Bigger, brighter and more magical: Arena panto returns to Waterford with Snow White

SETU Arena in Waterford is set to return bigger than ever this festive season as organisers unveil Snow White as the 2026 Arena Panto.

Following the remarkable success of last year's Jack and the Beanstalk, which drew almost 12,000 audience members to SETU Arena, producer Richie Hayes is preparing to raise the curtain on an even more ambitious production that promises dazzling spectacle, familiar faces and festive fun for all ages.

For Hayes, bringing large-scale pantomime to Waterford has always been about more than putting on a show. It is about creating a Christmas tradition that belongs to the city and the wider South East.

After years of performing in some of Ireland's best-known venues, including Dublin's Gaiety Theatre and University Concert Hall in Limerick, as well as productions throughout the UK and the United States, the Waterford native realised a long-held dream when he launched the Arena Panto last Christmas.

The response exceeded expectations.

Not only did audiences flock to the show from across Ireland and overseas, but the production also generated an estimated economic impact of more than €950,000 through visitor spending, local investment and production expenditure.

Now, with confidence high and ticket demand expected to be strong, the Arena Panto team is preparing for its next chapter.

This year's fairytale adventure, Snow White, will run at SETU Arena from December 12 to 30 and will feature a star-studded cast alongside a huge youth ensemble made up of more than 80 young performers from across the South East.

Leading the cast is country music favourite Cliona Hagan, who steps into pantomime villain territory for the first time as the wicked Queen Draganella. Best known for her chart success and television appearances on Dancing with the Stars and The All Ireland Talent Show, Hagan is expected to bring plenty of personality and mischief to the role.

Joining her is Waterford performer Holly Ryan, who impressed audiences as the Fairy in last year's production and now takes centre stage as Snow White herself.

Richie Hayes will appear as The Man in the Mirror, while Cork theatre favourite Michael Sands is set to deliver plenty of laughs as Dame Nanny Nora. Evan O'Hanlon takes on the role of the Prince while also serving as choreographer, and emerging talent Alex Kavanagh joins the cast as The Spirit of the Panto.

The Arena Panto once again provides a major stage for dozens of aspiring actors, singers and dancers from throughout the region, allowing them to work alongside experienced professionals in a large-scale production environment.

It is a formula that proved hugely successful last year and one organisers hope will continue to nurture local performing arts talent while entertaining thousands of visitors.

With Winterval continuing to attract visitors to Ireland's oldest city each Christmas, he says the Arena Panto adds another major attraction to the seasonal programme and helps encourage families to extend their stay in Waterford.

This year, audiences can expect a more ambitious production than ever before.

Organisers are increasing audience capacity while investing in enhanced staging, bigger lighting effects, upgraded sound and additional production elements designed to transform the arena into a magical fairytale world.

Hayes says lessons learned from the inaugural production have helped shape this year's plans.

"Snow White has everything you want from a great panto," he said. "A wicked Queen, a princess, a prince, a Dame, music, comedy, magic and audience participation. We've taken everything we learned last year and are making this year's production bigger, brighter and even more spectacular."

It is a formula that has all the ingredients of a classic Christmas pantomime. 

But perhaps what makes the production stand out most is its local connection.

While the cast includes nationally recognised performers, the show remains deeply rooted in Waterford, drawing on local talent and building on the growing reputation of the city as a destination for large-scale events and entertainment.

As Christmas approaches, organisers are confident audiences will once again embrace the festive spectacle.

With Queen Draganella plotting evil schemes, Nanny Nora causing chaos and Snow White attempting to find her happily ever after, all the ingredients are in place for another memorable season at SETU Arena.

If last year's success is anything to go by, the Arena Panto looks set to cement its place as one of the highlights of Waterford's Christmas calendar for years to come.