London is hit with a flurry of festive theatre shows at Christmas. These are our picks of the best family-friendly productions, both traditional and more modern — all ideal for a day out with the family.
Looking for panto? We've got that covered over here.
Elf The Musical at Aldwych Theatre
Getting under way before Halloween's even has a chance to creep up on us, repeat favourite Elf The Musical sings and dances its way back into the West End, with a glittering all-star cast.
Joel Montague plays Buddy, the human baby raised by Santa's elves; he's joined by Carrie Hope Fletcher and Aled Jones (yes, that Aled Jones) as he heads to the Big Apple to find his real family.
Elf The Musical At Aldwych Theatre, 28 October 2025-3 January 2026. Age four+.
Zippos Christmas Circus at Winter Wonderland 2025
Acrobatics, aerial stunts and comedy characters appear in Zippos Christmas Circus, a regular feature of Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, inside what is apparently the largest tent structure in the UK. With a 45-minute run time, there's just enough action to keep the attention of kids of all ages — and there's a lot to see and do in the rest of Winter Wonderland if you're making a day of it.
Zippos Christmas Circus at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, 14 November 2025-1 January 2026. Note that pushchairs and prams aren't allowed inside the big top — there's a dedicated buggy park nearby. You'll need a Winter Wonderland admission ticket in addition to your circus ticket.
Children's Christmas shows at Unicorn Theatre
Southwark's Unicorn Theatre specialises in children's theatre shows, offering two productions for different age groups this festive season.
How Does Santa Go Down The Chimney? If your kids (ages two and up) have asked that, here's a chance for them to consider the possibilities for themselves, via live music, physical theatre and storytelling. The adaptation of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen's children's book of the same name asks what happens if the Man in Red gets stuck... or if there's no chimney at all.
For younger members of the family, Scrunch (6-18 months) acknowledges that the best part of Christmas is... the wrapping paper! The interactive, multi-sensory show sees babies and their adults sitting on the floor together throughout the performance, which include 15 minutes to play and dance at the end.
How Does Santa Go Down The Chimney?, 15 November 2025-3 January 2026, with various accessible performances throughout the run. Scrunch, 30 November 2025-4 January 2026.
Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall 2025
Did you know that the Royal Albert Hall hosts 17 different Christmas shows in December? Treat the kids to My Christmas Orchestral Adventure, and help the BBC Concert Orchestra to save Christmas. A full symphony orchestra brings to life the exciting story of reuniting Santa with his lost map, via frozen lakes, a festive sleigh ride, and even a bear hunt. Plus, you've got an impressive 16 chances to attend Carols at the Royal Albert Hall across six days (including plenty of morning and afternoon performances, so no late nights for little ones!), blending traditional and modern Christmas tunes with plenty of lively singalong moments.
The fun continues after the big day too, with the enchanting festive tradition of Birmingham Royal Ballet's production of The Nutcracker, with Clara's toys coming to life accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s glorious score.
Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall, until 31 December (sponsor).
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The Magic Flute at The Place
Treat the family to a reimagining of Mozart's classic opera The Magic Flute, created specially for children, at The Place this Christmas. The tale of love and friendship shining through darkness is brought to life through an enchanting blend of music, dance, theatre and opera. Watch as Prince Tamino sets out to rescue Pamina, the daughter of the Queen of the Night, with the help of bird-catcher Papageno and a magic flute. Get a glimpse of what's in store by watching the trailer.
Much-loved company Protein Dance is behind the production, following rave reviews of its previous show, The Little Prince, by The Guardian, The Times and The Stage, among others. With a family ticket (two adults and two children) priced at £45, The Magic Flute is a great deal for a family Christmas show in central London.
The Magic Flute at The Place, King's Cross, 17-24 December 2025. Ages five+. Relaxed performances 17, 18 and 22 December. BSL interpreted and audio described performance 22 December.
Red at Chickenshed Theatre
Step into a snow-dusted forest and follow in the footsteps of a girl named Red, in this modern, musical twist on the classic fairy tale of Red Riding Hood, featuring an impressive 200 performers.
Red and her siblings have grown up in the city, but are sent to live with their grandmother in the mountains, where they encounter a jittery woodsman, some stuck-up socialites, mischievous mountain spirits and a village gripped by fear of a legendary wolf.
Red at Chickenshed Theatre, 19 November 2025-10 January 2026. Age five+. Captioned performances 16, 18, 21 and 22 December. Audio described performances 14, 19, 20, 23, 30 December. Sensory sensitive performance 30 November. All performances feature integrated BSL.
The Snowman at Peacock Theatre
Spend an evening walking in the air, as the Birmingham Repertory Theatre brings the classic kids' book-turned-animated-film alive on stage as a ballet for an impressive 28th year (perhaps he won't melt this time around...). Skilled choreography, an enchanting set with fake snow and that famous soundtrack combine for a show that melts the hearts of kids and adults alike.
The Snowman at Peacock Theatre, 22 November 2025-3 January 2026. For all ages. Relaxed performance 3 December, audio described performance 13 December (with optional touch tour before that show).
The Gruffalo's Child at Lyric Theatre
Follow the Gruffalo’s Child as she ignores her father's warnings and ventures into the forest on a wild and windy night. She's been warned about the Big Bad Mouse, but he doesn't really exist... does he?
Sounds dark, but there are plenty of songs and laughs thrown in to make it suitable for a young audience.
The Gruffalo's Child at Lyric Theatre, 28 November 2025-11 January 2026. Age three+.
Pinocchio at Shakespeare's Globe
After hosting Hansel and Gretel for a few years, Shakespeare's Globe switches gingerbread houses for wooden puppets as it presents Pinocchio as its seasonal special.
This new musical tells the well-known story of carpenter Geppetto, and the real-life puppet he creates called Pinocchio, who comes to life.
Pinocchio at Shakespeare's Globe, 29 November 2025-4 January 2026. Age five+. Audio described performances 20 and 28 December, relaxed performances 20 and 30 December, BSL signed performances 21 and 27 December, captioned performances 23 December and 2 January.
The Red Shoes at Sadler's Wells
Matthew Bourne oversees The Red Shoes at Sadler's Wells, a captivating take on Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale and the later Powell and Pressburger film, about a woman who becomes overtaken by vanity when she receives a beautiful pair of red shoes. Though by no means a children's ballets (and it does get a little scary at times), Sadler's Wells rates this as suitable for ages seven upwards; any budding ballerinas who've already seen The Nutcracker a dozen times will adore it.
The Red Shoes at Sadler's Wells, 2 December 2025-18 January 2026. Age seven+.
Sleeping Beauty on Ice at Alexandra Palace
Each year, Alexandra Palace takes an already-enchanting show, sticks skates on the performers, and presents it on ice, with a cast of local amateur skaters of all ages rehearsing all year to perfect it. This year it's Sleeping Beauty On Ice, with the familiar story of the long-slumbering princess retold through graceful choreography and glittering costumes.
Sleeping Beauty on Ice at Alexandra Palace, 4-8 December 2025. Age three+.
Father Christmas Needs a Wee!, Arts Theatre
Do we really need to tell you the plot? Nicholas Allan knew what he was doing when he wrote the title for Father Christmas Needs a Wee! — so no wonder it's back in the West End for a second year running. The comical escapade, in which... well the title gives it away really... is turned into a chucklesome musical, performed at the Arts Theatre this December. Let's just hope it's not so funny that your kids wet themselves too.
Father Christmas Needs a Wee!, Arts Theatre, 6-24 December 2025.
The Night Before Christmas at Artsdepot
Clement Clarke Moore's festive poem 'Twas The Night Before Christmas is the inspiration behind Artsdepot's festive caper. Music and puppetry are used to bring six-year-old Amber's Christmas Eve to life, through the frustrations of grandpa being grumpy and her favourite snow globe being broken — to the excitement of a very special visitor.
The Night Before Christmas at Artsdepot, 8-31 December 2025. Recommended age three-seven. Relaxed performance 13 December.
Maddie Moate's Very Curious Christmas
TV presenter Maddie Moate makes her West End return, with an on-stage adaptation of her book, A Very Curious Christmas. Some of your most curious Christmas questions are answered, including: Where does snow come from? How do crackers go BANG? And why do Brussels sprouts make you fart?!
Maddie Moate's Very Curious Christmas at Garrick Theatre, 12 December 2025-4 January 2026. Age four+.
Disney On Ice: Find Your Hero at The O2
Cards on the table: we were raised on a diet of Disney On Ice, so we tend to get a little over-excited when the all-singing, all-dancing ice show skates back into town. This year's theme is Find Your Hero, taking you through several Disney stories, featuring characters including Mirabel (Encanto), Moana and Maui (Moana), Elsa (Frozen), plus Princesses Ariel, Belle and Rapunzel. You'll be singing and clapping along to this one, guaranteed!
And as it takes place after Christmas itself, the tickets could make a nifty little Christmas gift...
Disney On Ice at The O2, 26 December 2025-4 January 2026. And if they decide they want to try ice skating themselves? We've got you covered there too.
Non-festive family theatre shows in London this Christmas
Fed up of the kids talking about Christmas, asking about Christmas and singing about Christmas, all day long? Here are some family theatre shows in London this festive period which will nary have a mention of the 'C' word in them:
BALLET SHOES: The first major stage adaptation of Noel Streatfeild's bestselling book Ballet Shoes returns to the National Theatre, following a very successful debut last year. It's the story of three adopted sisters who fight to pursue their individual passions in a world which doesn't encourage ambitious women. Age seven+. 17 November 2025-21 February 2026
PEPPA PIG: After the national headline news early this year that Mummy Pig was pregnant again (is it us, or has 2025 been a really weird year?), Peppa Pig's Big Family Show at Theatre Royal Haymarket shows Peppa, George, Mummy and Daddy Pig preparing for the new arrival. 5 December 2025-4 January 2026
BLUEY'S BIG PLAY: Kids always trying to get you up and about? You might have some sympathy with Dad in Bluey's Big Play — he's just trying to have a bit of quiet time, but playful pups Bluey and Bingo have other ideas. See this Olivier Award-nominated live stage theatrical adaptation of the TV show at Southbank Centre. 18 December-11 January
PADDINGTON THE MUSICAL: The beloved ursine adventurer is on stage in Paddington The Musical, at the Savoy Theatre and aimed at ages six and above. Expect singing, dancing and marmalade sandwiches to accompany the story of a young bear arriving in London from Peru and trying to settle into life here in the capital. Includes new music written by McFly star Tom Fletcher. Booking until May 2026
