Best Christmas shows, festive plays and musicals in London for 2024

As a theatre enthusiast and someone who has spent countless winter evenings huddled up in the Arts Theatre or Lyric Theatre, I can confidently say that this Christmas season is shaping up to be a magical one! The titles alone have me excited, but let’s break it down:

As the countdown to Christmas nears its end with under 100 days remaining, don’t worry – we’re here to guarantee that your preparations for this year’s holiday season will be more than sufficient!

To spark your holiday enthusiasm this season (not only by listening to your favorite carols but also with the joyful anticipation that keeps you awake on Christmas night), here’s a collection of the top Christmas productions to catch in London.

This guide offers an array of plays, musicals, and ballets taking place at the West End this winter, making it your ultimate companion for a delightful Christmas theatre outing. Inside, you’ll find family-friendly options such as Stick Man, as well as more mature performances like A Christmas Carol, plus a unique offering titled Father Christmas Needs a Wee!

If, like us, you’re eagerly awaiting news about Elf! The Musical, we have the most recent updates for you down below. Without any more delay, here is a list of the top Christmas shows to catch in London this season.

To make your winter in the Big City even more thrilling, with most activities happening indoors, don’t forget to check out our top-rated UK pantomimes and Christmas gift experiences!

Best West End Christmas shows at a glance:

Robin Hood and the Christmas Heist, from £7
Hansel and Gretel, from £7
Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out, from £13
A Sherlock Carol, from £16
A Christmas Carol, from £17
Nutcracker, from £22
The Snowman, from £23
Father Christmas needs a wee!, from £23
West End Musical Christmas, from £25
Stick Man, from £29
Christmas with Anton Du Beke, from £46

Best West End Christmas shows for 2024

A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic

9th Nov 2024 – 4th Jan 2025

This December, “A Christmas Carol” returns to The Old Vic theatre, where it breathes new life into Charles Dickens’ spine-tingling story. This time around, John Simm of Doctor Who and Life on Mars fame will portray the miserly character, replacing Christopher Eccleston’s Time Lord alter ego. Prepare yourself for another enactment of the selfish old curmudgeon!

For more details about John Simm in A Christmas Carol, click here.

The Nutcracker at London Coliseum

12th Dec 2024 – 12th Jan 2025

This coming winter season, you’ll have the chance to witness the return of the timeless ballet, complete with Tchaikovsky’s enchanting music and Arielle Smith’s captivating choreography. Boasting more than 100 dancers and musicians, this performance tells the tale of Clara, a spirited young girl who embarks on an adventure through a whimsical realm ruled by a powerful Rat King, after her toy nutcracker comes to life.

Stick Man at Bloomsbury Theatre

4th Dec 2024 – 5th Jan 2025

This upcoming winter season, Julia Donaldson’s cherished tale is being transformed onto the stage at Bloomsbury Theatre. Witness Stick Man as he navigates through a sequence of escapades involving barking dogs, graceful swans, and persistent humans, all while desperately trying to reunite with his family before Christmas arrives. Will he make it back in time? Find out!

Hansel and Gretel at The Globe

29th Nov 2024 – 6th Jan 2025

Drawing inspiration from the timeless Grimm fairy tale and Simon Armitage’s poem “Hansel & Gretel: A Nightmare in Eight Scenes,” this adaptation reimagines the story to explore the trials faced by refugees caught up in the turmoil of war. For only £6, you can witness this captivating performance at Shakespeare’s Globe – an experience that will linger in your memory.

Robin Hood and the Christmas Heist at Rose Theatre Kingston

30th Nov 2024 – 5th Jan 2025

Title that’s quite captivating! You’re no doubt curious, as the story “Robin Hood and the Christmas Caper” unfolds in the timeless setting of Sherwood Forest, where holiday spirit is fading. With the Sheriff of Nottingham relentlessly taxing the people, Robin Hood devises a bold scheme to restore joy throughout the land.

A Sherlock Carol at Marylebone Theatre

29th Nov 2024 – 5th Jan 2025

Currently, an intriguingly simple play is being staged at the Marylebone Theatre this winter. In an unusual blend of worlds, the renowned detective, Sherlock Holmes, is casually walking through London one day when an adult Tiny Tim appears, seeking his help to locate a missing Ebenezer Scrooge. As the mystery unfolds for Sherlock, he discovers a lost diamond, a menacing letter, and more ghosts than he cares for.

Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out at Theatre Royal Haymarket

28th Nov 2024 – 5th Jan 2025

Transform your Christmas into a delightful piggy party with “Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out”! For a brief period only, you’re invited to join George, Mommy Pig, Daddy Pig, and all their charming friends at Theatre Royal Haymarket. Embark on an exciting journey filled with muddy puddles, laughter, and endless fun!

The Snowman at Peacock Theatre

23rd Nov 2024 – 4th Jan 2025

We defy any British person not to get emotional when they hear the classic opening chimes of Walking in the Air, and to wish that they too could fly around with a friendly snowman on Christmas Eve. But alas, we’ll just have to content ourselves with going to see The Snowman on stage instead. Returning to the West End for its 27th year, The Snowman will be showing at the Peacock Theatre, once again based on the original picture book by Raymond Briggs and the iconic 1982 TV movie.

Father Christmas needs a wee! at Arts Theatre

7th – 23rd Dec 2024

Without a doubt, the title alone piques your interest, doesn’t it? Just in case you require additional persuasion, Father Christmas Needs a Wee! is an entertaining musical suitable for the whole family. This production, adapted from Nicholas Allan’s book, follows the predicament of Father Christmas as he’s rushing to visit homes on Christmas Eve and, unexpectedly, finds himself needing to use the restroom due to all the milk consumed. To discover how this intriguing scenario unfolds, you can witness the performance at London’s Arts Theatre.

More of this in the best kids theatre shows.

West End Musical Christmas at Lyric Theatre

16th Dec 2024

For just one night, and one night only, you can boom out the holliest, jolliest Christmas songs and the best and brightest musical theatre classics with the help of some of the West End’s biggest stars. Brought to you by the creators of the West End musical brunch, this “all-out Christmas party!” singalong is being hosted by West End and Broadway star Trevor Dion Nicholas, best known playing Genie in Disney’s Aladdin and George Washington in Hamilton. With his help, and a sack full of stellar performances from other theatre stars, you’ll come away feeling so full of festive spirit you might burst.

Christmas with Anton Du Beke at His Majesty’s Theatre

22nd Dec 2024

After the last “Keep Dancing” is announced, you might assume that judge Anton Du Beke would embark on an extended Christmas vacation. However, contrary to expectations, this renowned Strictly Come Dancing figure is heading to London for an evening filled with music, dance, and grandeur instead! It promises to be a festive, fabulous event you won’t want to miss!

Is Elf! the Musical coming to London in 2024?

There has been no confirmation so far that Elf! the Musical will return to London this Christmas.

It’s clear that Buddy and his group of companions are planning a tour through the United Kingdom, starting in November and continuing until January. Their performance schedule includes stops in cities like Milton Keynes, Glasgow, Birmingham, and additional locations.

Here’s a list of exciting activities for your weekends in London, along with top-rated musical performances currently touring across the United Kingdom.

2024-09-18 15:09