It’s not Christmas and not using a pantomime (oh no, it’s not!), plus you can too discover some great Christmas theatre in London for teenagers this 12 months, whether or not you’re on the lookout 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 teenagers.
It’s all the time 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 12 months, 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, at the very least, 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 reside 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 children, take a look at my high picks
Aladdin – Hackney Empire
The Hackney Empire all the time has certainly one of London’s finest pantomimes – and this 12 months’s alternative of Dick Whittington and His Cat shall be celebrating the twenty fifth panto on the Empire.
With loads of traditional panto enjoyable as Dick units off on his journey to turn out to be 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 reside 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 guide seven separate reveals to take action, with the return of Potted Panto, on at Wilton’s Music Corridor this 12 months.
The West Finish’s longest-running panto, you’ll recognise a number 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, 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 excellent for youthful children, the King’s Head Theatre in Islington is staging its first family-friendly pantomime in its new theatre this 12 months.
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 also be a naughtier, adults-only present, so ensure you guide the best efficiency!
There isn’t a pantomime working on the Duke of York’s Theatre this 12 months,
Christmas musicals & ballet in London
Sadly Elf the Musical received’t be again this 12 months 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 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 when you’re on the lookout 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 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 guide, there’s a reside 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 tactics to economize in London with children, together with cut-price theatre tickets and different presents, take a look at my high suggestions
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 traditional, 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 traditional story with Hansel and Gretel at Shakespeare’s Globe, bringing the Brothers Grimm’s story to life – a stunning 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 – out there to guide on Todaytix as effectively.
Father Christmas Wants a Wee – Arts Theatre
One other pretty Christmas present in London for youthful children. With all these treats and drinks ignored 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 various 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 avoid wasting Christmas. Geared toward age 5+, performances on December 12-January 4, 2025.
A Christmas Carol (ish) – Soho Place
In the event you’ve received older children 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 the whole lot 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 may be 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 12 months, 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 spoil Christmas. Anticipate loads of singalongs and acquainted songs.
Going down in the principle theatre, it’s aimed 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 children, the Polka Theatre’s different manufacturing, The Snowy Day, is ideal.
Advisable for ages 1-4, this adaptation of the award-winning kids’s image guide follows Peter as he crunches by way of 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
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 large George, whose makes an attempt to smarten himself up don’t fairly go based on plan… till he discovers there are extra essential issues.
With puppets and a shorter working time than some reveals, it’s a stunning possibility 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 out there 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 adjustments 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 possibility 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 street to fulfill your favorite characters.
As ever, the forged 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 probably the most 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 folks story, the place the ruler of winter, snow and darkness battles the king of summer time, 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 steadiness to the seasons? This magical journey appears 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 brand new reside present on the Apollo Theatre, filled with festive details and magical experiements from her hit guide, A Very Curious Christmas.
This seasonal STEM journey appears on the science of winter, uncovers the mysteries behind our Christmas traditions, and solutions a few of your most curious Christmas questions – the whole lot 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 one of the best issues to do for Christmas in London with children, take a look at my high picks
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