The best theatre shows to book in London this Christmas

Discover the best Christmas shows to book in London this festive season — from 2026 Christmas pantos to beloved classics like The Snowman on stage and an interactive Grinch cinema experience, or Paddington the Musical.

Last updated: 9th Nov 2026

Christmas is just around the corner, and it's the perfect time to book a festive night out at the theatre to really help you get into the mood!

Of course there's the annual Christmas pantos, with plenty to choose from in London in 2026, as well as permanent fixtures of the West End like Paddington the Musical and Wicked, while limited runs of shows including The Snowman, Stick Man and A Christmas Carol are ideal to get you into the festive spirit this year.

So, take a look at the best festive shows you can book in London this Christmas to make it a truly magical time.

The Snowman

When: Saturday 21st November 2026 – Sunday 3rd January 2027

Where: Peacock Theatre, London

The beloved Christmas classic is heading to the Peacock Theatre stage with a fresh new take for 2026. For 32 years, The Snowman has enchanted theatre audiences, and now you can discover the next chapter of this much-loved story. Based on Raymond Briggs’ book, this sparkling new production features the iconic score, including ‘Walking in the Air’, beautifully crafted puppets and of course, a gravity-defying friendship.

Find tickets for The Snowman at Peacock Theatre here.

Stick Man

When: Thursday 3rd December 2026 – Sunday 3rd January 2027

Where: Bloomsbury Theatre, London

The award-winning Stick Man is returning this festive season to Bloomsbury Theatre for a lively theatrical adaptation of the much-loved book. The production features a trio of actors and is packed full of puppetry, songs, and live music as well as some familiar faces, with the main man himself, Santa Claus, alongside his reindeer.

Find tickets for Stick Man at Bloomsbury Theatre here.

Paddington The Musical

When: Monday 9th November 2026 – Thursday 10th June 2027

Where: Savoy Theatre, London

Paddington The Musical has been a huge hit since it opened in November 2025, and there's still plenty of time to catch it at the Savoy Theatre for a feel-good trip to the theatre this Christmas. Based on characters from the books and films, with original music by McFly’s Tom Fletcher, the show tells the story of what happens when Paddington’s life is suddenly in peril, and the Browns family must decide how far they are willing to go to help him.

Find tickets for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre here.

A Christmas Carol

When: Tuesday 10th November 2026 – Saturday 9th January 2027

Where: Old Vic Theatre, London

The enduring tale by Charles Dickens is returning to The Old Vic for a run of music, merriment and seasonal atmosphere this Christmas. This version of the show is adapted for the stage by acclaimed writer Jack Thorne, known for Adolescence, and features staging that will immerse the audience in the story, which follows the cold-hearted Scrooge who embarks on a life-changing journey when he’s visited by the three ghosts of Christmas.

Find tickets for A Christmas Carol at Old Vic Theatre here.

West End Musical Christmas

Image: The Lyric Theatre

When: Monday 14th December 2026

Where: The Lyric Theatre, London

The Lyric Theatre is hosting West End Musical Christmas again for 2026, featuring an evening of music and seasonal cheer. The one-night-only festive concert will see a surprise cast of the West End's biggest stars take to the stage to perform musical theatre classics alongside all of your favourite Christmas tracks. The setlist is kept secret until the night itself, with audience anticipation at the heart of the show, so you're encouraged to sing, dance in the aisles and join in with the performance.

Find tickets for West End Musical Christmas at The Lyric Theatre here.

Dick Whittington and His Cat

When: Sunday 22nd November 2026 – Sunday 3rd January 2027

Where: King’s Head Theatre, London

The King’s Head Theatre panto is returning for 2026, this year with Dick Whittington and His Cat. It’s a show for all the family, with show-stopping musical numbers, toe-tapping tunes, and a whole lotta laughs as the title character journeys to London town to find fame and fortune, with his trusty cat in tow. Plus, it features RuPaul's Drag Race UK stars, River Medway and Victoria Scone as Dragpuss and Queen Rat.

Find tickets for Dick Whittington and His Cat at King’s Head Theatre here.

Nutcracker

When: Saturday 19th December 2026 – Sunday 10th January 2027

Where: Coliseum, London

Nutcracker at the London Coliseum is English National Ballet's production of Tchaikovsky's festive ballet. Set on Christmas Eve in Edwardian London, it follows Clara from Drosselmeyer's Sweets & Delights Emporium into an enchanted adventure that moves from a Christmas party to a battle with the Rat King, then on to an ice realm and the Land of Sweets & Delights. This festive production features more than 100 dancers and musicians and will entrance audiences throughout Christmas.

Find tickets for Nutcracker at Coliseum London here.

Christmas Carol Goes Wrong

When: Saturday 19th December 2026 – Saturday 23rd January 2027

Where: Wyndham's Theatre, London

The company behind The Play That Goes Wrong are returning with their festive edition, Christmas Carol Goes Wrong at London’s Wyndham's Theatre. The play offers a disastrous – and hilarious – take on Dickens' classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge. The Cornley crew face miscommunication, delays to their set, actors missing in action and a growing feud over who will play the lead as they try to stage the show, resulting in the production descending further into chaos, which will have you belly laughing this festive season.

Find tickets for Christmas Carol Goes Wrong at Wyndhams Theatre here.

Potted Panto

When: Sunday 6th December 2026 – Sunday 3rd January 2027

Where: Apollo Shaftesbury Avenue, London

Billed as fun for everyone, whether you're six or 106, the West End's longest-running panto returns for Christmas 2026. Potted Panto is a jam-packed 70-minute spectacular that brings you seven classic pantomimes in just one show. It takes the audience on a rise through the biggest stories and best-loved characters from the world of pantomime, from rubbing Aladdin's lamp to roaming the golden streets of Dick Whittington's London and making sure that Cinderella gets to the ball.

Find tickets for Potted Panto at Apollo Shaftesbury Avenue here.

Pinocchio

When: Saturday 28th November 2026 – Sunday 3rd January 2027

Where: Shakespeare’s Globe, London

Pinocchio returns to London's Globe Theatre in winter 2026 following its premiere last year. The stage production follows the classic story of Geppetto, who dreams of a life beyond his traditional town, and makes a magical wooden puppet called Pinocchio. Together they set out to find family and discover the wonder of being human. The festive treat features a full cast alongside incredible puppetry.

Find tickets for Pinocchio at Shakespeare’s Globe here.

Cinderella

When: Tuesday 1st December 2026 – Sunday 17th January 2027

Where: Sadlers Wells Theatre, London

Cinderella at Sadler's Wells Theatre this festive season will see the theatre celebrate the 30th anniversary of Matthew Bourne's reimagining of the classic fairy tale. This version is set in London during the Second World War and is a wartime love story centred on Cinderella and a young RAF pilot. A chance meeting leads to one magical night before the pair are separated by the Blitz, where every second counts and lives change forever.

Find tickets for Cinderella at Sadlers Wells Theatre here.

Sophie’s Surprise Christmas Party

When: Friday 13th November 2026 – Sunday 10th January 2027

Where: The Soho Revue Bar

An alternative Christmas show on the West End this year is Sophie's Surprise Christmas Party at The Soho Revue Bar. The show is part circus spectacle, part comedy mayhem that's built around '90s nostalgia and brings together acrobatics, surprises and a soundtrack inspired by house parties. It features performers from the likes of Cirque du Soleil, and comes fresh from a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Find tickets for Sophie’s Surprise Christmas Party at The Soho Revue Bar here.

The Grinch Live Hosted Cinema

Image: Unsplah / Geoffrey Moffett

When: Sunday 20th December 2026

Where: The Greenwood Theatre, London

Fans of the Grinch can step into Whoville this December for a one-of-a-kind Christmas cinema experience like no other -- where the real-life Grinch leaps off the screen and into the crowd for an immersive, hilarious and heartwarming festive event. The Greenwood Theatre will be screening the 2000 Jim Carrey-fronted Grinch movie, which will be hosted by a full-costume, live-action Grinch character who will meet-and-greet guests, pop up throughout the film, and provide interactive fun before and during the movie.

There are two chances to catch it, with an early showing from 11:30am, or a later showing starting at 3pm.

Find tickets for The Grinch Live Hosted Cinema early show here.

Find tickets for The Grinch Live Hosted Cinema late show here.

Wicked

When: Monday 9th November 2026 – Monday 7th June 2027

Where: Apollo Victoria Theatre, London

So, Wicked isn't technically a Christmas show, but the songs and visuals will definitely get you in a festive mood this Christmas. With classics like 'Defying Gravity', 'For Good' and 'Popular' to name a few, a fun-filled musical is always the ideal night out during the festive period. It's one of the longest-running West End musicals for a reason as it transports audiences to a stunningly reimagined world of Oz, and introduces you to Glinda and Elphaba's story.

Find tickets for Wicked at Apollo Victoria Theatre here.

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