Christmas shows in London 2026: nine festive picks for families and grown ups

From a brand new staging of a Raymond Briggs classic to a Victorian ghost story, a Blitz era ballet and a panto for grown ups, here are nine festive shows to book for the 2026 season, with dates, running times and age guidance from each production.

Looking for a traditional pantomime outside London? Our guide to the best pantomimes in the UK covers the big family pantos across the country.

The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre

The Snowman comes to the Peacock Theatre from 21 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, in a brand new production of the stage show based on the book by Raymond Briggs and the film directed by Dianne Jackson. Expect dance, live music and stage magic. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes including a 20 minute interval, and is suitable for all ages; children aged 2 and over need a ticket.

See dates and tickets for The Snowman.

Nutcracker at the London Coliseum

English National Ballet brings its Nutcracker back to the London Coliseum from 17 December 2026 to 10 January 2027. Set on Christmas Eve in Edwardian London, it follows Clara on a journey to the Land of Sweets, with Tchaikovsky's score played live by English National Ballet Philharmonic. It runs about 2 hours including one interval, with age guidance of 5+. Under 5s are welcome at the family friendly performance on Saturday 9 January at 2pm, and there is a relaxed performance on Thursday 7 January at 1.30pm.

See dates and tickets for Nutcracker.

A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic

Matthew Warchus' production of A Christmas Carol, adapted by Jack Thorne, returns to The Old Vic from 10 November 2026 to 9 January 2027, with Giles Terera as Ebenezer Scrooge. The theatre fills with music, mince pies and merriment. It runs about two hours including a 20 minute interval and is suitable for ages 8+.

See dates and tickets for A Christmas Carol.

Matthew Bourne's Cinderella at Sadler's Wells

New Adventures' Matthew Bourne's Cinderella plays Sadler's Wells from 1 December 2026 to 17 January 2027. Set in London in 1940 during the Blitz, it tells a war time romance between Cinderella and a young RAF pilot, danced to Prokofiev's score. It runs 2 hours 20 minutes with two intervals and is recommended for ages 8+.

See dates and tickets for Matthew Bourne's Cinderella.

Cinderella at the Lyric Hammersmith

The Lyric's family pantomime this year is Cinderella, written by Joel Horwood and directed by Robin Belfield, running from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. It runs 120 minutes with age guidance of 6+. Access performances include a relaxed performance on 1 December, audio description on 10 December, BSL on 11 December and open captions on 16 December.

See dates and tickets for Cinderella at the Lyric Hammersmith.

Stick Man at the Bloomsbury Theatre

Freckle Productions' adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's Stick Man plays the Bloomsbury Theatre from 3 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. At about an hour with no interval, and suitable for all ages, it is a good first theatre trip for little ones. Under 18s must be with a responsible adult.

See dates and tickets for Stick Man.

Potted Panto at the Apollo Theatre

Potted Panto squeezes seven classic pantomimes into 70 minutes. Created by and starring Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, and directed by Richard Hurst, it plays the Apollo Theatre in the West End from 6 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.

See dates and tickets for Potted Panto.

Dick Whittington: Adults Only at the King's Head Theatre

For a night out without the children, the King's Head Theatre in Islington stages its adults only panto, Dick Whittington: Adults Only, from 26 November 2026 to 2 January 2027. Victoria Scone plays Dragpuss and River Medway plays Queen Rat. Age guidance is 16+, and 16 and 17 year olds must come with a parent. The running time is about two hours.

See dates and tickets for Dick Whittington: Adults Only.

Paddington the Musical at the Savoy Theatre

Paddington the Musical, winner of seven Olivier Awards in 2026 including Best New Musical, is playing at the Savoy Theatre on the Strand. When a small, lost bear from Peru arrives in London looking for a new home, a chance meeting with the Brown family leads him to Windsor Gardens, until a vengeful villain sets her sights on him. Music and lyrics are by Tom Fletcher, the book is by Jessica Swale and it is directed by Luke Sheppard.

The production has extended until 25 June 2028, and says the best availability for West End tickets is now from summer 2027, so it also makes a good gift for the new year. It runs about two hours and 45 minutes and is not suitable for children under 6, including babes in arms.

See dates and tickets for Paddington the Musical.

When should I book Christmas shows in London?

As early as you can. Paddington the Musical says its best availability is now from summer 2027, and the other shows here run for a limited season only, with most closing in the first days of January.

Which Christmas shows in London suit very young children?

Stick Man and The Snowman are both suitable for all ages, and Stick Man lasts about an hour. Nutcracker welcomes under 5s at its family friendly performance on 9 January.

Which Christmas shows in London have relaxed or access performances?

The Lyric Hammersmith's Cinderella has the widest choice, with a relaxed performance on 1 December, audio description on 10 December, BSL interpretation on 11 December and open captions on 16 December. English National Ballet's Nutcracker has a relaxed performance on Thursday 7 January at 1.30pm. Check each production's own page for any further dates as they are announced.

Which Christmas shows in London suit a night out without the children?

Dick Whittington: Adults Only at the King's Head Theatre is the obvious pick, with age guidance of 16+. Potted Panto is short at 70 minutes and plays the West End, while A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic and Matthew Bourne's Cinderella at Sadler's Wells both carry age guidance of 8+ and work just as well for an adult evening as for a family trip.

Which Christmas shows in London are the shortest?

Stick Man runs about an hour with no interval, and Potted Panto lasts 70 minutes. The Snowman runs 1 hour 40 minutes including the interval, while the Lyric's Cinderella runs 120 minutes. At the other end of the scale, Paddington the Musical runs about two hours and 45 minutes.

Header image: Johan Persson