It’s not Christmas and not using a pantomime (oh no, it’s not!), plus you can even discover some fantastic Christmas theatre in London for youths this yr, whether or not you’re searching for conventional reveals, traditional ballet or new family-friendly performances. UPDATED FOR 2024
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In addition to the standard West Finish hits, there’s all the time an added serving to of theatrical magic to get you within the festive temper, together with choices for toddlers and preschoolers having their first theatre journeys, in addition to for older children and youths.
It’s all the time price doublechecking what ages are allowed earlier than you e-book: some London theatres gained’t settle for kids underneath 5, even for some family-friendly reveals – do take a passport or some type of ID in case your children are 5 plus however look youthful than their age.
2024 pantomimes in London
Peter Pan – London Palladium
As ever, there are a string of celebs showing within the 2024 London Palladium pantomime – this yr, it’s Robin Hood.
In addition to Julian Clary and Nigel Havers, the present has a string of West Finish stars in the important thing roles. Tickets are on sale now – just for kids aged 4+ (parental discretion suggested). Runs from December 7-January 12, 2025.
Cinderella – Lyric Hammersmith
Your want has been granted! So long as it’s to see a pantomime, no less than, with an up to date model of the story of Aladdin on the Lyric Hammersmith.
As ever, there’s been a little bit of a Christmas makeover, so in addition to a magical efficiency from the genie, you possibly can count on comedy and loads of dwell music. For ages 6+, from November 16-January 5 2025. Household tickets are additionally obtainable.
For extra nice issues to do for Christmas in London with children, try my high picks
Aladdin – Hackney Empire
The Hackney Empire all the time has certainly one of London’s greatest pantomimes – and this yr’s alternative of Dick Whittington and His Cat will probably be celebrating the twenty fifth panto on the Empire.
With loads of traditional panto enjoyable as Dick units off on his journey to change into the Mayor of London, there are additionally a couple of tweaks to the traditional rags-to-riches story – look out for battling rats and Clive Rowe because the Dame too.
With dwell music, tune and dance numbers and lashings of viewers participation. From November 23-January 5. Appropriate for all ages.
Potted Panto at Wilton’s Music Corridor
What’s higher than seeing one panto at Christmas? Seeing seven (oh sure it’s!) However you don’t have to e-book seven separate reveals to take action, with the return of Potted Panto, on at Wilton’s Music Corridor this yr.
The West Finish’s longest-running panto, you’ll recognise a few of the best-loved tales and characters from the world of pantomime – count on to see Aladdin’s lamp being rubbed, roam the streets of Dick Whittington’s London and uncover if Cinderella does go to the ball.
Add in a big serving to of slapstick, nearly continuous jokes and by the point the 80 minute present is up, you’ll be aching with laughter. For age 6+, runs from December 4 – January 4, 2025.
Cinderella – King’s Head Theatre
Should you’re searching for a panto that’s good for youthful children, the King’s Head Theatre in Islington is staging its first family-friendly pantomime in its new theatre this yr.
Cinderella will characteristic puppets from the Little Angel Theatre, some nice songs, loads of slapstick comedy and many viewers participation – immersive sufficient to make you’re feeling such as you’re on the ball your self.
Runs from November 30-January 5, 2025. As soon as per week, there may even be a naughtier, adults-only present, so be sure to e-book the correct efficiency!
There isn’t a pantomime working on the Duke of York’s Theatre this yr,
Christmas musicals & ballet in London
Sadly Elf the Musical gained’t be again this yr whereas Frozen has additionally completed its long term, however there are nonetheless loads of different enjoyable festive musicals and ballet to get pleasure from at Christmas in London with children
The Nutcracker – London Coliseum
It’s merely not Christmas with out the English Nationwide Ballet’s efficiency of the Nutcracker on the London Coliseum.
With over 100 dancers and musicians bringing the magical world of Tchaikovsky’s well-known ballet to life, it’s the last word festive day trip in case you’re searching for Christmas theatre in London with children. Strictly for age 5+, from December 12-January 12, 2025.
The Snowman – Peacock Theatre
One other Christmas traditional, the Snowman is delivered to life as soon as extra on the Peacock Theatre for its twenty seventh London season in 2024.
The stage adaptation of Raymond Briggs’ much-loved e-book, there’s a dwell orchestra performing the music accompanying the heart-warming story.
In addition to a particular relaxed efficiency on December 4, the present is appropriate for all ages – children aged 2+ require tickets. Runs from November 23-January 4.
For methods to economize in London with children, together with cut-price theatre tickets and different affords, try my high suggestions
Christmas theatre in London with children
A Christmas Carol – the Outdated Vic
Discover the ghosts of Christmas previous, current and future at this new retelling of Dickens’ Christmas traditional, A Christmas Carol.
The brand new model on the Outdated Vic from Jack Thorne, one of many magical writers behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Baby, is designed to immerse the viewers, fairly than merely watching Scrooge from afar. Geared toward Age 8+. Runs from November 9-January 4, 2025.
Hansel and Gretel – the Globe Theatre
In the meantime there’s one other traditional story with Hansel and Gretel at Shakespeare’s Globe, bringing the Brothers Grimm’s story to life – a beautiful Christmas deal with, even when it’s not fairly a Christmas story.
With music, magic and songs, as Hansel and Gretel attempt to discover their means dwelling, regardless of a tempting path of treats to sidetrack them, it’s aimed ages 5+. Runs from November 29 to January 5, 2025 – obtainable to e-book on Todaytix as nicely.
Father Christmas Wants a Wee – Arts Theatre
One other pretty Christmas present in London for youthful children. With all these treats and drinks unnoticed for Santa as he makes his rounds on Christmas Eve, it’s not lengthy earlier than he realises he actually actually wants a wee.
With loads of music and jokes, Father Christmas Wants a Wee on the Arts Theatre (between Leicester Sq. and Covent Backyard) has some viewers interplay too, to get everybody feeling festive.
Geared toward ages 3+, runs from December7-24.
Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas – Barbican Corridor
A deliciously humorous different to all issues merry and shiny, Horrible Histories takes on the festive season with Horrible Christmas at Alexandra Palace.
With Puritan events, Tudor treats, Victorian villains and extra, it’s the one present bringing collectively Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell, Henry VIII and St Nicholas to save lots of Christmas. Geared toward age 5+, performances on December 12-January 4, 2025.
A Christmas Carol (ish) – Soho Place
Should you’ve bought older children who’re searching for one thing slightly extra grown-up than the typical Christmas present, A Christmas Carol (ish) is ideal this winter.
When Santa cancels Christmas on Christmas Eve, he’s visited by three ghosts who a lot persuade him to see the error of his methods – however with just one working reindeer, how will he ship every little thing on time, even when he does rediscover the magic of Christmas.
That includes double Emmy-award nominee Nick Mohammed (aka Taskmaster loser and Ted Lasso star) in addition to Ghosts’ Martha Howe-Douglas and others, this new model of the traditional story
Geared toward age 10+, there’s some minor sturdy language. Runs from November 16-December 31.
The Nutcracker – Polka Theatre, Wimbledon
Considered one of just some kids’s theatre venues within the UK, the Polka Theatre has two nice Christmas productions on this yr, together with a re-telling of The Nutcracker.
The model new manufacturing sees Clara obtain an enchanted Nutcracker toy, which she’s decided to stay away from her accident-prone little brother – till it appears she would possibly simply want his assist when the evil Mouse King tries to break Christmas. Anticipate loads of singalongs and acquainted songs.
Happening in the principle theatre, it’s geared toward ages 5-12, and runs from November 16-January 26, 2025.
The Snowy Day – Polka Theatre, Wimbledon
Should you’re searching for Christmas performances for youthful children, the Polka Theatre’s different manufacturing, The Snowy Day, is ideal.
Really useful for ages 1-4, this adaptation of the award-winning kids’s image e-book follows Peter as he crunches via the snowy streets of his New York neighbourhood on this pretty interactive winter journey.
Takes place within the Journey Theatre from December 6 to February 2, 2025.
The Smartest Big In City – St Martin’s Theatre
Get pleasure from some Julia Donaldson/Axel Scheffler-inspired enjoyable this Christmas with The Smartest Big In City at St Martin’s Theatre, not removed from Leicester Sq..
The 55-minute present relies on the much-loved story of scruffy big George, whose makes an attempt to smarten himself up don’t fairly go based on plan… till he discovers there are extra necessary issues.
With puppets and a shorter working time than some reveals, it’s a beautiful choice with youthful children, and the manufacturing from Fierylight and Little Angel Theatre has already been successful in earlier years. Runs from November 29 to January 5, 2025, additionally obtainable to e-book at TodayTix.
Room on the Broom – Lyric Theatre
One other Julia Donaldson adaptation – leap on board the broom with the witch, her cat and her very tall hat, and iggety ziggety zaggety zoom, you’ll be off on a really enjoyable journey.
With some magical puppets, loads of modifications to singalong with the songs and many giggle about, because the witch picks up a collection of hitchhikers (earlier than working right into a dragon), it’s one other pretty choice for youthful children.
Geared toward age 3+, Room on the Broom runs from November 22-January 5, 2025.
Extra 2024 Christmas reveals in London
The Wizard of Oz on Ice – Alexandra Palace
The annual winter present at Alexandra Palace sees The Wizard of Oz delivered to life on the ice, taking you on a magical journey down the yellow brick highway to satisfy your favorite characters.
As ever, the solid contains home-grown expertise of all ages, proper from the youngest new skaters to nationwide championship opponents and winners.
Appropriate for ages 3+. Runs from December 6-9.
The Holly King & The Oak King – Battersea Arts Centre
For some of the interactive theatrical experiences this Christmas, head to Battersea Arts Centre the place Wild Rumpus are introducing a brand new festive expertise.
The Holly King & The Oak King relies round an outdated Celtic folks story, the place the ruler of winter, snow and darkness battles the king of summer season, light and heat to see which season will reign supreme – however one notably lengthy winter, the Holly King’s chilly defeats the Oak King’s warmth, plunging the world right into a deep freeze.
Can the Oak King restore stability to the seasons? This magical journey appears to be like on the stability of nature and the weather. For ages 3+, from November 29 to December 24.
Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas – Apollo Theatre
Youngsters’s TV presenter Maddie Moate makes her West Finish debut with the brand new dwell present on the Apollo Theatre, full of festive details and magical experiements from her hit e-book, A Very Curious Christmas.
This seasonal STEM journey appears to be like on the science of winter, uncovers the mysteries behind our Christmas traditions, and solutions a few of your most curious Christmas questions – every little thing from how crackers go bang to why Brussels sprouts make you fart!
Runs from December 6-January 4, 2025. Geared toward age 4+.
For extra recommendations on the very best issues to do for Christmas in London with children, try my high picks
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