It’s not Christmas with no pantomime (oh no, it’s not!), plus you may as well discover some fantastic Christmas theatre in London for teenagers this 12 months, whether or not you’re searching for conventional reveals, basic ballet or new family-friendly performances.
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As nicely as the same old West End hits, there’s at all times an added serving to of theatrical magic to get you within the festive temper, together with choices for toddlers and preschoolers having their first theatre journeys, in addition to for older youngsters and teenagers.
It’s at all times value doublechecking what ages are allowed earlier than you ebook: some theatres received’t settle for kids beneath 5, even for some family-friendly reveals – do take a passport or some type of ID in case your youngsters are 5 plus however look youthful than their age.
2022 pantomimes in London
Jack and the Beanstalk – London Palladium
As ever, there are a string of celebs showing within the 2022 London Palladium pantomime – this 12 months, it’s Jack and the Beanstalk.
As nicely as Dawn French, Julian Clary and Alexandra Burke, the present has a string of West End stars in the important thing roles. Only for kids aged 4+ (parental discretion suggested). Runs from December 1-January 15, 2023.
Jack and the Beanstalk – Lyric Hammersmith
It’s been referred to as London’s greatest beloved panto, so if you need one other probability to see Jack the enormous killer, there’s a second model of Jack and the Beanstalk on the Lyric Hammersmith.
But the basic story has had a little bit of a Christmas makeover, so in addition to beanstalk climbing, you’ll be able to anticipate excessive skateboarding, milk explosions and Beyoncé! For aged 6+, from December 2-January 7 2023.
Mother Goose – Hackney Empire
The Hackney Empire at all times has certainly one of London’s greatest pantomimes – and this 12 months’s selection of Mother Goose is marking 120 years of the long-lasting pantomime on the finish of the theatre’s one hundred and twentieth birthday 12 months.
Plenty of basic panto enjoyable, with reside music and lashings of viewers participation. From November 19-December 31.
Mother Goose – Duke of York’s Theatre
There’s a second serving to of Mother Goose too, starring Ian McKellen, John Bishop and Mel Giedroyc on the Duke of York’s Theatre – together with a string of contemporary updates, which sees Mother Goose operating an animal sanctuary inside an deserted Debenhams.
It’s additionally a fantastic choice if you wish to preserve the Christmas spirit alive nicely into the New Year, because the present runs from December 15-January 29, 2023.
Potted Panto – Apollo Theatre
Want to see a panto however can’t resolve which one? Why not see seven as an alternative, because of Potted Panto on the Apollo Theatre.
A whirlwind sprint by means of among the greatest pantomimes, you’ll go to Dick Whittington’s London, meet the genie in Aladdin’s lamp, and trip within the pumpkin carriage with Cinderella, amongst others. For age 6+, from December 17-January 8, 2023.
For extra nice issues to do for Christmas in London with youngsters, take a look at my prime picks
Christmas musicals & ballet in London
Elf the Musical – the Dominion Theatre
The Christmas film favorite is again in musical kind once more this winter, with Elf the Musical on the Dominion Theatre.
Telling the story of Buddy, the newborn raised as an elf, who causes mayhem in Manhattan earlier than serving to to avoid wasting Christmas, it’s the right upbeat heartwarmer. Ages 5+ solely, runs from November 14-January 7 2023.
Bonus enjoyable – click on right here for 5 quirky info about Elf
It’s a Wonderful Life – London Coliseum
Another basic Christmas film, It’s a Wonderful Life can also be coming to the London Coliseum this winter, with a efficiency from the English National Opera.
Better for older youngsters, the story of down-on-his-luck banker George Bailey and his guardian angel has some darker themes earlier than the heart-warming ending, as he’s proven simply what the city of Bedford Falls can be like with out him. From November 25-December 10
The Nutcracker – London Coliseum
It’s merely not Christmas with out the English National Ballet’s efficiency of the Nutcracker on the London Coliseum.
With over 100 dancers and musicians bringing the magical world of Tchaikovsky’s well-known ballet to life, it’s the final word festive time out in the event you’re searching for Christmas theatre in London with youngsters. For age 5+, from December 15-January 8, 2023
The Nutcracker – Royal Albert Hall
There’s a second probability to see the Nutcracker this Christmas in London with youngsters, with a brief set of performances on the Royal Albert Hall.
Postponed from Christmas 2021, there are nonetheless tickets obtainable, with performances from December 28-31.
Sleeping Beauty – Sadler’s Wells
If you’re searching for a ballet to see this Christmas in London with youngsters that’s NOT the Nutcracker, there’s one other serving to of Tchaikovsky at Sadler’s Wells with Sleeping Beauty.
A decade after its premiere, the gothic twist on the fairytale romance is ideal for older youngsters or teenagers who’ve outgrown sweeter fare, as you enter a world of magical fairies and vampires, the place Princess Aurora’s love story couldn’t be farther from Disney. Runs from November 29-January 15, 2023
The Snowman – Peacock Theatre
Another Christmas basic, the Snowman is delivered to life as soon as extra on the Peacock Theatre for its twenty fifth London season in 2022.
The stage adaptation of Raymond Briggs’ much-loved ebook, there’s a reside orchestra performing the music accompanying the heart-warming story. As nicely as a particular relaxed efficiency on November 30, the present is appropriate for all ages – youngsters aged 2+ require tickets. Runs from November 19-December 31.
Hex – the National Theatre
Older youngsters will love Hex, a retelling of Sleeping Beauty on the National Theatre – in any case, you’re by no means too previous for fairytales.
Aimed at age 8+, the musical follows a lonely fairy who longs for somebody to bless… till her try to assist the princess sleep turns blessing into curse, and a 100-year quest to make every little thing proper once more. Runs from November 26 to January 14, 2023.
Frozen: the Musical – Theatre Royal Drury Lane
While this hit musical isn’t strictly a Christmas efficiency, transporting your self to the winter wonderland of Arendelle positively ticks the festive packing containers, with a present that’s a assured hit this Christmas in London with youngsters.
Frozen the Musical is operating at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, with tickets obtainable to ebook till March 2023. Children beneath 4 won’t be admitted, really helpful for six+.
For methods to lower your expenses in London with youngsters, together with cut-price theatre tickets, take a look at my prime ideas
Christmas theatre in London with youngsters
A Christmas Carol – the Old Vic
Find the ghosts of Christmas previous, current and future at this new retelling of Dickens’ Christmas basic, A Christmas Carol.
The new model on the Old Vic from Jack Thorne, one of many magical writers behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, is designed to immerse the viewers, moderately than merely watching Scrooge from afar. Aimed at Age 8+. Runs from November 12-January7, 2023, together with a relaxed efficiency on December 10.
For one other very completely different tackle the story, Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol provides Dickens a Tennessee twist on the Queen Elizabeth Hall, from December 8-January 8
The Fir Tree – the Globe Theatre
Another beautiful reimagining of a fairytale, The Fir Tree at Shakespeare’s Globe brings Hans Christian Andersen’s festive story again to the South Bank for a second 12 months.
As the little Fir Tree turns into interested by a world outdoors the forest, craving for journey, the Globe is remodeled right into a magical woodland, with pleasant cardboard puppets (and also you’re inspired to deliver your personal too), carol singing, tree adorning and sizzling drinks beneath a starlit sky. Runs from December 15-31.
Stick Man – Leicester Square Theatre
A beautiful choice for Christmas theatre in London with younger youngsters, Stick Man on the Leicester Square Theatre is appropriate for all ages.
The adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved ebook, it’s an ideal introduction for the youngest theatregoers who’ll already know the story of Stick Man’s misadventures as he strives to flee peril and make it again to the household tree – instructed with puppetry, songs and reside music. Runs from October 22-January 2, 2023
Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas – Barbican Hall
A deliciously humorous different to all issues merry and vivid, Horrible Histories takes on the festive season with Horrible Christmas on the Barbican Hall.
With Puritan events, Tudor treats, Victorian villains and extra, it’s the one present bringing collectively Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell, Henry VIII and St Nicholas to avoid wasting Christmas. Runs in London from December 27-30.
More 2022 Christmas reveals in London
Circus 1903
For a Christmas present with a distinction, the favored turn-of-the-century Circus 1903 has a brand new dwelling in Hammersmith celebrating the Golden Age of Circus, with puppetry in addition to the same old circus thrills.
While its dwelling on the Eventim Apollo could be completely different – previous years have seen performances on the South Bank – the leisure is as fantastic as ever, together with elephants within the ring courtesy of the award-winning crew behind War Horse, and acts from all throughout the globe. From December 15-January 1, 2023, for aged 3+ solely.
Rapunzel on Ice – Alexandra Palace
Disney on Ice takes on Rapunzel this December at Alexandra Palace, transporting the basic fairytale to the ice, plus a panto-style replace – to not point out loads of jokes and plenty of hair.
Featuring home-grown expertise in addition to professionals, it’s appropriate for ages 2+. Runs from December 9-12.
Picture Perfect Christmas Show – National Gallery
Step right into a magical world impressed by a seventeenth century portray, to find the key life dwelling inside artwork on the the National Gallery’s Picture Perfect Christmas Show.
Expect songs, dancing and plenty of festive cheer alongside the best way, as two kids meet a string of woodland creatures in an try to avoid wasting Christmas. Selected dates from November 26 to December 23 on the National Gallery theatre.
For extra recommendations on one of the best issues to do for Christmas in London with youngsters, take a look at my prime picks
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