IT'S officially panto time in Hampshire. Oh yes it is!

Southampton plays host to the biggest pantomime on the South Coast and a world premiere musical from the pen of children's literature supremo David Walliams.

And festive shows big and small are getting under way across the county.

Here's our guide to the pick of the pantos and festive shows....

At Mayflower Theatre, Southampton...

A star-studded cast take to the stage for Dick Whittington this weekend.

Soap legend Steve McFadden, best known as one of the Mitchell Brothers in EastEnders, X Factor winner Joe McElderry, legendary funnyman Bobby Davro, former Three Degrees singer Sheila Ferguson, pop star Suzanne Shaw and ultimate pantomime dame Andrew Ryan are all set to appear.

Join the handsome hero Dick Whittington (and his trusty cat) as he seeks fame, fortune and happiness journeying to become the Lord Mayor of London.

Guided by the magical Fairy Bow Bells on an adventure that sends him from London town to the High Seas headed for Morocco, audiences should not miss the action-packed pantomime full of laughter, sensational music and plenty of song and dance.

Dick Whittington opens on Saturday and runs until January 6.

At NST City, Southampton...

AUDIENCES are loving the brilliant world premiere production of Billionaire Boy The Musical, which was attended by author himself David Walliams on opening night.

Imagine being the wealthiest child in the land!

One-day factory worker Len Spud invents a new loo roll “Bum Fresh - wet on one side, dry on the other”. The wiping-wonder is an instant hit. Len, and his son Joe, become overnight billionaires, turning their lives upside down.

Whilst Mr Spud spends, spends, spends on fast cars, 100-inch TVs, and lavish gifts for his glamorous new girlfriend, Sapphire Stone, Joe is left to fend for himself.

In the unforgiving world of the school playground, things are about to get more complicated. With his new best friend, Bob, at his side, Joe navigates an assault course of school bullies and dangerously inedible canteen food. To make matters worse, is the impossibly pretty new girl Lauren all that she appears to be?

This hilarious new musical is a triumphant treat for the whole family and runs until January 6.

At Theatre Royal Winchester...

Traditional family pantomime Beauty and the Beast is now open and receiving rave reviews.

James Barry is marking his 14th Christmas production at the venue with this enchanting story-driven show featuring original songs, laugh-out-loud comedy and audience interaction aplenty.

The show tells of a vain and handsome prince who when he rejects the advances of a wicked witch is turned into a hideous Beast. Only one thing can save him – someone must fall in love with him before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose. Can Fairy Fifi bring Belle and the Beast together in time, or will the evil Malevolent win the day?

Beauty and the Beast will be at Theatre Royal Winchester until January 6.

At Kings Theatre, Southsea...

THROW on your glad rags, order your pumpkin and dust off those glass slippers because with your help, Cinderella will go to the ball!

Enter the entrancing happy-ever-after-land of a fairytale princess as Cinderella returns to the Kings Theatre this Christmas with two ugly sisters, one handsome prince, and her Fairy Godmother.

With lavish sets, wonderful costumes and a surprise or two, the panto stars X Factor finalist and Dancing On Ice winner Jake Quickenden as the Handsome Prince. Joining Jake as his loyal best friend Dandini, is Marcus Patrick, who first appeared on our screens as Ben in Hollyoaks and is a regular in panto in Portsmouth.

Cinderella runs until January 6.

At The Anvil, Basingstoke...

Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho, it’s off to Basingstoke you go for this year’s traditional family pantomime at The Anvil: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

When the Wicked Queen’s magic mirror declares that Snow White is the fairest in all the land, the evil Queen wants her out of the way. Snow White escapes to the forest where she meets seven little friends. But the Wicked Queen doesn’t give up, and with a poisoned apple in her possession she tracks down Snow White …

Taking the title role of Snow White is Dani Harmer, best known as CBBC’s Tracy Beaker, and playing Muddles is Chris Pizzey, who was such a hit in Jack and the Beanstalk at The Anvil in 2015. And once again Chris will also be directing the panto, and is planning lots of fun, magic, mayhem, and laughs.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs runs until January 6.

At New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth...

Let your dreams take flight at the New Theatre Royal this Christmas, with a magical family event, which runs until New Year's Eve.

Join Wendy, Michael and John as they take off to Neverland with the boy who never grows up - Peter Pan. Take part in their adventure and meet a fabulous range of characters along the way including Tinker Bell, Lily, the Lost Boys, Mermaids, Pirates and, of course, the deliciously deadly Captain Hook.

With wonderful sets, costumes and music, and lots of laughter and magical surprises that will thrill the child in all of us, come and see Peter Pan soar to new heights.

At Ferneham Hall, Fareham...

Left at home by the ugliest of sisters, Cinders cannot go to the ball. However, with the help of her fairy Godmother and brilliant buffoonery from Buttons, the most exciting night of her life can begin.

Audiences are promised live music, stunning sets, slick choreography and sensational costumes.

Hollyoaks star Andy Moss leads the cast. Best known for playing Rhys Ashworth in the hit soap, he’s also no stranger to the stage, touring the UK with Ghost the Musical in the lead role of Sam.

CBBC favourite Ed Petrie also appears in the show, which runs until January 6.

At The Point, Eastleigh...

This Christmas enjoy a wintery tale of magic and mischief for families.

Kai and Gerda have been friends for as long as they can remember, but in a whirl of magic and trickery, the splinters of a broken mirror blow in the wind, freezing hearts and changing everything…

As Kai is pulled under the spell of the powerful Snow Queen, Gerda sets off on a quest to save her friend.

Packed with songs from renowned composer Ivan Stott and physical storytelling, this magical journey is perfect for all the family and set to melt hearts this Christmas.

Snow Queen opens on Saturday and runs until December 30.

At Princes Hall, Aldershot...

Be our guest as we follow Belle, a beautiful young woman, and the Beast, a handsome prince who has been placed under an evil spell. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved in return, the spell will be broken and he will return to his true self. But time is running out...

Expect fabulous sets, stunning costumes, fantastic dancers, a great script and excellent songs and music.

Beauty and the Beast runs until New Year's Eve.

At the Plaza Theatre, Romsey...

When Mark Miller discovers his father's will, he inherits the old run down mill and the family cat - but he doesn't realise that Puss is a talking cat.

When the wicked Squire also discovers the cat can talk, he decides he wants the cat for himself. Aunt Maisie arrives to help Mark with the mill, but in the meantime he has fallen in love with the beautiful Princess Rose.

Not knowing what to do or which way to turn, help arrives unexpectedly from Mark's magical cat.

Puss in Boots is brought to the stage in Romsey by RAODS from January 10 to 26.

At The Berry Theatre, Hedge End...

When a bunch of puppets try to put on a performance of Snow White, how will they cope when everything starts to go wrong? What will they do to make sure the show can go on?!

Join a company of puppets on a bold and hilarious adventure full of mishaps, comedy and song. Can you help them solve their problems and put on a brilliant show?!

Puppet Panto is an exciting new co-production for Christmas 2018 between The Point and Stuff and Nonsense, returning to The Berry Theatre by popular demand following their recent sell-out shows, The Gingerbread Man, The Enormous Turnip and The Little Red Hen.

Puppet Panto opens on Saturday and runs until New Year's Eve.

At The Spring, Havant...

Once upon a time, a poor woodsman lived in a cottage in the forest with his two children Hansel and Gretel, and their step-mother. With not enough food and too many mouths to feed, the step-mother persuades the woodsman to abandon the brother and sister in the forest.

When clever Hansel's plan fails and with no moonstones to lead them home, they follow their noses to the sugary heart of the forest and a house made of gingerbread.

Hansel and Gretel, which runs from December 22 to 30, promises to be the perfect festive recipe of adventure, imagery, music and magic.

AT NST Studio, Southampton...

NUFFIELD Southampton Theatres is premiering their first locally made children’s show for under 5s in their studio.

Humbug The Hedgehog Who Couldn’t Sleep is a brand new, funny and uplifting tale for children and runs from Thursday until December 30.

Set locally in the snowy New Forest, Humbug the hedgehog is trying to hibernate for the winter but her home comes under threat and she is forced to leave. Humbug sets out on an exciting adventure in search of a new home, meeting a host of woodland friends along the way, including a fiendish fox, singing songbird and a merry mouse called Mo.

The style of the show is relaxed, with cushions on the floor for seating, designed for little ones to immerse themselves into the action.