is your survival guide to saving Christmas 2025.
1. The Big Blockbuster: The BFG at the RSC
📍 Royal Shakespeare Theatre
🎭 Best for: The whole family (Ages 6+) who want the “Wow” factor.
The RSC’s winter production is the crown jewel of Stratford’s festive calendar. This year, they are tackling Roald Dahl’s giant-sized classic, The BFG. It is spectacular, heartwarming, and—unsurprisingly—incredibly popular.
The Situation:
Most dates between Dec 20th and Dec 26th are heavily sold out. However, do not assume it’s a lost cause.
How to get tickets:
- Target “Twixmas”: The period between Christmas and New Year (Dec 27th–30th) is often where cancellations pop up. There is currently limited availability for the evening performances during this window.
- The “New Year” Strategy: If you can wait until the chaos of Christmas week has subsided, availability opens up significantly from January 2nd onwards. The show runs until February 7th, making it the perfect antidote to the “Post-Christmas Blues.”
- The “10 AM Refresh”: The RSC box office often releases returned tickets around 10:00 AM. It’s worth keeping a tab open on your browser and hitting refresh while you have your morning coffee.
💡 Pro Tip: If you are serious about getting into the Royal Shakespeare Theatre for a sold-out show, we have written a complete guide on the secrets of the booking system. Check out our RSC Ticket Hacker article for the full lowdown on snagging seats everyone else thinks are gone.
2. The Local Hero: Cinderella at The Attic Theatre
📍 Cox’s Yard, Bridge Foot
🎭 Best for: Traditional panto chaos, audience participation, and a cosy atmosphere.
If the RSC is the blockbuster movie, The Attic Theatre is the beloved indie hit. Performed by the Tread the Boards company, this is panto in its purest form: intimate, silly, and packed with local jokes that will fly over the heads of tourists but leave locals in stitches.
The Situation:
Weekend matinees are packed, but because they run a tight schedule with multiple shows, gaps do appear.
How to get tickets:
- Mid-Week Magic: There are still scattered tickets for evening shows (6:30 PM) this week (Dec 16–19).
- The “Adult” Option: Keep an eye out for their touring production of Sinderella (The “P*ssed Up Panto”). This is strictly 18+ and features the kind of humour that would make a sailor blush. It’s touring local venues like The Embankment (Dec 17) and Wellesbourne Village Hall (Dec 23, 7:30 PM). It is almost sold out, but single seats for couples often remain.
3. The “Village Secret”: Panto on Tour
📍 Wellesbourne Village Hall & Surrounds
🎭 Best for: Families who want to avoid the Town Centre parking nightmare.
Sometimes the smartest move is to leave town entirely. The Stratford Theatre Company is taking their production of Cinderella on the road this year, bringing the show to community halls where the parking is free and the ice cream is cheap.
Key Date: Tuesday, Dec 23rd
- They are performing at Wellesbourne Village Hall at 3:30 PM.
- Why this is a winner: It’s the day before Christmas Eve. The town centre will be gridlocked. Wellesbourne will be peaceful. You get all the festive cheer without the stress of navigating the gyratory system.
4. Plan B: The “Short Drive” Alternatives
If Stratford is truly fully booked, do not despair. We have two fantastic theatres just 15–20 minutes down the road, and they often have better availability for last-minute bookers.
The Royal Spa Centre (Leamington Spa)
Show: Peter Pan
Vibe: High energy, glitzy, and features the legendary JP McCue as the Dame (a local icon).
Availability: Good. Because it’s a larger venue, you can often find groups of 4+ seats together, even for dates like Dec 23rd or Boxing Day.
Warwick Arts Centre (Coventry/Warwick Uni)
Show: The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Vibe: Perfect for younger children (under 6s) who might find a full 2-hour panto overwhelming. It’s 55 minutes, no interval, and pure magic.
Availability: Running until Dec 28th, with good availability for morning slots (11:00 AM) which are perfect for toddlers.
5. The “Chill” Option: Christmas Cinema
📍 Everyman Cinema, Bell Court
🎭 Best for: When you just want to sit in a velvet armchair with a glass of wine.
Sometimes, you don’t need live actors; you just need The Muppets. The Everyman in Bell Court has a fantastic lineup of “Throwback” screenings this week alongside the current blockbusters.
The “Classic” Schedule:
- The Muppet Christmas Carol: Dec 16 (12:15 PM)
- The Nightmare Before Christmas: Dec 17 (10:30 AM)
- Love Actually: Dec 18 (Various times)
- It’s A Wonderful Life: Dec 19 (5:15 PM)
- Home Alone: Dec 20 (9:00 AM)
Note: They are also showing Wicked: For Good and Avatar: Fire and Ash throughout the week if you want something new.
⚠️ The Insider’s Survival Guide to Booking
Before you click “Buy,” read these three rules to avoid disappointment.
1. The “Single Seat” Trick
If you are a family of four, stop searching for “4 Tickets.” Most automated booking systems will only show you four seats in a row. If you search for “2 Tickets” twice, you might find two pairs of seats—one in Row F and one in Row G. You’ll still be in the same theatre, just slightly apart. It’s worth it to get in.
2. Pick Up the Phone
In an age of apps, we forget the power of a phone call. Box office staff (especially at smaller venues like The Attic or The Bear Pit) often know about returns before they hit the website. A polite call asking, “Do you have anything squeezing in?” can work wonders.
3. Check the Postcode!
This happens every year. You Google “Stratford Panto Tickets,” you see Jack and the Beanstalk, you book it. Then you look at the confirmation and realize you have booked tickets for Stratford East (London). Always ensure the postcode is CV37 before you pay!
Good luck, and enjoy the show!
