Christmas Pantos in Malta 2026/27

Laughter, Fun & Christmas Spirit

Last Updated: 02nd October 2026

Christmas panto season is back for 2026/27. Below are the currently confirmed pantos in Malta, along with our latest Gozo update, including dates, venues, language, performance times, and official booking information.

We have attended Malta's Christmas pantos for many years and will keep this page updated as new productions, dates and tickets are announced.

Audience watching a festive Christmas panto

Christmas Pantos in Malta and Gozo 2026/27

Below are the confirmed Christmas pantos in Malta for the 2026/27 season, with dates, venues, languages, performance times, and booking information.

A first for MADC: For the first time in its 116-year history, MADC is staging two Christmas pantos in the same season, with Peter Pan at Teatru Manoel and Hercules – The Panto at Teatru Salesjan.

1. Peter Pan

• Organiser: MADC
• Location: Teatru Manoel, Valletta
• When: 22nd, 23rd, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th December 2026 and 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th January 2027
• Time: 15:00 and 20:00 on most performance days; 22nd December and 5th January have an evening performance only
• Language: English
• Age: 3+
• Booking: Opens October 2026

MADC's Peter Pan takes audiences to Neverland with Wendy, Captain Hook, pirates and the traditional Panto Dame, with songs, panto humour and local political satire included in the production.

MADC will share official booking and event details when bookings open in October.

2. Hercules – The Panto

• Organiser: MADC
• Location: Teatru Salesjan, Sliema
• When: 23rd, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th December 2026 and 2nd, 3rd and 4th January 2027
• Time: 15:00 & 20:00
• Language: English
• Age: 3+
• Booking: Opens October 2026

Written by Alan Montanaro and directed by Steve Casaletto, Hercules – The Panto brings the story of Hercules to the stage with music, comedy, colourful costumes, heroes, villains and plenty of traditional audience participation.

Check the official MADC page for the latest booking information and tickets when sales open in October.

3. The Great Little Panto Show

• Organiser: TOI TOI
• Location: Studio Theatre, 81 Old Mint Street, Valletta
• When: 28th and 29th November and 5th, 6th and 8th December 2026
• Time: 15:00 & 17:00 on 28th November and 5th December; 10:00 & 12:00 on 29th November, 6th December and 8th December
• Age: 3+
• Tickets: Adults €25; children €10
• Booking: Tickets on sale

The Great Little Panto Show is TOI TOI's introduction to the world of pantomime, bringing together familiar panto characters in a smaller production aimed particularly at younger audiences. It returns to Teatru Manoel's Studio Theatre after sold-out runs in 2023 and 2024.

4. Merlin

• Organiser: ACTion
• Location: Teatru Dun Mikiel Xerri, Ħaż Żebbuġ
• When: 11th, 12th and 13th December 2026
• Time: 19:00
• Tickets: From €10.80
• Booking: Tickets on sale

Merlin is a two-act pantomime centred around the famous wizard, King Arthur and Excalibur. The production combines comedy, colourful characters, villains, dancing, singing, and music as Merlin faces the serious problem of no longer being able to use his magic.

5. Aladdin fix-Xow il-Kbir!

• Organiser: RCK Entertainment
• Location: Theatre St Vincent de Paul, Ħal Luqa
• When: Friday 11th, Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th December 2026
• Time: 19:00 on Friday and Saturday; 10:00 & 17:00 on Sunday
• Language: Maltese
• Booking: Tickets on sale

Aladdin fix-Xow il-Kbir! is a Maltese-language family pantomime by RCK Entertainment, with performances spread across the weekend of 11th to 13th December.

6. Pinokkju

• Organiser: Vince'tor Entertainment
• Location: G.F. Abela Junior College, Msida
• When: 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th December 2026 and 2nd and 3rd January 2027
• Time: 14:30 & 19:30 on 26th and 27th December; 19:30 on 28th, 29th and 30th December and 2nd January; 16:00 on 3rd January
• Language: Maltese
• Tickets: Adults €25–€27; children €15–€18, depending on seating
• Booking: Tickets on sale

Pinokkju takes the familiar story of Pinocchio and turns it into an energetic Maltese pantomime with comedy, music, colourful characters and plenty of surprises.

Current offer: ShowsHappening is advertising 10% off Ground Floor seating under its Early Bird offer.

7. Bella u l-Bestja

• Organiser: Kumpanija Teatru Rjal
• Location: Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta
• When: 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th December 2026 and 2nd and 3rd January 2027
• Time: 14:30 & 19:30 on 26th December; 16:00 on 27th December; 19:30 on 28th and 29th December and 2nd January; 16:00 on 3rd January
• Language: Maltese
• Age: All ages
• Tickets: Adults €28–€45; children under 12 €23–€35; seniors over 60 €25–€40, depending on seating
• Booking: Tickets on sale

Bella u l-Bestja brings Beauty and the Beast to the stage as Il-Pantomima Maltija 2026, combining the familiar story with Maltese panto comedy and Christmas entertainment.

8. Il-Pantomima Mamma Mija

• Organiser: Fondazzjoni Teatrali Silvio Fleri Soler
• Location: Teatru San Alwigi, Birkirkara
• When: 28th, 29th and 30th December 2026 and 2nd and 3rd January 2027
• Time: 18:00
• Booking: Tickets on sale

Il-Pantomima Mamma Mija is the 2026 Christmas pantomime by Fondazzjoni Teatrali Silvio Fleri Soler, with five performances taking place in Birkirkara between late December and early January.

9. Goldilocks and the Three Rockin' Bears

• Location: Teatru Astra, Victoria, Gozo
• When: 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th December 2026
• Time: 16:00 on 26th, 28th and 29th December; 18:30 on 27th and 30th December
• Booking: Tickets on sale

Goldilocks and the Three Rockin' Bears is Teatru Astra's 2026 Christmas pantomime, combining a traditional panto story with the energy of a live rock concert. The cast also performs the music live, with songs from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s alongside more recent favourites. Teatru Astra

Edward Mercieca leads the cast as the Dame, with Tina Rizzo as Goldilocks, alongside Pia Zammit, Gianni Selvaggi, Sean Borg, Yorika Attard, Luigi Buhagiar and Antonella Mifsud. Chris Gatt is the artistic director, and Yorika Attard is the musical director.

Table Of Contents

• Before You Book a Christmas Panto
• What to Expect at a Malta Christmas Panto
• Should You Choose an English or Maltese Panto?
• Are Malta Pantos Suitable for Young Children?
• Getting to the Panto: Parking and Arrival Tips
• Where to Stay for Malta's Christmas Pantos
• More Christmas Events in Malta
• Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Pantos in Malta

Before You Book a Christmas Panto

The pantos above are the currently confirmed productions for the 2026/27 Christmas season. We will continue adding shows as organisers publish confirmed dates and booking information.

If you already know which panto you want to attend, booking in advance gives you a better choice of dates, performance times, and seating, particularly around the busiest Christmas and New Year period. You don't necessarily need to book the moment tickets are released, but leaving it until the last minute can mean fewer options.

Age guidance varies between productions, so check the individual listing and official booking page rather than assuming every panto follows the same minimum age. Performance times can also vary by date, especially when a production has both matinee and evening shows.

Have a panto to add? Submit it here.
Already listed and want us to feature your official poster? Send it here.

Panto performers on festive winter stage

What to Expect at a Malta Christmas Panto

If you have never attended a panto before, do not expect a quiet or formal night at the theatre. A Malta Christmas panto is deliberately lively and interactive, with music, comedy, colourful characters and plenty of audience participation. Children shout back at the performers, the villain gets booed and the audience is encouraged to join in rather than sit silently throughout the show.

Although pantos are strongly associated with families and children, the humour is not written only for younger audiences. There are usually jokes and references aimed at adults too, including humour about Maltese life, personalities and things happening locally at the time. Overseas visitors may miss the occasional local reference, but there is normally plenty of humour and action to enjoy without understanding every joke.

The Panto Dame is often one of the most memorable characters, particularly because of the exaggerated costumes, humour, improvisation and interaction with the audience. Unexpected comments from the crowd can sometimes lead to some of the funniest moments of the performance, and members of the audience may occasionally be invited to take part on stage.

For many Maltese families, going to the panto has become part of the Christmas season itself. There is usually a noticeable buzz before the performance; the interval can be quite social, and people often return year after year to see how the latest production compares with previous ones. This mix of theatre, comedy, audience participation, and Christmas tradition gives a Maltese panto its particular atmosphere.

Should You Choose an English or Maltese Panto?

For most overseas visitors, an English-language panto will be the easiest choice. The main story should be straightforward to follow, and you can still enjoy the music, comedy, costumes and audience participation without needing any knowledge of Maltese.

That does not mean every joke will necessarily make sense to a visitor. Malta's English pantos can include local humour, Maltese personalities, current events and references to everyday life on the islands. You may occasionally hear the audience react to a joke that means more to a local, but this usually doesn't stop you from following or enjoying the production.

A Maltese language panto is naturally much more dependent on understanding Maltese. If you don't speak the language, we usually choose one of the English productions instead, unless you are attending mainly for the atmosphere and spectacle.

Are Malta Pantos Suitable for Young Children?

Pantos are strongly associated with families, but official age guidance doesn't mean every young child will enjoy the full performance. A three- or four-year-old may love the colourful characters, music and audience participation, while another child of the same age may become tired or lose interest before the end.

For very young children, a matinee performance is often the easier option. An afternoon show usually fits better around bedtime and can make the whole outing less tiring, particularly during a busy Christmas holiday.

Slightly older children are more likely to follow the story, understand more of the jokes and get involved in the audience interaction, but parents who already know that their younger child enjoys theatre should not automatically rule a panto out.

Getting to the Panto: Parking and Arrival Tips

Allow more travelling time than the map suggests, particularly when attending a performance in Valletta or Sliema during the Christmas period. Traffic can be busy and finding convenient parking may take longer than expected, so driving to the theatre just before curtain time can add unnecessary stress.

For Teatru Manoel in Valletta, parking close to the theatre can be difficult at busy times and you may still have a walk from wherever you find a space. If you do not specifically need a car, public transport, a taxi or another pre-arranged transport option can make the journey considerably easier.

Parking in Sliema can also be challenging, although in our experience the Salesians have opened their private parking area for panto audiences, providing a very convenient option close to Teatru Salesjan. Do not rely on this without checking the arrangements for your particular performance, as access may vary.

We recommend arriving around 30 minutes before the performance so you have enough time to find the theatre, check your tickets, use the facilities and settle into your seats without rushing. You also don't need to dress formally for a panto; normal smart casual clothing is perfectly appropriate unless you want to make more of an occasion of the evening.

Colourful panto performers on festive stage

Where to Stay for Malta's Christmas Pantos

If seeing a Christmas panto is part of a wider Malta holiday, you do not need to choose your accommodation around the theatre alone. Performances take place at venues across Malta, including Valletta and Sliema, so it is usually better to choose an area that suits the rest of your trip and then plan your journey to the theatre.

If you are still deciding where to base yourself, see which area on the island is best to stay for a comparison of Malta's main visitor areas and what each one is best suited to.

More Christmas Events in Malta

If you are planning more than just the panto, explore December events in Malta and January events in Malta for other seasonal activities across the islands. For the wider festive picture, see our Christmas in Malta guide, including traditions, attractions and things to do throughout the season.

Spending Christmas Day in Malta? See Christmas Day in Malta for practical information about the 25th, or discover one of the islands' most established traditions through our guide to Cribs in Malta. If your trip continues into January, you can also check the Valletta Baroque Festival for another major cultural event in the capital.

suggestions tours in malta

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Pantos in Malta

more upcoming events in malta

Apart from the events mentioned on this page, you can find more activities from the following links.

• Find events on ShowsHappening.com
• Find events on Ticketline.com.mt
• Find events on Teatrumanoel.com.mt

If you would like to add an event to our page, kindly contact us.

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We are Albert and Benjamin Magro, two Malta locals who enjoy exploring the island and sharing practical advice with visitors. Our guides combine local knowledge with first-hand visits to Malta's towns, beaches, attractions and accommodation areas. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook for more Malta tips, photos and videos.

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