One of the many pleasures of Christmas in London is the plethora (try saying that word after a mulled wine or two) of fabulous children’s Christmas shows for families with kids of all ages.
I always tell visitors to London not to miss The Snowman (for younger babes) or Slava’s Snow Show (for slightly older kids), but this year there are so many wonderful sounding productions, I could hardly fit them into one guide.
Here are my picks for the most fantastic children’s Christmas Shows to see you over the holidays and into the New Year. A couple of these productions are running all the way through spring. Enjoy!
Babes Choice: Top Children’s Christmas Shows in London 2015
Elf the Musical at Dominion Theatre, 268-269 Tottenham Court Road, W1T 7AQ (Tottenham Court Rd tube)
The Will Ferrell comedy is one of my favourite Christmas movies, and now it’s been adapted for the stage, in what we expect to be a big-hearted, toe-tapping experience. Find out what happens when a boy who (wrongly) believes he’s an elf comes face to face with reality. Recommended for ages 4+, children under 2 not allowed. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) and 2.30pm (Wed & Sat); £30-£83.90 (until Jan 2)
The Snowman at Peacock Theatre, Portugal St, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
This is an absolutely breathtaking piece of children’s theatre, adapted from Raymond Briggs’ beloved tale. Visitors go year after year to experience the glorious score and a snowman who actually flies! For all ages (recommended 2+). 11am, 2.30pm & 7pm; £15-£35/family £95 (until Jan 3)
Slava’s Snow Show (pictured) at Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
Simply one of the most brilliant children’s Christmas shows we’ve ever seen. Critically acclaimed solo circus act filled with humour, awe-inspiring vision, emotional soundtrack and a finale that nearly takes the roof off! Recommended for ages 8+ but suitable for ages 5+. NB: no under 3s allowed. 2.30pm & 7.30pm, also 6pm Suns and some Thu; £20-£75 (Dec 16-Jan 3)
Jack and the Beanstalk at Hackney Empire, 291 Mare St, E8 (Hackney Central overground)
London’s number one pantomime is back with larger than life characters, soaring vocalists, crazy costumes and slap-your-thigh humour. Olivier Award-winning Clive Rowe takes the helm in this riotous adaptation of the popular fairytale! All ages. 1pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 5.30pm, 7pm (times vary daily, check site); £10-£34.50 (until Jan 3)
Wonder.land (pic) at National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
Damon Albarn’s score underlines the mind-bending story of a girl named Aly, lost in a virtual Wonderland, brought to the stage in an inventive adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic blending pop wizardry, digital technology and a cast of unforgettable characters. For ages 10+. 2pm & 7.30pm; £15-£55 (Dec 16-Apr 30)
Best Baby and Toddler Friendly Shows (ages 0-5)
Raymond Brigg’s Father Christmas at Lyric Hammersmith, W6 (Hammersmith tube)
Nothing says Christmas like good old Mr Claus and Raymond Brigg’s sweet (and a little bit £*&! mouthed) version of Father Christmas is a veritable cracker. Lyric Hammersmith brings one of the most well loved children’s Christmas shows back year after year, in an enchanting adaptation to warm the cockles for young and old (recommended ages 0-6). Shows from 9.30am (times and dates vary, check the website for your day); £10/babies under 18 months FREE on parent/carer’s lap (Nov 20-Dec 24)
Battersea Arts Centre: Town Hall Cherubs and Mr Mountford’s Kaleidoscopic Christmas, Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, SW11 5TN (Clapham Junction rail/overground)
An enchanting adventure for younger viewers (ages 2-5) to go on a secret journey through the beautiful old rooms of the BAC. They will be on a quest to help a sleepy cherub find his way home to the sky again. Shows at 9:30am, 11am, 1:30pm and 3pm, £10-£14 (until Jan 3)
Nutcracker the Musical (pic) at Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, North Rd, N7 9EF (Caledonian Rd overground)
Teenager Marie is too old to play with dolls but is intrigued by an old nutcracker that her uncle gave her. Soon she’s whisked away to a magical kingdom where she has to break a curse, and rescue Princess Pirlipat. Fresh take on the classic ballet with Tchaikovsky’s score given a modern spin. All ages. 4pm & 7.30pm; £12-£16 (Dec 8-Jan 3)
Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic at O2 Arena, Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX (North Greenwich tube)
Celebrate the best of Disney on Ice with all your favourites from Mickey and the Gang to the stars of Finding Nemo, The Lion King, The Incredibles, Toy Story and more gliding, spinning and thrilling audiences every night. All ages. 11am, 2.45pm, 6.30pm; £22-£46 (Dec 24-Jan 4)
The Railway Children at King’s Cross, Goods Way entrance, Kings Boulevard, N1C 4QL (King’s Cross St. Pancras tube/rail)
The Olivier Award winning show returns to King’s Cross, bringing the classic tale by E Nesbitt beautifully to life and starring a real live steam train as its centrepiece. Recommended for ages 2+ (NB: babies under 2 not admitted). Shows from 1pm (times vary, see website); £25-£49.50/25% off for under 16s (until April 2016)
We also like
Interactive, exploratory show Once Upon a Christmas at Unicorn Theatre, for ages 2-5 (Dec 8-23); Wow said the Owl picture book adaptation for ages 2-5, with baby friendly performances at Little Angel Theatre (Dec 2-Jan 31); Baby Broadway at Arts Depot, toe-tapping musical performances for ages 0 and upwards (Dec 16): Town Hall Cherubs at Battersea Arts Centre, enchanting secret journey through the centre for ages 2-5 (until Jan 3); The Bear at the Albany in Deptford, a dreamy wintry tale for ages 2+ (Dec 7-Jan 3); Mr Rabbit Meets Brer Santa, popular seasonal production at Puppet Theatre Barge for 8 and under (until Jan 10)
Best Shows for Younger Kids (ages 3-6)
We Are the Monsters (pic) at Royal Festival Hall, Spirit Level, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Scratchy, squirmy mini monsters come shimmering out of a cardboard world, their legs and arms moving in impossible ways. Weird, wonderful and funny dance show to delight ages 4-9. 11am & 2pm (Tue-Sat), 3pm (Sun); £7-£14 (Dec 12-23)
Land of Lights at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Hurry, hurry! The wonderful Oily Cart are back with another immersive production for the very young, and tickets are already selling out. A hot air balloon soars over a tiny city, but where have all the little people gone? Journey to the land of lights with puppets, music and a sparkly finish. For ages 3-5. 10.30am & 2pm, £10 (Dec 15-Jan 3)
The Snow Child at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
A man and a woman build a girl child out of snow and magical things happen. Inventive retelling of a classic folktale with puppets, song and dance from Dancing Brick. For ages 3+. Shows from 10.30am (times vary, see website), adult £18/child £12 (until Jan 3)
The Little Match Girl at Sadler’s Wells Lilian Baylis Studio, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R (Angel tube)
An impoverished young girl’s hopes and dreams are told through dance, theatre and song in a spellbinding adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s work by Arthur Pita. For ages 5+. 11am, 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; adult £18/child £12 (Dec 12-Jan 3)
Nutcracker at London Coliseum
St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ES (Charing Cross tube)
The story of Clara and her enchanted nutcracker doll is brought thrillingly to life, as 100+ dancers and musicians transform Tchaikovsky’s glorious score into an iconic ballet performance. For ages 5+, special family-friendly shows for under 5s on Jan 4 (2.30pm) and Jan 10 (2.30pm); adult from £69/child from £34.50 (Dec 16-Jan 10)
The Little Bird who Stayed for Winter at The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH (Chalk Farm tube)
Peut-être Theatre is back after the sell-outThe Tin Soldier, with another circus-dance-theatre piece about a little bird who stays behind in winter, after falling in love with the songs of a Parisian street artist. For ages 3+. 11am & 2.30pm, £8-£12 (Dec 19-Jan 4)
We also like
Room on the Broom, magical, musical fun from Tall Stories at Arts Depot for ages 3+ (until Jan 3); Red Riding Hood at the Pleasance, N1, a clever twist on a classic fairytale (until Jan 3); Beasty Baby at Polka Theatre, a spirited tale for wild things ages 3-6 (until Jan 3); The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me for ages 4-11, Roald Dahl’s tale told with puppets at Little Angel Theatre (until Jan 31); Tall Stories adapt Julia Donaldson’s popular tale, The Snail and the Whale at Jacksons Lane, for ages 4+ (until Jan 3)
Best Shows for Older Kids (ages 6+)
The Firework Maker’s Daughter at Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 9DD (Covent Garden tube)
The tale of Lila who wants to make fireworks like her father, and runs away to learn the trade, befriending animals and encountering danger and bravery along the way. Shadow puppets and light projections bring Philip Pullman’s acclaimed book to the stage, in a lush production by John Fulljames incorporating opera, gamelan and lots of surprises. For ages 6+. 12.30pm, 2pm, 5pm & 7pm (times and dates vary); £8-£26 (Dec 10-Jan 2)
Cinderella & the Beanstalk at Theatre 503, The Latchmere, 503 Battersea Park Road, SW11 3BW (Clapham Junction overground/Sloane Square tube, bus 319)
Three men and a panto with no visible cast, what could go wrong? See the riotous production from award-winning comedy trio Josh, John and James as they pull off multiple characters with bare-knuckled panache. For ages 6+. 3pm & 7pm; £12-£15/family of 4 £40 (until Jan 2)
A Christmas Carol at Rose Theatre Kingston, 24-26 High Street, KT1 1HL (Kingston/Surbiton rail)
Follow the tale of the most famous anti-Christmas geezer, Ebenezer, as he’s propelled on a supernatural ride through Christmases past, present and future to rediscover the true spirit of the season. Brand new adaptation of Dickens’ classic, directed by Ciaran McConville. Shows at 11am, 1.30pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm (Tue-Sun, times vary daily, check website); £10-£29.50/family tickets from £18.50 per person (until Jan 3)
Dr Seuss’s The Lorax at the Old Vic, The Cut, SE1 8NB (Waterloo tube/rail)
Dr Seuss’s classic tale comes to the stage in an inventive new show, bursting with zany humour, original songs and puppetry. Follow the tale of giant moustached creature The Lorax, whose mission is to protect the earth from The Once-ler, a greedy tree-chopping businessman. A powerful message in a show created by David Greig and director Max Webster (James and the Giant Peach, To Kill a Mockingbird, Twelfth Night). For ages 6+. Kids ages 3 and under only admitted at special Relaxed Performances for younger ones (check web site for details). Show times 3pm & 7pm: £12-£60/child under 18 months FREE, but please let Box Office know if you intend to bring a baby (Dec 4-Jan 16)
Peter Pan Goes Wrong at Apollo Theatre, 31 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7EZ (Piccadilly Circus tube)
From the accident-prone team that brought you The Play that Goes Wrong comes this madcap remake of the Peter Pan fable brought to stage. See the cast of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society struggle through flying mishaps, casting disputes and other hitches, and wonder if they’ll ever make it to Neverland! For ages 8+. 2.30pm & 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 3pm & 7pm (Sun) (times vary, check website for confirmation); £20-£69.50 (Dec 4-Jan 31)
Beauty and the Beast at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
When Belle’s father is threatened by a Beast, the bookish heroine comes to his rescue and winds up a prisoner in the Beast’s castle. But the story takes a new turn as Belle discovers there might be beauty, and perhaps true love, lurking underneath his fearsome form. Enchanting production or ages 6-12 and families. Special baby-friendly All Ages welcome shows available (check web site). Shows from 10.15am (times vary), £18 (until Feb 7)
We also like
Cinderella at Lyric Hammersmith, brilliant panto shenanigans for ages 6+ (Nov 21-Jan 3); Dick Whittington and his Cat, Wilton Music Hall put on their first ever panto, for ages 5+ (Dec 1-31); Mr Mountford’s Kaleidoscopic Christmas at Battersea Arts Centre, an interactive storytelling workshop for ages 6-9 (Dec 19-Jan 3); The Twelve Days of Christmas, a magical, interactive experience of Chickenshed Theatre for ages 5+ (until Jan 9); join Phileas Fogg on his fantastical adventures in the visually dazzling Around the World in 80 Days at St James Theatre, for ages 8+ (until Jan 17) Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty at Sadler’s Wells, the master of modern ballet in another stunning adaptation for ages 5+ (Dec 1-Jan 24)
