It’s not Christmas with out a pantomime (oh no, it’s not!), plus you can even discover some great Christmas theatre in London for teenagers this 12 months, whether or not you’re in search of conventional exhibits, traditional ballet or new family-friendly performances. UPDATED FOR 2025
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In addition to the same old 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 youngsters and youths.
It’s at all times price doublechecking what ages are allowed earlier than you ebook: some London theatres gained’t settle for kids below 5, even for some family-friendly exhibits – do be ready to take a passport or some type of ID in case your youngsters are 5 plus however look youthful than their age.
2025 pantomimes in London
Sleeping Magnificence – London Palladium
As ever, there are a string of celebs showing within the 2025 London Palladium pantomime – this 12 months, it’s Sleeping Magnificence.
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 6-January 11, 2026.
Jack and the Beanstalk – 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 Jack and the Beanstalk on the Lyric Hammersmith.
As ever, there’s been a little bit of a Christmas makeover, so you may count on comedy and loads of stay music as Jack and Jill begin their first day at Fleshcreep Academy in Hammersmith, and three strikes means you’re off to the large. For ages 6+, from November 15-January 4, 2026.
For extra nice issues to do for Christmas in London with youngsters, try my prime picks
Cinderella – Hackney Empire
The Hackney Empire at all times has considered one of London’s greatest pantomimes – and this 12 months’s selection of Cinderella means you may all go to the ball this Christmas.
With loads of traditional panto enjoyable as Cinderella takes on her Depraved Stepmother and Ugly Sisters to get an invite to the celebration of the 12 months, this rags-to-riches story by no means will get outdated.
With stay music, track and dance numbers and lashings of viewers participation. From November 22-December 31. 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 ebook seven separate exhibits to take action, with the return of Potted Panto, on at Wilton’s Music Corridor as soon as once more this 12 months.
Now within the East Finish, the West Finish’s longest-running panto options a few 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 3 – January 3, 2026.
Jack and the Beanstalk – King’s Head Theatre
Should you’re in search of a panto that’s good for youthful youngsters, the King’s Head Theatre in Islington is one other family-friendly pantomime this 12 months after the favored launch final 12 months.
Jack and the Beanstalk sees younger milkman Jack thrust into the limelight, when his mum’s dairy farm is threatened by a grasping outdated big – armed solely with a can of squirty cream and a expertise for puns, can he head up the beanstalk, tackle the large and save his bovine bestie Pat?
Runs from November 23-January 4, 2026. As soon as per week, there will even be a naughtier, adults-only present, so ensure you ebook the proper efficiency!
There isn’t a pantomime working on the Duke of York’s Theatre this 12 months,
Christmas musicals & ballet in London
Frozen has completed its future, however Elf the Musical is again for 2025 together with loads of different enjoyable festive musicals and ballet to get pleasure from at Christmas in London with youngsters
Elf the Musical – Aldwych Theatre
Based mostly on the much-loved movie, Elf the Musical is again within the West Finish after a 12 months away on Broadway, with the story of Buddy who was raised as an elf solely to find his actual father lives in New York slightly than the North Pole.
After inflicting merry mayhem in Manhattan, it’s Buddy who finds a strategy to save Christmas endlessly. For age 4+, from October 28-January 3, 2026.
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 if you happen to’re in search of Christmas theatre in London with youngsters. Strictly for age 5+, from December 11- January 11, 2026
The Nutcracker – Royal Albert Corridor
There’s a a lot shorter run for this efficiency of The Nutcracker, so be ready to snap up tickets shortly for this specifically created model of Tchaikovsky’s ballet.
Anticipate beautiful interval costumes and dazzling projections as Clara’s toys come to life on the stroke of midnight. Runs December 29-31 solely.
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 eighth London season in 2025.
The stage adaptation of Raymond Briggs’ much-loved ebook, there’s a stay orchestra performing the music accompanying the heart-warming story.
In addition to a particular relaxed efficiency on December 3, the present is appropriate for all ages – youngsters aged 2+ require tickets. Runs from November 22-January 4, 2026, tickets additionally obtainable on TodayTix.
For methods to save cash in London with youngsters, together with cut-price theatre tickets and different provides, try my prime suggestions
Christmas theatre in London with youngsters
A Christmas Carol – the Outdated 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 Outdated Vic from Jack Thorne, one of many magical writers behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Youngster, is designed to immerse the viewers, slightly than merely watching Scrooge from afar. Geared toward Age 8+. Runs from November 12-January 10, 2026.
A Christmas Carol – Alexandra Palace Theatre
One other retelling of the traditional Christmas ghost story, A Christmas Carol can also be returning to teh Alexandra Palace Theatre.
Anticipate added shivers with the Victorian setting of Ally Pally’s theatre for this model by Mark Gatiss and all the same old spooky sights and heartwarming ending. From November 22-January 4, 2026, aimed toward age 12+.
Christmas Carol Goes Fallacious – Apollo Theatre
Choose one thing to make you chortle at Christmas? Mix a festive traditional with some sidesplitting conditions because the workforce behind The Play That Goes Fallacious tackle Dickens.
In Christmas Carol Goes Fallacious, count on bumbling ghosts, creaky units and actors who couldn’t discover Tiny Tim with each fingers! God assist us, each one… From December 6-January 25, 2026, aimed toward 8+.
Pinocchio – the Globe Theatre
In the meantime there’s one other traditional story with Pinoccio at Shakespeare’s Globe, bringing the story of the picket boy to life – a stunning Christmas deal with, even when it’s not fairly a Christmas story.
With music, magic and songs, as Pinocchio units off on a collection of adventures together with his creator Gepetto, it’s a timeless story of self-discovery. Aimed ages 5+. Runs from November 29 to January 4, 2026 – obtainable to ebook 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 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. Geared toward ages 3+, runs from December 6-24.
Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas – Cadogan Corridor
A deliciously humorous different to all issues merry and vivid, Horrible Histories takes on the festive season with Horrible Christmas on the Cadogan Corridor.
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+, efficiency on December 22 solely.
The Snowflake – Polka Theatre, Wimbledon
Certainly one of just some kids’s theatre venues within the UK, the Polka Theatre has a stunning Christmas manufacturing for little ones this 12 months, with The Snowflake.
Telling the story of a snowflake, a bit lady and her Pappie, who’re all eager for their very own particular place on the planet, this magical story exhibits how everybody can shine like a star.
Happening in Polka’s Journey theatre, it’s aimed toward ages 3-6, and runs from November 29-January 25, 2026.
The Gruffalo’s Youngster – Lyric Theatre
Step right into a snowy world on this Julia Donaldson adaptation because the Gruffalo’s Youngster tiptoes out into the deep darkish wooden one evening, ignoring her father’s warnings concerning the massive, dangerous mouse.
With some magical puppets, loads of probabilities to singalong with the songs, a number of giggle about and a few gently scar enjoyable, it’s one other beautiful choice for youthful youngsters.
Geared toward age 3+, The Gruffalo’s Youngster runs from November 28-January 11, 2026.
Extra 2025 Christmas exhibits in London
Sleeping Magnificence on Ice – Alexandra Palace
The annual winter present at Alexandra Palace sees Sleeping Magnificence dropped at life on the ice, taking you on a magical journey into the fairytale world.
As ever, the solid contains home-grown expertise of all ages, proper from the youngest new skaters to nationwide championship opponents and winners. Appropriate for ages 3+. Runs from December 4-8.
A Merry Misrule – Battersea Arts Centre
For some of the interactive theatrical experiences this Christmas, head to Battersea Arts Centre the place Wild Rumpus are again once more with a brand new festive expertise.
After the success of The Holly King and the Oak King final 12 months, it’s time for a brand new household journey with A Merry Misrule, as Yuletide traditions run riot, and you need to save winter from chaos. For ages 3+, from November 29 to December 24.
Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas – Garrick Theatre
Kids’s TV presenter Maddie Moate is again within the West Finish along with her stay present on the Garrick Theatre this 12 months, filled with festive info and magical experiements from her hit ebook, 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 – all the things from how crackers go bang to why Brussels sprouts make you fart!
Runs from December 12-January 4, 2026. Geared toward age 4+.
For extra tips about the most effective issues to do for Christmas in London with youngsters, try my prime picks
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