Wicked villains, fabulous dames and gags galore; that’s right, panto season has arrived.

If you’re thinking about a family trip to the theatre this Christmas, our guide to Kent’s best pantos will have you booing, hissing and shouting ‘he’s behind you!’ in no time.

CANTERBURY, Sleeping Beauty

Last year, the Marlowe Theatre won Best Panto for their production of Jack and the Beanstalk and, in January, followed it up by being named Theatre of the Year, so expectations are high for this Christmas. The theatre is pulling out all the stops for this year’s Sleeping Beauty, starring Strictly champion Ore Oduba, West End star Carrie Hope Fletcher, CBeebies’ Jennie Dale and panto favourite Ben Roddy.

“It’s just so much fun,” says Carrie, who is making her panto debut this year. “Whether you’re two years old or 92 years old, the whole family can get together at Christmas and come. And it’s an opportunity to see celebrities like Ore and Jennie do something that maybe you haven't seen them do before.

“And I love Canterbury so much. I’ve been here with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Addams Family and it’s always such a relief when you get to this theatre because it’s just so big and spacious.”

Details: Friday, November 25 to Sunday, January 8 at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury. Book online here or call 01227 787787.

MAIDSTONE, Sleeping Beauty

Maidstone’s Hazlitt Theatre is also putting on their version of Sleeping Beauty this year, and it promises to be a perfect family trip to the theatre. With a crowd of familiar characters including Carabosse, Prince Phillip, Fairy Flora and Princess Aurora, this classic fairytale is set to delight a whole new generation this Christmas. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a panto with a dame!

“We’ve got a fabulous cast,” says Joe Meloy, who is starring as this year’s panto dame, Maid Joan. “You can expect everything you would want - if you want magic, it’s there. If you want comedy, you’ve got the story. You’ve got the singing, you’ve got the dancing. The best thing about panto is there’s something for everyone, and that really is true because you’ll see someone from the age of two to 102 at panto. It’s fabulous.”

Details: Saturday, November 26 to New Year’s Eve at the Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone. Book online here or call 01622 758611.

GRAVESEND, Aladdin

For the fourth year running, Wicked Productions are returning to Gravesend’s Woodville for yet another spectacular pantomime. This year it’s Aladdin, and it stars a familiar face from just across the river. TOWIE’s James ‘Arg’ Argent will be appearing as the Chief of Police, alongside local favourite Rob Cummings as Dame Widow Twankey, the larger-than-life Genie and a magical flying carpet.

Details: Friday, December 2 to New Year’s Day at The Woodville, Gravesend. Book online here or call 01474 337500.

BROMLEY, Jack and the Beanstalk

Strictly judge and all-round showman Anton Du Beke will be leading the cast of this year’s Bromley panto, Jack and the Beanstalk. He will be joined by Kent-born performer Lloyd Hollett and West End regular Rhiane Drummond as they climb into the clouds to fight off giants and find the treasure in this action-packed show.

Details: Sunday, December 4 to New Year’s Eve at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley. Book online here or call 03433 100020.

CHATHAM, Snow White

This classic panto takes you on a thrilling adventure to meet Snow White, the evil queen, the Huntsman and Dame Dotty, as you journey through the enchanted woodland. Get ready to boo and hiss to help save our beloved Snow White - however, EastEnders star Gillian Wright, who was announced as this year's panto villain, has had to unfortunately pull out of the show due to a broken wrist.

Details: Thursday, December 8 to New Year’s Eve at the Central Theatre, Chatham. Book online here or call 01634 338338.

TONBRIDGE, Beauty and the Beast

Join the beautiful Belle, her mother Dame Darcy Derrière and the village idiot Philippe Philoppe as they try to lift the Beast’s curse and escape from the local bully, Clarence Casanova. This romantic tale is reimagined for Christmas, with lots of laugh-out-loud jokes, slapstick stunts and jaw-dropping special effects.

Details: Friday, December 9 to Monday, January 2 at the EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge. Book online here or call 01732 304241.

FOLKESTONE, Aladdin

This panto will see hero Aladdin soar through the skies as he tries to win the heart of his princess and overcome the evil sorcerer who threatens to take over the kingdom. This Folkestone show will be accompanied by sparkling costumes, song and dance, special effects and little sprinkling of genie magic.

Details: Friday, December 9 to New Year’s Eve at Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. Book online here or call 02072 061174 for bookings of 10 or more.

SEVENOAKS, Alice in Wonderland

This year, Sevenoaks’ sensational panto will feature a cast of glittering West End stars. Melissa Jacques, known for playing Margaret New in the London and Los Angeles productions of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, returns to The Stag as the Queen of Hearts, after her fantastic role as the Pirate Queen in last year’s Treasure Island. She will be joined by Nikki Bentley, who has played Elphaba in Wicked on the West End, as the White Rabbit, Kinky Boots’ Rosie Glossop as the Caterpillar and Jersey Boys’ Jacob McIntosh as the Cheshire Cat.

Details: Friday, December 9 to New Year’s Eve at the Stag Theatre, Sevenoaks. Book online here or call 01732 450175.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS, Jack and the Beanstalk

Call the Midwife star and former Walford resident Cliff Parisi will be leading the cast of this year’s Tunbridge Wells panto up the beanstalk during the festive season. Brought to life by Little Wolf Entertainment, this fun-filled show starts with a handful of magic beans and ends with Jack, Dame Trott and Pat, the family cow, trying to escape from the greedy giant before it’s too late.

Details: Saturday, December 10 to New Year’s Eve at the Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells. Book online here or call 01892 530613.

SHEERNESS, Jack and the Beanstalk

This one-day panto in Sheerness is fe-fi-fo-fun for the whole family, as the classic Christmas show is retold by the Panto Bus production company. Daisy the cow joins Jack as he ventures to the castle in the sky, with incredible scenery that features its very own giant beanstalk.

Details: Saturday, December 10 at the Oasis Academy Theatre, Sheerness. Book in person at The Aviator on Queenborough Corner (box office open on Thursdays from 6.30pm to 8pm) or the Rumour Coffee Shop on Sheerness High Street, or email ticketsldeventsuk@gmail.com.

DARTFORD, Cinderella

With audiences of more than 30,000 theatre-goers enjoying the Dartford panto each year, it’s never too early to book your tickets and go to the ball. This December, George Shelley, known for being one quarter of boyband Union J and a runner up in 2015’s I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, is making his panto debut. He will star as Prince Charming, while comedian Bobby Davro and Dancing on Ice champion Regan Gascoigne also join the cast.

“With panto, you get to create a family,” says Ellie Jane Grant, who will be playing the title role of Cinderella. “You bond so well with other cast members and crew for such a short amount of time.

“It will be so nice just getting to have a lot of laughs and fun, you don’t have to take yourself too seriously. And I love the audience participation. I’ve worked with kids in the past, performing to children, and it’s something I just really enjoy.”

Details: Saturday, December 10 to New Year’s Eve at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford. Book online here or call 03433 100033.

TONBRIDGE, Cinderella

Well-known theatre company Pantomania have been touring the world for more than 17 years and are returning to Tonbridge with their favourite panto, Cinderella. Join Cinders, the Fairy Godmother and Prince Charming for this unique twist on a classic, where things might go wrong and some chaos is sure to ensue, but that’s what makes it so much fun.

Details: Thursday, December 15 to Sunday, December 18 at the Oast Theatre, Tonbridge. Book online here or call 01732 363849.

CANTERBURY, Cinderella

You can get into the panto spirit not once, but twice, in Canterbury this Christmas. The Malthouse is also putting on a show-stopping panto production during the festive season, with dazzling costumes - including Cinderella’s magical ball gown and glass slippers, of course - and lots of special effects to help turn the princess’ pumpkin into a carriage.

Details: Thursday, December 15 to Monday, January 2 at the Malthouse Theatre, Canterbury. Book online here or call 01227 287234.

HASTINGS, Beauty and the Beast

While it's not technically in Kent, this panto is only a short drive across the Kent/Sussex border and, for those who live nearby, it might well be worth the trip. This show truly has the X Factor, with two of its stars - Amelia Lily and Andy Abraham - hailing from the singing show. Follow Belle as she and the enchanted furniture help turn the Beast back into his old self in this delightful tale as old as time.

Details: Thursday, December 15 to New Year's Eve at the White Rock Theatre, Hastings. Book online here or call 03433 100031.

FOLKESTONE, Cinderella

Cinderella is clearly a popular choice this year, but it’s easy to see why. With a love story at its heart and a cast of fun, familiar characters, this is a panto that has been wowing audiences of all ages for decades. The Tower Theatre production boasts devilishly wicked step-sisters, a dashing prince and comedy duo John Pritchard and Mike Nolan who will be returning to the theatre for their eighth Christmas.

Details: Friday, December 16 to Thursday, December 29 at the Tower Theatre, Folkestone. Book online here or call 01303 223925.

ASHFORD, Aladdin

Ashford’s family panto is directed by Paul Ketley, who is also set to star as Widow Twankey in what will be his 25th panto, so audiences can rest assured the production is in safe hands. He will be joined by Rob Hancox, who appeared in last year’s Dick Whittington as King Rat and will once again play the villain, and local performer Josh Boorer, who has worked with the likes of Stephen Mulhern and Fleur East.

Details: Monday, December 19 to Friday, December 30 at the Rylance Theatre, Ashford. Book online here or call 01233 367399.

DEAL, The Wizard of Oz

It’s one of the most famous films in history, and there’s very few stories as heartwarming as Dorothy’s trip to the merry old land of Oz. Follow Dorothy along the yellow brick road as she is joined by her lovable friends, the Scarecrow, Lion, Tinman, and not forgetting Toto the dog. The show features playful puppets and colourful scenery to recreate this uplifting family tale.

Details: Tuesday, December 20 to Christmas Eve at the Astor Theatre, Deal. Book online here or call 01304 370220.

TENTERDEN, Dick Whittington

It’s one of the oldest pantos around, based on a true story dating back 600 years; fast forward to today and Dick Whittington is still a Christmas crowd-pleaser. Theatre fans in Tenterden will be pleased to hear that this timeless tale will be getting them into the Christmas spirit this year, with comedian and magician Bobby Dazzler starring in the Sinden Theatre panto.

Details: Friday, December 23 to Wednesday, December 28 at the Sinden Theatre, Tenterden. Book online or call 01580 763826.