Panto is a British holiday tradition that Toronto adopted long ago: a fairy tale turned into a loud, silly, all-ages musical with a pantomime dame, a villain to boo, audience call-backs and pop songs. In 2026 the city’s big family panto is Canadian Stage’s Cinderella.
Cinderella 2026
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Dates | December 5, 2026 to January 3, 2027 |
| Venue | Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge Street |
| Ages | All ages |
| Tickets | From $30 for kids 16 and under, from $49 for adults; family packages available |
Cast and creative team
Stephanie Sy plays Cinderella, with Mitch Wood as the Fairy Bum, Shawn Wright as the villainous Evilyn and James Daly as Prince Henry. It’s written by Matt Murray and directed by Mary Francis Moore, the team behind Canadian Stage’s recent holiday pantos.
The theatre
The Winter Garden Theatre is a restored 1913 theatre with a ceiling of real beech leaves and painted garden scenery. It sits directly above the Elgin Theatre, together the last operating double-decker theatre complex in the world, and it’s worth the visit for the room alone. It’s at Yonge and Queen, a few minutes from the Eaton Centre’s tree.
What to expect at a panto
- Shout back: “He’s behind you!” and “Oh no, it isn’t!” are part of the show.
- Boo the villain and cheer the heroes.
- Jokes for every age: slapstick for kids, topical gags for adults.
- Pop songs reworked into the story.
What is a panto?
A pantomime, or “panto,” is a British Christmas theatre tradition dating back to the 1700s. It takes a familiar fairy tale, such as Cinderella, Aladdin or Jack and the Beanstalk, and turns it into a riotous musical comedy. Key ingredients include:
- The Dame: a larger-than-life female character traditionally played by a man in outrageous costumes.
- A villain the audience boos and hisses.
- Audience participation: shouting “He’s behind you!” and “Oh no it isn’t!” “Oh yes it is!”
- Pop songs and dance numbers, often with local jokes.
- Slapstick comedy and topical humour that adults enjoy as much as kids.
The Winter Garden Theatre
The panto’s home, the Winter Garden Theatre on Yonge Street, is part of the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre, the last operating double-decker theatre complex in the world. Its ceiling is hung with thousands of real beech leaves and painted garden scenes, making it one of the most magical places in Toronto to see a holiday show. Guided tours of the building are offered at times throughout the year.
Panto tips for families
- Teach the kids the call-backs beforehand so they can join in.
- Choose a matinee for younger kids.
- Sit closer to the stage if you don’t mind being part of the action; performers sometimes involve the audience.
- Bring a little cash for treats at intermission.
Christmas panto in Toronto: FAQ
What age is panto for? All ages, though kids aged 4 and up get the most out of it.
How long is a panto? Usually about two hours, including an intermission.
More: family holiday theatre · Christmas shows in Toronto
Tips
- Book family packages early; December weekends sell out.
- Pair it with the Eaton Centre snow show or skating at Nathan Phillips Square nearby.
More: Christmas shows in Toronto · family holiday theatre · Christmas in Toronto with kids
