Greetings of the season. Well, I'm actually writing this in early September. But then, how long is Christmas theatre season in London exactly? Certainly it’s in full swing by late November, with virtually every pantomime and kids’ show in the city up and running way before Advent, with most of them running until the new year.
I’m Time Out’s theatre editor, and I have seen more pantos and Julia Donaldson adaptations than any human being should. But also it’s always an exciting time of year: Christmas is the best time to take children to the theatre because there are such a dizzying array of options, for all ages.
This list is an attempt to try and put some order on the gargantuan breadth of children’s and family friendly theatre across the city during the season. It doesn’t include long running West End shows – you know about The Lion King, right – but is an attempt to compile as many festive shows for young audiences as possible, at theatres big and small.
We’ve divided our list into family-friendly Christmas shows – that is to say, shows suitable for children, but that you could easily visit without – and shows that are directly aimed at a younger audience.
Please note that there are so many pantomimes in London that they have their own seperate list – see link below.
RECOMMENDED: The best Christmas pantomimes in London.
Find more Christmas shows in London.
What is it? Not festive per se but opening just in time for Christmas, it’s super-producer Sonia Friedman’s lavish new musical adaptation of the first Paddington film – the biggest new Brit show of the decade, probably. For ages six-plus.
Where is it? Savoy Theatre.
What is it? Pantomimes are, of course, family-friendly fun, but there too many of them to include here – click through to our dedicated panto page.
Discover Time Out original video
