Best Festive Shows in London This Christmas: Panto, Ballet and More
Family Favourites and Panto Fun Across the Capital
December is the time of year when the whole borough seems to get into the festive mood. The lights go up on the high street, the mince pies appear in every office kitchen, and the theatre calendar fills with shows that are made for the school holidays. If you are planning a family outing, there is plenty to choose from this season. The Snowman, adapted from Raymond Briggs’s much-loved picture book, is a gentle choice for younger children. It follows a boy and the snowman he hopes will come to life, and its score by Howard Blake, including ‘Walking in the Air’, tends to stay in your head long after the coats are back on. For something livelier, pantomime remains the traditional favourite. This year’s Cinderella at the London Palladium brings together Julian Clary as the Fairy Godfather and the comedy pairing of Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders as the ugly sisters, which is exactly the sort of star casting that sells out quickly. Booking early is wise, especially for weekend matinees. Parents might also consider Jack and the Beanstalk, another panto on the circuit, if the kids have already seen the Palladium version. Whatever you choose, plan the evening around the journey. Many of us make a night of it by walking from Westminster, past Big Ben and along Whitehall, before heading into the West End. It is one of the easiest ways to show visitors why London is such a rewarding place to spend a December evening.
Ballet, Classics and Sherlock for Grown-Up Tastes
If your idea of a festive night out leans towards something more refined, the capital has you covered. The English National Ballet’s The Nutcracker has been staged in London since 1950, and it remains one of the most reliable seasonal treats in the city. Tchaikovsky’s score, combined with a cast of more than 100 dancers and musicians, makes the London Coliseum feel like the setting for a winter fairytale. It opens on 17 December, so it is well suited to anyone who wants to catch it in the run-up to the holidays. Dickens fans have another obvious choice. Matthew Warchus’s production of A Christmas Carol returns to the Old Vic, which stages it every year and claims to have the longest-running annual run of the story. Giles Terera plays Scrooge in an immersive staging that makes the Victorian setting feel close enough to touch. It opens on 10 November, so it is the earliest of the festive productions and a good option for a pre-Christmas date night. Literary audiences should also look at Sherlock Holmes and the Twelve Days of Christmas, a whodunnit that links a run of theatrical deaths to the famous carol. Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley adds a Jane Austen flavour for those who want something cosy. Taken together, these shows make it clear why theatre-goers keep returning to London, and they are worth adding to any list of where to go in London this winter.
Planning Your Festive Theatre Trip
With so many productions opening across November and December, the practical side matters as much as the choice of show. Start by deciding who is coming. Shows like The Snowman suit under-sevens, while the ballet and the Dickens adaptation are better for older children and adults. Pantomimes are usually lively for all ages but can run late, so check the running time before you book a school-night performance. Ticket prices vary widely between weekday, weekend and matinee slots. Look for early-bird offers, and consider a Saturday matinee if you want to avoid the evening rush on public transport. Travel is another consideration. Most of the venues mentioned here sit within easy reach of the Underground, but Christmas engineering works and crowded platforms can add time to your journey. Allow extra time, particularly if you are meeting friends for dinner beforehand. Local residents can also make the most of the season by visiting the venues during quieter weekday performances, which often feel more relaxed and give you more space to enjoy the show. Finally, keep an eye on the box office websites for returns and last-minute releases, as popular panto dates can sell out early. Whichever production you pick, a night at the theatre is a simple way to slow down in the middle of a busy month, and it is a reminder of how much this city has to offer when the days get short and the lights come on.
Source: The best festive shows to watch this Christmas
Families planning a festive outing can easily visit London panto productions at theatres across the city, from classic fairy tales to lively musical comedies.
Visitors can combine a festive show with a stroll past the Christmas lights near buckingham palace, which is especially magical after dark.
Between the theatre trips, families can take a festive detour to the British Museum, whose free galleries make a relaxed daytime complement to an evening show.
