Quick answer
The Stephen Joseph Theatre is Scarborough’s theatre and cinema, in a 1930s former Odeon directly opposite the railway station. Its Christmas show, Puss in Boots, plays in The Round on selected dates from 5 to 31 December 2026. It is an indoor, rainy day option. The event page gives prices from £10 and a running time of about 2 hours including the interval. Age guidance is 6+ (younger children welcome), and kids under 18 months go free but still need a ticket. The use of mobile phones is not permitted during performances, and audience members may not go onto or cross the stage in The Round.
Is it right for my child?
- The theatre: it says The Round, with the audience seated all around the stage, was the first theatre-in-the-round in the world. There is a second auditorium, The McCarthy, and a cinema.
- Puss in Boots: the theatre’s annual Christmas show, a classic fairy tale turned on its head. The event page promises familiar songs, silliness and festive fun.
- Ages: 6+, with younger children welcome. The theatre’s age guidance page calls 6+ a “Great family show” and says its guidance is just a guide.
- Little ones: for SJT produced family shows, that page recommends relaxed performances for anyone who may need to move or make noise.
- Under 6s: Hairy Bob’s Christmas Jumper, the theatre’s Christmas show for under 6s (age guidance 6 and under), runs from 16 to 23 December 2026. It lasts 50 minutes, costs £7, and every performance is a Chilled Performance.
Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist
- Book early. The booking page warns that seats may get more expensive as demand increases.
- Leave big bags at home. The theatre cannot store bags or luggage, and coats go on an upper foyer rail at your own risk.
- Arrive in good time. Latecomers go in at the Duty Manager’s discretion, and some performances have a strict no latecomers policy.
- Ask the Box Office for a free booster cushion or ear defenders, then collect them from the kiosk in the Upper Foyer.
- Tell the Box Office about access needs as soon as possible, ideally at least 24 hours before you arrive.
Prices and tickets
The Puss in Boots event page says from £10. On 13 November 2026 every listed performance showed “From £10”.
- Previews: on Saturday 5 December, adult tickets are £16 and children’s tickets are £10 for both shows.
- Babies: kids under 18 months go free but still need a ticket.
- Families: 10% off groups of 4 or more with the code GROUP, excluding £10 tickets.
- Fees: the booking page says the theatre charges no booking fees.
- Discounts: NHS, Blue Light Card, Green CARE badge, Under 30s, full-time student and £1 ticket offers apply to gold and blue seats only. They do not apply to red or green (£10) seats.
- Hairy Bob’s Christmas Jumper: £7. Under 18 months go free but still need a ticket, booked through the Box Office on 01723 370 541.
- Refunds: tickets are non-refundable unless an event is cancelled or rescheduled. Swaps to another performance of the same show cost £1.50 per ticket, with at least 3 working days’ notice. You pay any difference upwards, and nothing is refunded for cheaper seats.
Pushchairs, babies and toilets
- Breastfeeding: North Yorkshire Council lists the theatre as breastfeeding-friendly, and it allows breastfeeding in all customer areas.
- Toilets: the accessibility page lists accessible toilets with level access. The closest Changing Places toilet, it says, is at The Street.
- Pushchairs and baby changing: the official pages do not mention pushchair storage or baby changing. Ask the Box Office before you bring a buggy.
- Stairs: a passenger lift serves both auditoriums, but reaching many seats in The Round and The McCarthy involves stairs.
Food and drink
Eat Me Café is on the first floor. On 13 November it listed Monday to Wednesday 10am to 6.30pm and Thursday to Saturday 10am to 7.30pm (last orders). It is closed on Sundays.
The bar opens an hour before all live performances, selling soft drinks, sweets, nuts and interval ice cream. The official pages do not say whether you can bring your own food. Audience members may not bring alcohol onto the premises.
Getting there and parking
- Address: Westborough, Scarborough, YO11 1JW.
- Train and bus: the theatre is directly opposite Scarborough railway station and close to several central bus stops.
- Car: the theatre says parking can be tricky because of its central location. It suggests Parkopedia and says most on-street and council-run parking is free after 6pm.
When to visit
Puss in Boots runs on selected dates from 5 to 31 December 2026. On 13 November the event page listed these performances up to 12 December:
- Saturday 5 December: 1pm and 6pm (previews).
- Monday 7 December: 10am. Tuesday 8 December: 10am and 7pm.
- Thursday 10 December: 10am. Friday 11 December: 10am and 6pm.
- Saturday 12 December: 1pm and 6pm.
Later dates run to Thursday 31 December at 1pm, including Christmas Eve at 11am and 3.30pm. No performance was listed on 25 December.
The food and drink page says the building is usually closed on Sundays, opening occasionally for special events. The Box Office opens Monday to Saturday, 10am to 8pm, or until 15 minutes after the last performance starts.
Additional needs and disability support
The theatre lists access performances for Puss in Boots and support around the building.
- Relaxed performance: Thursday 17 December at 11am. The schools page says one block of the auditorium is open to public bookings for it.
- What relaxed means: it is fine to make noise, move around or leave. The accessibility page says most relaxed shows introduce the actors, explain effects, reduce loud sounds and keep low lights on.
- BSL interpreted and audio-described: Monday 28 December at 6pm. The seating plan marks the interpreter’s position, and a little i marks the seats with the clearest view.
- Captioned: Tuesday 29 December at 6pm. Ask for a seat with a view of the captioning screen when you book.
- Entrance: of four sets of double doors, the set furthest left has a ramp and a push button. The other three have a small step.
- Inside: automatic front doors and level access to the Box Office and accessible toilets. Hearing loops cover the Box Office, Kiosk, The Round and The McCarthy.
- Wheelchairs: designated spaces in both theatres, next to a companion seat and reached by lift. Some larger powered wheelchairs or mobility scooters may not fit safely, so contact the Box Office first.
- Carers: the accessibility page says you and one carer can buy tickets at the lowest price currently available. The Access Requirement Register page says reduced carer tickets are only for people on its free register.
- Assistance dogs are welcome. Tell the Box Office you are bringing one.
Frequently asked questions
What age is Puss in Boots at the Stephen Joseph Theatre suitable for?
The age guidance is 6+, and younger children are welcome. For under 6s, Hairy Bob’s Christmas Jumper runs from 16 to 23 December 2026.
Do babies need a ticket at the Stephen Joseph Theatre?
For Puss in Boots and Hairy Bob’s, kids under 18 months go free but still need a ticket. For Hairy Bob’s, book that free ticket through the Box Office. Generally, the theatre says under 18 months go free at shows marked 0+.
How long is Puss in Boots?
About 2 hours, including the interval, according to the event page.
Is there a relaxed performance of Puss in Boots?
Yes, on Thursday 17 December at 11am. Every Hairy Bob’s performance is a Chilled Performance.
Can I take a pushchair to the Stephen Joseph Theatre?
The official pages do not mention pushchairs. The theatre cannot store bags or luggage, so ask the Box Office before you travel.
Is there parking at the Stephen Joseph Theatre?
The official pages do not mention a theatre car park. The theatre says parking can be tricky and suggests Parkopedia. The railway station is directly opposite.
Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official Stephen Joseph Theatre Puss in Boots, Hairy Bob’s Christmas Jumper, your visit, how to book, food and drink and accessibility pages. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.
