Christmas Breaks in London 2026
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 available, a Theatre Break is the perfect highlight to any Advent calendar.
Special Advice: Looking for the bear? If you want to see Paddington Theatre Breaks this Christmas, unfortunately you are too late. Availability starts in January and even later school holiday dates are starting to sell out.
This year, the usual seasonal favourites are joined by an exciting list of new Christmas shows for the perfect Christmas break: from family shows aimed at the kiddies to Christmas crackers with a definite adult vibe.
Dates checked 3 November 2026.
Christmas Shows 2026 – London Theatre Breaks
The Snowman
Who doesn’t love the Snowman? Now as much a London Christmas tradition as it is my family’s around the telly on Christmas Day! Raymond Briggs’ book, and the 1982 film that followed, are told on stage by Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Sadler’s Wells with music by Howard Blake. Join them as a boy and his snowman fly to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.
The flight to Walking in the Air still draws gasps from the grown-ups as well as the children. At 90 minutes with an interval, it is an ideal first show for young children (note: under-ones are not admitted).
Peacock Theatre, 21 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Read more about The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre, or book theatre breaks for The Snowman.
Christmas Carol Goes Wrong
Christmas would not be Christmas without a production of A Christmas Carol and due to popular demand, this festive “Goes Wrong”, Christmas Carol Goes Wrong, is served up again by Mischief, at the Wyndham’s Theatre (because they probably broke the Apollo Theatre last year).
The Cornley Amateur Drama Society return with tidings of “chaos and joy” and their version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale.
An unforgettable festive treat! Hilarious!
Wyndham’s Theatre, 19 December 2026 to 23 January 2027. Book theatre breaks for Christmas Carol Goes Wrong.
Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella
New Adventures marks 30 years of Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella with a Christmas season at Sadler’s Wells. Set in London during the Blitz, Cinderella meets a young RAF pilot, and they share one night before the war parts them. Prokofiev’s score entwines with the sounds of wartime London, inside Lez Brotherston’s Olivier-winning design. This is dance theatre rather than classical ballet in Matthew Bourn’es now world-famous style. For couples who want something romantic and grown-up at Christmas, it is the pick of the season.
Sadler’s Wells, 1 December 2026 to 17 January 2027. Book theatre breaks for Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella.
Cirque Alice at the Royal Festival Hall
The Southbank Centre’s Christmas show this year is a circus telling of Alice in Wonderland: acrobats, aerialists, contortionists, dancers and puppetry recreate the magical creatures that Alice meets, with live musicians playing new arrangements of familiar classical pieces.
Billed for all ages, it runs about two hours, and the riverside setting is a short walk from Waterloo.
As a new addition to the Christmas list, it is probably my recommendation for the year, especially if you make London a regular destination at Christmas.
Royal Festival Hall, 12 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Book theatre breaks for Cirque Alice.
Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley
For Austen readers, this is the Christmas show to book. Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon’s play, a hit in the United States, gets its UK premiere at Park Theatre. The Bennets gather at Pemberley for Christmas, and attention turns to Mary, the bookish sister everyone overlooks, until the arrival of Lord Arthur de Bourgh offers her a future nobody expected. Warm, witty and gently romantic: a Christmas play for grown-ups rather than a pantomime. Park Theatre is beside Finsbury Park station, a few minutes from King’s Cross on the Victoria line.
Park Theatre, 2 December 2026 to 10 January 2027. Book theatre breaks for Miss Bennet.
Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas
A festive murder mystery with its tongue in its cheek. It is Christmas in Victorian London, and West End performers are dropping like flies. Holmes finds a link to The Twelve Days of Christmas and, helped by Dr Watson and his rival, Athena Faversham, has to stop the killer before the next verse. Alexandra Palace’s Victorian theatre, reopened after decades in the dark, is a memorable place to see a show, but it is in north London, so the usual list of hotels doesn’t apply. Check out the 3 star Best Western Highbury or the 4 star Maldron Finsbury Park if you need family rooms.
Alexandra Palace Theatre, 24 November 2026 to 17 January 2027. Book theatre breaks for Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas.
Christmas by Candlelight
An hour of Christmas music from a string quartet, played by candlelight in St Paul’s, Covent Garden, the Actors’ Church. The programme mixes seasonal classics with music from films including Love Actually and Home Alone. Performances are at 16:00 and 18:00, Thursday to Saturday, so it fits neatly before dinner or ahead of an evening show elsewhere. Seating is unallocated within each price section, so arrive early if your party wants to sit together.
The Actors’ Church, Covent Garden, 12 to 23 December 2026. Book theatre breaks for Christmas by Candlelight.
London Pantos
Jack and the Beanstalk – Hackney Empire
Hackney Empire’s pantomime has a devoted following, and Clive Rowe is a large part of the reason. The Olivier Award winner directs and stars again this year, in a panto that keeps the traditional ingredients West End versions sometimes lose: a proper dame, local jokes, big songs and a boisterous audience. Jack trades his cow for magic beans and climbs into a land ruled by a giant. Frank Matcham’s 1901 theatre is worth the trip east in its own right. Again, outside of theatreland our closest hotels to the Hackney Empire are the Courthouse Shoreditch and the Maldron Shoreditch.
Hackney Empire, from 21 November 2026. Book theatre breaks for Jack and the Beanstalk.
Cinderella – Lyric Hammersmith
The Lyric Hammersmith panto is known for its wit, pop music and an eye on the news. This year Joel Horwood, who wrote the Lyric’s Aladdin in 2016, returns with a new Cinderella, directed by Robin Belfield, with Chrissie Bhima in the title role. Expect a heroine down on her luck, a prince who must find a wife by midnight and plenty of local colour. Recommended for ages 6 and up, a minute’s walk from Hammersmith station. the Ibis Shepherds Bush or the Novotel London West are the hotels to look out for that are in the are.
Lyric Hammersmith, 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Book theatre breaks for Cinderella at the Lyric Hammersmith.
Potted Panto
Seven pantomimes, two actors and 70 minutes – if only Christmas was as succinct (and as fun!). Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, the pair behind Potted Potter, race through Aladdin, Dick Whittington, Cinderella and more, with quick changes, slapstick and plenty for the audience to shout back. The short running time and no interval make it a good choice for younger children, or as an early show before dinner, right in the heart of Theatreland.
Apollo Theatre, 6 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Book theatre breaks for Potted Panto.
Cinderella – Buttons Undone! (adults only)
Strictly for grown-ups. He’s Behind You! are specialists in the alternative Christmas panto. They return with a Cinderella built on innuendo and very little restraint starring Matthew Baldwin as dame. Not for families or the easily offended, but a riotous night out for groups of friends who like their panto rude.
Charing Cross Theatre, 21 November 2026 to 9 January 2027. Book theatre breaks for Cinderella – Buttons Undone!
Seasonal Shows for Young Families
As well as traditional Christmas shows and pantos, London is rich with family shows that everyone one can enjoy. Some specifically for the young, others, like the National Theatre’s The Jungle Book, with a much broader appeal.
The Jungle Book – National Theatre
The National Theatre’s big family production is a new version of Kipling’s stories by Anupama Chandrasekhar, directed by Indhu Rubasingham, with puppetry by Finn Caldwell and Nick Barnes. Mowgli’s story is told on the National Theatre’s largest stage. The run continues into February, so it also suits a January break.
Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, 14 November 2026 to 6 February 2027. Book theatre breaks for The Jungle Book.
Pinocchio – Shakespeare’s Globe
The Globe’s new musical Pinocchio returns for Christmas, written by Charlie Josephine and Jim Fortune and directed by Sean Holmes. Live music, silliness and real feeling, recommended for ages 5 and up.
Shakespeare’s Globe, 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Book theatre breaks for Pinocchio.
Room on the Broom
Tall Stories’ Olivier-nominated version of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s picture book: puppetry, songs and an hour with no interval, for ages 3 and up.
Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Book theatre breaks for Room on the Broom.
The Smartest Giant in Town
Another Julia Donaldson favourite, from Little Angel Theatre, London’s puppetry specialists: a gentle 55-minute story about kindness for preschool and early-school children. It plays at 11:00 at the St Martin’s Theatre, home of The Mousetrap, so parents can book the morning show for the children and the evening one for themselves.
St Martin’s Theatre, 9 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Book theatre breaks for The Smartest Giant in Town.
There’s a Bear on My Chair
Ross Collins’ books brought to life by puppeteer Toby Olie, whose credits include War Horse. Every performance is captioned and almost all are relaxed, a thoughtful choice for children who find a full theatre overwhelming.
Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, 11 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Book theatre breaks for There’s a Bear on My Chair.
Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show!
A new live show for preschool fans, with songs, simple audience participation and the characters they know from television, at the handsome Theatre Royal Haymarket.
With 11am daytime shows and 1 1 hr 20 mins running time it leaves the rest of the day for doing stuff and doesn’t get in the way of bedtime!
Theatre Royal Haymarket, 4 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Book theatre breaks for Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show.
Father Christmas Needs a Wee!
A cheerful musical version of Nicholas Allan’s picture book, at 10:00 on Saturdays and Sundays, a minute from Marble Arch and Oxford Street’s Christmas lights.
The Arts at Marble Arch, 12 to 24 December 2026. Book theatre breaks for Father Christmas Needs a Wee!
Christmas in The West End
There are also some regular shows in Theatreland that would be perfect for a Christmas outing.
Oliver!
Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Lionel Bart’s iconic musical, Oliver! which he has fully reconceived with director and choreographer Matthew Bourne, opened in London at the Gielgud Theatre last year and continues to wow the crowds. But be warned – you’ll have to pick a pocket or two to get tickets over the Christmas period – maybe book this one soon.
Matilda
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 Trunchbull. 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.
Here are just some of the theatre breaks available in 2026 for your London Christmas short stay.
- Abba Voyage
- Disney’s The Lion King
- Wicked
- Jesus Christ Superstar
- Mamma Mia!
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.
Go midweek if you can. Tuesday to Thursday is usually the best value for a Christmas theatre break: rail fares added to a package are discounted on most routes, and theatres often have cheaper seats midweek than at the weekend.
So what ever you are planning, do consider one of our Christmas theatre breaks in London.
Merry Christmas from all of us!
