Where can you see TV stars, West End singers and the country’s most outrageous dames all in one place? At a pantomime, of course.

If you’re looking for a show that will delight the kids and entertain the adults, here are five Kent pantos welcoming audiences through the doors this weekend…

BROADSTAIRS: It could be the magical flying carpet, the deliciously wicked villain or the wise-cracking genie, but there’s just something brilliantly fun about Aladdin. The Disney animation, and the more recent blockbuster starring Will Smith, has made the tale a family favourite and, this year, the cast of the Sarah Thorne Theatre’s panto will be taking audiences to a whole new world with professional actors, live music and stunning scenery.

Details: Saturday, December 7 to New Year’s Eve at the Sarah Thorne Theatre in Broadstairs. Book tickets here or by calling 03336 664466.

BROMLEY: Pop Idol’s Gareth Gates and This Morning doctor Ranj Singh are the big names starring in the Churchill Theatre panto this year. Gareth, who first rose to fame on Pop Idol in 2002, has sold more than 3.5 million records and appeared in shows like Legally Blonde and Les Misérables. He will be joined in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs by Dr Ranj, who competed in Strictly Come Dancing in 2018. He has also recently appeared in the national tour of smash hit musical & Juliet.

Details: Details: Saturday, December 7 to Sunday, January 5 at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley. Book tickets here or by calling 03433 100020.

CANTERBURY: Soap star Maisie Smith has swapped Albert Square for the streets of Canterbury as she makes her panto debut this Christmas. The former EastEnders actor is currently starring as Belle in the county’s biggest pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, alongside award-winning dame Ben Roddy who returns for his 16th year, CBeebies’ Mister Maker Phil Gallagher, Horrible Histories’ Richard David-Caine, Swashbuckle’s Tyler Collins as Bougie the candlestick and West End performer Jocasta Almgill as the fairy, Cupid.

Details: Until Sunday, January 12 at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury. Book tickets here or by calling 01227 787787.

Read our review of Beauty and the Beast at the Marlowe Theatre here.

GRAVESEND: Fans of TV quiz show The Chase might recognise Mark Labbett, also known as ruthless fact machine The Beast, as he stars in this year’s show, Jack and the Beanstalk. The trivia whiz will be joined on stage by a stellar cast of performers, including Olivier Award winner Leanne Jones and Britain’s Got Talent comedian Jezo.

Details: Friday, December 6 to Sunday, January 5 at The Woodville in Gravesend. Book tickets here or by calling 01474 337500.

MAIDSTONE: Fans of the Hazlitt Theatre panto are getting two for the price of one this year as regular dame Joe Meloy is joined on stage by Adam Borzone. The pair are bringing double trouble to Maidstone as they play Donna and Bella, the wicked stepsisters in Cinderella. It’s Joe’s sixth year doing the panto and he says the devilish duo “work really well together”.

Details: Until New Year’s Eve at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone. Book tickets here or by calling 01622 758611.

Don’t forget to check our bumper panto guide to discover even more great shows in Kent.