CBeebies Christmas panto 2022: What is it and how to watch
CBeebies Christmas panto returns and here's how you can watch it with the whole family...
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

The CBeebies Christmas Panto is back for 2022 and you might be wondering what is it and how to watch, well here's all the info...
There's no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than by a trip to see a good pantomime - so if you've ordered your Christmas food (opens in new tab), bought your chocolate advent calendars (opens in new tab) and sent the list of Best kids toys (opens in new tab) to Santa, there's one way to save money this Christmas (opens in new tab) - by watching the CBeebies panto.
Recorded in front of a live audience at Eastbourne’s Congress Theatre, a number of the CBeebies favourite stars including Justin Fletcher, Ben Cajee and Alex Phelps have come together to bring some festive joy to families everywhere.
But if you missed the chance to see the panto live when it was performed last month, fear not for the panto is being screened as it was filmed live on stage - and there's some additional exclusive content too.
Here's all you need to know about the show...
What is CBeebies panto 2022?
CBeebies is once again taking to the stage for Christmas 2022, with a unique adaptation of Dick Whittington and His Cat, written by Nathan Cockerill and directed by Chris Jarvis. Bursting with catchy songs, festive fun, and a host of CBeebies stars, the film will be a theatrical treat for the whole family.
The audience will join our heroes, Dick Whittington and his cat, Lucky, as they travel to London for the Lord Mayor’s Christmas parade, as they arrive in the big city, they are welcomed by Rat-Spotter, Mrs Fitzwarren and her daughter, Alice. Our heroes quickly learn that, while there is magic and a helping hand around every street corner, the city is also home to a trio of sneaky rats who are intent on ruining the Christmas parade and everyone’s fun.
With Justin Fletcher as Lord Mayor, Ben Cajee as Dick Whittington and Alex Phelps as his friend Lucky the Cat, together with their new friends, Dick and Lucky are selected to guard the Golden Hammer, which the Lord Mayor uses to chime Big Ben and start the parade.
With Mrs Fitzwarren’s rat-spotting skills, surely the hammer is safe with them. Not so! The cheeky rats grab the hammer and aim to use its magic powers to enter the whole city and turn the Christmas Parade into a ratty parade.
Our heroes give chase with the help of a host of magical London residents: from helpful pigeons to Thames merfolk and a very familiar cockney canine! They arrive just in time to see the rats chime Big Ben and turn everyone into rats. The ratty parade in full swing! Dick and his friends spring into action. Lucky startles the rats, causing them to drop the golden hammer and the spell is reversed.
Finally, Dick strikes Big Ben and bells ring out across the city, bringing everyone (even the cheeky rats) together for a festive parade they’ll never forget!
You can watch a teaser of what's to come with the official trailer below...
How can I watch the CBeebies panto?
You can watch the CBeebies Christmas Panto in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from December 2nd 2022. But in order to ensure the whole family can celebrate the festive period with lots of CBeebies magic you will have to buy a ticket in advance for your local participating cinema.
Alternatively a CBeebies Christmas show will be available to watch on CBeebies and on BBC iPlayer closer to Christmas.
Experience the magic of the CBeebies Christmas Panto (opens in new tab) 2022 on the big screen as it hits cinemas across the UK from December 2nd. Book your tickets now.
Related film features
- The Princess Diaries 3 (opens in new tab)
- Disney Strange World (opens in new tab)
- Matilda the Musical (opens in new tab)
- Hocus Pocus 2 (opens in new tab)
- Paddington 3 (opens in new tab)
Video of the week
Selina is a Senior Entertainment Writer with more than 14 years of experience in newspapers and magazines. She currently looks after all things Entertainment for Goodto.com, Woman&Home, and My Imperfect Life. Before joining Future Publishing, Selina graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a degree in Journalism. She is fully NCTJ and NCE qualified and has 100wpm shorthand. When she's not interviewing celebrities you can find her exploring new countryside walking routes, catching up with friends over good food, or making memories.
-
-
Dear Edward true story: Who was Ruben Van Assouw, who inspired the Apple+ TV series with Taylor Schilling?
Dear Edward true story: Apple+ TV brings the imagined aftermath of a real life plane crash to life, with Taylor Schilling at the helm.
By Lucy Wigley • Published
-
Molly-Mae Hague shares touching milestone with baby Bambi and Love Island fans are in tears
Molly-Mae Hague has shared a video of the heartwarming moment she brought her newborn daughter home with fans
By Emma Dooney • Published
-
Dear Edward true story: Who was Ruben Van Assouw, who inspired the Apple+ TV series with Taylor Schilling?
Dear Edward true story: Apple+ TV brings the imagined aftermath of a real life plane crash to life, with Taylor Schilling at the helm.
By Lucy Wigley • Published
-
Will there be a season 2 of Lockwood & Co? Speculation and everything we know so far about the return of the Netflix mystery thriller
Will there be a season 2 of Lockwood & Co? We take a look at current speculation over the return of the show riding high in Netflix's top 10.
By Lucy Wigley • Published
-
Living Wild: How to Change Your Life: All you need to know about season 2 of Loose Women Sophie Morgan's show
Loose Women panelist Sophie Morgan returns to continue her epic bike road trip
By Selina Maycock • Published
-
Who is on Loose Women today? The stars on today's panel
Who is on Loose Women today? This is who to expect on the panel...
By Selina Maycock • Published
-
Where is The Madame Blanc Mysteries Filmed? Surprising real locations featured in the Channel 5 mystery series
Where is The Madame Blanc Mysteries filmed? Beautiful locations feature in the cosy Channel 5 drama, and we reveal exactly where to find them.
By Lucy Wigley • Published
-
Who left The Apprentice last night?
Wondering who left The Apprentice last night? Here's all you need to know if you missed the latest episode
By Selina Maycock • Published
-
What happened to Rachel Nickell and where is Robert Napper now? ITV documentary Cold Case Forensics investigates her murder
What happened to Rachel Nickell? ITV documentary Cold Case Forensics takes a look at her murder, and the terrible mix up over who was really responsible.
By Lucy Wigley • Published
-
Eurovision 2023 on the BBC: First look of the stage and rumoured presenters
Eurovision 2023 is confirmed for the UK and will be aired on the BBC on behalf of 2022 winners Ukraine
By Selina Maycock • Published