Welcome to another sparkling edition of Top Family Christmas Shows in London 2019, filled with festive theatre for babies, toddlers, big kids and the whole family. Curtains up!
Top Family Christmas Shows in London 2019
BABES CHOICE
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, 3 Potters Fields Park, SE1 2SG (London Bridge tube/rail)
Step through the wardrobe into the enchanted land of Narnia, as this acclaimed production sweeps you away on an adventure to remember. A multicultural cast enhances this spellbinding tale set in wartime Britain, with an unforgettable Aslan and the cruellest White Witch. Ages 6+ (younger ones not admitted). 7.30pm, matinees 2.30pm (various dates) and 3pm (Sun) – check times ahead of trip; from £15 (Nov 9-Feb 9)
Meet Bjorn the Polar Bear at Coal Drops Yard,off Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4BH (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Meet a very loveable polar bear, once abandoned as a cub, now touring the world with is pal, an Arctic conservationist. Bjorn and his companion share their experiences in this interactive performance that’s part nature documentary, part petting zoo. All ages welcome — no actual bears appearing (Bjorn is animatronic). 1.30pm, 3.30pm & 5.30pm (Sat), 11.30am, 1.30pm & 2.30pm (Sun); FREE (Dec 14-15)
The Little Prince at The Place, 17 Duke’s Road, WC1H 9PY UK (Euston/King’s Cross St Pancras tube, rail)
Adapted from the beloved story by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, this is set to be one of the top family Christmas shows in London 2019. It’s a mix of dance, humour and spoken word, created by Protein Theatre with an original score by Frank Moon. Watch the pilot leave his tiny asteroid and enter a world where he discovers the beauty of friendship and the complexity of love. Ages 5-105, younger ones welcome too. Special Dance Workshop led by Protein for ages 5-12 on Dec 20 (Fri) at 1pm-2pm, £8 for workshop / £12 for workshop & The Little Prince show ticket when bought together. The Little Prince is showing at 1.30pm & 7.30pm (Tue Dec 17), 10.30am & 1.30pm (Wed), 2.30pm & 7pm (Fri), 1pm & 7pm (Sat), 3pm (Sun), 2.30pm & 5.30pm (Mon), 11am (Tue Dec 24); adult £14 (concs £12)/child £8 (Dec 17-24)
Circus 1903 at Southbank Centre, Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Described as a cross between The Greatest Showman and War Horse, the dazzling Circus 1903 returns with new acts for 2019, including the Brazilian Wheel of Death. Experience the thrills of a turn-of-the-century circus, with lifelike elephant puppets (created by the War Horse team), along with trapeze, high-wire, jugglers, contortionists, acrobats and other entertainers. Ages 3+ (babes in arms not admitted). ; £29.50-£125/limited concs 25% discount (Dec 19-Jan 5)
Mary Poppins, Prince Edward Theatre, Old Compton Street, W1D 4HS (Covent Garden/Leicester Square tube)
Mary Poppins soars onto the London stage, fresh from spinning audiences into a frenzy on Broadway. The hit musical adaptation from Cameron Mackintosh is a guaranteed crowdpleaser. Recommended for ages 7+ (kids under 5 won’t be admitted). 7pm (Wed family night), 7.30pm (Thu-Mon), 2.30pm (Thu, Sat & Sun) – NB schedule subject to change, check with box office; standard tickets from £27.50, family night from £17.50 (until Jun 7, 2020)
FESTIVE FAVOURITES
Raymond Brigg’s Father Christmas at Lyric Hammersmith, W6 (Hammersmith tube)
One of the top family Christmas shows in London every year, visit Mr & Mrs Claus in a theatre, with songs, puppetry and live music. This joyful adaptation of Raymond Briggs’ picture book is aimed at ages 0-6. Shows from 9.30am (times and dates vary, check the website for your day); £12-£20/babies under 18 months FREE on parent/carer’s lap (Nov 20-Dec 29)
The Snowman Portugal Street,Holborn, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
It’s the 22nd year for this totally enchanting adaptation of the bestselling picture book and animated film. Watch in wonder as a boy and his Snowman pal discover friendship and Christmas magic, with penguins, reindeer and a special appearance from Santa! All ages. 11am, 2.30pm & 7pm (select performances from Nov 21); off peak £18-£48/family of 4 £120, peak £22-£50/family £140, premium £25-£55/family £152 (Nov 21-Jan 5)
A Christmas Carol at Wilton’s Music Hall, Graces Alley, London E1 8JB (Tower Hill/Aldgate East/Shadwell tube)
Head to the vintage theatre to see Piers Torday’s twist on Dickens’ festive tale. In this version (pictured), old Ebenezer is dead and it’s his sister Fan Scrooge who has to face the ghosts. But is she ready to change? Music, puppets and magic for ages 7+. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (weekly matinees); £12.50-£36/£10-£32 concs (Nov 29-Jan 4)
Nativity the Musical at Eventim Apollo, 45 Queen Caroline Street, W6 9QH (Hammersmith tube)
The heartwarming comedy is turning into one of the top family Christmas shows in London year after year. It returns to the West End starring Danny Dyer, Dani Dyer, Rylan and Sharon Osbourne. St Bernadette’s School is set to put on their nativity play when teacher Mr Maddens promises a movie producer will be coming to see it. Will there be a Hollywood ending or will it be mayhem in Bethlehem? All ages welcome. Shows at 7pm, some 2pm matinees available (+ 1pm & 5pm Mon Dec 24); from £26.50 (Dec 11-29)
Disney on Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic, O2 Arena, Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX (North Greenwich tube)
Frozen 2 is raking it in at the box office and you can bet your skates that Elsa and pals will make an appearance here. See all your favourite Disney characters including Mickey, Minnie, princesses and villains, doing twirls, spins and stunts to dazzle viewers of all ages. Shows from 9.30am, 1.30pm & 5.30pm; from £32.69/babies under 24 months FREE on carer’s lap (Dec 26-Jan 5, 2019)
CHRISTMAS BALLET
Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes at Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN (Angel tube)
The multiple award-winning company returns with its take on this tale of passion, obsession and ambition, starring Adam Cooper. One girl’s quest to become the world’s greatest dancer becomes a romantic duel between the two men who inspire her. Ages 5+ (younger ones not admitted). 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 2.30pm (Sat), 2pm & 7pm (Sun/no eve performance on Jan 19), 2.30pm Thu matinee on Jan 2 & 16, no shows Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day; £15-£75 (Dec 3-Jan 19)
Nutcracker at London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ES (Charing Cross Rd tube)
The English National Ballet performs this festive classic. See the Mouse King, sugar plum fairy and more than 100 dancers bring Tchaikovsky’s score into the 21st century. For ages 5+, family friendly matinee (no age restrictions) on Jan 5. Shows at 7.30pm & 2.30pm (special matinees); adult £14-£80/child £7-£40 (Dec 11-Jan 5)
The Nutcracker at Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP (South Kensington/High St Kensington tube)
Birmingham Royal Ballet is back with another stunning production of the one of our top family Christmas shows in London. See Clara in a winter wonderland filled with snowflakes dancing and toys coming alive, as she journeys to the kingdom of the Sugar Plum fairy. Recommended for ages 5+. Shows at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 4pm, 5.30pm & 7pm; £31-£100.75 (Dec 28-31)
The Sleeping Beauty at Royal Opera House, Bow St, Covent Garden, WC2E 9DD (Covent Garden tube)
Petipa’s classic ballet bursts into full colour at Royal Opera House in another lavish production set to Tchaikovsky’s dreamy score. Watch princess Aurora fall under a spell in a tale of treachery, fairy godmothers and dancing animals. Enchanting for ages 5+. Hurry, very few tickets remaining! Various shows at 1.30pm, 7pm & 7.30pm; £131-£145 (until Jan 16)
CHRISTMAS PANTOMIMES
Hackney Empire Panto: Dick Whittington, at Hackney Empire, 291 Mare St, E8 (Hackney Central overground)
London’s best panto welcomes back the Grande Dame Olivier Award Winner Clive Rowe, along with Tarinn Callender as Dick Whittington and Hackney homeboy Kat B. Dick and his cunning feline get into all sorts of scrapes in this laugh-out-loud comedy musical that will leave you buzzing with Christmas cheer. All ages. 1pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 5.30pm, 6pm, 7pm & 7.30pm (times vary daily, check site); £10-£42 (Nov 23-Jan 5)
Cinderella at Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King St, London W6 0QL (Hammersmith tube)
Get ready for a slipper-stuffing, pumpkin-smashing ride as the clock strikes midnight for the fairy godmother of pantomimes. Cinderella is directed by Tinuke Craig in an adaptation by Jude Christian. Ages 6+. Various shows at 10am, 1.30pm, 2pm, 5.30pm, 6pm, 7pm (check website for daily times); £10-£46/family ticket £75 (until Jan 5)
Snow White at Chickenshed, Chickenshed Theatre, Chase Side, Southgate, N14 4PE (Cockfosters/Oakwood tube)
It’s the 1960s and Snow White is trying to find herself (in every sense) as traditional roles are changing fast. Enter a world of colour, music and light as Chickenshed presents another spirited production. Ages 5+. 7pm, 3pm matinees (Tue-Sat), 1.30pm & 5.30pm (Sun and some Mondays) – times vary daily, check ahead; £14-£22.50 (until Jan 11)
Sleeping Beauty, Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, SE10 8ES (Greenwich/Cutty Sark DLR, Greenwich rail)
Celebrate Greenwich Theatre’s 50th anniversary in the company of a sleeping princess, an unlikely hero and an even more unlikely villain. The Greenwich panto is one of the top family Christmas shows in London and this year promises time-travelling, continent-hopping, gravity-defying fun for all ages. 11am & 3pm, 2pm & 7pm (Tue-Sat), 1pm & 5pm (Sun) – times vary daily, check website; adult £30 (concs £20)/child £15.50 (until Jan 12)
Goldilocks and the Three Bears at London Palladium, Argyll Street, Westminster, London W1F 7TF (Oxford Circus/Bond St tube)
Roll up, roll up. The Palladium becomes a sensational circus where ringmasters Julian Clary, Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot lead another cracking Christmas panto. Expect hair-raising stunts and laughs a-plenty. Ages 3+ (younger ones not admitted). 2.30pm & 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 1pm & 5pm (Sun) – times vary, check website; tickets from £22.50 (Dec 7-Jan 12)
We also like: Goldilocks and the Three Musketeers at Battersea Arts Centre (Nov 30-Dec 31)
BEST FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS
Oily Cart: All Wrapped Up at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
The fantastic Oily Cart return to Arts Depot with another sensory Christmas experience for under fives. Seasonal stories are brought to life with with light, shadow and scrunched up paper. HURRY, very few tickets, will sell out! For ages 0-5. 10am & 1pm (Tue-Thu), 11am & 2pm (Sat-Sun); from £9/child 18 months and under FREE but require ticket (Dec 10-31)
Storystock Presents Father Christmas and the Broken Sleigh at Kings Place (St Pancras Room),90 York Way, London, N1 9AG (Kings Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Tickets are flying for the Christmas at Kings Place line-up but you can still bag yourself a seat on this festive adventure for very young ‘uns. On Christmas Eve, two very excited friends are waiting for Santa when… Bang! Crash! Can you help fix Father Christmas’ sleigh and bring Christmas magic to one and all? For ages 6 months to 3. 12.45pm; £9.50 (Dec 21)
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt at Stratford Circus,Theatre Square, Stratford, E15 1BX (Stratford tube/overground/DLR)
Join this grizzly adventure through swishy swashy grass, splishy splashy river and oozy, squelchy mud. Michael Rosen’s award-winning picture book is set to catchy tunes, with lots of audience interaction! Ages 2+, younger ones welcome. 10.30am & 1.30pm (weekdays), 11am & 2pm (Sat-Sun); £13/babies under 12 months FREE on carer’s lap (until Dec 24)
Paddington On Ice, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, W2 2UH (Hyde Park Corner tube)
The huggable bear from Peru skates into Hyde Park Winter Wonderland with an award-winning cast of performers. A charming production in the heart of London, at one of the city’s top Christmas attractions. Shows at 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm, 5.30pm & 7.30pm; adult from £21/child from £17/babies 2 and under are FREE on carer’s lap (until Jan 5)
Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever, Duke of York’s Theatre, 104 St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4BG, UK (Leicester Square tube)
Peppa, George and the gang are back in the West End for their best outing ever. Expect castles and caves, dragons and dinosaurs and, of course, muddy puddles. All ages welcome, best for 2+. 11am (Mon-Sun), additional 1.30pm show (Tue, Thu, Fri & Sun), additional 4pm show (Sun); from £12/babies 0-18 months FREE on carer’s lap (until Jan 5)
Me at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 2DN (Angel/Highbury & Islington tube)
A baby penguin is trying to find its feet in a big, confusing world. Enjoy this early years treat, adapted from Emma Dodd’s beloved picture book, with puppets and gentle storytelling for ages 2-5. 10.45am & 1.15pm (Wed-Fri)/5pm (Fri)/10.30am, 1pm & 3pm (Sat)/10.30am & 1.30pm (Sun); adult £13.50, child 1-11 £11.50, Friday Fives £5 (all 5pm tickets on Fri), babies under 1 FREE on carer’s lap (until Feb 2)
BEST FOR YOUNGER KIDS (AGES 3+)
Humbug! The Hedgehog who Couldn’t Sleep at The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG (Deptford/New Cross overground)
Winter is coming and a little hedgehog is searching for a place where he can hibernate, but his home is under threat. Will he find somewhere to snuggle up until spring? Lively characters and visual flair for ages 3+. 10.30am & 1pm (Mon-Thu), 11am & 2pm; £12 (Dec 1-29)
The Snail and the Whale at Apollo Theatre, 31 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7EZ (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Another fun and lively adaptation of a picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler from the impeccable Tall Stories. Set sail with a young girl, her seafaring father and a brave little snail. Ages 4+, babes in arms welcome. 11am (Mon-Sun), some shows at 2pm – check with box office; £15.50-£17.50/babes under 18 months FREE on carer’s lap (Nov 30-Jan 5)
Stick Man at Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, WC2H 7BX (Leicester Square tube)
Scamp Theatre’s critically acclaimed adaptation of the Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler picture book sprints back into Leicester Square Theatre for a limited Christmas run. Watch Stick Man face all manner of adversity as he tries to get back to the family tree. But will he snap? Puppets, songs and laughs for ages 3+ and carers. 11am & 1.30pm (Wed-Fri), 10.30am, 12.15pm & 2pm; adult from £24/child £19/family £75/babies under 18 months FREE on carer’s lap (Dec 6-Jan 26)
The Three Little Pigs plus Captain Grimey, Puppet Theatre Barge, Little Venice, opposite 35 Blomfield Road, W9 2PF (Warwick Avenue tube)
Visit the charming theatre in Little Venice where you’ll encounter some very mischievous little pigs, as well as Captain Grimey, the most miserable one-legged captain on sea. Puppets and festive fun for ages 3+. 11am & 3pm; adult £13, child £9 (Dec 7-Jan 6)
Pinocchio on Ice at Ally Pally, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY (Wood Green tube then W3 bus to the park, Gate 6 recommended entry)
The popular story about a puppet who wants to be a real boy hits the ice this Christmas, in a festive show with skaters from adults to tiny tots. Best for ages 2+ due to temperature, sound and lights. 7pm (weekdays), 1pm & 5.30pm (Sat-Sun); adult £15.50/child £13/family £12.50 per person (Dec 13-16)
Also at Ally Pally: The Play that Goes Wrong (from Dec 13)
BEST FOR BIG KIDS (AGES 5+)
Hansel and Gretel at Chiswick Playhouse, 2 Bath Road, W4 1LW (Turnham Green tube)
Hansel and Gretel leave behind their X-Box and Insta likes to enter a forest filled with tap-dancing cockroaches and lollipop houses. They come up against a witch with a taste for children (and single-use plastics). Inspired by Greta Thunberg, this is a modern retelling for the Extinction Rebellion generation. Ages 6+. Various shows at 11am, 3pm & 7pm (check daily timings with booking); from £22.50/concs £17.50 (Dec 4-Jan 4)
The Snow Queen at Rose Theatre Kingston, Rose Theatre Kingston, 24-26 High Street, Kingston, KT1 1HL (Kingston/Surbiton rail)
Journey to the Frozen North, where orphan Gerda discovers she’s a Child of Magic. She must use her powers against the Snow Queen to rescue her best friend Kai and save Christmas. Another exciting adaptation following on from the success of Hansel and Gretel, one of our top family Christmas shows in London last year. Ages 5+. Various shows at 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 3pm, 5.30pm, 6pm, 7pm (check box office for daily timings); £20-£25/child £10-£15 (Dec 6-Jan 5)
David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy at Bloomsbury Theatre, 15 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AH (Euston Square/Euston tube/rail, Warren St tube)
Hot on the heels of Gangsta Granny and Awful Auntie, the Birmingham Stage Company adapts another tale by children’s author and actor David Walliams. Joe Spud is rolling in money but he has no mates, so he ditches his posh school to form his own and gets a lot more than he bargained for. Great fun and frolics for ages 5+. Various daily shows at 10.30am & 1.30pm, 11am & 3pm, 2.30pm & 6.30pm, 7pm, 2.30pm & 7pm; relaxed performance on Dec 22 at 11am, audio described performance Jan 5 at 3pm; £18.50-£24.50/premium £31.50 (Dec 13-Jan 5)
Black Beauty at Purcell Room, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Saddle up for this bold retelling of the children’s story about a horse whose bravery saves the day. Your little ones will be galloping along on this critically acclaimed tale with music, puppets and narration for ages 5+. 11am & 2.30pm + select 7pm shows (various dates, check website); adult £15/child £10 (Dec 14-Jan 5)
BEST FOR TWEENS (AGES 7-12)
Whistle Down the Wind at Union Theatre, Old Union Arches, 229 Union St, SE1 0LR (Southwark tube/rail)
Set in Lancashire in the late 1950s, this simple tale about a stranger who turns the lives of a young family upside down is based on the book by Mary Hayley Bell and the movie by Richard Attenborough and Bryan Forbes. Schoolgirl Cathy discovers a man hiding in her bar and recognises him as Jesus Christ. She tells her siblings to keep it a secret, but word spreads and of course ugly rumours… Powerful story that touches on the true spirit of Christmas, performed by a talented cast of kids and adults. No age recommendation given, we’d suggest at least 6+ for some grown-up themes. 7.30pm (Tue-Sat) & 2.30pm (Sat-Sun); adult £22/concs £20/child £15 (Nov 28-Dec 21)
Oscar Wilde’s The Canterville Ghost at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, Southwark, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
A rather creepy Christmas tale with spectacular illusions and macabre effects. Mr and Mrs Otis move into Gothic mansion Canterville Chase. The resident ghost, Sir Simon Canterville, tries to spook them but he’s in for some surprises of his own… Ages 7+ (contains strobe and flashing lights and haze effects). 11am (Fri), 1pm & 6pm (Sat) & 2pm (Sun) — NB: showtimes vary weekly, check ahead; adult from £18/child from £12 (until Jan 5)
As You Like It at at Barbican Centre (Pit Theatre), Silk St, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican/Moorgate tube)
All the world’s a stage in this glorious RSC revival of one of Shakespeare’s best loved comedies (pictured). Rosalind and her bestie Celia wander into exile where she catches the eye of Orlando. What follows is a blend of puppetry, music, physical comedy and lyricism for all ages. Most suitable for ages 7+. Shows at 7.15pm (Mon-Sun) & 1.15pm (Wed, Thu & Sat), chilled performance on Dec 5 at 1.15pm (babies welcome on this day); £10-£59.50/child under 18 half-price (up to 4 per full price adult) (until Jan 18)
A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic, The Cut, SE1 8NB (Waterloo rail/tube)
Charles Dickens’ haunting yet heartwarming classic comes back to Old Vic with starring Stephen Tompkinson as Ebenezer Scrooge. Tuck into music, mince pies and merriment for ages 8+. Varying times at 1pm, 2.30pm & 7.30pm; £12-£67.50 (50% discount for under 16s for bands A-C off-peak) (until Jan 18)
Don’t miss our guide to the Best Family Events this Christmas in London 2019
The Snowman at Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre (Babes Review)
