It just wouldn't be Christmas without a good old fashioned panto or festive show. 

Whether you're after something traditional, a ballet or West End musical showstoppers, here's our guide to some of the shows taking place across Dorset and the New Forest. 

1. Everyone's favourite panto Cinderella will be running at the Pavilion Theatre between December 3 and January 2. Dani Harmer will play the beautiful Cinderella who is treated as a servant by her jealous ugly stepsisters. Dani is probably best known as CBBC’s Tracey Beaker and as a contestant on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2012. X Factor 2007 runner up Rhydian Roberts appeared at the Pavilion earlier this year in The Little Shop of Horrors and is looking forward to returning as Prince Charming. Welsh actress Melanie Walters will bring a touch of magic as the Fairy Godmother. Best known as Gwen from the much-loved BBC comedy series Gavin and Stacey. Tickets are on sale now, call BH Live Tickets on 0844 576 3000.

2. Aladdin flies into Lighthouse Poole this Christmas in a fun-filled and festive family pantomime. Written by and starring former Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan, the show also features Waterloo Road’s Max Bowden (Aladdin), Sapphire Elia from Emmerdale as the Princess, panto dame Adam Price as the colourful and flamboyant Widow Twankey, Miguel Angel as a rock-god inspired Genie and Laura Curnick as Pantaloon. The show runs from Tuesday, December 6 to Sunday, January 8. Tickets from lighthousepoole.co.uk or 01202 280000.

2. Members of the Highcliffe Charity Players have chosen Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as their New Year pantomime. This is the first time the group has staged Snow White since 1978.  In this production, the fair princess has plenty of pals to protect her including her outrageous nurse, Dame Doitall, and the court’s cheeky Mr Fix-it, Handy Andy. Tickets are £12.50, concessions £11.50, children £10.50. To book, contact the Regent Centre on 01202 499199.

3. Dick Whittington comes to Blandford's Corn Exchange on Sunday, December 18. Tickets can be bought from the Town Clerk’s Office in Church Lane, by calling 01258 454500 or emailing bookings@ blandfordforum-tc.gov.uk.

4. The New Forest Players are set to perform Peter Pan at New Milton Memorial Hall from 5-8 January. Tickets cost £10 for adults and £8 for children. Call 0845 1668775. 

5. The Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne is this year showing Sleeping Beauty between December 16 and January 2. Ken Dee returns by popular demand as the hilarious Nanny Nelly Nicehands following his appearance last year who will be joined by Casy Lloyd as his son and Joseph Gale as the handsome prince. Tickets from 01202 885566, tivoliwimborne.co.uk

6. The Glad Rag Production Company returns to the Regent Centre in Christchurch for its fifth year with the Christmas Spectacular from Saturday, December 17 to Saturday, December 24. Promising a fun, festive family show with all West End musical showstoppers and Christmas classics. Tickets are priced from £15, from regentcentre.co.uk or 01202 499199.

7.  The Royal Ballet's glorious production of The Nutcracker, created by Peter Wright in 1984, is the production par excellence of an all-time ballet favourite, screened live by satellite at the Regent Centre in Christchurch on Thursday, December 8 at 7.15pm, with an encore performance on Saturday, December 10 at 2pm. Tickets £18.50, concessions £16.50, children under 16 £10, from regentcentre.co.uk or 01202 499199.

8. Kick off Christmas with a fun-packed concert for all the family at Lighthouse, Poole on Saturday, December 17, featuring seasonal classics old and new, all wrapped up with a sprinkling of magic and sparkle.
Tickets from lighthousepoole.co.uk or 01202 280000.

9. What's Christmas without The Snowman? Watch the festive classic on the big screen at Lighthouse on Sunday, December 20 accompanied by the BSO. Paired with Paddington Bear’s First Concert, narrated by special guest Pui Fan Lee from CBeebies, this is the perfect way for the whole family to join together and begin the holidays. There are two shows; one at 3pm and another at 7pm. Visit lighthousepoole.co.uk/whats-on/2016/the-snowman.

10. Jack and the Beanstalk is this year's panto at the Pavilion in Weymouth, from December 10 to January 1. Tickets from weymouthpavilion.com or 01305 783225.

11. Swanage Drama Company returns to the town's Mowlem Theatre with Aladdin from January 6 to 14. Tickets are £9, available from mowlemtheatre.co.uk or 01929 422239.