London has a brilliant range of Christmas shows, and a performance can make a lovely pause between the lights, markets and winter walks. We especially enjoy a family pantomime, while a Christmas story or a ballet makes an evening feel quite different. The 2026–27 productions below give you a choice by age, location and the time you want to spend at the theatre.
Many West End musicals continue through December, but these are the seasonal shows we would look at first. Book the performance that matters most to your family, then plan nearby sightseeing around it.
Christmas theatre and musicals in London
A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic
Charles Dickens’s story follows Ebenezer Scrooge through a Christmas Eve of ghostly visitors, memories and second chances. We went to see this play in an earlier season and loved it. Jack Thorne’s adaptation at The Old Vic is a complete theatre evening, with an intimate atmosphere that suits the story. Choose it if you want a moving Christmas performance rather than a show designed for toddlers. The Old Vic is close to Waterloo, so you can have dinner in the area or walk past the lights along the South Bank afterwards.
Dates: 10 November 2026–9 January 2027. See A Christmas Carol performances and seats.
Ebony Scrooge at Sadler’s Wells East
ZooNation’s Ebony Scrooge is another take on Dickens’s Christmas story, told with dance and contemporary music. This is a good alternative when you would prefer a lively dance performance to a traditional staging. Sadler’s Wells East is in Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, so allow travel time from central London and make the most of an afternoon in that part of the city.
Dates: 24 November 2026–3 January 2027. See Ebony Scrooge at Sadler’s Wells.
Christmas shows in London with younger children
The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre
The Snowman is one of the UK’s best-loved Christmas stories. A snowman comes to life and takes the boy who built him on an extraordinary adventure. The stage show tells much of the story through movement, music and pictures, which makes it a lovely introduction to theatre if a child is not ready for a dialogue-heavy play. We would pair a matinee with a relaxed walk to nearby Covent Garden and its Christmas decorations, rather than trying to squeeze in several more attractions.
Dates: 21 November 2026–3 January 2027 at the Peacock Theatre. Choose a Snowman performance.
Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show! at Theatre Royal Haymarket
If your little ones are anything like ours, seeing familiar characters on stage can be the highlight of their trip. Peppa, George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig are busy preparing for a new arrival in this live show, with music and audience participation. The performance lasts around 1 hour 20 minutes including the interval. Theatre Royal Haymarket is near Trafalgar Square and St James’s Park, so an early performance leaves time for a short festive walk and food nearby.
Dates: 4 December 2026–3 January 2027, on performance days. The theatre’s current babes-in-arms rule covers babies under 12 months sitting on an adult’s lap; older children need their own ticket. See Peppa Pig performance times and ticket rules.
Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas at the Lyric Hammersmith
For smaller children who want a Christmas story, this stage adaptation follows Father Christmas through his preparations and travels. The Lyric Hammersmith is west of the usual Westminster–Covent Garden route, which is worth bearing in mind if you are combining it with another activity. Its Little Lyric studio gives families a different kind of outing from a big West End auditorium.
Dates: 18 November–27 December 2026. See Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas.
Santa’s First Christmas and Huddle at the Unicorn Theatre
The Unicorn Theatre near London Bridge offers two quite different shows for children this winter. Santa’s First Christmas, from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, is a new telling of a festive story for children aged four and over. Huddle, from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, uses playful performance, sound and projection to follow a penguin family, and is designed for ages one to four. If you are visiting London Bridge, Borough Market or the riverside with little ones, the Unicorn makes a practical theatre stop close to that route.
Choose a Unicorn Theatre family show.
Christmas pantomimes in London
A pantomime is a British Christmas tradition: expect comic characters, songs, cheering, booing and plenty of audience participation. It is a fun way to share something families in London do every year. The loud moments are part of the experience, so an afternoon performance may work better for younger children.
Jack and the Beanstalk at Hackney Empire
Hackney Empire’s 2026 pantomime runs from 21 November to 31 December. Clive Rowe returns as Dame Trot, with Kat B as Simple Simon Trot. This is the choice for a full-scale East London panto with big costumes and plenty of chances for the audience to join in. Allow time to reach Hackney from central London before the performance. See Jack and the Beanstalk tickets.
Cinderella at Lyric Hammersmith
The Lyric’s version of Cinderella runs from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. It combines the familiar fairy tale with the theatre’s own jokes and songs. Hammersmith works well if you are staying in West London or want to make a separate afternoon out of the performance. See Cinderella performances.
Ballet and ice shows at Christmas
Nutcracker at the London Coliseum
English National Ballet’s Nutcracker brings Clara’s story to the London Coliseum, with Tchaikovsky’s music, a large cast and an orchestra. This is a wonderful choice if you want a traditional Christmas ballet. The Coliseum is near Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden, so it is easy to walk past the festive decorations before or after the show. We would allow an evening for the ballet rather than trying to fit it between several booked attractions.
Dates: 17 December 2026–10 January 2027. The theatre’s regular age guidance is five and over, with a separate family-friendly performance arrangement. Choose Nutcracker tickets.
Disney On Ice: Discover the Magic at The O2
Disney characters and skating come together in a large arena show, which can be a particularly memorable outing for children. The O2 is at North Greenwich, so build in time for the journey, arena entry and a meal before or after rather than planning another attraction across town. The seating plan matters: choose seats with the view and budget that suit your family.
Dates: 24 December 2026–3 January 2027, on scheduled performance days. See Disney On Ice at The O2.
Christmas circus in Hyde Park
Gandeys K-Pop Dragon Circus at Winter Wonderland
The 2026 Winter Wonderland circus mixes K-Pop music and dance with acrobatic acts and a dragon-themed story. A show here can be a good way to break up the fairground rides and market stalls. Book your Winter Wonderland entry for the same day as the circus performance, and leave plenty of time to get across the site. Music and lighting can be intense for very young children. Winter Wonderland is open 19 November 2026–3 January 2027 and closes on Christmas Day.
See Gandeys K-Pop Dragon Circus performances.
Which Christmas show should you choose?
- For preschool children: Peppa Pig, Huddle or Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas offer a family-focused first outing.
- For a family that enjoys stories and dance: The Snowman, Santa’s First Christmas or Disney On Ice.
- For a British Christmas tradition: a pantomime at Hackney Empire or Lyric Hammersmith.
- For an evening with older children or adults: A Christmas Carol, Ebony Scrooge or Nutcracker.
- For a day in Hyde Park: book the Winter Wonderland circus alongside your preferred rides or market visit.
We always look at the venue as well as the show: The Snowman is useful for a central London day, the Unicorn for a London Bridge day, The O2 for Greenwich and the Lyric for West London. A matinee leaves more energy for the Christmas lights once it gets dark.
Hi, we are Alberto and Amy, the London locals behind PlanTrip London. We’ve lived in London since 2010 and have spent every year since exploring the city, from its famous landmarks to the markets, pubs, parks and hidden corners most visitors never find. Over the years we became the go-to trip planners for friends and family visiting London, so we created this site to share the same first-hand, tried-and-tested advice with you. Every itinerary, tip and recommendation here comes from our own experience with our two children, so you can plan a London trip that’s easier, better value and far more memorable.