Hi Theatre Goers
Well that was quick. I could have sworn that Easter was only just last week and now I am already planning what shows to highlight for Winter Breaks in London! If you already know what you are going to see this winter, book you winter break now!
Winter Breaks in London 2025/2026
So what are the most popular shows for visitors to London this winter?
Abba Voyage, Disney’s The Lion King and Wicked are still our top three shows.
Perfect blockbusters to warm the soul for a chilly night out. Wicked has become even more popular since the film came out – I guess everyone wants to find out what happens in part two!!!
Talking of films, Moulin Rouge is in at number four. I saw it for the first time this summer – yes a bit slow – and it was stunning! Just as good as the movie although I couldn’t help noticing the differences. “Vive La Difference” as the say in Paris.
At the time of writing you only have a few more weeks to catch the Tina Turner Musical at the Savoy which comes in at number 5 on our list of top musicals. It’s rare for a show to still be in the top ten just as it is about to close, so you can tell how popular it is AND how outstandingly good Karis Anderson, who plays Tina, is! Go before 13 September.
Next come three oldies but goldies. It is amazing to see that The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables and Mamma Mia! are still top 10 musicals.
During the lifespan of the run of Phantom, the theatre at which it plays has changed its name top His Majesty’s, the production company has changed its name to LW Entertainment, a new young adult book inspired by The Phantom of the Opera is to be published to ensure the next 50 years of the Lloyd Webber Multi-verse and no doubt work continues a pace with ALW’s new musical The Illusionist announced last winter.
So it is good to see that the two other popular shows going into Winter 2025: Come Alive is the Greatest Showman musical that opened this week and will run at the Empress Museum throughout the winter. Aparrantly there will be another Greatest Showman musical soon, – more news when I get it.
The other and the fifth musical to be based on a film (rather than the other way round for four of the other top ten shows )this winter, is The Devil Wears Prada. If you have wandered along Oxford street this year you will have found it hard to miss the giant Jimmy Choo Stiletto adorning the Dominion Theatre.
I always felt tyhe movie was calling out for a few songs. So thank you very much the legendary Elton John for writing them!
Winter Break – other London highlights.
Of course there are many other winter highlights in London this year
Now a firm seasonal fixture in London is Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland bringing lots of family fun to Winter Breaks in London, with its giant Ferris wheel, carousels and ghost rides. Then there’s the Artic Circle and Alpine Adventure to explore as well. And the world famous Zippo’s Circus is in residence too. Visitors can wander around the many shops picking up a Christmas gift or two for their nearest and dearest and even try their hand at ice skating. It is in London from 14 November to 01 January 2026
impressive Somerset House set on the banks of the River Thames. Visitors can don their woolly hats, muffs and skates and glide gently across the purpose built rink. You can make the occasion even more special by sampling Fortnum and Mason Champagne & Chocolate Truffles, Wine & Fondue for Two or Champagne & Smoked Salmon Blini which are all served in Fortnum’s Lodge onsite.
And in the middle of all this comes Christmas. With Pantos and Christmas shows. Ballets and concerts. Christmas lights and Winter sales. I can’t say I love London in the winter, because that would suggest I don;’t love it the rest of the year…. but I LOOOOOOVE London in the winter.
Let’s just leave it at that.
