Whether you’re looking for a festive production that packs a punch or you’re wanting a crowd-pleaser for all ages, spend your Christmas in the West End at these seasonal shows.
A Christmas Carol
Don’t be a humbug this Christmas! Sprinkling a strong dose of festive cheer across London theatres, the Old Vic sees the return of A Christmas Carol, with Jack Thorne’s adaptation transporting audiences to Dickensian England for a third consecutive year. Paterson Joseph takes the helm as Ebenezer Scrooge, a cold-hearted business owner who is set in his ways. Greeted by the ghosts of former colleagues and Christmases past and present, Scrooge embarks on an epic journey that sees him change his ways.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
With previous West End Christmases seeing productions of Snow White and Dick Whittington, the London Palladium has recently earned an unofficial title as the home of London pantomime. Now’s your chance to head to the Big Top as Goldilocks and the Three Bears tumbles into town. Sophie Isaacs and Gary Wilmot star as circus owners Goldilocks and Dame Betty Barnum who enlist the help of a trio of barmy bears and all their circus friends to save their big top tent collapsing.
White Christmas
If you’re wanting to step into a snowglobe this year, make your West End Christmas theatre trip merry and bright as Irving Berlin’s timeless White Christmas comes to town. The charming musical sees Danny Mac and Dan Burton play Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, two ex-army pals who work with sisters to raise money for their General’s ski lodge. Boasting a creative team including choreography by An American In Paris’ Stephen Mear and direction by Nikolai Foster, this heartwarming musical is sure to whisk you away to a jolly, joyful world.
Nutcracker English National Ballet
Tchaikovsky’s iconic score is at the heart of the English National Ballet’s Christmas celebrations, as The Nutcracker returns to the Coliseum. As a young girl named Clara realises that her Nutcracker doll has come to life on Christmas Eve, the pair travel to the Land of Snow, meeting the Sugar Plum Fairy along the way in a ballet that’s fizzing with festivities.
The Snowman
For 22 years, the Peacock Theatre has been home to one of London’s iconic Christmas gifts: The Snowman. Based on Raymond Briggs’ children’s story, watch in wonder as a young boy builds a snowman that comes alive, later setting off on a dream-like adventure through the skies with his new wintery pal. Featuring the popular festive tune ‘Walking in The Air’, it’s the perfect seasonal show for those looking to add a touch of magic to their end of year celebrations.
Circus 1903
The height of Golden Age entertainment comes to town as Circus 1903 bring their world-class daredevil stunts to the Royal Festival Hall for just three weeks. As well as impressive puppetry skills from the team behind War Horse, be left spellbound as a company of acrobats, contortionists, jugglers, trapeze and high wire performers seem to take to the skies, with the Brazilian Wheel of Death as a new act for 2019.
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
C.S. Lewis’ series of Narnia books have invited readers and audiences into a world through a wardrobe for generations. Now, step into the famous fictional world as the wardrobe opens its doors at the Bridge Theatre. As four siblings suddenly find themselves in a snowy land far, far away from where they’re living, they’re suddenly thrusted with huge responsibility: will they be able to save Narnia and its creatures, including Aslan the lion? After breaking box office records in Leeds in 2017, this Christmassy treat is sure to put a smile on your face.
Cinderella
Away from the West End, the bright lights continue to twinkle across London theatres as the Lyric Hammersmith presents a new production of Cinderella for its annual pantomime. Timmika Ramsay plays the titular character whose rag-to-riches story as she searches for her Prince Charming is known world over. But, it’s not just the Lyric Hammersmith that’ll see Cinderella take centre stage, as the West End undergoes a ‘fierce and funny drag makeover’ in Cinderella at Trafalgar Studios, while The Vaults open its doors to the classic pantomime Cinderella – now told in a British pub!
Nativity! The Musical
As the end of term approaches, kids up and down the country will don their parents’ finest tablecloths to star in their school’s Christmas play, especially since the release of the Nativity! films. Now adapted into a smash-hit musical, the festive production returns to London for a third year with a whole host of famous faces including Danny Dyer, Sharon Osbourne, Rylan Clark-Neal and Simon Lipkin, injecting a huge dose of ‘Sparkle and Shine’ to Christmas theatre in London.
Peter Pan Goes Wrong
Mischief Theatre extends their stagey reign over London this Christmas as Peter Pan Goes Wrong flies into the city. Witness J.M. Barrie’s story of the boy who never grew up with an extra-special Mischief Twist, as a group of actors aim to make it to Neverland; will they fly past the second star to the right? Seen by millions on television, experience the show in front of your eyes at Alexandra Palace.