Top 20 Family Theatre Shows in London this Christmas

Christmas classics, festive favourites, pantomimes, picture book adaptations and fairytale fun. It’s all happening in my guide to top 20 family theatre shows in London this Christmas. From puppet theatre to baby-friendly ballet, I’ve got you covered. Enjoy!

Top 20 Family Theatre Shows in London this Christmas

Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas at Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL (Hammersmith tube)
Mr & Mrs Claus are back at the Lyric. Father Christmas is dreaming of a holiday only to find it’s his busiest day of the year. Can he get everything done in time? See Raymond Briggs’ picture book adapted for the stage with songs, live music and puppetry. Ages 0-6. Shows from 9.30am (times and dates vary, check the website for your day); £10-£20/babies under 18 months FREE on parent/carer’s lap (until Dec 31)

Hackney Empire Panto: Mother Goose, 291 Mare St, E8 (Hackney Central overground)
The Mother of all pantos (definitely the best in London) celebrates its 120th year with the unmatchable Clive Rowe as Mother Goose. This fairytale adaptation features crazy costumes, exhilarating live music and plenty of reasons to boo, hiss and cheer. All ages. Matinee shows at 1pm or 1.30pm, evening performances 5.30pm (select Suns), 6pm or 7pm; £10-£44 (until Dec 31)

The Snowman, Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, Holborn, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)  
The 25th season of London’s most magical show for kids is dedicated to creator Raymond Briggs CBE (1934-2022). Follow a boy’s adventures with his Snowman friend one winter’s night. Adapted from the picture book and animated film. All ages.Various shows 11am, 2.30pm & 7pm; from £18pp (until Dec 31)

Alice in Wonderland at Brixton House, 385 Coldharbour Lane SW9 8GL (Brixton tube/rail)
An 11-year-old girl jumps on the tube after an argument with her mum and winds up in Nonsense, a place filled with colourful passengers and strange goings on. Can Alice turn this train around? Join multi award-winning company Poltergeist on a 100-mile an hour adventure with rap music and the sights and sounds of Brixton. Ages 7+. 7.30pm (Tue-Fri), 1.30pm & 6pm (Sat-Sun), 1.30pm select weekly matinees; from £12.50-£32 (until Dec 31)

Pinocchio at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley St, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube/rail)
Meet the puppet who longs to be a real boy but can’t help telling lies. Enter Geppetto’s workshop at Unicorn’s Christmas production, filled with gingerbread villages and snow-capped mountains. For ages 7+. Various showtimes at 10am, 10.30am, 11am, 1pm & 2.30pm (Tue-Fri); adult £19-£29.50 (previews £14)/child £13-£21 (previews £11.50) (until Dec 31)

The Wind in the Willows at Wilton’s Music Hall, Graces Alley, London E1 8JB (Tower Hill/Aldgate East/Shadwell tube)
A brand new adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s classic children’s story by Piers Torday. Catch Ratty, Mole, Badger, Toad and the Weasels in a story that explores climate change and includes songs, puppetry and a picnic or two. Best for ages 5+. 7.30pm, select 2.30pm matinees; £13-£36.50 (until Dec 31)

Christmas in the Sunshine at Unicorn Theatre (Clore Theatre), 147 Tooley Street, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube/rail)
Elias is visiting the Caribbean for the first time and he’s excited to see family and beaches. But will it still feel like Christmas? This joyful tale explores going outside your comfort zone and making the most of Christmas and family, wherever you are. Ages 3-6. Various showtimes from 10.30am-2.45pm; adult £18-£25.50/child £13-£20.50 (until Dec 31)

Little Red Robin Hood, Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, SW11 5TN (Clapham Junction rail/overground)
Uh oh! The wicked Sheriff of Nottingham has caught Robin Hood in his snares, who can stand up for the people now? Watch a little girl in a red hood step up to the challenge in this panto fairytale adventure with a superstar cast and a quiver full of surprises. 10.15am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 6pm & 7pm; adult from £19.50/child £16/disabled people £9.75/at least one Pay What You Can performance weekly (Dec 6-Jan 8)

Snowed In at The Place, 17 Duke’s Road, WC1H 9PY UK (Euston/King’s Cross St Pancras tube, rail)
High in the mountains, 4 friends wake to find themselves snowed in. This playful family show invites audiences to join in on a magnificent adventure in an imaginary hotel where you can dance down corridors, sing your hearts out, throw snowballs and enter the mysterious Room 251… if you dare. For ages 5+. Various dates/times at 10.30am & 1pm; 11am & 2.30pm, 11am & 4pm (Tue-Sat); adult £14/child £8 (Dec 14-24)

Jack and the Beanstalk at Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Road, N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
Jackie and her family have been living under the shadow of a giant sky man who comes down a beanstalk. Until Jackie decides to climb up and find out what’s really going on up there. This reimagined fairytale is packed with shadow puppets, circus moments and beanstalk climbing. For ages 3+. 10.30am, 11am, 1.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm & 7.30pm; £12-£18 (Dec 14-Jan 1)

Glisten at Half Moon Theatre, 43 White Horse Road, E1 0ND (Limehouse DLR)
A shiny and shimmery interactive performance for the youngest audiences. Step into a sensory landscape of reflective materials, colour and surprises aimed. Ages 0-18 months. 10.30am, 12pm & 2pm (Thu-Fri) & 11am, 1pm & 3pm (Sat); from £7 (Dec 15-17)

Christmas Family Theatre at Arts Depot, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central/Woodside Park tube)
Lots on at Arts Depot this Christmas: go on an interplanetary adventure with The Smeds and the Smoos for ages 3+ (10.30am & 1.30pm and 11am & 2pm, Dec 5-Jan 2); catch the Scummy Mummies (grownups only, Dec 9) and the Comedy Club 4 Kids for ages 6+ (Dec 11); or watch SNOW, an immersive performance for ages 2-5 (10am & 1pm or 10.30am & 1.30pm (Dec 15-24)

The Fir Tree at Shakespeare’s Globe at Globe Theatre, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT (Blackfriars/Mansion House tube)
Another outing at the world famous Globe Theatre for this production of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale. See the Globe transformed into a forest and take part in tree-decorating and carol singing, with mulled wine and hot chocolate refreshments. All ages welcome. 3pm & 6.30pm; £15-£49/child under 16 half price/standing £5 (Dec 15-31)

Nutcracker at London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ES (Charing Cross Rd tube)
An annual sellout so hurry if you want tickets. More than 100 dancers and musicians perform in this dazzling tale of Clara and her magic doll, set to music by Tchaikovsky. For ages 5+ plus 10 matinee All Ages Welcome shows (some content may be unsuitable for young kids). 7.30pm & 2.30pm matinees; adult from £25-£95/child £7.50-£47.50 (Dec 15-Jan 7)

The Revel Puck Circus: The Wing Scuffle Spectacular at Beckenham Place Park, Beckenham Hill Road, BR3 1SY (Beckenham rail)
Back for winter after taking London by storm this summer, the Revel Puck Circus brings large-scale disciplines like teeterboard, cloud swing and tightwire in a big-top venue. Prepare to be gobsmacked. All ages welcome. Various dates and times at 1pm & 7pm (Mon-Sat); 12pm & 6.30pm (Sun); from £17/concs. £13 (Dec 15-Jan 8)

A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic, The Cut, SE1 8NB (Waterloo rail/tube)
Jack Thorne’s joyful adaptation of the timeless Charles Dickens story stars Owen Teale in a spirited performance as Ebenezer Scrooge, a seasonal grump haunted by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. Ages 8+. Various shows at 1pm, 7pm & 7.30pm (closed Suns); £10-£67.50 (until Jan 7)

Elf the Musical at Dominion Theatre, 268-269 Tottenham Court Road, W1T 7AQ (Tottenham Court Rd tube)
The popular movie (our favourite Christmas film) is adapted for the stage, with music, heart and humour. Fall in love with Buddy, the human who thinks he’s an elf. Recommended for ages 4+, children under 2 not allowed. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) and 2.30pm (Sat); £25-£195 (until Jan 7)

Hex at the National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
Deep in a forest, a lonely fairy is asked to help a princess fall asleep. However, her blessing becomes a curse and she has a 100-year quest to turn things around. A Wicked-style spin on Sleeping Beauty. For ages 8+. 7.15pm & 2pm select matinees; £10-£89 (until Jan 14)

Cinderella at Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, E15 1BN (Stratford tube/overground/DLR/rail)
Another madcap fairytale mash-up. This time, we’re in ancient Egypt with Cinders finding her way to the ball against a backdrop of Sphinx cats and the empress Cleopatra. All ages welcome. Various shows at 10am, 2pm, 5pm & 7pm; from £10 (until Jan 7)

Grandad, Me and Teddy Too at Polka Theatre, The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
The Adventure Theatre becomes a wintry wonderland of magic carpet rides, snowy garden and Northern Lights. See Mia and her magical Grandad whose stories and games light up her imagination. For ages 2-5. Various shows 10am-2pm;  adult/child from £14, family £5 discount, babes-in-arms £1 (until Jan 29)

Little Red Riding Hood, at Puppet Theatre Barge, Little Venice, opposite 35 Blomfield Road, W9 2PF (Warwick Avenue tube)
Climb onto this charming theatre on the canal to see a twist on the little Red Riding Hood fable. This specially commissioned version by prize winning author Deborah Jones sees an arty Granny, a feisty Red, and a mysterious Wolf. Marionettes and shadow puppets to fascinate both adults and kids ages 5 + (NB: not suitable for babies or pre-school children). Various shows at 11am, 2pm & 7.30pm; from £5 (until Jan 29)

We also like
Want more Sugar Plum Fairies? Families can also see the Nutcracker at Royal Opera House (Dec 6-Jan 14) or the Nutcracker at Royal Albert Hall (Dec 28-31); take your pick from We’re Going on a Bear Hunt (Dec 8-Jan 29) or The Pixie and the Pudding (Dec 9-29) at Little Angel Theatre in N1 ; Rumpelstiltskin for ages 8+ at Park Theatre, N4 (Dec 13-Jan 14); join Santa’s North Pole Adventure at New Wimbledon Theatre (Dec 14-24); kids ages 5-12 will enjoy Crackers: A Festive Family Farce at Polka Theatre (until Jan 15); the stage version of Studio Ghibli’s classic My Neighbour Totoro Live is wowing audiences at Barbican Centre (until Jan 21); freedom reigns in Mandela the Musical at Young Vic, SE1 (until Feb 4)

+ these unmissable West End shows
The multi award winning musical based on an international reggae legend,  Get Up Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical at Lyric Theatre ends soon (until Jan 8); see the nanny with a heart of gold, Mary Poppins, before she flies out of town (until Jan 8); also closing, the breathtaking stage hit based on the global bestseller, Life of Pi is at Wyndham’s Theatre  (until Jan 15); Elsa and Anna battle against the elements in Frozen the Musical at Theatre Royal Drury Lane (now booking through Jun 2023); Marty McFly travels back in time in Back to the Future: The Musical at Adelphi Theatre (ongoing)

Have you seen my bumper Chrguide to family fun in London

**NB: Please note that all event timings and prices are subject to change/cancellation at short notice, so always check ahead with the venue (or the latest government guidelines) before making a trip!**