My girls love a pantomime. The silliness, the songs, the shouting along — it's become one of the things we look forward to at Christmas.
We've also loved The Snowman and Julia Donaldson's stories on stage, and there's something especially magical about a trip to the ballet. These are the Christmas shows for kids in London on our radar for 2026, from toddler-friendly puppet shows to full pantomimes, with the ages, running times and prices that help you choose.
We've already booked Room on the Broom.
Room on the Broom, Lyric Theatre
Already booked by us.
We love Julia Donaldson’s stage adaptations, and enjoyed The Gruffalo in the summer. Room on the Broom comes from the same theatre company, Tall Stories, so it was an easy addition to our Christmas plans.
A familiar story can make a first theatre visit feel less daunting. At an hour without an interval, this is also a shorter option than a full pantomime or ballet.
Where: Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, central London.
When: 27 November 2026–3 January 2027.
Age guidance: 3+.
Running time: 60 minutes, no interval.
Tickets: From £10.
2. Cinderella, Lyric Hammersmith
On our radar for this year’s panto outing.
Pantomime is a family favourite for us, and Cinderella is one we’re keen to see this Christmas. The Lyric’s production promises songs, comedy and a Hammersmith take on the story.
I’d choose this for children who enjoy the fun of a lively performance and joining in. For a child who finds loud theatre overwhelming, check the accessible performance options before choosing your date.
Where: Lyric Hammersmith — a different venue from the Lyric Theatre hosting Room on the Broom.
When: 14 November 2026–3 January 2027, according to the theatre’s production page.
Tickets and age guidance: Check the theatre’s current performance and booking information. Prices increase with demand.
3. Peter Pan, Polka Theatre
On our radar for primary-school children.
Polka’s Peter Pan is a musical retelling with live vocals, beatboxing and rap. It sounds like a fun choice for children ready for a longer show, and it’s a useful southwest London option if you’d rather stay closer to home.
Don’t assume that every production at a children’s theatre is suitable for toddlers: this one is aimed at ages five to twelve.
Where: Polka Theatre, Wimbledon.
When: 14 November 2026–24 January 2027.
Age guidance: 5–12.
Running time: 1 hour 25 minutes.
Tickets: From £10 plus £2.50 booking fee per order.
4. The Snowman, Peacock Theatre
The Snowman has been a magical theatre outing for us. It’s one of those stories that feels especially at home at Christmas.
There’s an important detail this year: the Peacock is hosting the premiere of a new production. Our fond memories are of the version we saw previously, and we haven’t seen this new staging yet.
The familiar story makes it an appealing choice, but allow for its longer running time when deciding whether it will suit your youngest child.
Where: Peacock Theatre, near Holborn.
When: 21 November 2026–3 January 2027.
Age guidance: Suitable for all ages; children aged two and above need a ticket.
Running time: 90 minutes including a 20-minute interval.
Tickets: From £18 plus £4 transaction fee. Family tickets are available in selected price bands.
5. English National Ballet’s Nutcracker, London Coliseum
On our radar for a special ballet outing.
We love the magic of ballet, and Nutcracker is an obvious Christmas contender. English National Ballet’s production combines the story of Clara’s adventure with Tchaikovsky’s music performed live.
I’d make this the main event of the day and choose the performance around your child’s attention span and energy. Enjoying dance at home doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ready to sit through a full-length ballet, so read the venue’s admission and age guidance before booking.
Where: London Coliseum.
When: London performances are listed from 17 December 2026–10 January 2027.
Tickets, running time and admission guidance: Check the official production page for your chosen performance.
6. Disney On Ice: Discover the Magic, The O2
On our radar for Disney fans.
If your children are more excited by Disney characters than a traditional Christmas story, this could be the festive treat they’ll most enjoy.
It’s an arena outing, so I’d look closely at seat location and the total family cost before booking. Leave time for getting into and out of the venue, especially if you’re travelling with younger children.
Where: The O2, Greenwich.
When: 24 December 2026–3 January 2027.
7. Jack and the Beanstalk, Hackney Empire
On our radar for families who love a proper panto.
My girls love the fun of a pantomime, so this is another one for our shortlist. Clive Rowe returns to Hackney Empire as Dame Trot, directing as well as performing in this year’s Jack and the Beanstalk.
When: 21 November–31 December 2026.
Tickets, running time and age guidance: Check the venue’s booking information for your performance.
8. Dick Whittington and His Cat, King’s Head Theatre
On our radar for a panto outing in Islington.
Dick and his cat head to London in the King’s Head’s family pantomime, with River Medway and Victoria Scone among the cast. If you’re choosing a north London outing, this gives you another option alongside Hackney Empire.
The theatre also runs a separate adults-only version. Choose the family production linked below when booking with children.
When: 22 November 2026–3 January 2027.
Age guidance: All ages welcome; check the box office’s ticket requirements for very young children.
Running time: Approximately two hours, still marked TBC by the venue.
Tickets: The venue advertises four eligible standard-price tickets for £100 using code FAMILY; check terms and availability.
9. Stick Man, Bloomsbury Theatre
We love seeing Julia Donaldson stories on stage, and Stick Man feels particularly at home in a Christmas edit. Freckle Productions’ adaptation uses songs, puppetry and live music to tell his journey back to the family tree.
At an hour without an interval, it’s a shorter option to compare with Room on the Broom. Choose the story your child is most excited to see, rather than feeling you need to book both.
When: 3 December 2026–3 January 2027.
Age guidance: The venue welcomes all ages; check its under-two seating rule before booking.
Running time: One hour, no interval.
Tickets: Children from £10, adults from £15; prices vary by seat and performance.
10. The Smartest Giant in Town, St Martin’s Theatre
On our radar for children who love George’s story.
Another Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler favourite, this adaptation comes from Fierylight and Little Angel Theatre. George’s new clothes become a way to help the animals he meets — a lovely story of kindness to revisit at this time of year.
We haven’t seen this production ourselves but hope to visit as it’s one of our favourite books
When: 9 December 2026–3 January 2027.
Tickets, running time and age guidance: 55 mins
11. Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show!, Theatre Royal Haymarket
On our radar for little Peppa fans.
Peppa and her family are getting ready for a new arrival in this live show, with music and plenty to keep younger fans interested. It’s a Christmas season outing rather than a Christmas story, which may be exactly what your child would choose.
For parents with younger children, two practical details stand out: the show has an interval, and the theatre only accepts collapsible strollers because storage is limited.
When: 4 December 2026–3 January 2027.
Running time: Approximately 80 minutes, including an interval.
Tickets: From £10. Under-12-months sitting on an adult’s lap don’t need a ticket; everyone else does.
12. The Wind in the Willows, Rose Theatre
On our radar for a family theatre trip in Kingston.
Toad, Ratty, Badger and Mole feature in a festive adaptation with music and a story about friendship and saving Christmas. A professional cast performs alongside the Rose Youth Theatre.
For families in southwest London, Kingston may be an easier journey than the West End. This is one I’d consider for the girls, while keeping its longer running time in mind for younger siblings.
When: 25 November 2026–3 January 2027.
Age guidance: 5+, although all ages are welcome.
Running time: Approximately two hours, including an interval.
Tickets: Check the selected performance.
13. Huddle, Unicorn Theatre
On our radar for toddlers and preschoolers.
Huddle follows a penguin dad caring for his newly hatched chick, using performance, projection and sound. It gives younger children their own option in a season when many of the bigger productions are aimed at older siblings.
With a recommended audience of one to four, this is perfect for a first trip to the theatre.
When: 27 November 2026–3 January 2027.
Age guidance: 1–4.
Tickets and running time: Check the venue’s current listing.
14. Santa’s First Christmas, Unicorn Theatre
On our radar for a story with Christmas at its heart.
Santa’s elves decide that the person who delivers Christmas for everyone else deserves a celebration of his own. Based on Mac Barnett’s book, this new production combines dance, storytelling and music.
It sounds like a lovely option if you want a festive story rather than a panto. We haven’t seen it yet, so it remains on our researched shortlist.
When: 14 November 2026–3 January 2027.
Age guidance: 4+.
Tickets and running time: Check the venue’s current listing.
15. Dear Santa, Battersea Arts Centre
On our radar for a local first theatre outing.
Rod Campbell’s Dear Santa follows Santa and his elf as they try to choose the right present for Sarah. The announced programme recommends it as an introduction to theatre for children aged two and over.
For us, Battersea is a particularly useful option close to home. The venue has also announced festive soft play and a separate grotto, so check what you’re booking rather than assuming one ticket covers everything.
When: 28 November–24 December 2026.
Age guidance: 2+.
Tickets and running time: Awaiting a checked public booking listing; dates and age guidance supplied in the 2026 press release.
16. There’s a Bear on My Chair, Southbank Centre
On our radar for children who enjoy the funny picture book.
Ross Collins’ Bear and Mouse come to life through puppetry in this stage adaptation. It could be a lovely alternative if your child would rather laugh at a familiar story than sit through a full pantomime.
We’ll check the full audience guidance before recommending it for a particular age. For now, it’s part of our Christmas season theatre shortlist.
When: 11 December 2026–3 January 2027, as announced in the supplied press release.
Tickets, age guidance and running time: Awaiting a checked public booking listing.
17. Robin Hood and the Merry Mandem, Stratford East
On our radar for a panto with an East London setting.
Robin Hood gets an E15 retelling in Stratford East’s 2026 pantomime, written by Yolanda Mercy and directed by Jade Lewis. It gives panto-loving families another option alongside Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk and Dick Whittington.
Before choosing seats, note the venue’s advice for under-fives: the Stalls or Dress Circle are recommended over the Upper Circle. I’d also plan the journey home around the longer running time.
When: 21 November 2026–2 January 2027.
Age guidance: Suitable for all ages; check the content notes.
Running time: Approximately two hours plus an interval, still TBC.
Tickets: Standard performances listed from £10; prices vary and increase with demand.
18. Cirque Alice, Royal Festival Hall
On our radar for something different from a traditional Christmas show.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland becomes a circus production, with aerial performers, acrobats, puppetry and music. It sounds like a lovely option for children who are drawn to a big visual spectacle.
Although the publicity describes it as an all ages experience, the Southbank Centre’s booking page gives age guidance of five and up and at around two hours I would also suggest 5+.
When: 12 December 2026–3 January 2027.
Where: Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre.
Age guidance: 5+.
Running time: Approximately two hours.
Tickets: From £35. Ringside tables on stage are also offered; check the seating plan and ticket conditions.
19. The Snowflake, Little Angel Studios
On our radar for a shorter Christmas story for school-age children.
Benji Davies’ story follows a snowflake, a little girl and her Pappie as they look for a place to belong. Little Angel’s adaptation brings it to life through puppetry and songs.
The short running time is appealing, but the theatre pitches the language and storytelling to children around five and older. I’d choose it for that age group rather than assuming a picture-book adaptation is automatically designed for toddlers.
When: 21 November 2026–23 January 2027.
Where: Little Angel Studios, Sebbon Street, Islington.
Age guidance: The venue describes it as “for everyone over 5”.
Running time: Approximately 50 minutes.
Tickets: Adults £18, children £16; selected Thursday and Friday performances have lower prices.
20. Scruff’s Christmas Adventure, Little Angel Theatre
On our radar for preschoolers who enjoy joining in.
Scruff the puppy is trying to find the right Christmas present for his owner. This interactive puppet show invites children to help along the way.
At around 35 minutes, it’s one of the shortest options in our edit. The recommended ages are three to six, making it worth comparing with our other preschool choices rather than a full-length panto.
When: 28 November 2026–3 January 2027.
Where: Little Angel Theatre, Dagmar Passage, Islington — a different location from Little Angel Studios.
Age guidance: 3–6.
Running time: Approximately 35 minutes.
Tickets: Adults £18, children £16; selected Wednesday and Friday performances have lower prices.
Which Christmas show should you choose?
For toddlers, start by investigating Huddle, Dear Santa or Peppa Pig, checking each production’s admission rules. For a shorter picture-book adaptation, compare Room on the Broom and Stick Man. For primary-school children, Peter Pan and The Wind in the Willows offer longer adventures, while Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk and Dick Whittington give panto fans a choice of venues. The Snowman has the pull of a familiar Christmas story, while Nutcracker is worth exploring for children ready for a full ballet.
Before paying, check age guidance, running time, sightlines and whether your youngest child needs their own ticket. A well timed matinee can make the whole day easier.
Looking for a Santa visit or a light trail too? Explore our Father Christmas guide and our Christmas experiences edit.
