Itโs not Christmas with no pantomime (oh no, itโs not!), plus it’s also possible to discover some great Christmas theatre in London for teenagers this 12 months, whether or not youโre searching for conventional exhibits, traditional ballet or new family-friendly performances. UPDATED FOR 2024
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In addition to the same old West Finish hits, thereโs at all times an added serving to of theatrical magic to get you within the festive temper, together with choices for toddlers and preschoolers having their first theatre journeys, in addition to for older youngsters and youths.
Itโs at all times price doublechecking what ages are allowed earlier than you e-book: some London theatres gainedโt settle for youngsters underneath 5, even for some family-friendly exhibits โ do take a passport or some type of ID in case your youngsters are 5 plus however look youthful than their age.
2024 pantomimes in London
Peter Pan โ London Palladium
As ever, there are a string of celebs showing within the 2024 London Palladium pantomime โ this 12 months, itโs Robin Hood.
In addition to Julian Clary and Nigel Havers, the present has a string of West Finish stars in the important thing roles. Tickets are on sale now โ just for youngsters aged 4+ (parental discretion suggested). Runs from December 7-January 12, 2025.
Cinderella โ Lyric Hammersmith
Your want has been granted! So long as itโs to see a pantomime, no less than, with an up to date model of the story of Aladdin on the Lyric Hammersmith.
As ever, thereโs been a little bit of a Christmas makeover, so in addition to a magical efficiency from the genie, you may count on comedy and loads of reside music. For ages 6+, from November 16-January 5 2025. Household tickets are additionally accessible.
For extra nice issues to do for Christmas in London with youngsters, try my prime picks
Aladdin โ Hackney Empire
The Hackney Empire at all times has one in every of Londonโs finest pantomimes โ and this 12 monthsโs alternative of Dick Whittington and His Cat will likely be celebrating the twenty fifth panto on the Empire.
With loads of traditional panto enjoyable as Dick units off on his journey to develop into the Mayor of London, there are additionally a couple of tweaks to the traditional rags-to-riches story โ look out for battling rats and Clive Rowe because the Dame too.
With reside music, tune and dance numbers and lashings of viewers participation. From November 23-January 5. Appropriate for all ages.
Potted Panto at Wiltonโs Music Corridor
Whatโs higher than seeing one panto at Christmas? Seeing seven (oh sure it’s!) However you donโt must e-book seven separate exhibits to take action, with the return of Potted Panto, on at Wiltonโs Music Corridor this 12 months.
The West Finishโs longest-running panto, youโll recognise among the best-loved tales and characters from the world of pantomime โ count on to see Aladdinโs lamp being rubbed, roam the streets of Dick Whittingtonโs London and uncover if Cinderella does go to the ball.
Add in a big serving to of slapstick, nearly continuous jokes and by the point the 80 minute present is up, youโll be aching with laughter. For age 6+, runs from December 4 โ January 4, 2025.
Cinderella โ Kingโs Head Theatre
For those whoโre searching for a panto thatโs excellent for youthful youngsters, the Kingโs Head Theatre in Islington is staging its first family-friendly pantomime in its new theatre this 12 months.
Cinderella will function puppets from the Little Angel Theatre, some nice songs, loads of slapstick comedy and many viewers participation โ immersive sufficient to make you’re feeling such as youโre on the ball your self.
Runs from November 30-January 5, 2025. As soon as every week, there can even be a naughtier, adults-only present, so ensure you e-book the proper efficiency!
There isn’t any pantomime working on the Duke of Yorkโs Theatre this 12 months,
Christmas musicals & ballet in London
Sadly Elf the Musical gainedโt be again this 12 months whereas Frozen has additionally completed its future, however there are nonetheless loads of different enjoyable festive musicals and ballet to get pleasure from at Christmas in London with youngsters
The Nutcracker โ London Coliseum
Itโs merely not Christmas with out the English Nationwide Balletโs efficiency of the Nutcracker on the London Coliseum.
With over 100 dancers and musicians bringing the magical world of Tchaikovskyโs well-known ballet to life, itโs the last word festive time out in the event youโre searching for Christmas theatre in London with youngsters. Strictly for age 5+, from December 12-January 12, 2025.
The Snowman โ Peacock Theatre
One other Christmas traditional, the Snowman is dropped at life as soon as extra on the Peacock Theatre for its twenty seventh London season in 2024.
The stage adaptation of Raymond Briggsโ much-loved e-book, thereโs a reside orchestra performing the music accompanying the heart-warming story.
In addition to a particular relaxed efficiency on December 4, the present is appropriate for all ages โ youngsters aged 2+ require tickets. Runs from November 23-January 4.
For tactics to economize in London with youngsters, together with cut-price theatre tickets and different affords, try my prime suggestions
Christmas theatre in London with youngsters
A Christmas Carol โ the Previous Vic
Discover the ghosts of Christmas previous, current and future at this new retelling of Dickensโ Christmas traditional, A Christmas Carol.
The brand new model on the Previous Vic from Jack Thorne, one of many magical writers behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Youngster, is designed to immerse the viewers, reasonably than merely watching Scrooge from afar. Aimed toward Age 8+. Runs from November 9-January 4, 2025.
Hansel and Gretel โ the Globe Theatre
In the meantime thereโs one other traditional story with Hansel and Gretel at Shakespeareโs Globe, bringing the Brothers Grimmโs story to life โ a beautiful Christmas deal with, even when itโs not fairly a Christmas story.
With music, magic and songs, as Hansel and Gretel attempt to discover their manner dwelling, regardless of a tempting path of treats to sidetrack them, itโs aimed ages 5+. Runs from November 29 to January 5, 2025 โ accessible to e-book on Todaytix as effectively.
Father Christmas Wants a Wee โ Arts Theatre
One other pretty Christmas present in London for youthful youngsters. With all these treats and drinks not noted for Santa as he makes his rounds on Christmas Eve, itโs not lengthy earlier than he realises he actually actually wants a wee.
With loads of music and jokes, Father Christmas Wants a Wee on the Arts Theatre (between Leicester Sq. and Covent Backyard) has some viewers interplay too, to get everybody feeling festive.
Aimed toward ages 3+, runs from December7-24.
Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas โ Barbican Corridor
A deliciously humorous various to all issues merry and vivid, Horrible Histories takes on the festive season with Horrible Christmas at Alexandra Palace.
With Puritan events, Tudor treats, Victorian villains and extra, itโs the one present bringing collectively Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell, Henry VIII and St Nicholas to avoid wasting Christmas. Aimed toward age 5+, performances on December 12-January 4, 2025.
A Christmas Carol (ish) โ Soho Place
For those whoโve received older youngsters who’re searching for one thing slightly extra grown-up than the common Christmas present, A Christmas Carol (ish) is ideal this winter.
When Santa cancels Christmas on Christmas Eve, heโs visited by three ghosts who a lot persuade him to see the error of his methods โ however with just one working reindeer, how will he ship every thing on time, even when he does rediscover the magic of Christmas.
That includes double Emmy-award nominee Nick Mohammed (aka Taskmaster loser and Ted Lasso star) in addition to Ghostsโ Martha Howe-Douglas and others, this new model of the traditional story
Aimed toward age 10+, there may be some minor sturdy language. Runs from November 16-December 31.
The Nutcracker โ Polka Theatre, Wimbledon
Considered one of just some youngstersโs theatre venues within the UK, the Polka Theatre has two nice Christmas productions on this 12 months, together with a re-telling of The Nutcracker.
The model new manufacturing sees Clara obtain an enchanted Nutcracker toy, which sheโs decided to avoid her accident-prone little brother โ till it appears she may simply want his assist when the evil Mouse King tries to wreck Christmas. Count on loads of singalongs and acquainted songs.
Happening in the primary theatre, itโs geared toward ages 5-12, and runs from November 16-January 26, 2025.
The Snowy Day โ Polka Theatre, Wimbledon
For those whoโre searching for Christmas performances for youthful youngsters, the Polka Theatreโs different manufacturing, The Snowy Day, is ideal.
Really useful for ages 1-4, this adaptation of the award-winning youngstersโs image e-book follows Peter as he crunches by the snowy streets of his New York neighbourhood on this pretty interactive winter journey.
Takes place within the Journey Theatre from December 6 to February 2, 2025.
The Smartest Big In City โ St Martinโs Theatre
Take pleasure in some Julia Donaldson/Axel Scheffler-inspired enjoyable this Christmas with The Smartest Big In City at St Martinโs Theatre, not removed from Leicester Sq..
The 55-minute present relies on the much-loved story of scruffy large George, whose makes an attempt to smarten himself up donโt fairly go in keeping with planโฆ till he discovers there are extra necessary issues.
With puppets and a shorter working time than some exhibits, itโs a beautiful possibility with youthful youngsters, and the manufacturing from Fierylightย and Little Angel Theatre has already been a success in earlier years. Runs from November 29 to January 5, 2025, additionally accessible to e-book at TodayTix.
Room on the Broom โ Lyric Theatre
One other Julia Donaldson adaptation โ leap on board the broom with the witch, her cat and her very tall hat, and iggety ziggety zaggety zoom, youโll be off on a really enjoyable journey.
With some magical puppets, loads of modifications to singalong with the songs and many giggle about, because the witch picks up a sequence of hitchhikers (earlier than working right into a dragon), itโs one other pretty possibility for youthful youngsters.
Aimed toward age 3+, Room on the Broom runs from November 22-January 5, 2025.
Extra 2024 Christmas exhibits in London
The Wizard of Oz on Ice โ Alexandra Palace
The annual winter present at Alexandra Palace sees The Wizard of Oz dropped at life on the ice, taking you on a magical journey down the yellow brick highway to fulfill your favorite characters.
As ever, the solid consists of home-grown expertise of all ages, proper from the youngest new skaters to nationwide championship opponents and winners.
Appropriate for ages 3+. Runs from December 6-9.
The Holly King & The Oak Kingย โ Battersea Arts Centre
For one of the vital interactive theatrical experiences this Christmas, head to Battersea Arts Centre the place Wild Rumpus are introducing a brand new festive expertise.
The Holly King & The Oak King relies round an outdated Celtic people story, the place the ruler of winter, snow and darkness battles the king of summer season, heat and light to see which season will reign supreme โ however one notably lengthy winter, the Holly Kingโs chilly defeats the Oak Kingโs warmth, plunging the world right into a deep freeze.
Can the Oak King restore steadiness to the seasons? This magical journey seems to be on the steadiness of nature and the weather. For ages 3+, from November 29 to December 24.
Maddie Moateโs Very Curious Christmas โ Apollo Theatre
Kidsโs TV presenter Maddie Moate makes her West Finish debut with the brand new reside present on the Apollo Theatre, filled with festive information and magical experiements from her hit e-book, A Very Curious Christmas.
This seasonal STEM journey seems to be on the science of winter, uncovers the mysteries behind our Christmas traditions, and solutions a few of your most curious Christmas questions โ every thing from how crackers go bang to why Brussels sprouts make you fart!
Runs from December 6-January 4, 2025. Aimed toward age 4+.
For extra tips about the perfect issues to do for Christmas in London with youngsters, try my prime picks
Disclosure: This publish incorporates affiliate hyperlinks โ any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
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