Throughout the festive winter season, London’s theatres’ usual programming shifts to put on festive shows perfect for creating cherished family memories. From the sparkle of classic ballets to the raucous fun of traditional pantomimes, London offers an extraordinary array of performances designed to capture young imaginations. In this guide, we provide details of Christmas shows, ballets, concerts, and pantomimes for children in London in 2025.
While we’ve provided an idea of age suitability based on each venue’s recommendation, we encourage parents to review each show’s content and consider their child’s attention span and sensitivities when making selections. Note that many venues now put on ‘relaxed performances’ specifically designed to welcome children who might find standard theatrical environments challenging – making the magic of live performance accessible to even more young Londoners this festive season.
This list will continue to be updated as we approach the Christmas season.
Shows
Slava’s Snow Show
What: Enter Slava’s snowy world for a once in a life time, joyous, fun packed event culminating in a blizzard that puts you firmly at the centre of the action leaving you literally knee deep in show!
Where: Richmond Theatre
When: Wednesday 5 November – Sunday 9 November 2025
Who: Recommended for ages 8+
Book tickets here.
A Christmas Carol
What: A Christmas Carol fills the auditorium to the brim with mince pies, music and merriment. A unique staging immerses the audience in London’s longest running adaptation of this beloved festive favourite.
Where: The Old Vic
When: Wednesday 12 November 2025 – Saturday 10 January 2026
Who: Ages 8+
Book tickets here.
How does Santa go down the chimney?
What: Ever wondered how Santa goes down the chimney? Feet first? Head first? On a zip wire? What if he gets stuck? What if there’s a fire at the bottom? What if there’s no chimney at all? Can Santa post himself in a parcel? Come in disguise as the Christmas turkey? Or step out of a festive movie on TV? Join for a thrilling fusion of physical comedy, live music and anarchic fun!
Where: Unicorn Theatre (Weston)
When: Saturday 15 November 2025 – Saturday 3 January 2026
Who: Ages 2+
Book tickets here.
Ballet Shoes
What: In a crumbling house full of dinosaur bones and fossils, three adopted sisters – Pauline, Petrova and Posy – are learning who they are and what they want to be. Under the watchful eyes and guidance of their guardian Sylvia, Nana, and some unlikely lodgers, they fight to pursue their individual passions. But in a world that wasn’t built for women with big ambitions, can they forge a future, keep their family together, and even learn a dance or two along the way? (NB. This isn’t strictly a Christmas show but it’s a wonderful story and so worthy of inclusion)
Where: National Theatre
When: Monday 17 November 2025 — Saturday 21 February 2026
Who: Suitable for ages 7 – 107
Book tickets here.
Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas 2025
What: Join Santa as he awakes from a dream of sun, sea and sand only to find it is the busiest day of the year: Christmas Eve. Watch as he prepares for his Christmas deliveries, feeds his reindeer and finally takes flight into the snowy night.
Where: Lyric Hammersmith Theatre
When: Wednesday 19 November – Saturday 27 December 2025
Who: Under 6s
Book tickets here.
Red
What: Red is the story of, well… a girl named Red! When she and her siblings are sent from their cosy city life to stay with their grandmother up in the snowy mountains, they encounter many strange things along the way. A jittery woodsman, stuck up socialites, mountain spirits and a village living in fear of a legendary wolf who’s been terrorising them for years. As whispers grow louder and the lines between friend and foe begin to blur, Red and her siblings must uncover the truth behind the fear. Red is a magical twist on the tale of Little Red Riding Hood – where the familiar turns unexpected, and nothing is quite what it seems.
Where: Rayne Theatre, Chickenshed
When: Wednesday 19 November 2025 – Saturday 10 January 2026
Who: All ages
Book tickets here.
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story
What: Following a critically acclaimed run in 2023, Mark Gatiss’ retelling of Dickens’ winter ghost story returns to haunt Alexandra Palace Theatre again in 2025. It’s a cold Christmas Eve and mean-spirited miser Ebenezer Scrooge has an unexpected visit from the spirit of his former business partner Jacob Marley. Bound in chains as punishment for a lifetime of greed, the unearthly figure explains it isn’t too late for Scrooge to change his miserly ways in order to escape the same fate, but first he’ll have to face three more eerie encounters…
Where: Alexandra Palace Theatre
When: Friday 21 November 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2026
Who: Ages 12+
Book tickets here.
Cinderella
What: When 16-year-old Ella finds herself spending Christmas at dad’s house, she wishes she could be anywhere else. She’s expected to help out and forced to spend family time with her new stepmum. Worse still, her bedroom has been turned into a nursery for the noisiest, smelliest twin stepsisters you’ve ever seen. Wishes are answered and Ella is whisked away to a magical world of castles, balls, and handsome princes. Yet it soon becomes clear that all is not quite as it seems. And, perhaps this isn’t the happily-ever-after ending Ella thought it would be?
Where: Rose Theatre, Kingston
When: Friday 28 November 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2026
Who: All ages 5+. Younger ages welcome at parental discretion
Book tickets here.
The Snowflake
What: Based on the timeless Christmas story by Benji Davies, The Snowflake tells the tale of a snowflake, a little girl and her Pappie, who are all longing for their own special place in the world.
Where: Polka Theatre
When: Saturday 29 November – Sunday 25 January (Previews Saturday 29 November & Sunday 30 November 2025)
Who: Ages 3-6
Book tickets here.
Scrunch
What: Snuggle up and share in your baby’s joy as the excitement for Christmas builds – because let’s be honest, the best part isn’t the presents… it’s the crumpling, rumpling and scrunching of all that glorious wrapping paper! This multi-sensory show returns to the Unicorn to delight babies and parents alike. At the end of the show there will be a chance to play and dance together in the space.
Where: Unicorn Theatre
When: Sunday 30 November 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2026
Who: Strictly 6 – 18 months
Book tickets here.
Stick Man
What: Stick Man is back in town! What starts off as a morning jog becomes quite the misadventure for Stick Man. Encountering dogs, swans and fire, how will Stick Man ever get back to the family tree?
Where: Bloomsbury Theatre
When: Thursday 4 December 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2026
Who: All
Book tickets here.
Christmas Carol That Goes Wrong
What: From the company behind The Play That Goes Wrong, The Cornley Amateur Drama Society are back with tidings of chaos and joy, ready to tackle the Charles Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol. The Cornley crew battle miscommunication, delays to their set, actors missing in action and a growing feud over who will play the lead. It’s sure to be a disastrous take on the much-loved classic Christmas story of Ebeneezer Scrooge.
Where: The Apollo Theatre
When: Saturday 6 December 2025 – Sunday 25 January 2026
Who: Recommended for ages 8+
Book tickets here.
Santa and the Pirates (that don’t want Christmas!)
What: On a recent raid to the North Pole, Pirate ‘Captain Thunder’ and his motley crew have bagged themselves some rather special festive items – all the boys and girls presents (of course), the naughty list for pressganging, but best of all (if you’re a pirate!) something that will light the ship at night and lead the way to treasure…Rudolph and his magical nose… However , little do they know, they have also unwittingly taken some unwanted stowaways in the form of two of Santa’s elves and a whole heap of trouble if they think they can get away with stealing from Father Christmas that easily!
Where: Greenwich Theatre
When: Monday 8 December 2025
Who: All ages
Book tickets here.
Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas
What: Maddie, best known from CBeebies and YouTube, is on work experience in this winter wonderland, and she’s got her hands full with two hilarious elves: Tinker, the trainee toymaker, and Goggles, the Head of Elf Safety. But with a busy Christmas season, the workshop is a whirlwind of mishaps! To top it all off, Mrs Claus is on her way for a surprise inspection, and she expects nothing less than perfection! With the clock ticking, Maddie and her young audience must use science, curiosity, and a sprinkle of Christmas magic to help Tinker and Goggles fix the workshop in time for Mrs Claus’ big visit.
Where: Garrick Theatre
When: Friday 12 December 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2026
Who: Ages 4+
Book tickets here.
A Christmas Carol
What: Clive Francis plays the misanthropic Ebenezer Scrooge in this delightful one-man show for family audiences. Inspired by Dickens’ first reading and performance of A Christmas Carol in December 1853, Clive Francis re-enacts this festive masterpiece with words penned by Dickens, while playing every notable character from the original, haunting story.
Where: Theatre at the Tabard
When: Saturday 20 December – Tuesday 23 December 2025
Who: Suitable for age 8+. Parental discretion advised – this is authentic Dickens in the original language.
Book tickets here.
Pantomimes
Jack and the Beanstalk
What: Join our hero Jack and his trusty cow on an adventure of gigantic proportions, a festive treat for the whole family from the heart of West London. Expect beanstalk-sized chaos, side-splitting comedy, chart-topping tunes and much more.
Where: Lyric Hammersmith
When: Saturday 15 November 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2026
Who: Ages 6+
Book tickets here.
Mama Goose
What: Join local lass Mama Goose and her magical golden-egg-laying goose in Stratford this holiday season! Will Mama Goose be able to resist the temptations of fame and fortune, or will she learn that the best things in life are free? Stratford East pantos are famous for tearing up the rulebook and telling classic stories with a special East London twist. Round up your friends and family and join us for a reimagined telling of the fairy tale classic.
Where: Stratford East
When: Friday 21 November 2025 – Saturday 3 January 2026
Who: All ages
Book tickets here.
Cinderella
What: Cinderella dreams of a life full of love and adventure, and free from the clutches of her wicked Ugly Stepsisters and evil Stepmother. When an invitation to the party of the year arrives, it might be just the ticket she needs. Throw in some glass slippers, a fairy godmother, and a little sparkle of magic and you’ve got yourself a pantomime that’s guaranteed to be the perfect fit!
Where: Hackney Empire
When: Thursday 22 November – Wednesday 31 December 2025
Who: All ages
Book tickets here.
Jack and the Beanstalk
What: Heroes don’t always wear capes… but ours occasionally wears a cowpat! Young milkman Jack finds himself thrust into the limelight when his mum’s dairy farm, Angel Delight on Udder Street – and Islington itself – is threatened by a greedy old giant! Armed with only a can of squirty cream and a talent for puns, Jack is determined to do battle with the giant… But can he persuade the townsfolk of Islington – and his mum – that he’s up to the job? Join Jack on his moo-vellous journey up the beanstalk, as he battles to save the town and rescue his legendairy Moosical Theatre-loving bovine bestie Cowpatti Lupone from the clutches of the fearsome giant!
Where: King’s Head Theatre
When: Friday 23 November 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2026
Who: All ages
Book tickets here.
Peter Pan: A Pantomime Adventure
What: When the infamous Captain Hook stumbles upon a mysterious map to a hidden secret, he launches a wild quest to claim its power! But Neverland’s favourite flying hero isn’t about to let him get away with it! Join Peter Pan, Wendy and Tinker Bell as they soar into action to outwit Hook and his pirate crew in this high flying magical adventure!
Where: Greenwich Theatre
When: Friday 28 November 2025 – Sunday 11 January 2026
Who: All ages
Book tickets here.
Aladdin & the Magic Lamp
What: This modern retelling of the pantomime you know and love, set in the Walthamstow you know and love, with all the mayhem and magic, wise-cracking genies, mischievous monkeys, soul funk music and heroic adventure your heart’s desire.
Where: Soho Theatre Walthamstow
When: Saturday 6 December 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2026
Who: All ages
Book tickets here.
Ballets
The Snowman
What: This winter family favourite is the heartwarming tale of a boy, and a snowman who comes to life. Back for its 28th year, The Snowman is a magical stage adaptation of the much-loved picture book by Raymond Briggs and the film directed by Dianne Jackson. The Snowman is an enchanting introduction to dance for the whole family.
Where: Peacock Theatre
When: Saturday 22 November 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2026
Who: All ages
Book tickets here.
The Nutcracker
What: The magician Herr Drosselmeyer is on a quest to save his nephew. Hans-Peter has been transformed into a Nutcracker doll by the wicked Queen of the Mice; the only way to break the spell is for the Nutcracker to defeat the Mouse King and find a girl to love and care for him. A flicker of hope comes to Drosselmeyer in the form of the young Clara, whom Drosselmeyer meets at the Stahlbaum’s Christmas party. With a swish of Drosselmeyer’s cape and a little bit of magic, a cosy festive gathering turns into a marvellous adventure.
Where: Royal Opera House
When: Saturday 22 November 2025 – Monday 5 January 2026
Who: Ages 5+
Book tickets here.
Nutcracker
What: It’s Christmas Eve in Edwardian London. Clara and her mother are shopping at Drosselmeyer’s Sweets & Delights Emporium where she meets an enchanted Nutcracker doll. They take home liquorice all-sorts, nougat, marzipan and of course, sugarplums, to delight their party guests. As music and laughter fill the house, Clara has a magical sugar plum vision, sparking an adventure in which she bravely defends her home from the Rat King before discovering a dazzling ice realm and its Queen.
Where: London Coliseum
When: Thursday 11 December 2025 – Sunday 11 January 2026
Who: Note that children under 5 are not allowed in the auditorium, except at the Family-Friendly performance on Saturday 3 January 2026, 14.30.
Book tickets here.
The Nutcracker
What: Created exclusively for the Royal Albert Hall, with gorgeous period costumes and dazzling projections, this Christmas classic is brought to life by Birmingham Royal Ballet’s world-class ballet dancers and orchestra, the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. Experience the true magic of Christmas, as Clara’s toys come to life at the stroke of midnight. Journey through a fantastical winter wonderland of dancing snowflakes to the kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Where: Royal Albert Hall
When: Monday 29 December – Wednesday 31 December 2025
Who: This is not recommended for children under 5
Book tickets here.
Concerts
Christmas Classics
What: Perfect for the entire family, you’ll be able to sing along to an array of traditional carols alongside popular contemporary Christmas favourites. Getting you into the Christmas spirit will be the London Philharmonic Orchestra with the London Philharmonic Choir (Saturday 13 December), the Philharmonia Chorus (Sunday 14 December) and London Youth Choirs, all conducted by Michael England and presented by YolanDa Brown.
Where: Royal Festival Hall
When: Saturday 13 December – Sunday 14 December 2025
Who: All ages
Book tickets here.
Carols at the Royal Albert Hall
What: Christmas isn’t complete without carols at the Royal Albert Hall. Join for 15 magical performances over six days, featuring a mix of traditional and modern festive favourites. With an orchestra, choir, presenter, soloist, and plenty of sing-along moments, it’s the ultimate way to celebrate the season.
Where: Royal Albert Hall
When: Sunday 14 – Wednesday 24 December 2025
Who: All ages
Book tickets here.
Home Alone in Concert
What: This beloved festive favourite features renowned composer John Williams’ charming and delightful score which will be performed live to picture by a full orchestra.
Where: Royal Albert Hall
When: Saturday 13 December 2025
Who: This film is rated certificate PG
Book tickets here.
