It’s not Christmas with out a pantomime (oh no, it’s not!), plus you too can discover some great Christmas theatre in London for youths this yr, whether or not you’re on the lookout for conventional reveals, basic ballet or new family-friendly performances. UPDATED FOR 2024
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In addition to the same old 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 youngsters and teenagers.
It’s all the time price doublechecking what ages are allowed earlier than you e book: some London theatres received’t settle for kids below 5, even for some family-friendly reveals – do take a passport or some type of ID in case your youngsters 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, a minimum of, 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’ll be able to count on comedy and loads of dwell music. For ages 6+, from November 16-January 5 2025. Household tickets are additionally out there.
For extra nice issues to do for Christmas in London with youngsters, take a look at my prime picks
Aladdin – Hackney Empire
The Hackney Empire all the time has one in all London’s finest pantomimes – and this yr’s selection of Dick Whittington and His Cat will probably 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 a number of tweaks to the basic 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 must 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 among 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, 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 the event you’re on the lookout for a panto that’s good for youthful youngsters, 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 many 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 will even be a naughtier, adults-only present, so be sure to e book the correct efficiency!
There isn’t a 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 take pleasure in at Christmas in London with youngsters
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 final word festive time out should you’re on the lookout for Christmas theatre in London with youngsters. Strictly for age 5+, from December 12-January 12, 2025.
The Snowman – Peacock Theatre
One other Christmas basic, the Snowman is dropped at 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 – youngsters aged 2+ require tickets. Runs from November 23-January 4.
For tactics to get monetary savings in London with youngsters, together with cut-price theatre tickets and different presents, take a look at my prime suggestions
Christmas theatre in London with youngsters
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, somewhat 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 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 residence, regardless of a tempting path of treats to sidetrack them, it’s aimed ages 5+. Runs from November 29 to January 5, 2025 – out there to e book on Todaytix as effectively.
Father Christmas Wants a Wee – Arts Theatre
One other beautiful Christmas present in London for youthful youngsters. With all these treats and drinks not noted 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 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. Geared toward age 5+, performances on December 12-January 4, 2025.
A Christmas Carol (ish) – Soho Place
In the event you’ve bought older youngsters who’re on the lookout for one thing just a little 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 all the things 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
Geared toward age 10+, there may be some minor robust language. Runs from November 16-December 31.
The Nutcracker – Polka Theatre, Wimbledon
One in every 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 steer clear of her accident-prone little brother – till it appears she may simply want his assist when the evil Mouse King tries to destroy Christmas. Count on loads of singalongs and acquainted songs.
Going down 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
In the event you’re on the lookout for Christmas performances for youthful youngsters, the Polka Theatre’s different manufacturing, The Snowy Day, is ideal.
Beneficial for ages 1-4, this adaptation of the award-winning kids’s image e book follows Peter as he crunches by 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 Large In City – St Martin’s Theatre
Get pleasure from some Julia Donaldson/Axel Scheffler-inspired enjoyable this Christmas with The Smartest Large 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 in response to 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 youngsters, 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 out there to e book 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 adjustments to singalong with the songs and many 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 youngsters.
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 street to fulfill your favorite characters.
As ever, the solid contains 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 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 previous Celtic people story, the place the ruler of winter, snow and darkness battles the king of summer season, heat and light to see which season will reign supreme – however one significantly 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 steadiness to the seasons? This magical journey seems to be on the steadiness of nature and the weather. For ages 3+, from November 29 to December 24.
Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas – Apollo Theatre
Kids’s TV presenter Maddie Moate makes her West Finish debut with the new dwell present on the Apollo Theatre, filled with festive information and magical experiements from her hit e book, A Very Curious Christmas.
This seasonal STEM journey seems to be on the science of winter, uncovers the mysteries behind our Christmas traditions, and solutions a few of your most curious Christmas questions – all the things 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 youngsters, take a look at my prime picks
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