It’s not Christmas with no pantomime (oh no, it’s not!), plus you may also discover some great Christmas theatre in London for youths this yr, whether or not you’re in search of conventional reveals, basic ballet or new family-friendly performances. UPDATED FOR 2024
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In addition to the standard West Finish hits, there’s at all times 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 at all times price doublechecking what ages are allowed earlier than you guide: some London theatres received’t settle for kids beneath 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, not 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 may anticipate comedy and loads of stay 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, take a look at my prime picks
Aladdin – Hackney Empire
The Hackney Empire at all times has one in all London’s greatest pantomimes – and this yr’s selection of Dick Whittington and His Cat might be celebrating the twenty fifth panto on the Empire.
With loads of basic panto enjoyable as Dick units off on his journey to develop into the Mayor of London, there are additionally just a few tweaks to the basic rags-to-riches story – look out for battling rats and Clive Rowe because the Dame too.
With stay music, music 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 guide 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 – anticipate 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, virtually 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
In case you’re in search of 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 function puppets from the Little Angel Theatre, some nice songs, loads of slapstick comedy and plenty of viewers participation – immersive sufficient to make you are feeling such as you’re on the ball your self.
Runs from November 30-January 5, 2025. As soon as every week, there may even be a naughtier, adults-only present, so ensure you guide the fitting efficiency!
There isn’t any pantomime operating on the Duke of York’s Theatre this yr,
Christmas musicals & ballet in London
Sadly Elf the Musical received’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 time out if you happen to’re in search of Christmas theatre in London with children. Strictly for age 5+, from December 12-January 12, 2025.
The Snowman – Peacock Theatre
One other Christmas basic, 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 guide, there’s a stay 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 get monetary savings in London with children, together with cut-price theatre tickets and different gives, take a look at my prime ideas
Christmas theatre in London with children
A Christmas Carol – the Previous Vic
Discover the ghosts of Christmas previous, current and future at this new retelling of Dickens’ Christmas basic, A Christmas Carol.
The brand new model on the Previous Vic from Jack Thorne, one of many magical writers behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Little one, is designed to immerse the viewers, quite than merely watching Scrooge from afar. Aimed toward Age 8+. Runs from November 9-January 4, 2025.
Hansel and Gretel – the Globe Theatre
In the meantime there’s one other basic 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 manner 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 guide on Todaytix as nicely.
Father Christmas Wants a Wee – Arts Theatre
One other beautiful 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.
Aimed toward ages 3+, runs from December7-24.
Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas – Barbican Corridor
A deliciously humorous different to all issues merry and brilliant, 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. Aimed toward age 5+, performances on December 12-January 4, 2025.
A Christmas Carol (ish) – Soho Place
In case you’ve acquired older children who’re in search of one thing a little bit 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 basic story
Aimed toward age 10+, there may be some minor sturdy language. Runs from November 16-December 31.
The Nutcracker – Polka Theatre, Wimbledon
Considered one of only a few 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 avoid her accident-prone little brother – till it appears she would possibly simply want his assist when the evil Mouse King tries to spoil Christmas. Anticipate loads of singalongs and acquainted songs.
Happening in the primary theatre, it’s geared toward ages 5-12, and runs from November 16-January 26, 2025.
The Snowy Day – Polka Theatre, Wimbledon
In case you’re in search of Christmas performances for youthful children, the Polka Theatre’s different manufacturing, The Snowy Day, is ideal.
Really helpful for ages 1-4, this adaptation of the award-winning kids’s image guide follows Peter as he crunches by means of the snowy streets of his New York neighbourhood on this beautiful 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
Take pleasure in 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 is predicated 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 vital issues.
With puppets and a shorter operating 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 guide at TodayTix.
Room on the Broom – Lyric Theatre
One other Julia Donaldson adaptation – soar 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 plenty of giggle about, because the witch picks up a collection of hitchhikers (earlier than operating right into a dragon), it’s one other beautiful choice for youthful children.
Aimed 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 fulfill your favorite characters.
As ever, the solid consists of home-grown expertise of all ages, proper from the youngest new skaters to nationwide championship rivals and winners.
Appropriate for ages 3+. Runs from December 6-9.
The Holly King & The Oak King – Battersea Arts Centre
For one of the vital 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 is predicated round an previous Celtic people story, the place the ruler of winter, snow and darkness battles the king of summer time, heat and light 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 seems 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 new stay present on the Apollo Theatre, filled with festive information and magical experiements from her hit guide, A Very Curious Christmas.
This seasonal STEM journey seems 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. Aimed toward age 4+.
For extra recommendations on the very best issues to do for Christmas in London with children, take a look at my prime picks
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