The Christmas panto is a tradition in many cultures the world over and an essential part of the festive season for many families. From Cinderella to Jack and the Beanstalk, Mother Goose and Aladdin, the slapstick comedy, upbeat music and happy ending of the panto is a feel good way to enjoy the festive season.

Pantomimes go back several centuries and are a traditional mix of fairytale, humour and a series of farcical situations in which there is usually a heroine, a hero, a pantomime dame and a magical force of good, such as a fairy godmother. Pantomimes have several unique traditions that can seem a little odd to the uninitiated: the principal boy is often played by a woman dressed as a man, for example, whereas the pantomime dame is usually a man in drag. There is always audience participation of some sort, as well as a comical animal played by one or two humans, such as a horse or cow. Invariably the hilarious sequence of events often leads to a good old fashioned happy ending. Here are a few of the best festive pantos on offer this year:

Dick Whittington and His Cat – Hackney Empire until 6^th Jan 2013 – Dick Whittington is a panto based on an English folk tale in which an orphan who hears that the streets of London are paved with gold travels there to make his fortune. After a somewhat chequered journey he ends up successful and rich with the woman he loves. The Hackney Empire is a legendary East End London theatre that has been a music hall since 1901 and pantomimes here are an atmospheric experience. There are numerous Home from Home properties in the East End, including the two bedroom Great Tower Street apartment and the two bed St Pauls property.

Aladdin: A Wish Come True – until 5^th Jan 2013 – Aladdin is the classic pantomime story of the genie and the lamp making the wishes of a young man come true. This panto features Window Twankey, one of the best known pantomime dames, who in this year’s O2 version is played by Paul O Grady/Lily Savage. The panto takes place at the legendary O2 in Greenwich, also known as the Millennium Dome. The Home from Home two bed London Bridge property is just a short riverboat ride or walk from the Dome and has fabulous city skyline views.

Cinderella – Lyric Hammersmith – until 5^th Jan 2013 – the Cinderella pantomime is the ultimate rags to riches story, complete with a handsome prince and a lost glass slipper. Baron Hardup, Buttons and the fairy godmother are all key Cinderella characters, as are the two ugly sisters – always played by two men in drag. The original Lyric Hammersmith dates back to the 1800s and is a classic London entertainment venue. The Home from Home five bed property at Tabor Road, Hammersmith is ideal for heading home to after a night of ‘he’s behind you!’ with Cinderella and the rest of the cast.

The spectacle of the Christmas pantomime is an essential family experience and can be especially magical for little ones. If the pantomimes you want to see aren’t mentioned here then take a look at the Home From Home website to view the full list of properties close to all of London’s best entertainment spots.