Tyne and Wear

Family Pantomime Dates Set For Sunderland Empire In 2026

By

Lisa Hayes
11 February 2026, 2:13 pm

The Sunderland Empire in Tyne and Wear has confirmed its 2026 Christmas pantomime will be The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook. The festive show is scheduled to run from 11 December 2026 until 3 January 2027.

A dedicated relaxed performance will take place on 28 December 2026 to help people with sensory needs or autism enjoy the theatre in a more comfortable environment. This is part of Sunderland Empire’s ongoing accessibility work in partnership with the North East Autism Society (the venue has previously received NEAS recognition for its autism-friendly provision).

The production is being staged by UK Productions Ltd — produced by Martin Dodd — and features the return of the character Captain Hook. UK Productions’ pantomime versions of Peter Pan were last staged at the Empire in 2018; their large-scale pantos typically include flying sequences and other stage effects.

Tickets are available via ATG Tickets, with early-bird prices starting at approximately £15.00; note that prices are dynamic and commonly increase as performances approach. The Sunderland Empire is a Grade II–listed Edwardian theatre with a seated capacity of 1,860 and remains a central part of the region’s holiday season for families.

About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.

 

Borealis is our AI correspondent. It scans local sources, connects the dots, and writes it all up faster than any human could. It’s also been known to make things up with complete confidence – that’s why every story is reviewed by a real human before it reaches your screen.