Meet the Snowman - and an icicle bicycle

From Edinburgh to Plymouth, for ages from two upwards, and from panto to dance, Dominic Cavendish finds you the best family shows

A Christmas Carol

A bold new South African version of Dickens's timeless tale turns Scrooge into a grumpy old lady; in tandem with a daring reinterpretation of The Magic Flute.

	Take a flight of fancy with The Snowman

Young Vic, London SE1 (020 7452 3000), Nov 20 – Jan 19; www.youngvic.org

Cinderella

Another high-class foray into the world of panto from the Old Vic: Stephen Fry scripts, Anne Dudley composes - Shirley Valentine star Pauline Collins appears as the Fairy Godmother.

Old Vic, London SE1 (0870 060 6628), Dec 4 - Jan 20; www.oldvictheatre.co.uk

Duck!

Hans Christian Andersen's tale of ugliness and prejudice gets a 21st-century makeover, and a north London setting.

Unicorn Theatre, London SE1 (020 7645 0560), Dec 1 - Jan 27; www.unicorntheatre.com

Hergé's Adventures of Tintin

Rufus Norris and David Greig's acclaimed adaptation of the dearly beloved boy-heroic adventures, first seen at the Barbican, hits the West End.

Playhouse Theatre, London WC2 (0870 060 6631), Dec 6 - Jan 12; www.tintintheshow.co.uk

Jack and the Beanstalk

Among the many comic pleasures promised by Jonathan Harvey's new version of the time-honoured panto is Mel Giedroyc (of Mel and Sue) as Fairy Liquid. With songs from George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

Barbican Theatre, London EC2 (020 7638 8891), Dec 1 - Jan 12; www.barbican.org.uk

James and the Giant Peach

A cast of more than 70 young people bring Roald Dahl's magical fantasy world to life as young James escapes from the clutches of Aunt Spiker and Aunt Sponge by means of his rather sizeable magical peach.

Chichester Festival Theatre (01243 781312), Dec 15 - Dec 29; www.cft.org.uk

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

The dependable Adrian Mitchell adaptation of CS Lewis, directed with style by Ian Brown, does the rounds once more.

West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds (0113 213 7700), Nov 24 - Feb 2; www.wyp.org.uk

Marianne Dreams

The first Christmas show from a hip art-house theatre; an all-dancing adaptation of the 1958 Catherine Storr novel about a girl whose fever brings on strange dreams.

Almeida Theatre, London, N1 (020 7359 4404), Dec 14 - Jan 26; www.almeida.co.uk

Peter Pan

The J M Barrie novel gets an added touch of musical fairy dust with a new score from George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, also hard at work at the Barbican.

Birmingham Rep (0121 236 4455), Nov 28?–?Jan 19; www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

Potted Potter: The Unauthorised Harry Experience

Deliciously funny parody of the Potter books, in which Dan and Jeff take you through every plot - and even invite you to take part in a live game of Quidditch.

Trafalgar Studio 2, London SW1 (0870 060 6632) Dec 17 - Jan 5; www.theambassadors.com

Tom's Midnight Garden

Astoundingly good version of the Philippa Pearce classic in which a young boy steps back in time from the 1950s to the Victorian age.

Library Theatre, Manchester (0161 236 7110), Dec 1 - Jan 12; www.librarytheatre.com

War Horse

Some day-tickets are always available for this deserved sell-out smash hit, based on Michael Morpurgo's best-selling novel. Well worth queuing for.

National Theatre, London, SE1 (020 7452 3000); to Feb 14; www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

Aladdin

The noisiest panto in the UK – rock and roll favourites are spliced with the raucous child-centred action.

Liverpool Everyman (0151 709 4776), Nov 23 - Jan 12; www.everyman playhouse.com

Honk!

The best-known show by prolific musical duo Stiles and Drewe - a version of The Ugly Duckling, revived in a pocket-sized form by Sarah Travis.

Watermill Theatre, Newbury (01635 46044), Nov 28 - Jan 5; www.watermill.org.uk

FOR THE VERY YOUNG SPECTATOR:

Icicle Bicycle

Two children stumble into an old circus tent and a lost world of high-wire acts and trapeze artists. Age two to six.

Drum Theatre, Plymouth (01752 267222), Nov 27 - Dec 22; www.theatreroyal.com

Dick Whittington and His Cat

The always superlative Hackney panto combines sumptuous sets and costumes with an unrivalled ability to get tots in a euphoric state of excitement. Age four and up.

Hackney Empire, London E8 (020 8985 2424), Dec 1?–?Jan 12; www.hackneyempire.co.uk

Fantastic Mr Fox

Delightful puppet version (courtesy of the Little Angel theatre, Islington) of Roald Dahl's story. Age four and up.

Civic Hall, Stratford-upon-Avon (0844 800 1110), Dec 19 - Jan 5; www.rsc.org.uk

Hansel and Gretel

Off into the deep, dark forest – with new songs sugaring this sinister fairytale of abandonment. Age four and up.

The Egg, Theatre Royal Bath (01225 823409), Dec 19 - Dec 31; www.theatreroyal.org.uk/the-egg

Little Cinders

A miniaturised 30-minute version of Little Angel's puppet Cinderella show for the younger, more restless viewer. Age two to five.

Little Angel Theatre, London N1 (020 7226 1787), Dec 2 - Jan 27

Little Wolf's Book of Badness

A tender-hearted wolf goes on a crash-course in how to be a meanie. Age five and up.

Hampstead Theatre, London NW3 (020 7722 9301), Dec 6 - Jan 5; www.hampsteadtheatre.com

The Snowman

This wordless adaptation of the beloved Raymond Briggs picture book is an indispensable introduction to the pleasures of theatre, the joys of dance and the wonders of Christmas; now celebrating its 10th year. Age three and up.

Peacock Theatre, London WC2 (0844 412 4300) 5 Dec- 6 Jan; www.sadlerswells.com. Also Edinburgh Festival Theatre (0131 529 6000), Dec 13 - 30; www.eft.co.uk and Lowry Centre, Salford (0870 787 5780), Jan 11-19; www.thelowry.com