11 Best Christmas Shows in London (2024)
To be in London for Christmas is one of the best periods to be in the city. Christmas lights and decorations are everywhere, the smell of mulled wine spreads through the city and everything around you is so magical that you’d feel like you’re in a Christmas movie from your childhood. While there are many great things to do in London for Christmas, one of my favourite festive activities is seeing a Christmas show. In this blog post I’m bringing you the best London Christmas shows with a brief overview of the show, venue and price. I included a diverse set of shows: from musicals and ballets, to carols and pantomimes, and for every age.
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Short on time? Here are my top recommendations:
- Best Christmas Classic: A Christmas Carol
- Most Magical Experience: Nutcracker
- Best for Adults: Christmas by Candlelight
- Best for Families: The Snowman
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Nutcracker
I’ve always wanted to see a Nutcracker and I didn’t mind where as long as I saw it. Now, I am so happy I’ve seen my very first Nutcracker in London because I can’t imagine it can get better than this!
Usually there are different Nutcracker ballet performances in London, with the most famous one being at the Royal Opera House, Royal Albert Hall and London Coliseum. I saw the one at London Coliseum performed by English National Ballet and I truly cannot recommend it more!
Famous Tchaikovsky ballet, which was inspired by the children’s classic book, features over 100 dancers and musicians and the setting is truly magical. A proper Christmas fairytale.
While Nutcracker is an enjoyable ballet for all ages, kindly note that unfortunately children under 5 years old won’t be permitted to see the show.
⭐️ 4.6 💰£20+ 📆 12 December 2024 – 12 January 2025📍London Coliseum
✅ Book tickets
The Snowman
Based on the children’s famous story The Snowman by Raymond Briggs, this musical is the best choice for families, especially as children of all ages are permitted to see the show and the little ones under 2 years old go free.
However, The Snowman is not only for kids and families, but for everyone who wants to experience a classical Christmas musical. The story itself is pretty beautiful and very Christmassy if you ask me: a timeless tale of a boy and snowman who comes to life.
⭐️ 4.5 💰23+ 📆 23 November 2024 – 4 January 2025📍Peacock Theatre
✅ Book tickets
A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic Theatre is a classic and one of the best Christmas shows in London. Let’s just say that Christmas in London wouldn’t be complete without this Charles Dickens classic (yes, another book adaptation).
This beautiful story of love, greed, redemption and family is perfect for the Christmas season and is such a beautiful traditional tale.
A Christmas Carol is suitable for ages 8+ years old because some scenes contain haunting supernatural themes which younger audiences may find upsetting.
⭐️ 4.8 💰£41+ 📆 9 November 2024 – 4 January 2025📍Old Vic
✅ Book tickets
Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out
Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out is a Christmas play for the whole family to enjoy during the holiday season. It is especially a good choice for those with smaller kids because there’s no age limit.
⭐️ 4.3 💰£13+ 📆 28 November 2024 – 5 January 2025📍Theatre Royal Haymarket
✅ Book tickets
A Sherlock Carol
This is really a must have for any Sherlock Holmes fan! It’s a perfect combination of crime, mystery, drama and Christmas tied into one!
The plot is happening on Christmas Eve when Sherlock strolls the streets of Victorian London to solve the case of the death, a missing diamond and a threatening letter.
This play is suitable for ages 5+ and is quite an affordable option!
⭐️ 4.4 💰£16+ 📆 29 November 2024 – 5 January 2025📍Marylebone Theatre
✅ Book tickets
Aladdin
Aladdin is one of the best London pantomimes you can see this Christmas.
West End Musical adapted the Disney story and follows the adventures of a street-smart Aladdin who, with the help of the genie, wins the heart of Princess Jasmine while defeating the evil sorcerer Jafar. However, you can expect a fresh Lyric twist to the story!
Aladdin is recommended for ages 6+.
⭐️ 4.6 💰£25+ 📆 16 Nov 2024 – 5 Jan 2025📍Lyric Hammersmith
✅ Book tickets
Robin Hood & The Christmas Heist
Robin Hood & The Christmas Heist is another beautiful Christmas pantomime show in London, which is based on the famous Howard Pyle’s Robin Hood book.
The plot is following Robin Hood’s quest to bring back the Christmas joy to Sherwood after the cruel Sheriff took every penny off of its citizens.
While the show is recommended for ages 5+, younger children are welcome too at their parental discretion.
⭐️ N/A 💰£19+ 📆 30 November 2024 – 5 January 2025📍Rose Theatre Kingston
✅ Book tickets
Cinderella
This year’s Cinderella is a new adaption and a combination of traditional pantomime with disco music. If you like to be a part of the show, this is the one!
The plot is following a story of Cinderella who wants to leave her drudgery life and live a life full of adventures. She meets a shy Prince who needs someone to help him get out of his shell and together they need to find the courage to change their lives! In this beautiful but fun twist, you will even have a chance to boo the selfish stepsisters Peckham and Dalston!
Did I mention the Disco Ball?
And the best part? All ages are welcome to this performance!
⭐️ N/A 💰£13+ 📆 8 December 2024 – 6 January 2025📍King’s Head Theatre
✅ Book tickets
Home Alone in Concert
Everyone’s favourite Christmas movie Home Alone is coming again to Royal Albert Hall this Christmas.
Honestly, watching a favourite movie while the orchestra plays the original movie songs in a beautiful venue as Royal Albert Hall is a dream comes true moment. I watched all 3 Lord of The Rings parts here and the words can’t really describe it.
💡Sadly, the tickets seem to have been sold out, but I would still check occasionally on their website to see if someone is reselling, especially as the date comes closer.
Nevertheless, I still included it on this list of best Christmas shows in London, because it simply is. And if lucky, you may even find the tickets on resale or perhaps you get to see it another year.
⭐️ 5 💰N/A 📆 7 December 2024📍Royal Albert Hall
✅ Find tickets
Christmas by Candlelight
Christmas by Candlelight is one of the most beautiful Christmas carols you can go to.
You can expect a Christmas concert gently lit by candlelight – can it BE more romantic than this?
All ages are welcome, however it is not recommended for babies that need to be held in arms.
⭐️ 4.6 💰£28+ 📆 13 December 2024 – 21 December 2024📍235 Shaftesbury Avenue
✅ Book tickets
Viennese Christmas Spectacular
Ever since listening to a classical concert in one of Prague’s beautiful churches, I fell in love with this kind of concert. You feel transported into a different century, in a time of Bach, Mozart and Baroque.
You can have this experience at St James’s Church this Christmas in London by listening to Strauss, Brahms and Tchaikovsky. One of the classics will be a Nutcracker Suite, which makes it a perfect substitute if seeing a Nutcracker ballet show is not possible for you for some reason (or you’ve seen it already, but do like the music).
The show is not suitable for children under 5 years old.
⭐️ 4.6 💰£22+ 📆 28 December 2024📍St James’s Church
✅ Book tickets
And this concluded the list of best Christmas shows in London this year. What will be your first choice? Leave me a comment!
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