A trip to the theatre during the Christmas season is always a magical experience.
As you can imagine, London has lots of brilliant festive shows on. We’ve compiled this list of the best theatre, pantomimes and musicals in London at Christmas to help you find the perfect performance.
Here, you’ll find Christmas shows for all ages, including toddlers and exciting one-off performances.
Whether you’re looking for a hilarious pantomime or a beautiful ballet, London has something for all ages this Christmas.
Musicals in London at Christmas 2024
West End Musical Christmas
Lyric Theatre, Soho, W1
Book from £20.00: West End Musical Christmas
About West End Musical Christmas
West End Musical Christmas sees a surprise cast of musical stars perform Christmas classics and musical hits. And the set list is a secret to be revealed on the night!
What age is West End Musical Christmas for?
West End Musical Christmas is suitable for all ages. We recommend it for ages 6 years+.
West End Musical Christmas reviews
With the show set to appear for one night only, no reviews are currently available. Previous versions of the show were very well received.
Reviewers loved seeing several West End stars performing in one show. They also liked the mix of musical hits and Christmas classics.
Where to book West End Musical Christmas
Book tickets from £20.00 online: West End Musical Christmas.
Christmas pantomimes London
Robin Hood
London Palladium, Soho, W1
Book from £35.00: Robin Hood
About Robin Hood
The Palladium Pantomime returns with a new production of Robin Hood! It is a traditional panto with brilliant costumes, an exciting cast and special effects.
See if Robin Hood and the merry men can better the villainous Sheriff of Nottingham.
What age is Robin Hood for?
The Robin Hood pantomime is for ages 4 years+. Parental discretion is advised due to innuendo.
Robin Hood reviews
The London Palladium has 4.6 out of 5 stars from 11,125 Google reviews. Audiences of previous pantomimes at the Palladium found the show to be hilarious. Robin Hood star Julian Clary was praised for his performances in many other roles.
Where to book Robin Hood
Book tickets from £35.00 online: Robin Hood.
Cinderella
King’s Head Theatre, Islington, N1
Book from £13.92: Cinderella
About Cinderella
Cinderella at the King’s Head Theatre is an immersive pantomime with songs, comedy and puppetry from Little Angel Theatre.
It’s the classic story of Cinderella but with a twist to celebrate Islington’s history. Written and directed by panto award winner Andrew Pollard with Dame Judi Dench as the voice of the narrator.
What age is Cinderella for?
Cinderella is for all ages. We recommend the show for ages 4 years+.
Cinderella reviews
King’s Head Theatre has 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1427 Google reviews.
Reviews of previous pantomimes found the show hilarious, with lots of interaction and brilliant songs.
Where to book Cinderella
Book tickets from £13.92 online: Cinderella
Potted Panto
Wilton’s Music Hall, Tower Hill, E1
Book from £15.00: Potted Panto
About Potted Panto
Potted Panto is an epic seven pantomimes in one show! See all your favourite stories from Aladdin to Dick Whittington in this celebration of pantomime.
What age is Potted Panto for?
Potted Panto is for ages 6 years+.
Potted Panto reviews
Potted Panto has received good reviews with it said to be fantastic for panto fans and a little bit of escapism. The comic duo and show creators Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner impressed with their performances.
Where to book Potted Panto
Book tickets from £15.00 online: Potted Panto.
Christmas theatre shows
Horrible Christmas
Alexandra Palace Theatre, Wood Green, N22
Book from £16.09: Horrible Christmas
About Horrible Christmas
The popular show Horrible Christmas is back!
Presented by Horrible Histories, this show takes audiences through the history of Christmas in a fun and hilarious way.
Join Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell, Henry VIII and St Nicholas on an adventure to save Christmas.
What age is Horrible Christmas for?
Horrible Christmas is ideal for ages 5 years+.
Horrible Christmas reviews
Horrible Christmas has 4.5 out of 5 stars from 18 reviews on London Theatre Direct.
Reviews of Horrible Christmas said the show was funny and informative. All ages enjoyed it, so it was suitable for a family outing.
Where to book Horrible Christmas
Book tickets for Horrible Christmas from £16.09.
Father Christmas Needs a Wee!
Arts Theatre, Leicester Square, WC2
Book from £22.00: Father Christmas Needs a Wee!
About Father Christmas Needs a Wee!
In this kid-friendly show, Father Christmas eats and drinks many treats on his rounds. Only he then needs a wee!
Father Christmas Needs a Wee! is the stage adaptation of Nicholas Allan’s book, packed with music and humour.
What age is Father Christmas Needs a Wee! for?
Father Christmas Needs a Wee! is for all ages but we recommend the show for younger children aged 2-5 years.
Father Christmas Needs a Wee! reviews
Father Christmas Needs a Wee! has 4.8 out of 5 stars from 17 reviews on London Theatre Direct.
Reviews said that the show was funny and lively, with some educational aspects. Many reviewers found it captivated young children, making it an excellent Christmas show for toddlers.
Where to book Father Christmas Needs a Wee!
Book tickets from £22.00 online: Father Christmas Needs a Wee!
Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas
Apollo Theatre, Soho, W1
Book from £15.00: Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas
About Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas
Children’s TV presenter Maddie Moate presents this new live show.
On stage, she will share festive facts and experiments inspired by her book A Very Curious Christmas.
It’s a STEM adventure that answers all those curious questions about Christmas.
What age is Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas for?
Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas is ideal for children aged 4 years and over.
Where to book Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas
Book tickets from £15.00 online: Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas.
Stick Man
Bloomsbury Theatre, London
Book from £20.30: Stick Man
About Stick Man
Stick Man sets off on a morning jog, only to get into all sorts of trouble with a dog playing fetch with him and a swan using him for a nest.
Journey with Stick Man as he tries to find his way back home with his stick family for Christmas in this play adapted from the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
What age is Stick Man for?
Stick Man is good for younger children aged 3 years+.
Stick Man reviews
Stick Man has 4.5 out of 5 stars from 47 reviews on Seat Plan.
Audiences enjoyed participating in the show, which they found captivating and engaging for young children. They appreciated the acting and storytelling.
Where to book Stick Man
Book tickets from £20.30 online: Stick Man.
Christmas dance & ballet shows
The Nutcracker
London Coliseum, Charing Cross, WC2
Book from £17.25: The Nutcracker
About The Nutcracker
This new production of The Nutcracker tells the classic tale of Clara and her nutcracker doll. They set out on a magical adventure to defend the realm from the Rat King.
It’s the Christmas ballet for all ages set to Tchaikovsky’s music.
What age is The Nutcracker for?
The Nutcracker is for ages 5 years and over and the performance is 2 hours long. They also have a Family Friendly matinee on 4th January that welcomes younger audience members.
The Nutcracker reviews
Reviews for previous English National Ballet’s Nutcracker productions received 84/100 from 17 reviews on ShowScore.
Reviewers recommend it as a traditional, classical ballet. They loved the beautiful costumes and dancing in an absorbing show.
Where to book The Nutcracker
Book tickets starting from £17.25 online: The Nutcracker.
The Snowman
Peacock Theatre, Holborn, WC2
Book from £18.00: The Snowman
About The Snowman
From Sadler’s Wells comes this much-loved stage adaptation of Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman.
Enter a winter wonderland where a boy’s snowman comes to life one night. It’s a magical show of dance and music featuring the classic song Walking in the Air.
What age is The Snowman for?
All ages are welcome to see The Snowman but we recommend the show for children aged 2-10 years old.
The Snowman reviews
The Snowman has a score of 88/100 on Show Score from 24 reviews.
Reviews said the show was enchanting and entertaining for young children. It was said to be a gentle, nostalgic show perfect for getting into the spirit of Christmas.
Where to book The Snowman
Book tickets from £18.00 online: The Snowman.
Which is the best Christmas show for kids?
The best Christmas show for kids depends on what type of show you prefer. If it is a pantomime, then Robin Hood at the London Palladium is a great choice. Alternatively you may want a Christmas themed show such as Horrible Christmas.
For young kids, you’ll find some brilliant Christmas shows for toddlers in the comical play Father Christmas Needs a Wee! and Sadler’s Wells’ The Snowman.
Older kids with curious minds who enjoy STEM may want to see Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas. For ballet lovers, English National Ballet’s Nutcracker is set to be an inspiring experience for all ages.
If you’ve got tweens or teens, there are plenty of shows to see this Christmas, such as West End Musical Christmas, featuring some incredible music. Or Potted Panto for a clever production bringing seven pantomime stories together.
FAQs
What is the Christmas pantomime in London in 2024?
The Christmas pantomime in London in 2024 is Robin Hood at the London Palladium. There is also Cinderella at King’s Head Theatre and Potted Panto at Wilton’s Music Hall. There are other pantos happening across London over the Christmas season. Search for theatre shows and see what’s on via Loopla.
What is the biggest pantomime in London?
The biggest pantomime in London is Robin Hood at the London Palladium with the theatre being one of the largest in the West End. It features pantomime royalty in star Julian Clary.
Other pantomimes in London include Cinderella at the King’s Head Theatre and Potted Panto at Wilton’s Music Hall.
What is the Christmas show for toddlers in London?
The Christmas show for toddlers in London is Father Christmas Needs a Wee! adapting the popular book by Nicholas Allan. Saddler’s Wells performance of The Snowman is also a great show for toddlers.
What’s on in London over Christmas Theatre?
There are lots of theatre shows on in London over Christmas, from classic ballets like The Nutcracker to pantomimes like Cinderella. The Palladium Panto is back with Robin Hood as is Sadler’s Wells’ The Snowman.
For one night only, West End Musical Christmas sees West End stars come together for a night of music. There are shows for toddlers, too, with Father Christmas Needs a Wee!