There's something extra-enchanting about the London stage come Christmastime. Here's our roundup of the best festive shows on stage in London. Looking for pantomimes? We've put together a dedicated roundup, oh yes we have. We also have separate roundups for family-friendly Christmas shows and productions of A Christmas Carol.
La Clique, Spiegeltent
Though not yuletidey in and of itself, La Clique's annual pitch-up in Leicester Square's Spiegeltent tells you it's not many sleeps till Christmas. Squint at impossibly-toned acrobats while sipping a beer and muttering under your breath: "I could do that if I wanted to." This one could be a decent shout for a Christmas work outing, or otherwise a motivation session for getting fit in the new year.
La Clique, Spiegeltent, 6 November 2024-5 January 2024.
The Great Christmas Feast, West Kensington
An all-immersive experience is on the (Christmas) cards as Lost Estate returns once again with The Great Christmas Feast. Be transported back to Christmas Eve 1843 for a snow-flecked night of live storytelling and music, dishes scoured from the pages of Victorian cookery books, and a mug or two of smoking bishop. At the heart of this show is a unique telling of A Christmas Carol, as performed by Alex Phelps, who channels the great Charles Dickens and a host of other beloved characters to boot. Also check out: Where To Watch Dickens' A Christmas Carol On Stage In London.
The Great Christmas Feast, West Kensington, 8 November 2024-12 January 2025.
The Snowman, Peacock Theatre
We've done a separate roundup of family-friendly Christmas shows, but c'mon, The Snowman is for adults just as much as it is for kids. This balletic version —now over 25 years old — takes the late Raymond Briggs' masterpiece and runs dances with it. Not only are there snowman hoedowns and escapades through snow-drifted woodland with a motorbike and sidecar — but a marauding troupe of tropical fruits, and a sneering baddie in the guise of Jack Frost. Like switching on Channel 4 on Christmas Eve while dropping acid. Also check out: Festive Theatre Shows To Enchant The Whole Family This Christmas.
The Snowman, Peacock Theatre, 23 November 2024-4 January 2025.
A Very Naughty Christmas, Southwark Playhouse
Being naughty at Christmas gets a bad rap, what with the lumps of coal and everything, but A Very Naughty Christmas promises to realign such thinking. Already a cult hit in Australia, this heady Christmas party punch of a show makes its London debut with cabaret, stand-up comedy, burlesque and musical numbers. Australia’s original 'Bad Santa' — aka Stephen Hirst — is also making the sleigh ride over for the whole of the London run. Expect everything that The Snowman is not.
A Very Naughty Christmas, Southwark Playhouse, 28 November 2024-11 January 2025.
Cinderella, Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House swaps the Nutcracker for Cinderella this year, with a version masterminded by its founding choreographer, Frederick Ashton. Creatives who've worked on the likes of My Neighbour Totoro and Harry Potter and The Cursed Child should ensure this one's ethereally enchanting for the whole family. Also check out: Where To Watch The Best Pantomimes This Festive Season.
Cinderella, Royal Opera House, 3 December 2024-16 January 2025
Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake The Next Generation, Sadler's Wells
A "menacing male ensemble" is not something society tends to celebrate these days, but in the case of Matthew Bourne's 30-year-old take on Swan Lake, it's OK to make an exception. The thrilling, witty, bold and emotive production became the longest running full-length dance classic in the West End and on Broadway — and now here's another chance to see it. A darkness-tinged ballet for those who love festive shows, but aren't so keen on the whole "he's behind you!" schtick.
Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake The Next Generation, Sadler's Wells, 3 December 2024-26 January 2025
Homo Alone, The Other Palace
From the makers of Ghosted: Another F**king Christmas Carol and A Very Very Bad Cinderella comes Homo Alone — a queer parody of everyone's favourite Christmas movie about neglectful parents. Not much is given away in the marketing spiel, so whether this'll glint brightly as a golden tooth, or be as rotten as a sticky bandit in the back of a fish truck, remains to be seen.
Homo Alone, The Other Palace, 5 December 2024-5 January 2025
Live at Christmas with Sara Pascoe, Rose Theatre
The ever-hilarious Sara Pascoe is touring the country with her Live at Christmas show, bringing with her a sackful of fellow comedians. On 9 December, she's at the Rose Theatre in Kingston with John Kearns, Janine Harouni, Rhys James and Jen Brister in tow. Are the jokes actually going to be Christmassy? Don't know but there are candy canes and crackers all over the poster...
Live at Christmas with Sara Pascoe, Rose Theatre, Kingston, 9 December 2024
Adam Riches and John Kearns ARE 'Ball & Boe'
"Baubles. Banter. Bromance. Ballads." Two knee-tremblingly funny comedians join forces for this curveball of a Christmas spectacular, in which they play "one of music’s most bangable duos", Michael Ball and Alfie Boe. You never quite know what to expect with this pair, but it might just be the funniest show on stage this December.
Adam Riches and John Kearns ARE 'Ball & Boe', Soho Theatre, 10 December 2024-4 January 2025
The Nutcracker: Sadler's Wells, London Coliseum and Southbank Centre
A seven-headed mouse king and pirouetting candy set to a swirling Russian overture sounds like the fever dream of some kid who's knocked back an entire tin of Roses while watching the six o'clock news — but of course, we're talking about timeless Christmas tale, The Nutcracker. There are three biggies in the capital this Christmas, courtesy of Carlos Acosta's Nutcracker in Havana, which brings some unseasonable heat to Southbank Centre; London Coliseum's usual epic staging (feat. over 100 dancers and musicians); and a nifty 52-minute rendition from the Let's All Dance Ballet Company at Sadler's Well (especially suitable for those with younger kids). All adaptations will be bewitching, bizarre — and star one of the most enchanting scores of all time. Is it even Christmas without the Nutcracker?
The Nutcracker: Southbank Centre (10-15 December 2024), London Coliseum (12 December 2024-12 January 2025) Sadler's Wells (27 December 2024-5 January 2025).
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, Wembley Arena
Danny Elfman is back at Wembley — ably abetted by the BBC Concert Orchestra — for a screening of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas with a live soundtrack. The show was also due to star Ken Page, voice of Oogie Boogie, but sadly he recently passed away. We're sure they'll make it an extra good show for him.
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, Wembley Arena, 12 December 2024
Nick Helm's Christmas F*ck Fest 9, Pleasance Theatre
"Human Car Crash of Light Entertainment and National Treasure in waiting" Nick Helm talcs up his facial hair and takes over the Pleasance, with his ninth instalment of his Charity Christmas F*ck Fest. Comedy, music, and general chaos are in the offing (and seeing as it's in aid of charity, complaining isn't allowed.) Apparently journalists that hide in the dark and say "oh he's just doing what he always does" are not welcome, so we might not see you there.
Nick Helm's Charity Christmas F*ck Fest 9, Pleasance Theatre, 17 December.
Die Hard Xmas, Museum of Comedy
After tickling the funny bones of Angelenos, Die Hard Xmas — a musical parody of the Christmas-not-Christmas action film — crosses the pond for this one-off staging at Bloomsbury's Museum of Comedy. Believe it or not, there's actually more than one Die Hard musical parody doing the rounds, but this is the one that claims to have sold out every LA performance, and earned rave reviews across the board. Yippee Ki Yay indeed.
Die Hard Xmas, Museum of Comedy, 21 December 2024.
Christmas with Anton du Beke, Haymarket Theatre
Everyone's favourite Rob Brydon/Bruce Forsyth/Gene Kelly lovechild, Anton Du Beke has his own festive show this year — a one off do at Haymarket Theatre, with dancing soundtracked by a house band and vocalist Lance Ellington. Whether it's a 10/10 across the board remains to be seen. Also check out: Christmas Music Shows In London
Christmas with Anton du Beke, Haymarket Theatre, 22 December
