Warmhearted storytelling, clever puppetry and dazzling spectacle are all part of our annual Christmas Shows roundup giving you the best of London theatre for children, from babies and toddlers to big kids and families!
Top Christmas Family Shows (All Ages)
Puss in Boots at Hackney Empire, 291 Mare St, E8 (Hackney Central overground)
The swashbuckling feline causes havoc in the magic kingdom of Hackneyonia at this panto institution, filled with zany characters, show-stopping music and knockabout humour. 1pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 5pm & 7pm (check web site for dates and times); £10-£32 (until Jan 4)
The Snowman at Peacock Theatre, Portugal St, WC2 (Holborn tube)
Utterly magical Christmas show, adapted from Raymond Briggs’ story, with rousing score and a snowman who actually takes flight! Unmissable. For all ages (recommended 2+). 11am, 2.30pm & 7pm; £12-£32/family £95 (until Jan 5)
The Nutcracker at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, WC2 (Covent Garden tube)
Traditionally seasonal ballet in which the toys come magically to life, set to Tchaikovsky’s familiar score, recommended for ages 5+. Limited tickets left for Jan 4 (7.30pm), £44 – book fast! Otherwise visit ROH for day tickets and returns. (Dec 4-Jan 16)
Seussical the Musical at Arts Theatre West End, Great Newport St, WC2 (Leicester Square tube)
Relive your childhood at this wild and wonderful Dr Seuss adaptation. From Horton Hears a Who to Green Eggs & Ham, it’s a toe-tapping adventure set to leave you grinning from ear to ear. 11am & 1.30pm (Thu & Sat), 1.30pm (Wed & Fri), 1.30pm & 3.30pm (Sun) (times and dates vary, confirm on web site), £22.50-£25 (until Jan 5)
Stick Man at Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, WC2 (Leicester Square tube)
Hugely acclaimed adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Sheffler’s tale returns to the West End for a limited Christmas run. Stick Man embarks on a twiggy adventure to get back to the family tree. Filled with music, puppetry and moves for ages 3+ (but I enjoyed it as much as the babes)! 10.30am (Wed-Fri), 10.30am & 2pm (Sat-Sun); £10 (until Jan 8)
We also like
The Gruffalo and the Gruffalo’s Child (Dec 21) and Wallace and Gromit’s Musical Marvels both with live orchestra at Barbican Centre (Dec 22 & 23); more classic panto in Jack & the Beanstalk at Southwark Playhouse (Dec 6-Jan 11), Dick Whittington at Millfield Arts Centre and Aladdin at New Wimbledon Theatre (Dec 6-Jan 12); circus and storytelling in The Snow Gorilla at Rose Theatre, Kingston (until Jan 5); Peter Pan Goes Wrong at Pleasance Theatre, N1 (Dec 10-Jan 5); and another version of The Nutcracker at the London Coliseum ; and of course The Lion King, playing all year round!
Top Christmas Shows for Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-3)
Dogs Don’t Do Ballet at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 (Angel tube)
Pups en pointe in this charming and funny puppet theatre for ages 2-6. 10am, 11.30am & 1.30pm + 10am baby-friendly Sunday shows; adult £12/child £10 (Dec 11-Feb 2)
Peppa Pig’s Big Splash at Criterion Theatre, 2 Jermyn St, SW1 (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Peppa and friends need to fix a leaky roof, organise a big day out and of course get into some puddle jumping. Splashy, song and dance fun for ages 0-3. 11am & 2.30pm (Tue, Thu, Fri & Sun), 11am (Sat); £11.50-£18.50/babies 0-12 months FREE (if sitting on lap) (Dec –Jan 5)
White at Spirit Level, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
An atmospheric and highly playful experience that sees a sparkling world of white suddenly invaded by multiple colours. This show specially created by Catherine Wheels for ages 2-4 returns to Southbank Centre after its sell-out run in 2011. 10.30am & 1.30pm, adult £12/child £6 (Dec 18-Jan 4)
Soho Screamers at Soho Theatre, 21 Dean St, W1D 3NE (Tottenham Court Rd tube)
Brand new season of babe-friendly theatre, featuring grown-up plays The Night Before Christmas (Dec 11), Late Night Gimp Fight (Dec 18) and What Would Beyonce Do (Jan 8) performed to a mum and baby (0-12 months) crowd. Buggy park, nappy changing and meal deal on offer. 11am, £10-£25/babies FREE (until Jan 8)
’Twas the Night Before Christmas at Unicorn Theatre, Tooley St, SE1 (London Bridge tube)
Bewitching dramatisation of the famous poem with light projections. Dates added by popular demand, but tickets selling out fast! Ages 2+ 11am, 1.30pm & 2.30pm (dates and times vary); £10-£16. NB: best ticket availability from Dec 27 (until Jan 5)
We also like
Another hugely entertaining take on a classic fable in The Hare & the Tortoise at Jacksons Lane, N6 (ages 2+, Dec 9-Jan 3)
Top Christmas Shows for Preschoolers (ages 3-5)
Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas at Lyric Hammersmith, W6 (Hammersmith tube)
One of the most famous Christmas stories returns to the stage in an enchanting adaptation to warm the cockles for young and old (recommended ages 0-6). Show from 9.30am (times and dates vary, check the web site for your day); adult £10/child £8 (until Jan 4)
The Night Before Christmas at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 (Angel tube)
Settle in to watch this musical puppet fantasy based on the classic poem, featuring singing socks, riotous reindeer and a Santa-on-the-edge. For ages 3+ (baby-friendly performances on Sundays at 11am until Dec 15, plus Sat Nov 23 Nov 11am and Mon Dec 23 Dec 11am). 11am-1pm, 2-3pm, (Sat-Sun, dates & times vary); Half-price preview weekend this Sat & Sun! (Nov 16-17), regular prices; adult £14/child £10/family £44 (until Jan 5)
The Tiger who Came to Tea at Arts Depot, 5 Nether St, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley N12 (Finchley Central tube)
The terrific, ticklishly funny and and toe-tappingly enjoyable remix of this children’s picture book comes to north London for Christmas. Ages 3+ 1.30pm & 3pm, £12.50-14 (Dec 3-Jan 5)
Boing! at Lilian Baylis Studio, Roseberry Ave, EC1 (Angel tube)
Super bouncy fun with hip hop and ballet from two boys who are too excited to sleep on Christmas Eve. For ages 3+ 11.30am & 3pm; adult £12/child £7 (Dec 20-Jan 5)
The Gruffalo at Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2 (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Enter the dark woods with a wily mouse and discover music, mischief and mayhem. Tall Stories’ award-winning production of Julia Donaldson’s story is a monstrously good show! 11am (Tue-Fri), 10am & 12pm (Sat-Sun); from £14 (until Jan 12)
We also like
Magic and mischief in Peaceful Lion’s Hey Presto! at Pleasance Theatre, N1 (Dec 4-21); Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream at O2 Arena (Dec 26-Jan 5); more Tall Stories with The Snail and the Whale at St James’ Theatre in Victoria (Dec 10-Jan 5); ghostly fun in The Elephantom in The Shed, at National Theatre (ages 4+, Dec 10-Jan 11); a Jurassic adventure in Dinosaur Zoo at Phoenix Theatre, West End (ages 3+, Nov 27-Jan 12)
Top Christmas Shows for Big Kids & School Babes (ages 5+)
The Good Neighbour , Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, SW11 (Clapham Common tube/Clapham Junction rail)
Help George Neighbour rediscover Battersea Arts Centre and uncover the mystery of his lost memory. A magical and critically acclaimed adventure for ages 6-11. Younger ones welcome at matinee shows and there’s the Bees Knees play area for ages 0-5. 2pm & 7pm, adult £12-£19.50/child £12 (Dec 6-Jan 4)
Cinderella at Unicorn Theatre, Tooley St, SE1 (London Bridge tube)
Imaginative spin on the fairytale sees Ella coming to grips with wicked relatives and discovering true magic in this award-winning production, with original live music. Also available: Cinderella Christmas Sleepover (Dec 13 & 16), tickets include show, dinner and breakfast. For ages 6+. Shows from 10.30am (times and dates vary, check web site); £15-£22. Sleepover tickets child £50/adults welcome at an additional cost. (until Jan 5)
Slava’s Snow Show at Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
Critically acclaimed solo circus act with dazzling spectacle, music and blizzard finale! Recommended for ages 8+. NB: no under 3s allowed. 2.30pm & 7.30pm, also 6pm Suns; £20-£65 (Dec 17-Jan 7)
The Wind in the Willows at The Duchess Theatre, 3-5 Catherine St, WC2 (Covent Garden tube)
Choreographer/director Will Tuckett brings Toad, Mole, Ratty and Badger to the stage in a spectacular production of song, dance and puppetry based on Kenneth Grahame’s much-loved tale. For ages 5+. 7pm (Mon-Tue, Thu & Sun); 2.30pm & 7pm (Wed, Fri & Sat); £15-£50 (Dec 11-Feb 1)
Emil and the Detectives at the National Theatre, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Exciting live retelling of the classic story by Erich Kastner about a boy’s adventures in 1920s Berlin. Recommended for ages 7+. £12-£50/half-price tickets over £24 for under 18s (until Feb 20)
We also like
High-flying spectacle in Peter Pan the Arena Show in Wembley Arena with pop/operatic soundtrack and Stacey Solomon as Tinkerbell (recommended for ages 5+, Jan 2-4); multiple award-winning Matilda the Musical, playing all through the year (ages 5+)
[…] at the fabulous Babes About Town for the inside scoop on what is happening. She’s got the top 20 shows for families in London this Christmas and via Uju I just spotted the Enchanted Christmas House at […]