Christmas Breaks in London 2023
Whether you are thinking of booking London theatre breaks in London this Christmas to do some seasonal shopping or buying one as a present for a loved one, with a host of special seasonal shows and events, a Theatre Break is the perfect highlight to any Advent calendar. Here are just some of the shows available in 2023 for your London Christmas break.
Christmas Shows – London Theatre Breaks
The Birmingham Rep’s version of The Snowman, now in its 18th year, has established itself as one of London’s most treasured Christmas traditions. Based on Raymond Brigg’ much-loved children’s book, the wildly successful live stage adaptation of The Snowman makes another return to London’s Peacock Theatre this festive season.
Christmas would not be Christmas without a production of A Christmas Carol. Mark Gatiss’s acclaimed retelling of Dickens’ winter ghost story, starring Keith Allen, will return to the Alexandra Palace. Keith Allen is Scrooge with Peter Forbes (Follies) as Marley.
This year you even have the choice of two A Christmas Carols with Matthew Warchus’ big-hearted, smash hit production at The Old Vic, starring Emmy Award-winner Christopher Eccleston ((Accused, The Leftovers and the 9th Doctor Who! ) as Ebenezer Scrooge.
And if that is not enough, A Sherlock Carol picks up the story many years later at the Marylebone Theatre when Ebenezer Scrooge is victim of a mysterious and peculiar death.
So on a a dark and treacherous Christmas Eve, distraught by his benefactor’s passing, a grown-up and not-so-Tiny Tim visits the great Sherlock Holmes to ask him to investigate the curious case.
You could also join Theatre Breaks at The Other Palace where A Very Very Bad Cinderella also takes a sideways look at a favourite Christmas show through the eyes of those ‘Ugly B**ches’ who have us in stitches‘.
The ‘Real’ Cinderella story is the naughtiest, stagey-est, panto-packed show in London and definitely comes with a 16+ age warning. So, lock up your Sons, and all of your Misters, Look out London, it’s the UGLY SISTERS.
For all of the family however, English National Ballet’s seasonal production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker is also highly recommended for a more classic highlight to your Christmas break. When Clara is given a Nutcracker on Christmas Eve, she awakes later to discover a magical world of strange and wonderful characters.
Other West End Shows for Christmas
Out of the many great West End shows perfect for a Christmas break in London this year, there are some excellent musicals that before they were musicals, they were films (and books of course): Mrs Doubtfire, Matlida and Disney’s Frozen and Elf
Elf is the musical version of the classic family film comedy that starred Will Ferrell as the Elf that doesn’t really fit. The musical is just as loveable with great songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer). Great performances are also promised by MATTHEW WOLFENDEN (best known for his long-running role as David Metcalfe in Emmerdale) as BUDDY, Tom Chambers (well we all know Tom) as Walter Hobs and West End regulars Georgina Castle (9-5, Mamma Mia and Cinderella) as Jovie and Rebecca Lock (Heathers, Phantom, Avenue Q) returns to the role of Emily.
Mrs Doubtfire The massive Hollywood hit, starring the late, great Robin Williams, Mrs Doubtfire, has been made into a hilarious musical comedy and Mrs Doubtfire Theatre Breaks are available to book at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London.
Matilda is the Roald Dahl story made into the smash hit West End musical by Australian comedian Tim Minchin. A young girl is sent to the awful Cruncham Hall, run by the even more awful Miss Tunchbull. Here she turns against the system and tries to lead the kids out from under the heel of their hated head teacher and learns that she has some very special powers in the process. This is one of my family’s favourite West End shows: perfect at any time of year.
My family saw Disney’s Frozen two years ago. Going to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane is as much a treat as whatever show is playing there, but Frozen was just the icing on the cake. As we sat on the balcony overlooking Catherine Street, eating our interval ice-creams, we felt very very fortunate in deed!
For our full list of shows available in Christmas Theatre Breaks, click here!
It wouldn’t be a London Christmas Breaks without…
Of course in addition to what is on and the events that take place, London itself takes on a festive sparkle with the famous street lights and even some special shopping days on Regent Street, Carnaby Street and Covent Garden throughout December and on the lead-up to Christmas. So make sure you include plenty of spare time on your Christmas break.
London Hotels at Christmas
Special Offers on Accommodation – As the schools break up for Christmas, business meetings also stop for London hotels as companies relax for the New Year. In fact it is not until mid February do things really get going in Business Travel World. This means many hotels are keen for some additional business, which means Theatre Breaks receives some great deals: compare December and January prices with those in November and you will see what I mean.
So what ever you are planning, do consider one of our Christmas theatre Breaks in London.
Merry Christmas!