The kids have only just gone back to school, the first autumn leave have barely started falling, and we hope we're a couple of months away from the first frost of winter. But in the West End, Christmas is very much coming,— with a flurry of festive shows already available to book for 2025 (and some of these sell out year after year, so get in there sharpish to secure your seats).
Don't blame us, we're just the messengers.
The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre
Back for an incredible 28th year, The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre is a choreographed take on the much-loved picture book and animated film, about a young boy who takes to the skies with the snowman he builds in his back garden. Spectacular design, magical lighting and enchanting choreography are accompanied by a live orchestra, and it's equally as beguiling for adults and children.
If your festive family traditions involve watching The Snowman when it's broadcast on Channel 4 every Christmas Eve, this one is a must. Plus it involves some quirky characters that don't feature in the cartoon.
The Snowman, 22 November 2025-4 January 2026.
The Nutcracker at the Royal Albert Hall
Another annual favourite — and an excellent way to fill those odd days between Christmas and New Year — Birmingham Royal Ballet has been performing its enchanting production of The Nutcracker at the Royal Albert Hall for several years now, bringing Clara's toys to life and taking audiences on a fantastical journey through the kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
This one's always incredibly popular, and there are only six shows in 2025, taking place across three days, so book tickets asap to make sure you don't miss out.
The Nutcracker, 29-31 December 2025. Age five+.
A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story at Alexandra Palace
London's not short of renditions of Charles Dickens' festive classic when Christmas rolls round, but the distressed plaster/exposed brickwork of Alexandra Palace Theatre makes for an extra special bone-chilling, spine-tingling setting for Mark Gatiss' spooky retelling of the ghostly tale.
A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story at Alexandra Palace Theatre, 21 November 2025-4 January 2026.
Christmas Carol Goes Wrong at Apollo Theatre
If Ally Pally (above) takes A Christmas Carol seriously, the Apollo Theatre is the opposite, turning the whole thing into farce. On purpose, mind. The Play That Goes Wrong team blend slapstick comedy with a meta-narrative of a show-within-a-show, as an amateur dramatic society attempts to perform Dickens' work with disastrous consequences. God help us, everyone.
Christmas Carol Goes Wrong at Apollo Theatre, 6 December 2025-25 January 2026.
Ebony Scrooge at Sadler's Wells East
Dickens goes hip hop, as Stratford's newest theatre Sadler's Wells East celebrates its first Christmas with Ebony Scrooge — a high-fashion, high-octane makeover. Hip hop, comedy and physical theatre commingle in the family-friendly tale of Ebony, the formidable head of a fashion empire who has cancelled Christmas for her landmark fashion show. Three mystical visitors help her to discover her Caribbean roots and the true meaning of happiness. Dickens meets The Devil Wears Prada, by the sounds of it.
Ebony Scrooge at Sadler's Wells East, 26 November 2025-4 January 2026.
Jack and the Beanstalk, various venues
London is replete with pantomimes each year (oh no it isn't, etc), but as far as we know the King's Head Theatre is the only venue offering two very different adaptations of its panto: family and adult spins on Jack and the Beanstalk.
The kids' version takes on a local slant, set at Jack's mum's dairy farm, Angel Delight on Udder Street, with Jack scaling the beanstalk to save the town and rescue his moosical theatre-loving bovine bestie Cowpatti Lupone from the clutches of the fearsome giant. Expect the traditional blend of singing, dancing, slapstick and audience participation.
The adults-only version tells the same tale, in the form of a full-on, no holds barred spectacle: expect show tunes, slapstick and a cheeky twist on traditional pantomime fun... and plenty of latex. Strictly 18+.
Jack and the Beanstalk at King's Head Theatre family version (23 November 2025-4 January 2026) and adult-only version (25 November 2025-4 January 2026)
The Lyric Hammersmith, one of London's most legendary pantos, also tackles Jack and the Beanstalk for Christmas 2025 (15 November 2025-4 January 2026).
Lovers Actually at The Other Palace
Fan of Richard Curtis rom-com Love Actually? That's irrelevant: Lovers Actually at The Other Palace puts a raunchy twist on the festive romance, interweaving a shed-load of filthy fun into the original storylines. Will the Prime Minister finally get his Christmas wish? Will Mark steal his best friend’s new wife? Find out at this adults-only show by the team behind last year’s sold-out hit, Homo Alone.
Lovers Actually at The Other Palace, 21 November 2025-4 January 2026.
A Fairytale for Christmas at Dominion Theatre
For one night only, an Irish-style Christmas show comes to London, described as like "a St Patrick’s Day party – on Christmas Day". Talented singers, musicians and dancers from the Emerald Isle perform Christmas classics including Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town, Step into Christmas, O Holy Night and Fairytale of New York. Once you're singing and dancing along, they dial up the Irish, covering Galway Girl, The Irish Rover, Dirty Old Town and The Black Velvet Band, among others. Wouldn't be surprised to hear a bit of Danny Boy in there too.
A Fairytale for Christmas at Dominion Theatre, 23 November 2025.
Maddie Moate's Very Curious Christmas at Garrick Theatre
CBeebies presenter Maddie Moate brings her festive show Maddie Moate's Very Curious Christmas back to London, offering a festive theatre show for the whole family.
She's on work experience in the North Pole, and needs your help to use science, curiosity and a sprinkle of Christmas magic to help elves Tinker and Goggles fix the workshop in time for Mrs Claus' big visit.
Maddie Moate's Very Curious Christmas at the Garrick Theatre, 12 December 2025-4 January 2026.
