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The Christmas shows, festive plays and musicals I can't wait to see in London this December

It’s snow joke: we’ve recommended the very best plays, musicals and ballets happening in the West End this Christmas.

Nutcracker performance in Turkiye 2024

Photo by Ismail Kaplan/Anadolu via Getty Images

Published: Monday, 9 November 2026 at 9:00 am

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We'll be saying "it's Christmas time" before you know it! But there’s no need to be afraid, because we’re making sure you’re more than prepared for this year’s festive season.

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To help you get in the festive spirit (and we don’t mean just humming along to your Christmas playlist spirit; we mean full-on, giddy, can’t sleep on Christmas Eve excitement), we’ve put together this list of the best Christmas shows to see in London.

Featuring plays, musicals and ballets going on at the West End this winter, this guide is everything you need for the perfect Christmas theatre trip. We’ve got family-friendly shows, like Stick Man as well as more serious performances like Nutcracker, so there's something for everyone in our guide.

Let's step into Christmas.

For even more exciting things to do in the Big Smoke this winter (and ones that mostly involve being indoors!), be sure to read our best UK pantomimes and best London experience gifts.

Best West End Christmas shows at a glance:

Best West End Christmas shows for 2026

A Christmas Carol, The Old Vic

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Giles Terera is taking on the role of Scrooge in The Old Vic's adaptation of A Christmas Carol. As far as Christmas shows are concerned, A Christmas Carol is one of the most famed, and this production is sure to be a stand-out from the holiday season as it's been adapted by Adolescence creator Jack Thorne.

Buy A Christmas Carol tickets from £35 at London Theatre Direct

Nutcracker, London Coliseum

Artists of the company in English National Ballet's production of Wayne Eagling's The Nutcracker at the London Coliseum

Photo by robbie jack/Corbis via Getty Images

The classic ballet is back this winter featuring the music of Tchaikovsky and the choreography of Arielle Smith and Aaron S Watkin. Featuring over 100 dancers and musicians, this dance follows Clara, a young girl who follows her toy nutcracker into a magical world run by a formidable rat king.

Buy Nutcracker tickets from £31 at London Theatre Direct

Stick Man at Bloomsbury Theatre

Stick Man play poster showing a cartoon stick running through the snow.

Stick Man. London Theatre Direct

Julia Donaldson's beloved story is being brought to life this winter at the Bloomsbury Theatre. See Stick Man caught up in a series of adventures as he's chased by dogs, swans and people, all the while trying to get back to his family in time for Christmas, but will he get there?

Buy Stick Man tickets from £19 at London Theatre Direct

Christmas Carol Goes Wrong at Apollo Theatre

the poster of A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong

Mischief Comedy

New from the multi award-winning company who brought you The Play That Goes Wrong, Peter Pan Goes Wrong and The Comedy About a Bank Robbery comes Christmas Carol Goes Wrong. In the production, you'll meet The Cornley Amateur Drama Society who are ready to tackle Charles Dickens's classic, A Christmas Carol, but first, they'll have to battle feuds, miscommunications and missing actors.

Buy Christmas Carol Goes Wrong tickets from £28 at TodayTix

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The Snowman at Peacock Theatre

the snowman with live orchestra christmas day out

ATG Tickets

We defy any British person not to get emotional when they hear the classic opening chimes of Walking in the Air, and to wish that they too could fly around with a friendly snowman on Christmas Eve. But alas, we’ll just have to content ourselves with going to see The Snowman on stage instead.

Returning to the West End for its 28th year, The Snowman will be showing at the Peacock Theatre, once again based on the original picture book by Raymond Briggs and the iconic 1982 TV movie.

Buy The Snowman tickets from £22 at London Theatre Direct

West End Musical Christmas at Lyric Theatre

West End Musical Christmas poster

This Christmas, a surprise cast of the West End’s biggest stars will take to the stage for an unforgettable evening of music and festive cheer, to get audiences well and truly into the Christmas spirit. The set list remains a closely guarded secret, but expect a feast of heart-warming festive favourites, musical theatre classics and Yuletide surprises, building to an unforgettable Christmas party.

Buy West End Musical Christmas tickets from £24 at LOVETheatre

Pinocchio at The Globe Theatre

Pinocchio at The Globe poster

Dreaming of a life beyond his traditional town, restless maverick Geppetto makes a magical wooden puppet called Pinocchio. Together they set out to find family and discover the wonder of being human.

Buy Pinocchio tickets from £6 at LOVETheatre

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For more recommendations check out the Theatre section or listen to our new podcast In the Interval. Plus, our Bloodsport: After Helen of Troy review, Jesus Christ Superstar review and Beetlejuice review. We also have events like the best kids theatre shows and best West End shows.

Authors

Olivia Garrett

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