Joanna Trollope on ditching 'Aga sagas' for career women and gay relationships
The writer spoke to Radio Times magazine in 2017 about redressing the balance with her novel, City of Friends.
Joanna Trollope, who has died aged 82, was a novelist with an unerring eye for the tensions shaping modern life. Though often – and inaccurately – labelled the "queen of the Aga saga", she bristled at the tag, arguing that it diminished the seriousness of her work. As Fay Weldon once put it, Trollope had “a gift for putting her finger on the problem of the times”, whether she was writing about marriage, family, faith or the shifting expectations placed on women. That instinct is clear in this Radio Times interview from 2017, resurfaced to mark her passing, in which Trollope discusses City of Friends, her novel about women, power and work in the City. Speaking with characteristic candour, she explains why she felt compelled to write about professional women on their own terms, challenging the idea that ambition, authority and success must look male. At 73, she remained sharply observant, intellectually curious and determined to interrogate the world as it was, rather than as clichés suggested it to be. This article was originally published in February 2017 in Radio Times magazine. "I just didn't think there were any serious novels about women and work," says Joanna Trollope. "There were a few novels about women in the City, on the trading floor, behaving like men, getting drunk and having sex with clients. They were tough-girl, ladette novels. But I couldn't find one about the way women work – because I don't think they work the same way as men." So the 73-year-old writer has set about redressing the balance. Her new novel, City of Friends, focuses on four 47-year-olds, who first met studying economics at university and are now City high-flyers. And it's an impressively diverse group. "I wanted to include a marriage that had no children, a marriage that had children, a gay relationship and a single mother, because that sort of covered everything." City of Friends is Trollope's 20th novel. The Oxford-educated daughter of a rector (and distant relative of novelist Anthony Trollope), she was dubbed the queen of the Aga saga because her early bestsellers, A Village Affair, The Choir and The Rector's Wife, all of which were made into TV series, had a Home Counties domestic setting. But actually Trollope is far more subversive. Fay Weldon once said admiringly that Trollope "has a gift for putting her finger on the problem of the times". Her books have tackled adoption and adultery, contested wills and post-traumatic stress. Researching her last book, 2014's Balancing Act, about a family business, she visited the Emma Bridgewater ceramics factory in Stoke-on-Trent, and became fascinated by how modern women take working for granted. "I was born at the very end of 1943 and for my generation there were almost no women who worked. I knew I wanted to, and I did. Then you get my daughters' generation – I've got one of 48 and one of 45, the same age roughly as the characters in City of Friends – and they all work. And by the time you get to the generation of my 18-year-old granddaughter, they wouldn't think of not working." City of Friends is "a sort of sequel" to Balancing Act. To research the new novel, Trollope met women working in the finance industry and even lived in London's Canary Wharf for a while ("a fascinating place, completely unreal"). She was very impressed by the women she met. They struck her as the sort who "might have gone into politics" if the culture of the House of Commons was "less laddish and uncivilised". The reason we know little about these women, she says, is that they prefer to go under the radar. "They're very powerful and very quiet. And they want it to stay that way." But in the novel we also see the sacrifices alpha women make for their love affair with work. Part of the problem is that women don't compartmentalise their lives into work and play, as men do, Trollope suggests. And also women's love affair with work still makes society feel uncomfortable. "If women work, then we become more random, we become something of a threat." Before becoming a writer in 1980, Trollope worked in the Foreign Office and as a teacher. Her first husband was a banker, with whom she had her two daughters. When she married her second husband, the television dramatist Ian Curteis, she became a stepmother to his two boys. Now a divorced grandmother of nine, she lives in Kensington. The jacket of City of Friends (above) features the four doors where her female characters live, from the gritty East End to the townhouses of Islington. Getting that sort of detail right is essential. "A man needs to know what another man does for a living so he can put him in a hierarchical pecking order. Women need to know where people live, do they live alone, have they got a cat?" Almost all women need a personal life – whatever form it takes, she says dreamily. "Women need a real, solid personal life, from which they all sally forth to slay dragons." <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2017/02/joanna-trollope-royals-3e71039.jpg" width="2426" height="1804" alt="Joanna Trollope with a suited Prince Charles holding a drink, alongside Camilla in a dark jacket, at a drinks reception in an ornate library with bookshelves and guests in." title="The Prince Of Wales & Duchess Of Cornwall Attend The Friends Of The National Libraries Reception" /> Trollope is great company. One minute she's talking about Sarah Waters, whose 1940s-set gay novel, The Night Watch, inspired the lesbian relationship in City of Friends. "I just thought we know a lot about gay betrayal, but we don't know very much about lesbian betrayal," she says. The next moment she's marvelling at the success of the lifestyle blogger Zoella Sugg, whose debut novel was revealed to have been penned by a ghostwriter. "I think: hats off to this girl in her Essex bedroom with its G-plan furniture pulling off this extraordinary commercial stunt." The appeal of Zoella is that she's a fantasy older sister for young girls. "I remember before my 11-plus, when I was at prep school, I was obsessed by the tennis captain. She was 17 and I was completely addicted to her. It still happens, but now they do it to a distant object, a Kim Kardashian, a Zoella." The fact teenagers would rather text than speak face to face alarms her. "I think the 'Snowflake' generation – this kind of 'Don't say anything horrid to me because I might not be able to bear it' – is a reaction to the pressures of social media. I don't think it's because they are pathetic little wimps. It's because they're the first generation who've had this completely relentless avalanche of information, criticism and bullying, and they've retreated to a place which says: 'If I'm here in the corner with a shield in front of me, you can't get at me.'" By contrast, Trollope is a modernist who believes in progress. Researching City of Friends she met academics and business psychologists – "so many people thinking outside the box about how to make life better, make humanity more productive, how to link humanity in a way that isn't pathetic little Instagram snaps," she beams. "There are so many people working for the good of their fellow man." Visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Into the Woods review: Bridge Theatre revival is a sheer force of nature
Much like a forest relies on its ecosystem of trees, Stephen Sondheim's classic musical Into the Woods relies entirely on the collective talent of its ensemble. Thankfully, the Bridge Theatre's brand-new adaptation has been blessed with a cast whose performances intertwine and overlap to become a sheer force of nature on stage. Having not been performed at the West End in over a decade, there was some pressure on director Jordan Fein in bringing this '80s favourite back to life. The story is a mash-up of well-known fables Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel. In the first act, these stories fold around the quest of a cursed baker in search of the ingredients to bring him a child from the evil witch. In the second, a reckoning comes in the form of a giant, and all our fairy-tale heroes are forced to answer the question of what can happen after happily every after comes? Now, as any theatre fan will know, this show is the absolute pinnacle of Sondheim's trademark harmonies and layered lyrics – which can so easily slip from magical to grating when done wrong. The story likewise is in danger of becoming dense and meaningless when you let so many characters and plots flop on top of each other. But fret not, because this production throws off all weight and worry by delivering outward. What I mean by this, is every song, every line delivery, every lighting queue is thrown back at the audience, almost as if punching through the pages of the storybook towards us. Of course the show comes equipped with a narrator whose job it is to break the fourth wall, but even without him the cast seem to spend every second flinging their emotions across the auditorium, reminding us that this complex human story is within all of us – and we must face it. The charged atmosphere this creates would not have been accomplished without the beautiful set design by Tom Scutt. As intended, the woods on stage feel like a living breathing thing, with beautifully textured tree trunks allowing cast members to play. In the second act, the lighting and sound effects take things up a notch with jump scares and blinding lights again forcing the audience into the story. As I've said the cast is immaculate, but I have to praise Chumisa Dornford-May as Cinderella, who brings heart and stunning vocals to the role, and Kate Fleetwood, who said to me in an interview that she 'wasn't much of a singer' and yet belted out an indomitable rendition of Last Midnight in act two. Another highlight was Oliver Savile and Rhys Whitfield, who were wonderfully smarmy and ludicrous as the two princes. With their song Agony, they brilliantly burst the bubble on anyone holding a candle to Prince Charming and were simply hilarious throughout. Otherwise Katie Brayben and Jamie Parker were perfect as the central roles of Baker and Baker's Wife, bringing plenty of charm and depth to the story of this put-upon couple. Overall, this adaptation is a triumphant and an other-worldly return for the much-loved musical, one that truly honours the intentions of the original. It's fair to say that some people find Sondheim's style challenging, but it's far easier to see the genius of it when it's done to this exceptional level. And all the audiences of the Bridge Theatre lived happily ever after... When and where can I see Into the Woods? Into the Woods is playing at Bridge Theatre from now until 30th May 2026. The best route for getting there is either London Bridge or Tower Hill tube station and walking from there. You can find tickets at LOVETheatre from £30. Buy Into the Woods tickets at LOVETheatre Here are the best upcoming UK concerts and tours.
We've reviewed over 30 London theatre shows, musicals and plays this year – here's how they rank
It may seem like something that gets said every December, but 2025 really has been an astounding year for the West End. Iconic shows hit massive milestones, beloved stories got larger-than-life adaptations, and some of Hollywood's biggest stars descended on the streets of London – and in some cases brought them to a halt. This was the year in which both Paddington and Katniss Everdeen made their theatre debuts, while Les Misérables celebrated its 40th anniversary. It was the year Inside No. 9 terrified a whole new audience, and the year Doctor Who himself (Ncuti Gatwa) had an affair with Shakespeare. Quaint British classics like Midsomer Murders also came to the stage, sat alongside big-name American stories like Clueless and The Great Gatsby. Plus, plenty of new stories emerged like Joe Locke's Clarkston and Rosamund Pike's Inter Alia. Lastly, this year has also seen the West End make a very important return to accessibility with individuals like Jamie Lloyd championing low prices and ease of access – made all the easier by the immeasurable talents of Rachel Zegler. So, what to do with all that? Well, we've ranked them, every show the Radio Times' Going Out team has reviewed this year and everything we loved (or lamented) about each. Let's take a look. Best London theatre shows of 2025 ranked 32. The Tempest Run dates: 19th December 2024 – 1st February 2025 Despite the collection of trophies already gathering dust in his cabinet, Jamie Lloyd's West End work has shot to new heights this year. The director's talent for uniting Hollywood's hottest actors with some of theatre's fustiest works to produce pure Olivier-coloured gold, is second to none, but that doesn't mean he always gets it right. His first production the year saw sci-fi superstar Sigourney Weaver take on the role of Prospero in Shakespeare's The Tempest. While the epic dystopian staging was certainly effective, and side characters like Mason Alexander Park shone, overall Weaver's performance fell a little limp and the production failed to find an overall rhythm, leading to two stars from our reviewer. However, as you'll see, it all went up from there. 31. Unicorn Run dates: 4th February– 26th April 2025 When we found out stars of The Split, Nicola Walker and Stephen Mangan, would be reuniting for a 'provocative' throuple-led play with Adolescence's Erin Doherty, a thrill of excitement ran through the Radio Times offices. Unicorn, written by Mike Bartlett, followed the broken marriage of Walker and Mangan, and their decision to reignite things by bringing a third into the relationship. However, upon review we found the show lacked the passion it promised, and the dialogue was surprisingly stilted for actors of their mettle. 30. Noughts and Crosses Run dates: 28th June– 26th July 2025 Malorie Blackman's beloved book series Noughts & Crosses was adapted for a run at the Regents Park Open Air Theatre this summer. Like the novels, the play reimagines a world where Black people (Crosses) are privileged in terms of wealth and power, and discriminate against white people (Noughts), this then becomes further complicated when Calum (a Nought) falls in love with Sephy (a Cross). In our review, we found their doomed love story incredibly moving, but sometimes rushed. When you're cramming in a huge, revered novel into a two-hour play, there's bound to be awkward cuts and difficulties with translation. 29. Every Brilliant Thing Run dates: 1st Aug – 27th Sep 2025 Every Brilliant Thing brought a very interesting pass-the-baton concept to the stage. Taking place this autumn at @sohoplace, the show saw a series of actors, including Sir Lenny Henry, Sue Perkins, Ambika Mod and Minnie Driver, perform a 75-minute list of all the brilliant things in life worth living for – with plenty of additional story thrown in. With such a diverse cast roster, the play left plenty of room for different personalities to sing and shine through the script – which also meant your experience could entirely depend on who was performing. On press night, our reviewer saw Lenny Henry and praised his obviously on-point comic timing; however, some moments of flippancy and laughter left us craving a little more emotional depth. 28. Clueless Run dates: 15th Feb – 23rd Aug 2025 The trend of '90s and noughties rom-coms being transformed into musicals is going nowhere – we just still can't decide if that's a good thing or not. For Clueless the Musical, the answer was a bit of both. With music and lyrics by KT Tunstall, the show had a light, preppy feel, and heaps of nostalgia for all the millennials in the audience, but overall the show failed to be truly exciting or meaningful, and ended up feeling like a slightly hollow version of the original. 27. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Live Run dates: Now – 15th Feb 2026 Douglas Adams' iconic book series adaptation The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Live is currently being shown at Riverside Studios for a new immersive experience. Fans can interact with different species and characters as Arthur Dent goes on his unfortunate madcap adventure through space. For fans, this retelling is faithful and enthralling; however for everyone on the more casual level, it's a slightly muddled experience. After all, not everyone knows to have a towel with them. Buy Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Live tickets at Ticketmaster 26. Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical Run dates: 1st Aug – 7th Sep 2025 Rydell High came to Battersea Park this summer for an immersive, outdoor performance of Grease. With plenty of high-octane dance routines and real fairground rides, it was definitely one we'd make an annual occurrence, but you really have to buy in and be an active participant to get the most out of it. 25. The Hunger Games: On Stage <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/12/GettyImages-2246200489-0bf0971.jpg" width="5420" height="3605" alt="LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 11: A general view of the stage during a photocall for "The Hunger Games: On Stage" at the Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre on November 11, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Kate Green/Getty Images)" title=""The Hunger Games: On Stage" - Photocall" /> Run dates: Now – 25th Oct 2026 The Hunger Games franchise is the gift that keeps on giving. First, the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes prequel came out this spring (ahead of a 2026 movie), then the world premiere of The Hunger Games: On Stage arrived in London. Kicking off this October, this adaptation was very keen to make a splash with a new purpose-built arena – ahem, theatre – in Canary Wharf complete with moveable District-assigned seats and an on-screen performance from John Malkovich as President Snow. Mia Carragher, daughter of Jamie Carragher, has had all eyes on her as the iconic Katniss Everdeen, and she massively impressed us with her ability to switch between deep emotion and high-level stunt work. However, as with Noughts and Crosses, it's hard to cram a franchise favourite into an evening, and The Hunger Games does so clunkily at times. Buy The Hunger Games: On Stage tickets 24. Dear England (2025 National Theatre Run) Run dates: 10th Mar – 24th May 2025 Although Dear England has been around since 2023, it had yet another successful run at the National Theatre this spring before heading out on a full-blown UK tour. The Gareth Southgate drama, about the pressures of elite sport and the role of the football team in the national psyche, never fails to impress us with its punchy swings and beautiful performances. It is only right then, that the series is being made into a TV drama next year starring the incredible Joseph Fiennes. Buy Dear England tour tickets from £15 at ATG Tickets 23. Backstroke <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/02/Celia-Imrie-in-BACKSTROKE-Donmar-photo-by-Johan-Persson-2-6bca641.jpg" width="5612" height="3741" alt="Backstroke by MACKMIN, , Writer - ANNA MACKMIN, Director - ANNA MACKMIN, Designer - LEZ BROTHERSTON, Lighting - PAULE CONSTABLE, Video Designer - Gino Ricardo Green, Choreographer - Scarlett Mackmin, Associate Director - FIONA DUNN, The Donmar Warehouse, 2025, Credit: Johan Persson" title="Backstroke" /> Run dates: 14th Feb – 12th Apr 2025 Celia Imrie and Tamsin Grieg went up as mother and daughter in Backstroke this winter. The heart-breaking drama delved deep into the fraught relationships that can exist when parents and children have such differing personalities, while also taking a long look at the way illnesses can affect a soul. Both actresses unsurprisingly ate up the parts, bringing forth every bit of light and shade you could want in this sort of story. Emotional and intimate, we would love to see this back. 22. The Great Gatsby Run dates: 11th Apr – 7th Sep 2025 London was overrun with '20s glamour this year as the Broadway production of The Great Gatsby transferred over to the Coliseum. Starring Jamie Muscato as Gatsby, High School Musical alum Corbin Bleu as Nick Carraway, and Strictly Come Dancing's Amber Davies as Jordan, the show oozed flash and spectacle out of every pore, helped along by an exceptional ensemble of flappers. However, while the glitz and opulence of Gatsby was bang-on, the depth that made F Scott Fitzgerald's novel so memorable was almost entirely missing. You cannot really claim to be an adaptation of the Great Gatsby if the moral messages about loneliness, class and obsession are forfeited for dance routines. 21. The Seagull Run dates: 26th Feb – 5th Apr 2025 The Seagull is a play written by Russian dramatist Chekhov in 1895 and first produced in 1896. For years, theatregoers have been delighted by the production's story around the tensions between four people: a melodramatic failing actress, her famous writer lover, her troubled son, and a young aspiring actress on the up, and this production starring Cate Blanchett and Emma Corrin was no different. With fourth wall breaks and plenty of meta references, this production was strikingly self-aware, forcing the audience to reflect on the theme of actors and being performative. It was also beautifully done by its cast and showed that there are still so many ways to renew such a well-worn production. 20. The Devil Wears Prada <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2024/12/Vanessa-Williams-Miranda-Priestly-The-Devil-Wears-Prada-Photo-Credit-Matt-Crockett-4219-8c3d0ee.jpg" width="2400" height="1597" alt="Vanessa Williams as Miranda Priestly. She is wearing a purple outfit, with people around her." title="Vanessa Williams (Miranda Priestly) - The Devil Wears Prada - Photo Credit Matt Crockett (4219)" /> Run dates: Now – 26th Sep 2026 OK, this technically came out last year but it still earns a spot on this list as Vanessa Williams continues to reign supreme over the West End as Miranda Priestly. In our original review, we had nothing but praise for the way the Desperate Housewives star simply relishes the Runway role, showing us an ice queen who loves her life, her fashion and her magazine. Outside of the cast, we also loved this musical for the way it fully embraces the concept of spectacle. Through huge sets, lighting and costumes, it's pure pageantry from start to finish and doesn't care about anything but being a great night out for audiences. Buy The Devil Wears Prada tickets from £23 at TodayTix 19. Farewell Mister Haffman <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/03/Alexander-Waldmann-Joseph-Haffmann-Jennifer-Kirby-Isabelle-Vigneau-and-Michael-Fox-Pierre-Vigneau-credit-Mark-Senior-f7f4182.jpg" width="7570" height="5049" alt="Alexander Waldmann (Joseph Haffmann), Jennifer Kirby (Isabelle Vigneau) and Michael Fox (Pierre Vigneau)" title="Alexander Waldmann (Joseph Haffmann), Jennifer Kirby (Isabelle Vigneau) and Michael Fox (Pierre Vigneau)" /> Run dates: 5th Mar – 12th Apr 2025 Farewell Mister Haffman saw EastEnders' Nigel Harman cut a very chilling figure in this World War II story about a Jewish jeweller who is forced to go into hiding during the Nazi Occupation of Paris. From art-loving Nazis to sexually frustrated tap dancing, this production was packed full of surprises that kept us on edge the entire time. 18. 50 First Dates: The Musical <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/09/The-Cast-of-50-First-Dates-The-Musical-Production-Images-Photo-credit-by-Pamela-Raith-091-d2bc243.jpg" width="3500" height="2384" alt="The Cast of 50 First Dates The Musical all stood and sat around the stage in summer clothing." title="The Cast of 50 First Dates The Musical (Production Images) - Photo credit by Pamela Raith - 091" /> Run dates: 14th Sep – 16th Nov 2025 The last romcom for this list, Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore movie 50 First Dates hit the Other Palace this winter for a brand-new musical version. Although, as we've said, it's easy to be sceptical of these frequent adaptations, this one stood a cut above the rest for its charm, wittiness and charisma. Every cast member brought their A-game to the stage, with on-point chemistry and care between each of them. The songs were also described as "charming and wholesome" by our reviewer and the overall story translated to the stage well. 17. Clarkston Run dates: 17th Sep – 22nd Nov 2025 Heartstopper's Joe Locke made his West End debut this September in Clarkston, a charming, soulful play about two young men trapped by circumstance in the American Mid-West. Starring alongside future Marvel co-star Ruaridh Mollica, the show did a magnificent job of juggling with your feelings as it tackles the struggles of addiction, terminal illness, privilege and sexuality. Managing to be funny while also horribly sobering, this is a show that surely has its sights set on Broadway in the next few years. 16. Second Best Run dates: 24th Jan – 22nd Feb 2025 Sex Education's Asa Butterfield was exceptional in this wry, witty production of Second Best – the story of one man who almost became the star of the Harry Potter franchise. Although it was his West End debut, Butterfield expertly held the audience's attention throughout, aided by the intimacy of Riverside Studios as a space. Guiding the crowd through ripples of laughter to more serious moments, he clearly has a presence made for stage work. 15. Mrs Warren's Profession Run dates: 10th May – 16th Aug 2025 Imelda Staunton and real-life daughter Bessie Carter went toe-to-toe in this polished version of George Bernard Shaw's Mrs Warren's Profession – a Victorian era play about a mother who earned her wealth through sex work before buying a chain of brothels. Earning four stars from us, this production packed plenty of punch, the unabashed highlight of which was the two scenes between just Staunton and Carter. Sitting across from each other in a battle of wills, both played with our sympathies as they navigated a litany of societal and generational debates, with Carter disapproving of her mother's occupation. In the end, both and neither gained the high ground in the argument, but they did assure us that the Staunton/Carter acting dynasty is secure with hopefully many more collaborations to come. 14. Born with Teeth Run dates: 13th Aug – 1st Nov 2025 Doctor Who's Ncuti Gatwa became a wild thing on stage in the electrifying new play Born with Teeth. Starring Gatwa as Christopher Marlowe and Edward Bluemel as William Shakespeare, the show spotlighted the world of the Tudor spy network, where artists and playwrights were called in for espionage on behalf of the Queen's men. Meanwhile, both writers are tasked to work together on the play Henry VI, but become distracted by their own intense battle of rivalry and flirtation. Sexy and incredibly tense at points, this show was a much-needed reimagining of a sometimes-stodgy period of history. Both leads excelled in their roles as cat and mouse with Gatwa in particular prowling the stage like a caged tiger. We loved this show for its twists and turns and gave it four stars for the way it played with tradition. 13. Midsomer Murders <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/10/Daniel-Casey-Barnaby-James-Bradwell-Troy-Rupert-Sadler-Dennis-Rainbird-in-The-Killings-at-Badgers-Drift-Manuel-Harlan-062a01f.jpg" width="5000" height="3333" alt="Daniel Casey (Barnaby), James Bradwell (Troy) & Rupert Sadler (Dennis Rainbird) in The Killings at Badger's Drift, ©Manuel Harlan" title="Daniel Casey (Barnaby), James Bradwell (Troy) & Rupert Sadler (Dennis Rainbird) in The Killings at Badger's Drift, ©Manuel Harlan" /> Run dates: Now – 30th May 2026 ITV detective series Midsomer Murders got the on-stage treatment this year with a new adaptation of The Killing at Badgers Drift. The show is still on tour with original cast member Daniel Casey stepping into John Nettles's role of DCI Tom Barnaby. When we spoke to him ahead of the production, he said: "It feels right, it’s a little daunting, and I do feel a little bit trepidatious," he said. "But I’m about the age John was in that first episode, so it does feel right. I’m just very excited about stepping into his shoes – although they’re huge shoes to fill." And fill them he has! This adaptation has proved incredibly faithful to fans and the perfect balance of quaint English countryside with tense detective story. Buy Midsomer Murders UK tour tickets from £15 at ATG Tickets 12. Burlesque Run dates: 10th Jul – 6th Sep 2025 For those who haven't yet experienced the wonder of the original film, Burlesque The Musical is based on a film of the same name, starring Christina Aguilera and Cher. This film was an instant hit, especially with the queer community, and has become something of a cult classic since it was first released in 2010. However, this adaptation was elevated even more by the work of co-writer and director Todrick Hall, who infused it with all the glitz and glamour it needed to be a strong four-star hit. 11. Till the Stars Come Down Run dates: 1st Jul – 27th Sep 2025 Now, we loved this show so much our reviewer has decided to retroactively add an extra star to its name. Till the Stars Come Down first premiered at the National Theatre in 2024, where it enjoyed rave reviews before transferring to Theatre Royal Haymarket this summer. The play follows a family from Mansfield as they celebrate Sylvia and Marek's wedding day, but not everyone is happy about Marek's status as a Polish small business owner. Over the course of the day, between drinking and dancing, the relationships between different family members are put to the test. Overall, this play was achingly real and relatable with so many characters feeling like real family members, squabbling, shouting and loving as you would expect at any big reunion. The scripting is immaculate, managing to touch on a wide range of issues – xenophobia, the miners' strike, climate anxiety – without feeling overwhelming, while also being incredibly funny. 10. Hercules Run dates: Now – 18th Jul 2026 Disney's Hercules struck down at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane this summer, replacing the long-running production of Frozen. Despite mixed reviews across the board we at Radio Times adored this show, both for its faithfulness to the hit '90s film and for the sheer joy and lustre it exuded. In true Disney fashion, the show is completely over the top with massive sets, incredible pops and eye-wateringly sparkly costumes. The highlights are Hades and the Muses who deliver note-perfect vocals and note-perfect sarcasm throughout. Plus, you already know the soundtrack is top-tier, so take this as a sign to go see it. Buy Hercules tickets from £29.50 at ATG Tickets 9. Much Ado About Nothing <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/02/Much-Ado-About-Nothing.-Forbes-Masson-Mara-Huf-Hayley-Atwell-Mason-Alexander-Park-Phillip-Olagoke.-Credit-Marc-Brenner.-3757-db6f50a.jpg" width="4363" height="2909" alt="Cast of Much Ado About Nothing dancing on stage" title="Much Ado About Nothing. Forbes Masson, Mara Huf, Hayley Atwell, Mason Alexander Park & Phillip Olagoke. Credit - Marc Brenner. 3757" /> Run dates: 10th Feb – 5th Apr 2025 While The Tempest failed to deliver, Much Ado was a true return to form for Jamie Lloyd. Starring Marvel's Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell, this production was a big, hot pink slap in the face to anyone who claims Shakespeare to be boring. With party scenes, songs and endless confetti raining down from the ceiling, it was certainly an odd choice to cross renaissance comedy with an '80s rave – but somehow it worked. Both leads were absolutely hilarious with their verbal back and forth, not to mention Hiddleston's physical comedy. Yet it still managed to be a love story at its core, with a somewhat raw look at what happens when you find love later in life. Definitely a highlight of the theatrical year. 8. The Importance of Being Earnest Run dates: Now – 10th Jan 2026 Olly Alexander has stepped up to the plate in Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest alongside Hugh Dennis and Stephen Fry. Smartly, this adaptation doesn't stray far from the original source material; instead it allows Wilde's wit to shine through. Insanely funny and sharp, this production is still running until January so don't miss it. Buy The Importance of Being Earnest tickets from £18 at TodayTix 7. Punch Run dates: 22nd Sep – 29th Nov 2025 James Graham's Punch was a masterpiece of social commentary and emotive storytelling. Following the real-life tale of Jacob Dunne – a Nottingham man who fatally punched another man unprovoked – this show was a brutal but beautiful look at the cruelty of 'what-ifs' and how one moment can destroy so many lives. With a stellar cast and perfect pacing, this play was absolutely breathtaking. 6. Inside No. 9 Stage/Fright Run dates: 18th Jan – 5th Apr 2025 After rounding off the series last year, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith brought the record-breaking Inside No. 9 to the stage for a brand-new episode called Stage/Fright. This show was a mixture of familiar scenes from the TV series with new (and very creepy) storylines, complete with a surprise celebrity guest every night. As can be expected when these two are at the helm, the show had twist upon twist and was wrapped up in so many layers of meta it was hard to know when the show really ended. Funny, devastating, terrifying and, of course, clever this was the perfect cherry on top of an already stellar franchise. 5. Inter Alia Run dates: 10th Jul – 13th Sep 2025 Rosamund Pike and Suzie Miller (known for Jodie Comer's Prima Facie) paired up this summer for a new one-woman show, Inter Alia. The story follows Jessica, a Crown Court Judge who deals with plenty of intense cases in the courtroom, many of which focus on sexual assault; however, she is forced to confront this topic differently when this theme enters her life in a much more personal way and must do everything she can to stop her family and work life from falling apart. As can be expected, Miller's writing was bustling, vibrant and emotional, managing to cover a wide range of themes and topics without the play feeling crammed or overstuffed. Likewise, Pike was a tour-de-force, brilliantly showcasing the mind of a woman unravelling as she desperately tries to manage family and work life. The combination was so good, in fact, that the show is returning for another run at Wyndham's Theatre next spring. Buy Inter Alia tickets from £27 at LOVETheatre 4. The Producers Run dates: Now – 19th Sep 2026 Mel Brooks's classic musical, The Producers, has returned for a good long run at the Garrick Theatre – thank god! This much-loved comedy follows Max Bialystock, a failing Broadway producer who decides to rip off his investors by setting up a new musical designed to flop colossally. They search for the most offensive show they can find, and the result is the fawning hagiography Springtime for Hitler, but when audiences believe it to be a satire, the show suddenly becomes a hit. A musical within a musical, this adaptation from the Menier Chocolate Factory is an absolute love letter to the stage. Completely camp and wild, it delivers a perfectly hilarious evening complete with astonishing vocals and top-drawer choreography. Very deserving of a top five spot on this list. Buy The Producers tickets from £28 at TodayTix 3. Good Night, Oscar Run dates: 31st Jul – 21st Sep 2025 Now this was a surprise. Good Night, Oscar – the story of renowned pianist and comedian Oscar Levant who escapes a mental health facility to appear on the famous sofa of talk show host Jack Paar – was one of our absolute highlights of the year. Despite a massively Americanised premise and tone – it did transfer from Broadway after all – this show was a startling and relatable whirlwind from start to finish, brought home by the revelatory performance of Will & Grace's Sean Hayes. Across the show, we saw Levant struggle under the weight of mental illness and addiction, all the while grappling with a near life-long feeling of being second best to the music of his idol Gershwin. This battle resulted in the most moving musical performance I have ever seen, Hayes going to war with the piano and pouring tangible emotion into every key. At the same time, the off-beat humour of the show was on point with Levant and Paar (played by Ben Rappaport) pinging jokes off each other like lightning. If this show doesn't win dozens of Oliviers, we riot. 2. Paddington the Musical Run dates: Now – 14th Feb 2027 Ah Paddington, you did not disappoint. All year we've been building up to the beloved bear's arrival at the Savoy Theatre, and it was just as magical as we wanted. Following the story of the first Paddington film, it sees the young bear migrate from the Peruvian jungle in search of a home in London, where he is found and taken in by the kind Brown family. While Paddington causes havoc at their home in Windsor Gardens, a troubled taxidermist is desperate to get her hands on him and finish her collection. With music and lyrics by McFly's Tom Fletcher, this musical is beautiful, loving and universally appealing. Its story of kindness and family is incredibly timeless and it serves as the perfect introduction for young children into the world of theatre. The show has huge set pieces and brilliant sequences of chaos that bring the magic to life – e.g. the Don't Touch That song – plus there are real moments of jeopardy that keep both adults and kids on the edge of their seats. The cast is fabulous with Victoria Hamilton-Barritt and Bonnie Langford being the highlights, plus, and we can't say this enough, all praise must be given to the way Paddington is brought to life, combining the on-stage movement of Arti Shah and the off-stage voice of James Hameed, who also pilots the puppetry of Paddington's face. Every time he opens his mouth you're in danger of crying. Buy Paddington the Musical tickets from £30 at LOVETheatre 1. Evita <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/06/GettyImages-2220796557-59a82e7.jpg" width="4523" height="3015" alt="LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 18: Members of the public watch Rachel Zegler perform "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" live on the balcony as she plays Eva Peron in "Evita" at the London Palladium on June 18, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)" title="Rachel Zegler Performs On The Balcony Of The London Palladium In "Evita"" /> Run dates: 14th Jun – 6th Sep 2025 As if it would be anything else. This year, just for a moment, the West End and the world was brought to a screeching halt by the astounding efforts of Jamie Lloyd and Rachel Zegler. The duo brought back Andrew Lloyd-Webber's Evita, the tale of Argentine First Lady Eva Perón who shot to mythic levels of fame in the mid-20th century. Like the titular character, this show became an absolute spectacle, with pared back staging and simple costumes allowing its star to do what she does best: shine. The most talked about moment, of course, was the Don't Cry for Me Argentina number, which Lloyd decided to take outside onto the balcony of the London Palladium, while audiences inside watched it projected on a screen. This meant for weeks, hundreds of tourists crowded around the theatre in an attempt to see Zegler perform; a move that bought virality and accessibility back to the West End. Aside from that moment, the show pulsed with energy and power, with sensual choreography and unbelievable vocals giving it a veritable heartbeat on stage. Make no mistake, this was the year the London theatre scene changed forever, and it's all thanks to those two. You can also check out how to get cheap Harry Potter Studio tour tickets, how to get cheap London Eye tickets and how to get cheap Disneyland Paris tickets. Also, how to get cheap Madame Tussauds London tickets and cheap London Dungeon tickets, or our Chessington World of Adventures review and Thorpe Park review.
How to get tickets for Rosalía UK tour dates as final sale goes live today
Rosalía is redefining what popular music can be – here's how you can get tickets to her 2026 LUX tour.
With the end of 2025 rapidly approaching, we're expecting to see Rosalía's LUX top the best album of the year lists. Rosalía's latest album was released in November to widespread critical and commercial acclaim. Blending elements of styles including flamenco, reggaeton and classical music, LUX has been recognised as a groundbreaking moment in popular music. Plus, it features Rosalía singing in a whopping 13 languages! This latest album stands alongside Motomami and El Mal Querer to give Rosalía a truly generational run. It's no wonder that people are hailing her as the new Bjork (who also features on LUX). With all this growing praise, Rosalía's LUX world tour is set to be in extremely high demand. Here's how you can get your hands on tickets today. Buy Rosalía tickets at Ticketmaster Here's how you can get Zach Bryan tickets to see him live in 2026. Jump to: Rosalía tour dates: full list of UK and Europe dates When do Rosalía tickets go on sale? How to get Rosalía tickets Rosalía tour dates: full list of UK and Europe dates Much to the dismay of UK fans, Rosalía initially only announced one UK tour date. However, the artist has now added a second date due to phenomenal demand: 5th May 2026 — London, The O2 6th May 2026 — London, The O2 If you want to be in with a better chance of getting your hands on tickets, there are also plenty of European dates you can also try for: 22nd March 2026 — Zurich, Hallenstadion 25th March 2026 — Assago, Unipol Forum 30th March 2026 — Madrid, Movistar Arena 1st April 2026 — Madrid, Movistar Arena 3rd April 2026 — Madrid, Movistar Arena 4th April 2026 — Madrid, Movistar Arena 13th April 2026 — Barcelona, Palau Sant Jordi 15th April 2026 — Barcelona, Palau Sant Jordi 17th April 2026 — Barcelona, Palau Sant Jordi 18th April 2026 — Barcelona, Palau Sant Jordi 22nd April 2026 — Amsterdam, Ziggo Dome 27th April 2026 — Antwerp, AFAS Dome 29th April 2026 — Cologne, LANXESS arena 1st May 2026 — Berlin, Uber Arena Buy Rosalía tickets at Ticketmaster When do Rosalía tickets go on sale? General sale tickets will be released at 10am on Thursday 11th December. Buy Rosalía tickets at Ticketmaster How to get Rosalía tickets Even though Rosalía has announced an additional UK show, demand is still set to be extremely high. We'd recommend getting online around 30 minutes before tickets go on sale to be with with the best chance of beating the Ticketmaster queue. Tickets are also available at alternative sites including AXS and Live Nation, where there may be lower demand. Buy Rosalía tickets at Ticketmaster Here are the best upcoming UK concerts and tours.
Best UK musicals on tour 2025: From Disney to West End shows coming to UK venues near you
Travel from the prisons of Chicago to the court of King Henry VIII without leaving your city this year. Here are the best musicals on tour.
Stephen Sondheim wrote a song called There's No Place Like London – but was he right? While the West End is undoubtedly the birthplace of musicals (sorry Broadway, but it's true), we can't help but notice that most major shows have outgrown their London home and moved out over the last few years. From renowned classics like The Wizard of Oz and Chicago to more recent hits like Dear Evan Hansen, many shows are making their way across the country on tour. This recent upswing in travelling musicals can only be considered a good thing as, instead of spending your weekends buying expensive train tickets into town, you can find a top quality West End show right on your doorstep. Most of these touring shows also bring big names to your local area, like Strictly Come Dancing's Johannes Radebe in Kinky Boots. Plus, seats are bound to be cheaper - as we've covered in our how to get cheap theatre tickets piece, the cost of West End performances has gone up massively in the past few years. Not convinced? That's OK, you can still take a look at our guide to the best West End shows. But otherwise, here are the best musicals to see on tour. Wondering about the best family-friendly options? Here are the best kids theatre shows, or check out the best Shakespeare plays. Plus, the longest-running West End shows and the biggest celebrities coming to the West End in 2025. Jump to: What musicals are on tour in 2025? Musicals on tour near me Or, find your nearest city: Musicals on tour Manchester Musicals on tour Birmingham Musicals on tour Oxford Musicals on tour Milton Keynes Musicals on tour Bristol Musicals on tour Edinburgh What musicals are on tour in the UK for 2025? Six It's the six wives of Henry VIII as you've never seen them before— funny, sexy and honest. This spectacular musical is a great night out, with pop and ballad earworms coming to cities across the UK from February until December 2026. Buy Six tickets from £15 at ATG Tickets Hamilton This iconic rap musical was an instant smash hit ever since it was first released in 2015. Now fans in Liverpool, Sunderland and Glasgow can catch the story of founding father Alexander Hamilton live on their doorstep in 2025. Buy Hamilton tickets from £15 at ATG tickets Matilda the Musical Tim Minchin's musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's beloved children's tale quickly became a musical theatre classic, and for good reason. This feel-good show is full of toe-tapping numbers- we dare you to try and get Revolting Children out of your head! Catch it across seven UK cities in 2025 and 2026. Buy Matilda the Musical tickets from £15 at ATG tickets Operation Mincemeat <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2024/08/Operation-Mincemeat-left-to-right-is-Chloe-Hart-Christian-Andrews-Emily-Barber-Sean-Carey-and-Claire-Marie-Hall.-Credit-is-Matt-Crockett-32f2434.jpg" width="5743" height="3821" alt="Operation Mincemeat cast" title="Operation Mincemeat left to right is Chlöe Hart, Christian Andrews, Emily Barber, Seán Carey and Claire-Marie Hall. Credit is Matt Crockett" /> It's been a huge year for Operation Mincemeat, as the original British musical has seen its first transfer to Broadway. Now the wildly impressive musical is also heading on tour across the UK, and we highly encourage you to grab tickets for this unmissable event in UK theatre. Buy Operation Mincemeat tickets from £20 at ATG Tickets Mean Girls With a writing team that comprises creatives from iconic shows like 30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and The Book of Mormon, the Mean Girls musical is an iconic tale backed by some big names in comedy. You can catch it at 12 venues throughout the UK in 2026- be sure to wear pink! Buy Mean Girls tickets from £15 at ATG Tickets Here & Now — The Steps Musical <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2024/02/GettyImages-1597397210-c2d9d85.jpg" width="3000" height="2000" alt="BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Lee Latchford-Evans, Lisa Scott-Lee, Claire Richards, Ian "H" Watkins and Faye Tozer of Steps perform during the Brighton & Hove Pride 2023 on August 06, 2023 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Lorne Thomson/Redferns)" title="Brighton & Hove Pride 2023: Fabuloso In The Park – Sunday" /> This jukebox musical tells the story Caz, who works at seaside superstore Better Best Bargains, all soundtracked by the music of the iconic band Steps. Catch this production across the UK from February 2025 until April 2026. Buy Here & Now — The Steps Musical tickets from £14.75 at ATG Tickets The Rocky Horror Show The Rocky Horror Show is a classic, packed full of hits like Time Warp and Dammit Janet. It's a must-see live on stage, but if you haven't seen it live before, prepare yourself for some unexpected shouting... Buy The Rocky Horror Show tickets from £15 at ATG tickets Mamma Mia Not only can you catch everyone's favourite musical at the Novello Theatre in London's West End, it's also heading on a UK tour in 2026. You will be able to enjoy Mamma Mia at theatres in Edinburgh, Swansea, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool and Milton Keynes next year. Buy Mamma Mia tickets from £19.50 at ATG Tickets Musicals on tour near me Still not sure what to see? That's OK - below we've also broken down the touring musicals by city, so you can see what's coming into your area and when. Musicals on tour in Manchester Matilda the Musical | 26th March-25th April 2026 Mamma Mia | 3rd-21st March 2026 The Rocky Horror Show | 27th July-1st August 2026 Mean Girls | 23rd February-7th March 2026 Musicals on tour in Birmingham Operation Mincemeat | 11th-16th May 2026 The Rocky Horror Show | 6th-11th July Mean Girls | 14th December 2026- 2nd January 2027 Musicals on tour in Oxford Six | 9th-13th December 2025 Here & Now - The Steps Musical |17th-22nd February 2025 Mean Girls | 4th-9th January 2027 Musicals on tour in Milton Keynes Here & Now - The Steps Musical | 31st March-4th April 2026 Matilda the Musical | 28th October-14th November 2026 Mamma Mia | 13th-24th October 2026 Operation Mincemeat | 8th-13th June 2026 Mean Girls | 14th-18th April 2026 Musicals on tour in Bristol Matilda the Musical | 2nd-27th June 2026 The Rocky Horror Show | 13th-18th July 2026 Mean Girls | 8th-12th September 2026 Musicals on tour in Edinburgh Here & Now - The Steps Musical | 24th February-1st March 2026 Matilda the Musical | 4th-22nd March 2026 Mamma Mia | Until 4th January 2026 The Rocky Horror Show | 6th-10th January 2026 Mean Girls | 17th-21st November 2026 Here's our Paddington review and Hercules review.
How to get tickets to Gabby's Dollhouse Live! today as sale goes live for 2026 UK tour
Gabby and her feline friends are making their UK stage debut!
Beloved kids TV show Gabby's Dollhouse is getting its first ever UK tour in 2026. The Netflix series, about a young girl and her group of cat friends, will be coming to venues around the country for an all-new musical show. According to the press release the plot sees Gabby "unbox a special acorn that needs the magical touch of a rainbow to grow. But when CatRat causes a colour cat-astrophe and breaks the rainbow, Gabby and the Gabby Cats must find the colours again to set things right". The live show will be coming to dozens of UK theatres, including the London Eventim Apollo and Manchester AO Arena, with at least two shows per venue. Gabby's Dollhouse is the most-watched kids series on Netflix, so tickets to this would make the perfect Christmas present for families with little ones. Here's how to get tickets. BuyGabby's Dollhouse Live! tickets at Ticketmaster When can I see Gabby's Dollhouse live in the UK next year? 27th Mar 2026 – Glasgow, SEC Armadillo 29th Mar 2026 – Glasgow, SEC Armadillo 10:30am, 29th Mar 2026 – Aberdeen, P&J Live Arena 13:30pm, 29th Mar 2026 – Aberdeen, P&J Live Arena 31st Mar 2026 – London, Eventim Apollo 10:30am, 1st Apr 2026 – London, Eventim Apollo 2pm, 1st Apr 2026 – London, Eventim Apollo 10am, 5th Apr 2026 – Manchester, AO Arena 13:30pm, 5th Apr 2026 – Manchester, AO Arena 10am, 7th Apr 2026 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena Birmingham 13:30pm, 7th Apr 2026 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena Birmingham 9:30am, 11th Apr 2026 – Brighton, The Brighton Centre 12:30pm, 11th Apr 2026 – Brighton, The Brighton Centre 10am, 14th Apr 2026 – Leeds, First Direct Bank Arena 13:30pm, 14th Apr 2026 – Leeds, First Direct Bank Arena 13:30pm, 16th Apr 2026 – Bournemouth, International Centre Bournemouth 16:30pm, 16th Apr 2026 – Bournemouth, International Centre Bournemouth 10:30am, 19th Apr 2026 – Plymouth, Pavilions Plymouth 13:30pm, 19th Apr 2026 – Plymouth, Pavilions Plymouth 10:30am, 21st Apr 2026 – Swansea, Swansea Building Society Arena 13:30pm, 21st Apr 2026 – Swansea, Swansea Building Society Arena 10am, 26th Apr 2026 – Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena 13:30pm, 26th Apr 2026 – Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena 13:30pm, 28th Apr 2026 – Sheffield, Utilita Arena Sheffield 5pm, 28th Apr 2026 – Sheffield, Utilita Arena Sheffield 13:30pm, 1st May 2026 – Newcastle, Utilita Arena Newcastle 5pm, 1st May 2026 – Newcastle, Utilita Arena Newcastle 10:30am, 3rd May 2026 – Cardiff, Utilita Arena Cardiff 13:30pm, 3rd May 2026 – Cardiff, Utilita Arena Cardiff How to get Gabby's Dollhouse UK tour tickets General sale goes live at 10am on Wednesday 10th December, via Ticketmaster. BuyGabby's Dollhouse Live! tickets at Ticketmaster How much do Gabby's Dollhouse UK tour tickets cost? Based on the Glasgow prices, tickets are expected to cost between £30 and £70, although it will vary depending on the venue. You can also check out our Paddington Musical review.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy review: Grab your towel – things get delightfully cosmic
The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy Live is at Riverside Studios until February.
Down in Riverside Studios, you’re invited to step into The Horse and Groom for Arthur Dent’s surprise farewell party, and you won’t just be a passive, silent figure either. No. You’re very much an active participant in this production of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Directed by Georgia Clark, Simon Evans and Lorin Latarro, The Hitchhiker's Guide is an enjoyable 90 minutes of space faring adventure. From the onset, you feel part of the action. Cast members do the rounds, chatting to you and welcoming you to the party, and when the man of the hour arrives, we’re still encouraged to join in – sharing ideas and singing along. It’s these cast interactions throughout that make the entire production shine. The immersion is elevated further by the design and sets. Fans of the source material will likely appreciate the references most, but even newcomers will feel transported from location to location. The use of video and special effects adds a layer of spectacle that genuinely enhances the journey. However, moving between sets (and sometimes being left to fend for yourself) is where the experience can feel slightly muddled. Things occasionally become a bit crowded, and it’s easy not to know where you’re meant to stand or what you’re supposed to be watching. More than once, it felt like you were in someone’s way or facing the wrong direction, though that may simply be part and parcel of immersive theatre. You’ll have a much richer experience if you’re brave enough to talk to the cast members. Those interactions are what turn this from a fun show into an actual adventure. The highlights for me were my conversations with Alex Anthony Fevrier and Andrew Evans, both of whom made you feel part of the story. Across the board, the cast deliver strong, committed performances. They are sometimes let down by the writing and direction, which doesn’t always give audiences enough time to understand who certain characters are or why we should feel for them, but the energy and delivery are consistently high. The experience leans heavily into humour and excitement, which means some of the emotional stakes towards the end don’t feel fully earned and lack the weight they’re aiming for. It’s well acted and well sung, but we weren’t given enough time to get invested. It's chaotic at times and some of the emotional beats don’t quite land, but as a playful, imaginative trip through the galaxy, it’s a fun night out. Especially for Hitchhiker’s fans. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is showing at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith until the 15th February 2026. To get there, you can either head to Kensington (Olympia) or Hammersmith station. Buy The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy tickets at London Theatre Direct You can also check out our Paddington Musical review.
Want to grab a sweet saving on this delicious Birmingham attraction? Here's how.
Looking to plan something special this festive season? Cadbury World is a daim-good option to keep yourself and your family entertained during the rainy months. The Birmingham-based attraction is hugely popular among adults and children alike ushering in over 600,000 visitors every year. Throughout the visit, guests are invited to take a deep dive into the history of chocolate making and learn what it takes to be the UK's leading chocolate brand. You'll travel through the Aztec jungles to see how chocolate was first discovered, journey into the Victorian era to see about how Cadbury came to be, and take a trip down memory lane with all of Cadbury's past adverts. There are of course plenty of taste tests along the way and you'll have a chance to try rides like the 4D Chocolate Adventure and the brand-new Cadbury Chocolate Quest. All ending up with a visit to the Cadbury Shop. But while that all sounds tempting and delicious, you brain might also be ringing with the word 'expensive'. With that in mind, we've compiled a list of all the ways you can save money on a ticket to Cadbury World. For more deals, here's how to get cheap Chessington tickets, how to get cheap Alton Towers tickets and how to get cheap Thorpe Park tickets. Make sure you also check out how to get Rosalia tickets. Jump to: How much are Cadbury World tickets? Cadbury World ticket offers at a glance Best Cadbury World ticket offers and discounts for 2025 How to get to Cadbury World How much are Cadbury World tickets? The cost of Cadbury World tickets depends on which day you book. On a week-day, tickets start at £19 for off-peak times, but then go up to £25 or £27. For weekends, entry costs between £22 and £28 depending on the time slot. Tickets must be booked in advance, however if you're not sure on timings, you can always book an Anytime Day Entry ticket for £33. Cadbury World ticket offers at a glance Save up to 25% on Cadbury World tickets Celebrate Christmas at Cadbury World from £25 Get the Adult and Toddler ticket for just £19 Students get £18 off entry Locals save up to 50% Get afternoon tea and entry to Cadbury World for £29.95 Get 30% off with Birmingham multi-attraction tickets Get over 200 days' entry with the Merlin Annual Pass Save 1/3 on entry with National Rail Cheapest prices guaranteed with a Buyagift and Virgin Experience Days One Night Birmingham Summer Stay with Prosecco and Cadbury World Visit for Two Best Cadbury World ticket offers and discounts for 2025 Save up to 25% on Cadbury World tickets If you pick the right time-slot for Cadbury World entry, you could be saving up to 25% on the price of your ticket. For example, while an Anytime Day ticket costs £33, an off-peak mid-week booking costs £19. Save up to 25% on Cadbury World tickets Celebrate Christmas at Cadbury World The most wonderful time of the year gets even more wonderful when you celebrate at Cadbury World. Festive attendees can expect lots of Christmassy surprises, including chocolatey fun and even a live show from Santa himself! Plus, if you've opted for Character Afternoon Tea, you'll enjoy some festive surrounding and mince pies. Celebrate Christmas at Cadbury World from £25 Get the Adult and Toddler ticket for just £19 For a limited time Cadbury World has brought back its Adult and Toddler voucher for just £19. These tickets are available from Monday to Friday and are perfect if you have a child who's aged 0-5. Normally tickets for children aged 2-15 cost at least £18, and an adult ticket costs at least £22.50, so with this you're essentially paying the price of one child ticket. Get the Adult and Toddler ticket for just £19 Students get £18 off entry Student tickets to Cadbury World cost just £12, which saves you anywhere between £10.50 and £18 on entry. As long as you have a valid student ID you can book any mid-week time slot and make a huge saving. Students get £18 off entry Locals save up to 50% For a limited time only, the following postcodes will be eligible to a 50% discount on entry to Cadbury World: B (Birmingham) CV (Coventry) WS (Walsall) WV (Wolverhampton) DY (Dudley) Enter your postcode at the beginning of the purchasing process and you'll be shown available tickets. Bear in mind that your postcode must match your billing address. Locals save up to 50% Get afternoon tea and entry to Cadbury World for £29.95 Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea (heavily chocolate-themed, of course), plus entry to Cadbury World and access to the Cadbury World Shop and African Adventure Play Area for just £29.95. Or, if you want to take things up a notch, you can choose the Character Afternoon Tea option and dine with iconic Cadbury characters like Freddo and the Cadbury bunny, all for just £10 more (less for children aged between 5 and 15). Get afternoon tea and entry to Cadbury World for £29.95 Get Character Afternoon Tea and entry to Cadbury World from £34.95 Get 30% off with Birmingham multi-attraction tickets If you're based in the midlands, or planning a longer visit, why not take advantage of the Multi-Attraction Pass? You can either get tickets to Cadbury World and one other attraction for 25% off, or Cadbury World and two other attractions for 30% off. These attractions could be: National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Birmingham or Warwick Castle. Get 30% off with Birmingham multi-attraction tickets Get over 200 days' entry with the Merlin Annual Pass The Merlin Annual Pass gives you access to some of the UK's biggest attractions, including Cadbury World, Chessington and Alton Towers. With prices starting at £139, you can get the Discovery Pass, which gives you over 200 days entry to any of the attractions available. Or, you can upgrade to the Gold, or Platinum passes, which give you 300, 340 and 364 days respectively, and extra perks like free parking and a discount on fast track vouchers. Buy the Discovery Pass from £139 per person at Merlin Annual Pass Buy the Gold Pass from £239 per person at Merlin Annual Pass Buy the Platinum Pass from £299 per person at Merlin Annual Pass Save 1/3 on entry with National Rail National Rail offers 1/3 off entry when you travel by train and book your tickets through the National Rail site. Save 1/3 on entry with National Rail Cheapest prices guaranteed with an experience voucher Not sure what day to book? Well, if you buy a Cadbury World gift experience at Buyagift or Virgin Experience Days, you have the flexibility of choosing your dates later on. Plus, you can buy the tickets in bundles which start at the cheapest entry price, for instance the two adults voucher costs £45, so £22.50 a ticket. Buy Cadbury World experience vouchers at a Buyagift Buy Cadbury World experience vouchers at a Virgin Experience Days Enjoy a summer stay in Birmingham with prosecco and Cadbury World entry If you want to take your Cadburys World experience to the next level, then why not check out this hotel deal at Virgin Experience Days? Spend a night at the AC Hotel by Marriott in a room overlooking the canals along with a bottle of prosecco to enjoy. The next day you'll enjoy a tasty breakfast before heading out to explore the city and, of course, visit Cadbury World. Buy One Night Birmingham Summer Stay with Prosecco and Cadbury World Visit for Two for £225 at Virgin Experience Days How to get to Cadbury World Cadbury World is on the south side of Birmingham just off the M5 and M42. If you are driving then parking is free of charge, however, you may have to pay for passing through the Birmingham Clean Air Zone. Otherwise, the nearest train station is Bourneville, just a 15 minute walk away from the site. This station is served by the Cross-City Line from Birmingham New Street station, which in turn you can get to from Central Birmingham, London and Coventry. For train ticket savings, take a look at Trainline and TrainPal. Get cheap Train tickets at TrainPal You can also check out how to get cheap Harry Potter Studio tour tickets, how to get cheap London Eye tickets and how to get cheap Disneyland Paris tickets. Also, how to get cheap Madame Tussauds London tickets and cheap London Dungeon tickets, or our Chessington World of Adventures review and Thorpe Park review.
What is an artist pre-sale and how does it work?
It pays off to be a super-fan, especially when it comes to the time for an artist to release tickets for their latest tour.
With demand for tickets skyrocketing more and more each time an artist announces a new tour, there's never been a more pressing time for you to figure out how to get your hands on pre-sale tickets. While artists like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift have introduced registration systems to help manage demand for their tickets, even these systems still have pre-sales. Pre-sales are in place to help those in the know to have the opportunity to get tickets before they're released to the general public. There are plenty of different types of pre-sales, from venue pre-sales to O2 Priority pre-sale to ticketing provider pre-sales, like Ticketmaster pre-sale and Live Nation pre-sale. One of the most commonly seen pre-sales is the artist pre-sale, designed specifically for fans of an artist to have a better chance of seeing them live on stage. But what exactly is an artist pre-sale? Who is eligible for the tickets? And how does it all work? Luckily, we're here to answer all these questions. Get ready to put your new knowledge into practice as soon as your favourite artist announces a new tour! Create a Ticketmaster account Did you know you can currently get Rosalia tickets and Evanescence tickets? Jump to: What is an artist pre-sale? How does an artist pre-sale work on Ticketmaster? How to get artist pre-sale tickets What is an artist pre-sale? An artist pre-sale occurs when a particular artist releases tickets to their concert to their biggest fans before releasing general sale tickets. Usually, fans will get access to these special pre-sales by being a member of an artist's mailing list or fan club. Before releasing their tickets, an artist's team may arrange with ticketing platforms to get tickets directly to fan club members or those who signed up in advance. Create a Ticketmaster account How does an artist pre-sale work on Ticketmaster? Ticketmaster is the most popular ticketing provider out there and usually offers plenty of different pre-sales. But how does artist pre-sale work on the platform? Firstly, you'll need to sign up to an artist's fan club or mailing list. Do be aware that this can sometimes incur a cost. You'll then receive a pre-sale code either via text message or email that you can use to purchase tickets during the artist pre-sale period. Create a Ticketmaster account We're here to show you how to get remaining tickets for the best concerts in 2025, as well as the biggest celebrities coming to the West End in 2025. How to get artist pre-sale tickets Fans eligible for artist pre-sale tickets will receive information ahead of time about how they can access them. Usually, fans will be provided with a unique code that they can input on the website to unlock tickets; however, if there are alternative measures in place, fans will be notified ahead of time. Create a Ticketmaster account For more tips on how you can get your hands on concert tickets, here's how to beat the Ticketmaster queue and how to get cheap concert tickets.
How to get cheap cinema tickets in December 2025
Going to the cinema isn’t the cheap date it used to be, so be sure to make the most of these offers to watch a movie for less. Here are the best ways to get cheap cinema tickets this month.
While going to the cinema used to be a cheap date, the prices nowadays are borderline daylight robbery. However, there’s something about sitting in a theatre and watching the latest film, with the snacks you’ve smuggled in, that we find really enjoyable. Although we love the ease of streaming services, there's nothing quite like heading for a magical night out at the cinema. So, with all of this in mind, we’ve been determined to find ways of making the cinema cheap again. From monthly passes and two-for-one discounts to savings through the likes of Vodafone and Three, these are the best ways to get cheap cinema tickets. Fancy saving on more activities? Here's how to get cheap concert tickets and how to get cheap theatre tickets. Jump to: How to get cheap cinema tickets Best cheap cinema tickets and deals at a glance Best cheap cinema tickets and deals for December 2025 How to get cheap cinema tickets Before booking to go to the cinema, it's important to check if you can get discounted tickets because, more often than not, you'll be able to knock a few quid off your bill. If you have a phone or broadband contract, chances are they will offer a rewards scheme to get discounted tickets for concerts, theme parks, the cinema, and more. Vodafone, Three UK, O2, and Virgin Media are amongst the providers who offer cheap cinema tickets. It's important to shop around; buying from the cinema's website or on the door won't be the best way to bag cheap tickets. Sites like Fever and Tastecard are brilliant for discounted cinema tickets, and if you're looking to turn a cinema trip into something a bit more special, Buyagift, Virgin Experience Days and Red Letter Days have plenty of great experiences. Unfortunately, unlike with things such as train tickets, buying cinema tickets in advance won't lower the price. Plus, most cinemas release tickets only a week in advance anyway. But do not fear our cinema-loving readers, we've got plenty of ways to help you claim cheap cinema tickets. Make sure you also check out how to get Foo Fighters tickets and how to get TRNSMT Festival tickets. What day is 2-for-1 cinema tickets? This varies depending on where you claimed the offer from, but 2-for-1 cinema days are usually weekdays. With Meerkat Movies, you can grab 2-for-1 ODEON cinema tickets every Tuesday or Wednesday for a whole year when you buy a qualifying product from Comparethemarket.com. What day is the cheapest to go to the cinema? Typically, weekdays are the cheapest to go to the cinema as places, such as Meerkat Movies, offer the 2-for-1 cinema ticket promotion during the week. The cheapest day to visit may also depend on the cinema, as certain cinemas offer discounts on selected days. For example, Odeon offers cheaper tickets on Saver Mondays. However, we have some brilliant deals below, from Tesco Clubcard, Fever, Vodafone, and more, that get you discounted cinema tickets on weekends. Best cheap cinema tickets and deals at a glance: See unlimited films for £16.99 a month Discounted cinema tickets at Fever Two for £10 Odeon tickets for Prime members Get cinema experience vouchers at Buyagift Top cinema experiences at Virgin Experience Days Save on the latest films with Tastecard Save when you become a cinema member at Cineworld Two for £6 cinema tickets with Three UK Free cinema tickets with Priority Two free Vue cinema tickets for Sky Cinema customers Best cheap cinema tickets and deals for December 2025 See unlimited films for £16.99 a month What's the deal: What if we told you that you could see an unlimited amount of films every month for just £16.99? Well, we have a deal that lets you do exactly that, with the ODEON myLIMITLESS card. Why we chose it: A ticket to an ODEON now costs around £10-£15 per visit. However, if you have the myLIMITLESS card, you can see as many movies as you like for the same cost. Become a myLIMITLESS member from £16.99 per month at ODEON Discounted cinema tickets at Fever What’s the deal: Participating cinemas in London are offering discounted tickets via Fever. See the latest films from just £4.70 at Vue, and from £6.99 at ODEON. Plus, there’s the option to join waiting lists for soon-to-be-released movies. Why we chose it: As we've just mentioned, if we wanted to see the latest films at the ODEON in Acton, a ticket would cost from £9. However, if we bought a ticket for a Vue cinema at Fever, a seat would cost us from £4.70. Buy cinema tickets from £4.30 at Fever Two for £10 Odeon tickets for Prime members What's the deal: Amazon Prime members can get two Odeon cinema tickets for £10 on Monday through to Thursday, or two Odeon Luxe cinema tickets for £15. Why we chose it: Amazon has said that research shows a dinner out (49%) and a night at the cinema (36%) are the UK and Ireland's favourite winter date nights, so the retailer has endeavoured to put great dates back on the agenda with this fantastic offer. In total, the deal offers a saving of more than 45% on an Odeon cinema ticket. Get two tickets from £10 at Odeon Start your free 30-day Amazon Prime trial For more great Amazon Prime offers, be sure to check out our guide. Cinema experiences with Buyagift <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2023/08/Bristol-Film-Festival-with-a-Wine-Tasting-at-Averys-Wine-Cellar-how-to-get-cheap-cinema-tickets-7a9d1ab.png" width="620" height="413" alt="Bristol Film Festival with a Wine Tasting at Averys Wine Cellar how to get cheap cinema tickets" title="Bristol Film Festival with a Wine Tasting at Averys Wine Cellar how to get cheap cinema tickets" /> What’s the deal: If you fancy making a day or an evening out of your cinema trip, Buyagift has just the experience packages for you. Some of our favourites include cinema tickets with dinner and tickets to Bristol Film Festival with wine tasting. Why we chose it: Despite some of the vouchers not saving you a huge amount of money, there are some real gems on the Buyagift website. Plus, the experiences can be claimed at various locations across the UK. Buy the Two Tickets to Bristol Film Festival with a Wine Tasting at Averys Wine Cellar for £50 Buy the Cinema Tickets with Dinner Experience Box for £69.99 Cinema experiences with Virgin Experience Days What’s the deal: Like with Buyagift, Virgin Experience Days offers cinema experiences which make watching a movie a whole lot more special. Plus, the site offers bundles on Cineworld tickets, which include snacks and drinks, saving you a couple of pennies. Why we chose it: If you're buying someone a cinema experience, perhaps for a birthday or an anniversary, a gift card from Virgin Experience Days is a thoughtful idea. Buy Cineworld Cinema Tickets with Drinks and Snacks for Two for £45 Buy Cocktail Cinema Evening for Two at the Courthouse Hotel for £56 £50 (save £6 or 11%) Buy The Cinema in the Power Station Tickets with Cocktail and Popcorn for Two for £65.50 Save on the latest films with Tastecard What’s the deal: First of all, what is Tastecard? Tastecard is a one-stop shop for discount codes for your favourite restaurants, cinemas and shops. Tastecard has partnered with high street and independent cinemas to bring you up to 25% off cinema tickets. Why we chose it: The money you save on cinema tickets can be spent on snacks instead. Smart idea? We certainly think so. Plus, your Tastecard membership not only includes offers on cinema tickets, but also deals like saving 50% off food at thousands of UK restaurants like Zizzi and Prezzo. Start your 90-day free Tastecard trial Save when you become a cinema member What’s the deal: Many cinemas offer memberships where you can pay a monthly fee and see as many films as your heart desires, for example, myLIMITLESS from ODEON offers unlimited films, savings on food and drink, and exclusive screenings from £16.99 a month. Similarly, experience as many movies as you like with Cineworld Unlimited from £10.99 a month. Why we chose it: A lot of the time, you’d only have to visit the cinema twice a month to get your money’s worth. Plus, you get 10% off food and drink, and if you haven't already guessed, a discounted snack is a priority for the RadioTimes.com team. Become a myLIMITLESS member from £16.99 per month at ODEON Get Cineworld Unlimited from £10.99 a month at Cineworld One film every day with Fever What’s the deal: Check out the participating Vue cinemas in Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Liverpool, Birmingham or Manchester, decide the film and time, then buy your Fever E-code to use on the listing and save yourself some pennies. There's some fantastic films out at the moment that you can use the code on, such as Conclave and Gladiator II. Why we chose it: From just £4.30, you can watch a film at participating Vue cinemas in UK and Irish cities such as Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin, Liverpool, and more. Buy Vue Cinema Manchester tickets from £4.30 at Fever Buy Vue Cinema Birmingham tickets for £4.30 at Fever Buy Vue Cinema Bristol tickets for £4.30 at Fever Buy Vue Cinema Liverpool tickets for £4.30 at Fever Buy Vue Cinema London tickets from £4.90 at Fever Buy Vue Cinema Glasgow tickets from £4.30 at Fever Buy Vue Cinema Edinburgh tickets from £4.30 at Fever Buy Vue Cinema Dublin tickets from €‎4.90 at Fever Buy Vue Cinema Leeds tickets for £5.49 at Fever Buy Vue Cinema Leicester tickets for £4.30 at Fever See the latest releases from £3 with Three UK What’s the deal: Another great deal you can bag by simply having a phone contract, and this time, it’s from Three UK. Three+ members can get Cineworld cinema tickets for just £3 to watch some of the best films out at the moment. Why we chose it: There's no better time to escape from the cold and watch a great movie. Plus, the RadioTimes.com team likes to recommend deals that don't require any extra heavy lifting from you, for example, if you're a Three customer already, this offer bags you something a little bit extra. Get discounts on the Three+ rewards app Not already a Three Mobile customer? Check out the plans Stay up to date with the RadioTimes.com Going Out newsletter What's the deal: As well as bringing you the latest ticketing announcements, the RadioTimes.com Going Out newsletter also delivers on the biggest deals. Why we chose it: If there's a saving we think is worth shouting about, you can be sure the Going Out team will cover it on our newsletter. The Going Out newsletter will land in your inbox every Thursday at 5:30pm. Sign-up to the RadioTimes.com Going Out newsletter For more discounts the whole family can make use of, be sure to take a look at our how to get cheap Disneyland Paris tickets and how to get cheap Chessington World of Adventures tickets. Two cinema tickets for £9 with Priority What’s the deal: What’s better than discounted cinema tickets? O2 phone and Virgin Media broadband customers will love this deal: Priority offers two Vue cinema tickets for just £9, allowing you to enjoy all the latest releases at a heavily discounted price. Plus, you can secure 20% off cinema snacks, too. Why we chose it: With tickets for Vue cinemas normally costing £9.90, this deal will save you £10.80. Discover rewards with O2 Priority Not an O2 phone customer? Take a look at the phones Looking to switch to Virgin Media broadband? Check out the packages Two free Vue cinema tickets for Sky Cinema customers What's the deal: Sky Cinema customers can claim two free Vue cinema tickets each month, and they're valid to use at any Vue cinema in the UK and Ireland from Sunday through to Thursday. Why we chose it: If you're already a Sky Cinema customer, we're going to take a guess and say you love movies, so why not watch films from the comfort of your own home and at the cinema, too? Claim your Sky Cinema and Vue tickets Get Sky Cinema from £10 extra per month at Sky As much as we'd love to, it's practically impossible to go to the cinema every day, so be sure to check out our Disney Plus offers, NOW TV offers and Virgin Media offers. Also, how to get cheap Madame Tussauds London tickets and cheap London Dungeon tickets, or our Chessington World of Adventures review and Thorpe Park review.
With rides galore, kids’ attractions, and 4D experiences, you're guaranteed to have an epic day at Thorpe Park - and we know just how to get the experience on the cheap.
As the colder months roll in, parents, it’s time to start planning family weekends and getting creative with activities to keep the kids entertained. So, why not Thorpe Park? The theme park is located in the middle of Chertsey and Staines-upon-Thames in Surrey, about an hour's drive from London. It boasts over 30 other scream-tastic rides, including some of the UK's most well-known like Stealth, Colossus, Nemesis Inferno and the Swarm. There are plenty of attractions for youngsters, too, like the Flying Fish junior coaster, Storm Surge, Tidal Wave, Angry Birds 4D Experience and tons more. And remember: under threes go free at Thorpe Park, too, as do carers. It's no secret that theme parks can be an expensive hobby, so let's find out how you can secure cheap tickets to Thorpe Park, or for more information here's our Thorpe Park review. Shop Thorpe Park tickets For more tips on how to bag a saving, take a look at how to get cheap concert tickets, how to get cheap cinema tickets. Plus, cheap London Aquarium tickets. Jump to: How to get cheap Thorpe Park tickets Best Thorpe Park deals at a glance Best Thorpe Park discounts and offers for 2025 How to get to Thorpe Park How to get cheap Thorpe Park tickets We're under no illusion that, with the cost of living, you want days out with the family to be as cheap as possible without compromising on the fun. Theme parks don't have to be a costly day out; there are simple switches you can do to bring the cost down, like making packed lunches and taking advantage of rail companies' discounts (we'll come to that in a bit). One thing that you can't avoid paying for, though, is a park ticket. Here's how to get them for less. Book in advance. Theme parks, such as Thorpe Park and Alton Towers, sell tickets for significantly cheaper online in comparison to if you turned up to the park and bought tickets on the day. Booking tickets in advance also avoids potentially missing out, too. If you're a fan of theme parks, check out our guide on how to get cheap Alton Towers tickets. Shop around. If you're looking to make the most out of a theme park, have a gander if there are any package deals or short breaks. For inspiration on how to entertain little ones, take a look at the best UK family days out. Plus, we've got the best chocolate making experiences. Best Thorpe Park deals at a glance Get 50% off Thorpe Park tickets Enjoy 12 months of fun with the Annual Pass Discounted Thorpe Park tickets with Tesco Clubcard Stay overnight from £63 Get Thorpe Park tickets for £27 off plus flexible booking at DaysOut.co.uk Save £42 or 66% on student Thorpe Park tickets Get over 200 days entry with the Merlin Annual Pass Get up to £40 off on the Merlin Annual Pass for students Read the Going Out newsletter for the latest deals Best Thorpe Park discounts and offers for 2025 Get 50% off Thorpe Park tickets This is one for the early birds, the super organisers, the bargain hunters: save 50 per cent on Thorpe Park tickets when you book them in advance. A day ticket to Thorpe Park will usually set you back £66, but if you book online, it’s £33; that’s a whopping £33 off or 50 per cent discount. For just under 30 quid, you can experience over 30 attractions, and get access to events if they’re on your chosen day. Buy a Thorpe Park day ticket for £66 £33 (save £33 or 50%) at Thorpe Park We've also got guides on how to get cheap Chessington tickets and how to get cheap LEGOLAND tickets. Get the Thorpe Park annual pass from £64 The Thorpe Park Annual Pass gives you access to Thorpe Park for an entire year for just £64. That means you only have to visit three times to make back your money. Enjoy 12 months of fun with the Annual Pass Discounted Thorpe Park tickets with Tesco Clubcard Who doesn’t have a Tesco Clubcard these days? Downloading it to save 50p on a Tesco meal deal is worth it in itself, in our humble opinion, but there’s also many more great savings to be made, too. Scanning your Clubcard generates points, and you can convert these points into Tesco Reward Partners vouchers where you get double the vouchers’ face value to use on tickets: so £5 in points is £10 worth of vouchers, for example. You can use these vouchers on attractions across the UK, including Thorpe Park. Save on Thorpe Park tickets with Tesco Clubcard Get a Tesco Clubcard to bag great savings Get an overnight stay from £63 Who doesn't love a good old staycation? With this deal you'll be sleeping in Thorpe Park's Shark Cabins, located just seconds away from all the action, for £63. Enjoy two days' access to the theme park, as well as a buffet breakfast, free parking and more. And, if you choose to upgrade your room you'll have access to a whole range of perks, including exclusive second day Fastracks! Get an overnight stay from £63 Save £35 on Thorpe Park tickets for students If you have older children, it can be tricky to find something to do that everyone in the family will enjoy. Well, the good news is that anyone with a valid student ID can get a huge saving on tickets for Thorpe Park. Whereas day tickets would normally set you back £66, students can now get them for £21. That's a saving of over half price. Buy a Thorpe Park student day ticket for £64 £29 (save £35) at Thorpe Park Get over 300 days entry with the Merlin Annual Pass The Merlin Annual Pass gives you access to some of the UK's biggest attractions, including Thorpe Park, Chessington and Alton Towers. The cheapest option is the Essential Pass, which gives you over 300 days entry to any of the attractions available. This will usually cost £139 per person, but is currently reduced to £99. You can upgrade to the Gold or Platinum passes, which give you 364 days, and extra perks like free parking and a discount on fast track vouchers. Buy the Essential Pass from £79 per person at Merlin Annual Pass To find out more, check out our guide to what is the Merlin Pass? Get up to £40 off on the Merlin Annual Pass for students With Student Beans you can save £20 off a Essential Pass which would normally set you back £139. You can also get £30 off a Gold Pass which brings the price down to £210, or if you want to get all the benefits of a Platinum Pass you can save £40 which brings the price down to £259 annually. Merlin Essential Pass | £139 £119 annually at Student Beans Merlin Gold Pass | £239 £209 annually at Student Beans Merlin Platinum Pass | £299 £259 annually at Student Beans Read the Going Out newsletter for the latest deals We regularly cover deals on days out and entertainment in our Going Out newsletter. This weekly email will give you everything you need for weekend plans, from the big events to local trips. So subscribe today! How to get to Thorpe Park Thorpe Park is situated in Thorpe, Surrey, just outside of London. It’s easy to get to by train, and Trainline and National Rail have some great deals on to help you and your family get to your destination as cheaply as possible. Let’s check them out. Staines is the nearest train station to Thorpe Park, and there’s a shuttle bus (number 950) which runs every 15-20 minutes. The shuttle bus starts running nice and early at 9am, and stops running from Thorpe Park an hour after the park’s closing time. Perfect for the school holidays, National Rail has launched National Rail’s Days Out Guide, which sees you get up to two for one entry at top attractions around the UK, including Thorpe Park. Trainline is great for cheap tickets, as is TrainPal, which offers frequent voucher codes and deals as well as taking off booking fees. Plus, it's always worth trying to get a Railcard, which will see you save up to one third of the fare price. Buy cheaper train tickets with TrainPal Save up to 1/3 on the train fare with a Railcard Is there parking at Thorpe Park? If you're travelling to Thorpe Park by car, you'll be pleased to know that there is in-resort parking. A car parking ticket will set you back £12 if you purchase online before. So why not save that extra quid and put it towards some car snacks instead? Buy a one-day car parking ticket for £12 at Thorpe Park Head to our Going Out section for the latest releases like The Nutcracker tickets, plus how to get cheap London Eye tickets and how to get cheap Cadbury World tickets. Also, how to get cheap Madame Tussauds London tickets and cheap London Dungeon tickets, or our Chessington World of Adventures review.
How to get Kevin Bridges's 2026 UK tour tickets as final tickets go live
The Scottish comedian is Here If You Need him.
Get ready to belly laugh, as Kevin Bridges is heading back on tour in 2026. The Scottish powerhouse is no stranger to stand-up, with his previous shows including Overdue Catch-Up (2022), Brand New Tour (2018), and A Whole Different Story (2015) all shattering box office records. Now he's back with the Here If You Need Him tour, which will be taking place over 44 dates across the UK. The tour has already proved to be so popular that five new dates have been added, even before general sale has gone live. Here's how you can get your hands on tickets as artist pre-sale goes live today. Buy Kevin Bridges tickets at Ticketmaster Fancy seeing more live comedy? Here's how to get Peter Kay tickets and James Acaster tickets. Jump to: What are the new Kevin Bridges UK tour dates 2026? When do Kevin Bridges tickets go on sale? How to get Kevin Bridges hospitality tickets How to get Kevin Bridges tickets What are the new Kevin Bridges UK tour dates 2026? Here are the dates that have been added to the Here If You Need Him: 27th Aug 2026 – Manchester, O2 Apollo 28th Aug 2026 – Manchester, O2 Apollo 29th Aug 2026 – Manchester, O2 Apollo 18th Sep 2026 – Bristol, The Bristol Hippodrome 19th Sep 2026 – Bristol, The Bristol Hippodrome 14th Oct 2026 – London, Eventim Apollo 15th Oct 2026 – London, Eventim Apollo 16th Oct 2026 – London, Eventim Apollo 23rd Oct 2026 – Belfast, SSE Arena Belfast 24th Oct 2026 – Belfast, SSE Arena Belfast 3rd Nov 2026 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro 4th Nov 2026 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro 15th Nov 2026 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro 17th Nov 2026 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro 12th Dec 2026 – Aberdeen, P&J Live And here's a full list of the other UK and Ireland tour dates for Kevin Bridges's 2026 tour: 14th Aug 2026 – Sheffield, Sheffield City Hall 15th Aug 2026 – Sheffield, Sheffield City Hall 20th Aug 2026 – Manchester, O2 Apollo Manchester 21st Aug 2026 – Manchester, O2 Apollo Manchester 22nd Aug 2026 – Manchester, O2 Apollo Manchester 1st Sep 2026 – London, Eventim Apollo 2nd Sep 2026 – London, Eventim Apollo 3rd Sep 2026 – London, Eventim Apollo 4th Sep 2026 – Southampton, Mayflower Theatre 5th Sep 2026 – Southampton, Mayflower Theatre 9th Sep 2026 – Brighton, Brighton Dome 11th Sep 2026 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro 12th Sep 2026 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro 15th Sep 2026 – Bristol, The Bristol Hippodrome 16th Sep 2026 – Bristol, The Bristol Hippodrome 17th Sep 2026 – Bristol, The Bristol Hippodrome 22nd Sep 2026 – Edinburgh, Playhouse 23rd Sep 2026 – Edinburgh, Playhouse 24th Sep 2026 – Edinburgh, Playhouse 25th Sep 2026 – Edinburgh, Playhouse 26th Sep 2026 – Edinburgh, Playhouse 1st Oct 2026 – Kingston upon Hull, Connexin Live 2nd Oct 2026 – Newcastle upon Tyne, Utilita Arena Newcastle 3rd Oct 2026 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro 4th Oct 2026 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro 9th Oct 2026 – Belfast, SSE Arena Belfast 10th Oct 2026 – Belfast, SSE Arena Belfast 11th Oct 2026 – Belfast, SSE Arena Belfast 17th Oct 2026 – Cardiff, Utilita Arena Cardiff 18th Oct 2026 – Cardiff, Utilita Arena Cardiff 27th Oct 2026 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro 29th Oct 2026 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro 31st Oct 2026 – Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena Liverpool 1st Nov 2026 – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena Nottingham 6th Nov 2026 – Dublin, 3Arena 7th Nov 2026 – Dublin, 3Arena 8th Nov 2026 – Dublin, 3Arena 19th Nov 2026 – Leeds, First Direct Bank Arena 2nd Dec 2026 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena Birmingham 4th Dec 2026 – Brighton, Brighton Dome 5th Dec 2026 – Brighton, Brighton Dome 6th Dec 2026 – Bournemouth, BIC 10th Dec 2026 – Aberdeen, P&J Live 11th Dec 2026 – Aberdeen, P&J Live Buy Kevin Bridges tickets at Ticketmaster When do Kevin Bridges tickets go on sale? General sale tickets will be released at 11am on Friday 5th December. How to get Kevin Bridges hospitality tickets So far, hospitality tickets are only available for the Liverpool shows, where prices start from £190. These tickets will often include VIP access to bars and restaurants, additional merch and of course a guaranteed seat, but bear in mind they're a lot more expensive. Hospitality tickets are also a great way to ensure that you can get your hands on tickets that are high in demand, just like this tour. Buy Kevin Bridges hospitality tickets at Seat Unique How to get Kevin Bridges tickets This is sure to be a popular tour, so get online at least 15 minutes before tickets go on sale to beat the Ticketmaster queue. Selected dates are also available on platforms such as AXS and Live Nation, where the demand is expected to be slightly lower. Dates for the Bristol Hippodrome and Edinburgh Playhouse shows are available at ATG Tickets. Buy Kevin Bridges tickets at Ticketmaster For more live entertainment, here's how to get ABBA Voyage tickets, as well as the best UK musicals on tour.
Zach Bryan 2026 UK tour: Confirmed dates, venues and how to get tickets now
Don't miss out on Zach Bryan's new UK tour dates.
If seeing Zach Bryan live has been on your bucket list for a while, we’ve got the best tips and tricks for getting a guaranteed seat to his new live tour next summer. The iconic singer is returning to the UK and Ireland stage for eight nights next month, heading to cities like London, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Cork. The new show is titled With Heaven On Tour and considering how popular his last tour was – Quittin' Time in 2024 – we know demand is going to be high. So, we'd suggest skipping the queue stress and getting yourself a VIP ticket with Seat Unique. Now on sale, these hospitality packages allow you to see the concert in comfort and style, with extra perks to make your day feel special. Buy Zach Bryan VIP tickets at Seat Unique What are the UK dates and venues for Zach Bryan's UK tour? Zach Bryan's UK tour will run from 12th to 24th June 2026. Here’s the full list of dates and venues: 12th Jun 2026 – Liverpool, Anfield Stadium 14th Jun 2026 – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield 16th Jun 2026 – London, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 17th Jun 2026 – London, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 20th Jun 2026 – Cork, Páirc Uí Chaoimh 21st Jun 2026 – Cork, Páirc Uí Chaoimh 23rd Jun 2026 – Belfast, Boucher Playing Fields 24th Jun 2026 – Belfast, Boucher Playing Fields When do tickets go on sale for Zach Bryan's UK tour? Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday 5th December, so get ready to scoop up Seat Unique's hospitality packages for the London and Edinburgh dates. Buy Zach Bryan VIP tickets at Seat Unique What premium tickets and hospitality packages are on offer for Zach Bryan's UK tour? There are currently four tiers of Seat Unique VIP packages available for the Tottenham shows and three for Edinburgh. Here they are: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: Private Sideline Suite Premium Seat The H Club Tunnel Club Scottish Gas Murrayfield: Bar Gold Platinum For more live music in 2026, here's our roundup of the best UK concerts and tours.
£40,000 costumes and 19 Christmases sacrificed: What it really takes to keep Britain's glitziest tradition alive
The London Palladium panto is back for another year, but how exactly do they manage do pull such a show together?
Speaking to Chariots of Fire actor Nigel Havers over a crackling phone, as he hurriedly drives to pantomime rehearsal in the West End, is not how I imagined our interview going. Over a fuzzy speaker, he cheerily tells me in one breathe that he's flown over the London Palladium more than anyone else in the theatre's history, in the other, that he's not had a proper Christmas for 19 years, all before dashing out the car in under 15 minutes. It was after this hasty chat however, that I learned that this is, in fact, the perfect encapsulation of what life in pantomime is. Great, grand, British tradition... on speed; a multi-million pound industry dating back to the 16th century with a one-week rehearsal period; hundreds of jobs, props and actors, stuffed into a backstage designed for small variety theatre; and thousands of young families piling in only for the highlight to be Julian Clary's excellent innuendo. This year, the venue is set to host a three-week run of Sleeping Beauty, with Havers and Clary returning alongside Doctor Who's own Catherine Tate. The performance is also doubly special as it marks 10 years since panto returned to the Palladium, or as producer Michael Harrison puts it: "10 years of King Julian on the throne." <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/12/GettyImages-2188949634-625f687.jpg" width="5000" height="3333" alt="LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 12: Chrissy Brooke and Julian Clary bow at the curtain call during the press night pantomime performance of "Robin Hood," at The London Palladium, on December 12, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images)" title="The London Palladium Pantomime "Robin Hood" - Press Night - Curtain Call" /> Michael Harrison has produced literally hundreds of pantomimes over the past two decades, neatly starting off with Sleeping Beauty at the Kings Theatre Glasgow. At the time, the producer was completely new to professional panto and "blagged" (his words) his way in by telling theatre organisers that if his show didn't get at least four stars in The Scotsman, they could pay him just £1. From there, he has put together dozens of pantos in Newcastle, Birmingham, and now London, becoming known for the way his shows push the boundaries with extra stunts and special effects. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, I asked what it takes to pull these enormous productions together. "It's a year round business, we start the prep a year in advance for, you know, the designs of the costumes, the scenery. It's a Victorian tradition that there has to be some kind of big magical moment at the end of Act One, like Cinderella going to the ball, Aladdin in the cave, and you've got to find ways to reinvigorate and reinvent that early." He continued: "I mean, for London the design and making process of Julian Clary's costume has a bigger budget than some West End shows, you can spend £30-£40,000 on a costume for him. "Then, sometimes they're so big when he steps out of them they have to be flown up to the grid to get them out of the way because nobody would get past them on the floor." <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/12/GettyImages-1845654215-7b1e31e.jpg" width="5000" height="3333" alt="LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Julian Clary performs as Seaman Smee as Donny Osmond makes a surprise appearance in "Peter Pan" at The London Palladium on December 13, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Sama Kai/Dave Benett/Getty Images)" title="Donny Osmond Makes A Surprise Appearance In "Peter Pan" At The London Palladium" /> However, he added that despite the huge amount of prep needed, the rehearsal time for a panto can be as short as a week, and the technical run as little as four days before the first performance, compared to the three to four weeks most West End musicals get. It's lucky then, as Harrison says, that the magic of Julian Clary and Nigel Havers pulled it together from the very first run: "The notion of Julian Clary being angry with Nigel Havers for just being there happened on that first performance and the audience loved it." It's a thought Havers wholeheartedly echoed: "The tradition is that Julian treats me really badly. He's incredibly rude to me. Last year he called me 'the poster boy for assisted dying.' "But being on stage with him is the highlight every single year, he is an extraordinary and a sort of comedy genius." Behind-the-scenes, both Harrison and Havers confirmed it's extremely regimented, with pin point lighting and sound queues to keep things on track. "You want them to be tight and fast-paced," said Harrison – but, does that mean it never goes wrong? "Well, once a bit of scenery dropped on Julian's head," he laughed, "We were doing Aladdin and it was the very first performance. He was supposed to walk to the front of the stage, but he didn't quite do it quick enough and the curtain came down behind him, hit him on the back of the head and took him out – it really hurt him but the audience thought it was the funniest thing they'd ever seen." While, thankfully, that never happened again, there's always a danger of things getting interesting on stage. "There was a funny moment between Julian and Donny Osmond when they were singing and it all got a little bit rude, and let's just say the audience were a few steps ahead of what was happening – but it's all innuendo and it's all good fun." It will please fans to know too, that the fun carries on backstage, with Nigel Havers describing it as a "family environment". "You get a great rush from the audience because they're so psyched up for it. It's Christmas and you get big laughs and a round of applause, so you come off the stage and it's a real family feeling." Plus, pantomime has a real unsung magic in the amount of jobs it generates, not just in London, but in theatres across the UK. As Harrison said: "It's a big cast: 16 dancers, 10 principles, 12 in the orchestra and all of the backstage team. Then pantomime gets people through the doors of a theatre when they're unlikely to for the rest of the year. "You might have a piece of drama or dance commissioned in a local theatre that's only financially viable because of the money made in panto season, so it's hugely important." And why, really do we as Brits love pantomimes so much? "It really is a unique British tradition and it's a rare occasion where the entire family can collectively come together where you're not there to be challenged, you're there for joy and entertainment." Meanwhile, Havers said: "They have a little bit of something for everyone. That's the key to it, there's a lot of colour and movement and a lot of jokes and a little bit of pathos – and a very small amount of plot, we don't really bother with a plot." Of course, neither of them could tell me much about this year's 10th anniversary performance at the Palladium, other than the fact it's "bigger and better than ever," plus Nigel Havers guaranteed me he would be flying again this year. Buy Sleeping Beauty tickets from £37.50 at LW Theatres Shop pantomime tickets at ATG Tickets Check out the best UK concerts and tours coming in 2026, as well as how to get Kevin Bridges's tickets.
Helen Mirren and Lesley Manville among acting legends confirmed for batch of acclaimed live theatre broadcasts
National Theatre Live has confirmed three new titles for its 2026 slate, which join the previously announced Hamlet.
The Thursday Murder Club’s Dame Helen Mirren and The Crown’s Lesley Manville are among the acting legends set to appear in a series of National Theatre (NT) Live cinema shows in 2026. The shows, captured in front of a live audience, will be shown in cinemas across the UK. Mirren will star as Queen Elizabeth II in Olivier and Tony Award-winning hit production The Audience, which is returning to cinemas from 26th February (UK only) for the first time in over a decade. The Audience, which is directed by Stephen Daldry and written by Peter Morgan, centres on weekly meetings between Queen Elizabeth II and each of her prime ministers. The production was the inspiration for Netflix hit The Crown, also penned by Morgan. From 28th May, cinema audiences can watch Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton), Éanna Hardwicke (Saipan) and Siobhán McSweeney (Derry Girls) in John Millington Synge’s The Playboy of the Western World, directed by Caitriona McLaughlin (Artistic Director of the Abbey Theatre). The Playboy of the Western World tells the tale of Pegeen Flaherty, whose life is turned upside down when a young man walks into her pub claiming he has killed his father. Instead of being shunned, the killer, Christy Mahon, becomes a local hero. That is, until a second man arrives on the scene… The cinematic production will be captured from its run in the Lyttelton theatre, where it will play until 28th February. From 25th June, Manville will star alongside Aidan Turner (Rivals) and Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown) in a new staging of Christopher Hampton’s adaptation of Les Liaisons Dangereuses. The play follows Marquise de Merteuil, who is a master in the art of survival and joins forces with the magnetic Vicomte de Valmont in order to turn seduction into strategy and weaponise desire. That is, until their alliance collapses into rivalry, and the battle between them threatens to destroy everyone in their path. The production will be captured from its run in the Lyttelton Theatre, where it will be playing from 21st March to 6th June. The three productions join the previously announced Hamlet, which was captured from its run at the National Theatre earlier this year, which will kick off the 2026 NT Live Slate in cinemas on 22nd January. Matt Risley, the National Theatre’s Chief Digital Officer, said in a statement: "It has been a blockbuster year for NT Live and 2026 is already shaping up to follow suit. This year we’ve had over 1.2 million admissions worldwide, across six releases, and the momentum shows no sign of slowing down. As we shape the programme of NT Live, we always place audiences at the centre of our programme, and we believe our growing slate will resonate with audiences around the world." He continued: “It’s brilliant that we’re able to bring back The Audience to the UK after over ten years, an often-requested fan-favourite, alongside two of the most highly anticipated productions of the National Theatre’s new season.” If you're looking for more to watch on your television, check out our TV Guide.
How to get Evanescence tickets for 2026 UK tour as final tickets go live today
Don't be Everybody's Fool – read our guide to be in with the best chance of getting your hands on Evanescence tickets.
When it comes to '90s and early 2000s goth rock, there should be one name that comes to mind first: Evanescence. Founded in 1994 by Amy Lee and Ben Williams, the band's 2003 album Fallen cemented them as one of the defining rock acts of the turn of the century. The Evanescence line-up has varied greatly over the years, but the quality of the music has remained consistent. The band have received five Grammy nominations and two awards, as well as two Teen Choice awards and a World Music Award. If you want to be in with the chance of seeing hits like Bring Me To Life and My Immortal live, here's how you can get Evanescence tickets today. Buy Evanescence tickets at Ticketmaster For more live music in 2026, here's how to get Reading and Leeds festival tickets. Jump to: What are the Evanescence 2026 UK tour dates and venues? When do Evanescence tickets go on sale? Evanescence hospitality tickets How to get Evanescence tickets What are the Evanescence 2026 UK tour dates and venues? Here's a full list of 2026 Evanescence tour dates: 8th September 2026 — Leeds, Leeds First Direct Bank Arena 10th September 2026 — Manchester, Co-op Live 11th September 2026 — Birmingham, Utilita Arena Birmingham 13th September 2026 — London, The O2 When do Evanescence tickets go on sale? General sale tickets will be released at 10am on Friday 5th December. Buy Evanescence tickets at Ticketmaster Evanescence hospitality tickets You can currently get your hands on hospitality tickets for Evanescence's Manchester show at Seat Unique. These tickets will often include VIP access to bars and restaurants, additional merch and of course a guaranteed seat, but bear in mind they're more expensive. You can also purchase hospitality tickets at the Ticketmaster website. Buy Evanescence hospitality tickets at Seat Unique How to get Evanescence tickets This is sure to be a popular tour, so get online at least 15 minutes before tickets go on sale to beat the Ticketmaster queue. Selected dates are also available on platforms such as AXS, where the demand is expected to be slightly lower. Buy Evanescence tickets at Ticketmaster Check out the best UK concerts and tours coming in 2026, as well as how to get Kevin Bridges's tickets.
How to get tickets for Mumford & Sons at BST Hyde Park as general sale goes live
Mumford & Sons are headlining BST Hyde Park next year – here's how you can get tickets today.
Mumford & Sons are currently playing a UK tour, but that's not stopping them from announced even more exciting upcoming gigs. The West London band have been announced as one of the headliners for BST Hyde Park 2026, one of London's most iconic day festivals. And that's not all for 2026. Mumford & Sons will also be releasing a brand new album entitled Prizefighter in February 2026. For the chance to hear their new music live, as well as highlights from their foot-stomping discography, here's how you can get BST Hyde Park tickets. Buy Mumford & Sons tickets at Ticketmaster For more live music in 2026, here's how to get Evanescence tickets, Reading and Leeds tickets. and Rosalia tickets. Jump to: When will Mumford & Sons headline BST Hyde Park? When do Mumford & Sons Hyde Park 2026 tickets go on sale? How much do Mumford & Sons BST Hyde Park tickets cost? Are there hospitality tickets available for Mumford & Sons at BST Hyde Park? Who else is headlining BST Hyde Park 2026? When will Mumford and Sons headline BST Hyde Park? Mumford and Sons will be headlining BST Hyde Park on the following date: 4th July 2026 — London, Hyde Park When do Mumford & Sons Hyde Park 2026 tickets go on sale? General sale tickets will be released on Thursday 4th December at 10am. Buy Mumford & Sons tickets at Ticketmaster How much do Mumford & Sons BST Hyde Park tickets cost? Prices have already been revealed on the Ticketmaster website and are as follows: General Admission Standing (3rd Release): £112.85 Child 2-9 Years & Guardian Standing: £85.75 Primary Entry Standing - 1st Release: £112.85 Primary Entry Standing - 2nd Release: £123.45 Primary Entry Standing - 3rd Release: £133.95 Gold Circle Standing - 2nd Release: £154.95 Gold Circle Standing - 3rd Release: £176.95 Buy Mumford and Sons tickets at Ticketmaster Are there hospitality tickets available for Mumford & Sons at BST Hyde Park? There a number of VIP packages available to purchase on the Ticketmaster website. You can also head over to Seat Unique, where hospitality tickets start from £219.95. These tickets will often include VIP access to bars and restaurants, additional merch and of course a guaranteed seat. Bear in mind that they're more expensive, but they're a great option for concerts that will sell out quickly, as there's less demand. Buy Mumford & Sons hospitality tickets at Seat Unique Who else is headlining BST Hyde Park 2026? The other headliners for BST Hyde Park 2026 have been revealed as Garth Brooks, Pitbull, Lewis Capaldi and Maroon 5. Buy Mumford & Sons tickets at Ticketmaster We have some news that will bring a smile to your face: Kevin Bridges is going on a 2026 tour.
The best concerts and tours coming to the UK in 2025 – and how to get tickets
From alt rockers Oasis to pop superstar Ariana Grande, some of the biggest names in the music scene are set to tour the UK this year and next.
2025 so far has been huge for the live music scene. With Oasis's long-awaited reunion finally kicking off and Coldplay stumbling across the surprise pop-culture moment of the year, it's already proved to be a moment for the history books. But with just under a month left, there is still plenty of live entertainment to come, with everyone from Stereophonics to Ed Sheeran getting ready to tour this winter. Below, we've rounded up all of the most highly-anticipated acts coming to the UK before the year is out, as well as our top tips for snagging any tickets that are still available if you missed out on them the first time around. We've also put everything in chronological order to make your life that little bit easier. For more tips on ticketing, check out our guide to beating the Ticketmaster queue, as well as how to get cheap concert tickets. Plus, don't miss the best concerts in Manchester. Sponsored by National Express Travel to concerts stress-free with National Express We’re so fortunate to have such a vibrant music scene here in the UK, with major artists travelling the world to play in cities from London to Liverpool, Edinburgh and beyond. If you were lucky enough to get your hands on tickets for upcoming UK tours, such as Ariana Grande, My Chemical Romance or The Weeknd, but still need to organise transport, National Express has got you covered. Whether you’re travelling in from another UK city or flying from further afield and need an airport transfer, you can find the affordable transport you need at National Express. Browse National Express coaches and airport transfers at National Express Jump to: Best upcoming concerts in the UK at a glance Who is touring the UK in 2025? Who is touring the UK in 2026? Which artists still have tickets for 2025 UK tour dates? Who else is rumoured to tour the UK in 2025? Best upcoming concerts in the UK at a glance: Ariana Grande Biffy Clyro Bon Jovi Def Leppard Deftones Doja Cat Ed Sheeran Florence and the Machine Gorillaz Lewis Capaldi Lily Allen Michael Bublé Olivia Dean Raye Reneé Rapp Stereophonics System of a Down Take That The Weeknd Who is touring the UK in 2025? Lewis Capaldi 7th September 2025 — 20th August 2026 After two years away from the spotlight, Lewis Capaldi is back! The global superstar made a surprise appearance at Glastonbury Festival last weekend, and he's back in the charts with his brilliant new single, Survive. Now, Capaldi has announced a UK tour which will see him visit the likes of Glasgow, Manchester and London. Buy Lewis Capaldi tickets at Ticketmaster Buy Lewis Capaldi tickets at Seat Unique Are hospitality concert tickets worth it? We weigh in. Stereophonics 4th — 18th December You're sure to Have a Nice Day if you're planning to see Stereophonics this winter. The band have returned to the UK for their stadium tour this summer and will be coming back for a second tour in December. Buy Stereophonics tickets at Ticketmaster Buy Stereophonics hospitality tickets at Seat Unique Ed Sheeran 5th — 9th December 2025 It's an exciting time to be an Ed Sheeran fan; the singer-songwriter released his brand-new album, Play, last Friday 12th September, and has already confirmed that his next studio album, Loop, will be released in January 2026. To support his new release, Sheeran is heading on tour at the end of 2025, and there are still tickets available. Buy Ed Sheeran tickets at Ticketmaster Buy Ed Sheeran hospitality tickets at Seat Unique Are you a football fan? Wondering 'are football hospitality tickets worth it'? Let us tell you. Who is touring the UK in 2026? Biffy Clyro 9th — 21st January 2026 Biffy Clyro's 2026 UK tour will follow the release of their new album, Futique, which will be available from 26th September 2025. Buy Biffy Clyro tickets at Ticketmaster Buy Biffy Clyro hospitality tickets at Seat Unique Florence and the Machine 6th — 20th February 2026 In classic Florence and the Machine style, their new album, Everybody Scream, will be released on Halloween this year, and it includes the eponymous song, Everybody Scream. In February next year, Florence and the Machine fans will have the chance to experience the album live, alongside the band's biggest hits like Dog Days Are Over and Shake It Out. Buy Florence and the Machine tickets at Ticketmaster Buy Florence and the Machine hospitality tickets at Seat Unique Deftones 12th February - 20th February 2026 If you missed out on the Deftones/Weezer gig at Crystal Palace Park this year, there's no need to worry; Deftones are returning to the UK in 2026. Buy Deftones hospitality tickets at Seat Unique Raye 17th February — 4th March 2026 You heard it here first, Raye is going on tour! The Escapism singer will be heading to London, Dublin, Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham in 2026, and there are numerous pre-sales available at the time of writing (Tuesday 23rd September) with the general on sale going live at the end of this week. Buy Raye tickets at Ticketmaster Lily Allen 2nd Mar — 30th Jun 2026 Lily Allen will actually be embarking on two UK tours in 2026: one theatre tour and one arena tour, both to play her new album West End Girl. Buy Lily Allen tickets at Ticketmaster Reneé Rapp 18th — 19th March 2026 American singer-songwriter Reneé Rapp will be visiting London and Manchester in support of her Bite Me tour. Buy Reneé Rapp tickets at Ticketmaster Gorillaz 21st March — 20th June 2026 Gorillaz — the sonic project spearheaded by former Blur frontman Damon Albarn — are heading on tour in 2026 in support of of their brand new album, The Mountain. Buy Gorillaz tickets at Ticketmaster Olivia Dean 22nd April — 2nd May 2026 The music world's current neo-soul darling is returning to the UK to grace London, Glasgow and Manchester with her R&B and pop infused melodies. Buy Olivia Dean tickets at AXS Buy Olivia Dean tickets at Seat Unique Doja Cat 21st May — 29th May 2026 Doja Cat is bringing her Tour Ma Vie world tour to the UK in 2026, and, at the time of writing, you can buy general sale tickets on Friday (3rd October). Buy Doja Cat tickets at Ticketmaster Buy Doja Cat hospitality tickets at Seat Unique Take That <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/04/GettyImages-2200015470-5080578.jpg" width="4610" height="3074" alt="LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: Mark Owen, Howard Donald and Gary Barlow of Take That attend the 2025 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)" title="2025 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Special Access" /> 29th May — 1st July 2026 It's the Greatest Day of our lives, as Take That have announced the return of their iconic The Circus Tour. This tour first took place in 2009 and was, at the time, the fastest-selling tour in UK history. The live shows included fire breathers, acrobats, stilt walkers and a huge mechanical elephant, making it one of the standout tours of the 21st century. Buy Take That hospitality tickets at Seat Unique Def Leppard 26th June — 6th July 2026 Rock legends Def Leppard are touring the UK for their huge arena shows, visiting venues in Sheffield, Belfast and more. The Pour Some Sugar on Me singers will be joined by American rock band Extreme, and the band have promised "surprises and classics" for their upcoming tour. Buy Def Leppard tickets at Ticketmaster Pitbull 30th June — 10th July 2026 Yes, that's right; Mr Worldwide is gracing us with his presence once more. His UK shows last year were a smash hit, so grab your bald cap and get ready to join in the fun once more. Buy Pitbull tickets at Ticketmaster Buy Pitbull hospitality tickets at Seat Unique My Chemical Romance 30th June — 11th July 2026 Iconic emo rockers My Chemical Romance are returning to London as part of their Long Live The Black Parade! tour in 2026, as well as heading to Liverpool and Glasgow. Buy My Chemical Romance tickets at Ticketmaster Buy My Chemical Romance hospitality tickets at Seat Unique Michael Bublé 1st Jul 2026 — 6th Jul 2026 You'll have several chances next summer to catch Michael Bublé live across the UK, as the beloved crooner will be performing at a number of key British festivals. Buy Michael Bublé tickets at Ticketmaster System of a Down <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/09/GettyImages-1368310711-d0881bd.jpg" width="6720" height="4480" alt="SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 01: Musician Daron Malakian of System of a Down performs on stage at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on February 01, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)" title="System Of A Down And Korn Perform At Viejas Arena" /> 13th — 15th July 2026 After a long nine years away from the UK, System of a Down have confirmed a UK tour. What was originally supposed to be a one-off gig at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium quickly turned into two gigs at the stadium due to demand. The heavy metal band will be joined by Queens Of The Stone Age and Acid Bath. Buy System of a Down tickets at Ticketmaster Luke Combs 24th July — 1st August 2026 Country singer Luke Combs 2026 tour sold out instantly, as did the extra dates he announced. Luckily, there are still hospitality tickets left at Seat Unique. Buy Luke Combs hospitality tickets at Seat Unique The Weeknd 14th — 23rd August 2026 Due to phenomenal demand, The Weeknd has extended his After Hours Til Dawn Tour (which was originally two nights at London's Wembley Stadium) to five Wembley Stadium shows, plus two nights at Dublin's Croke Park. Buy The Weeknd tickets at Ticketmaster Ariana Grande 15th August — 1st September 2026 Ariana Grande is heading on her first tour in seven years next summer and the Going Out team, for one, are thrilled! When tickets were released last week, the demand was so high that five extra dates were added to the tour — doubling its original number. Buy Ariana Grande tickets at Ticketmaster Bon Jovi 28th August — 9th September 2026 Bona fide rock and roll superstars Bon Jovi are returning to the stage, bringing their Forever tour to audiences across the globe. Buy Bon Jovi tickets at Ticketmaster Buy Bon Jovi hospitality tickets at Seat Unique Which artists still have tickets for 2025 UK tour dates? Despite the recently skyrocketing demand for tickets, there are plenty of general access tickets remaining for artists touring the UK in 2025. All remaining tickets have been included alongside the artists in the list above. It's no secret that the ticketing industry has changed greatly in the past few years, as demand for live shows has soared post-pandemic. This means that nowadays it's often extremely difficult to get your hands on concert tickets for large venues like the O2, Wembley Stadium or the Eventim Apollo, especially if the artist is a household name. As it becomes increasingly difficult to get tickets for tours and concerts, there is a major way to get around this: purchasing hospitality tickets. Due to their increased price, hospitality tickets aren't an option for everyone. However, if you have the disposable income, you're more likely to get your hands on hospitality tickets rather than general access as there is lower demand. Out of the artists listed above, those who have hospitality tickets still available are listed with ticketing sites like Seat Unique and Ticketmaster, where tickets are still available. Who else is rumoured to tour the UK in 2025? While nothing has been confirmed just yet, there are plenty of rumours circulating about who will be next to announce their UK tour dates. After her residency in Munich, Adele has been mentioned in connection with Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, despite saying that she would be taking a step back from music for a while. Additionally, Shakira is currently touring with her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran tour, however, no dates for the UK and Europe have been announced. We'll be spending 2025 awaiting further moves... For more live entertainment in 2025, take a look at the biggest celebrities coming to the West End next year and the best UK musicals on tour in 2025. Plus the best immersive experiences. Plus, how to get Alex Warren UK tour tickets and My Chemical Romance tickets for additional tour dates.
How to get Michael Ball tickets as Les Mis star embarks on 2026 UK tour
Musician, actor and broadcaster Michael Ball is showcasing his musical talents on tour next year- here's how you can get tickets.
Since making his debut on the West End in 1985, Michael Ball has become a household name. His voice, charm and acting chops haven't only earned him the admiration of a nation – they've also earned him an OBE. As well as making a splash in roles across iconic musicals such as Les Misérables and the Phantom of the Opera, he's also known for his solo music, including the hit single "Love Changes Everything", and even represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest 1992. If you're dying to hear some of this national treasure's musical talents in the flesh, then you're in luck as the musical icon is taking to the road once more to perform timeless hits, as well as songs from his new album Glow. To be in with the chance of seeing him live, here's how to get Michael Ball tickets. Buy Michael Ball tickets at Ticketmaster Jump to: What are the dates and venues for Michael Ball's new UK tour? When do Michael Ball tickets go on sale? How to get Michael Ball tickets What are the dates and venues for Michael Ball's new UK tour? Here's a full list of the venues Michael Ball will be visiting in 2026: 11th Jul 2026 – Llangollen, Pavilion 26th Aug 2026 – Cambridge, Corn Exchange 27th Aug 2026 – Ipswich, Regent Theatre 29th Aug 2026 – Oxford, New Theatre 30th Aug 2026 – Birmingham, Symphony Hall 2nd Sep 2026 – Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall 3rd Sep 2026 – Bradford, Bradford Live / St George’s Hall 5th Sep 2026 – Sheffield, City Hall 6th Sep 2026 – Hull, Connexin Live 8th Sep 2026 – Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall 9th Sep 2026 – Edinburgh, Usher Hall 11th Sep 2026 – Newcastle upon Tyne, O2 City Hall 12th Sep 2026 – York, Barbican Centre 14th Sep 2026 – Manchester, Bridgewater Hall 16th Sep 2026 – Stoke-on-Trent, Regent Theatre 17th Sep 2026 – Leicester, De Montfort Hall 19th Sep 2026 – Nottingham, Theatre Royal / Royal Concert Hall 20th Sep 2026 – Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes Theatre 22nd Sep 2026 – Brighton, Brighton Dome 23rd Sep 2026 – Bristol, Bristol Beacon 25th Sep 2026 – Southend, Cliffs Pavilion 26th Sep 2026 – Bournemouth, Pavilion Theatre 28th Sep 2026 – Torquay, Princess Theatre 29th Sep 2026 – Cardiff, New Theatre 1st Oct 2026 – London, London Palladium 2nd Oct 2026 – Portsmouth, Guildhall Buy Michael Ball tickets at Ticketmaster When do Michael Ball tickets go on sale? General sale tickets will be released at 9am on Friday 5th December. Buy Michael Ball tickets at Ticketmaster How to get Michael Ball tickets Be sure to log onto Ticketmaster bright and early- we recommend going onto the site 10 minutes before Michael Ball tickets are released, so that you can join the waiting room and improve your position in the queue once tickets are released. You can also check out our tips on how to beat the Ticketmaster queue to make extra sure that you'll secure those tickets. Buy Michael Ball tickets at Ticketmaster For more live music in 2026, here are the best UK concerts and tours. , as well as how to get Reading and Leeds 2026 tickets.
Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball 2025 line-up: All confirmed acts from Kylie to Ed Sheeran
It's the hottest event of the festive calendar.
We are now only days away from the hottest two nights of the festive period – Capital FM's Jingle Bell Ball with Barclaycard. The show is an absolute knockout, every year with the radio station securing some of the biggest names in the business to make the line up of incredible music. Ahead of the shows this weekend, the full line-up for the event has now been revealed, with Ed Sheeran set to headline night one and Kylie Minogue on night two. Ed Sheeran will be joined by some British pop power houses on night one, the likes of which include six-time Brit award winner and Grammy nominated Raye, pop princesses Leigh-Anne and Anne-Marie, and hip hop duo Rizzle Kicks, who last year returned from an eight year hiatus. Aussie Kylie Minogue will share the stage on night two with TikTok sensation Alex Warren, Louis Tomlinson of One Direction fame, Cat Burns, fresh from the Celebrity Traitors castle, Brit award winner Tinie Tempah and Grammy nominee Jessie J. Here's everything you need to know about the Capital Jingle Bell Ball with Barclaycard 2025. Capital FM Jingle Bell Ball with Barclaycard 2025 line-up: Full list of confirmed acts performing The list of artists confirmed for night one are: Ed Sheeran Raye Leigh-Anne Anne-Marie Rizzle Kicks Mimi Webb Moliy Sonny Fodera Alessi Rose The list of artists confirmed for night two are: Kylie Minogue Alex Warren Louis Tomlinson Cat Burns Tinie Tempah Jessie J MK Jax Jones WizTheMc Rose Gray When and where is Capital's Jingle Bell Ball with Barclaycard 2025? This year, Capital's Jingle Bell Ball with Barclaycard will be held on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th December 2025. The show will be at London's The O2 Arena – with 20,000 people joining the party each night. How do I get tickets to Capital's Jingle Bell Ball with Barclaycard 2025? Tickets for Capital's Summertime Ball with Barclaycard went on general sale from 9am on Friday 7th November but have now sold out. Tickets can still be won by tuning into Capital and if you can't make it, the radio station will also play highlights from the show. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Madame Tussauds ticket deals: How to get cheap tickets for your next London visit
Would you believe there are now 24 versions of Madame Tussauds across the world? And yet you can't beat a visit to the original in London. First launched in 1835 by French wax sculptor Marie Tussaud, the exhibition was known as "The Baker Street Bazaar", featuring prominent figures from the French Revolution. Now, the museum is packed with over 150 lifelike sculptures of some of the biggest celebrities, historical figures and cultural icons of our time. Over eight immersive zones, you'll find wax versions of everyone from the Royal Family to David Bowie to Marvel characters, plus an area where you can create your own wax hand to take home. With all that inside, it's not surprising that tickets can be a bit expensive, but is there a way to save? Below, we've managed to dig up all the best deals and ways to get cheap tickets for Madame Tussauds, from Tesco Clubcard schemes to student discounts. Here's how to get cheap London Aquarium tickets. It's the Les Misérables 40th anniversary so here's the biggest Les Misérables backstage secrets. Plus, how to get Sadie Sink West End debut tickets. Jump to: How much are Madame Tussauds tickets? Can you buy tickets at the door for Madame Tussauds? Best Madame Tussauds ticket deals at a glance How to get cheap Madame Tussauds London tickets How much are Madame Tussauds tickets? The cheapest way to get Madame Tussauds entry is by booking off-peak tickets, online and in advance. If you buy a ticket for an off-peak time (weekdays during work hours), prices start at £29. However, if you book during peak periods (eg during the summer holidays), tickets will start at £39. Can you buy tickets at the door for Madame Tussauds? You can, but we wouldn't advise it. When you book online ticket prices start from £29, whereas when you buy at the door the price will start at £39. Best Madame Tussauds ticket deals at a glance: Save 26% when you book online Get student tickets from £15 Buy fast-track tickets from £44 Visit five London attractions for £49 with Merlin The 5 Top Attractions Pass Make the most of flexible booking with Virgin Experience Days Save with the Madame Tussauds x Hard Rock Café bundle Get 300 days of entry to UK attractions with the Merlin Pass Save 33% on entry when you travel by train Discounted Madame Tussauds tickets with Tesco Clubcard How to get cheap Madame Tussauds London tickets Save 26% when you book online Madame Tussauds standard entry tickets start at £29, as long as you book online and in advance. You'll find the cheapest prices for off-peak times (weekdays), compared to the prices at the door which start at £39. Buy tickets from £39 £29 (save £10 or 26%) at Madame Tussauds Get student tickets from £15 If you're signed up to Student Beans, you can get a one-day entry ticket to Madame Tussauds from £15, which is a reduction of almost 50%. Buy student tickets from £15 at Madame Tussauds Buy fast-track tickets from £44 If you're keen to avoid the queues, Madame Tussauds Fast-track tickets start from £44, or £54 if you turn up on the day. Again, peak times will have slightly higher prices. Buy fast-track tickets from £54 £44 (save £10 or 19%) at Madame Tussauds Buy multi-attraction tickets with Merlin Merlin also offers multi-attraction tickets to a wide-range of tourist hotspots. For Madame Tussauds, this includes the London SEA LIFE aquarium, London Eye, London Dungeon and Shrek's Adventure. Prices for these start at £49. Buy Madame Tussauds and London Eye tickets for £49 Buy Madame Tussauds and SEALIFE tickets for £49 Buy Madame Tussauds, London Eye and SEALIFE tickets for £54 Buy Madame Tussauds, London Eye fast track tickets for £69 5 Attraction pass With just one pass you can get access to five of London's top attractions. Madame Tussauds, the SEA LIFE Aquarium, the London Dungeon, 'DreamWorks Tours: Shrek's Adventure!', and the London Eye. Buy 5 Attraction pass from £59 at Get Your Guide Buy 5 Attraction pass from £59 at Madame Tussauds Make the most of flexible booking with Virgin Experience Days We know that sometimes life gets in the way, which is why booking through Virgin Experience Days is a great option as you have 12 months validity from the time you purchase your tickets. Buy Madame Tussauds visit for two adults for £48 at Virgin Experience Days Buy Madame Tussauds visit for two adults and one child for £69.50 at Virgin Experience Days Buy Madame Tussauds visit for two adults and two children for £91 at Virgin Experience Days Save with the Madame Tussauds x Hard Rock Café bundle You can save 22% at the Hard Rock Café on Park Lane when you book through Madame Tussauds. The meal saving is only valid on the same day as your visit and tickets start from £60 for adults and £52 for children. Book Madame Tussauds x Hard Rock Café tickets from £52 at Madame Tussauds Get 300 days of entry to UK attractions with the Merlin Pass The Merlin Annual Pass gives you access to some of the UK's biggest attractions, including London attractions like Madame Tussauds and SEALIFE, plus theme parks like Alton Towers and Thorpe Park. Prices start at £139 for the Essential Pass, which gives you over 300 days entry to any of the attractions available. Or, you can upgrade to the Gold or Platinum passes. Buy the Essential Pass from £139 per person at Merlin Annual Pass Save 33% on entry when you travel by train If you book Madame Tussauds tickets through Chiltern Railways or National Rail, you can save 33% on entry, taking prices down to £19.33. Get Madame Tussauds tickets from £19.33 with National Rail Renewing your car insurance? Discover why your premium may have gone up in our financial expert’s latest insights. Discounted Madame Tussauds tickets with Tesco Clubcard You can get discounted tickets to Madame Tussauds with Tesco Clubcard. It works like this: scanning your Clubcard generates points, and you can convert these points into Tesco Reward Partners vouchers. In this particular offer, you get double the voucher's face value to use on tickets. For example, £5 in points is £10 worth of vouchers. Turn every 50p into £1 with Tesco Clubcard Sign-up for a Tesco Clubcard You can also take a look at the best Warwick Castle deals and best London Eye offers. Plus for sports fans, here's how to get Autumn Internationals tickets and Six Nations 2026 tickets.
There's over 1,100 years of history at Warwick Castle, and we're here to help you experience it all for less.
Did you know there's a slice of medieval history right in the middle of the Warwickshire countryside? Warwick Castle is a genuine medieval castle developed from a wooden fort that was first built by William the Conqueror in 1068, right after the famous Battle of Hastings. Warwick Castle is widely known as one of the best preserved medieval castles in England, and this beautiful building has beautiful views to match. With panoramic views of the Warwickshire countryside, River Avon and the town of Warwick, as well as views of the castle grounds, it's no surprise that plenty of couples have chosen Warwick Castle as their wedding venue. There's plenty to do across the castle grounds, suitable for people of all ages. From interactive areas with actors on-site to shows, tours and places to eat, the site is packed full of both history and entertainment. With autumn half term approaching, it's time to start considering how to keep the kids entertained, and Warwick Castle is an excellent option with live shows and meet-and-greets, not to mention the exciting Birds of Prey display. Throughout the year, you'll find plenty of other seasonal events, from a comedy festival to a Christmas feast, as well as plenty of surprises on every day of the year. However, all of these events and entertainment come at a cost. Thankfully we're here to show you how you can enjoy all that Warwick Castle has to offer for less. Check out how to get cheap London Eye tickets and how to get cheap Cadbury World tickets. Plus, cheap London Aquarium tickets. Jump to: How much are Warwick Castle tickets? Is it cheaper to buy Warwick Castle tickets online? Warwick Castle ticket discounts at a glance Best Warwick Castle ticket deals and discounts for 2025 How much are Warwick Castle tickets? The price of entry to Warwick Castle will vary depending on which ticket you buy. Standard one-day entry is £22 online and £39 if you buy at the gate. Tickets will be cheaper for students and large group bookings (more on that later!). Plus, kids under two go free. Is it cheaper to buy Warwick Castle tickets online? The short answer is yes; as with many UK attractions and theme parks, it's cheaper to buy Warwick Castle tickets online. Buying a one-day entry ticket online will set you back £22, which is £17 cheaper than buy the same ticket at the gate for £39. Buy one-day entry for £22 at Warwick Castle Warwick Castle ticket discounts at a glance: Save 43% on Warwick Castle one-day entry tickets Get 20% off short breaks and light trail this Black Friday Save with the Warwick Castle annual pass Get the parent and toddler discount Get the family of four entry from £86 Book Warwick Castle Christmas from £8 Get a student ticket from £16 Book a short break at Warwick Castle and get a second day free Experience a day trip from London to Warwick Castle by rail Save on Warwick Castle and more UK attractions with the Merlin pass Save with a group booking Discounted Warwick Castle tickets with Tesco Clubcard Head on a short break to Warwick Castle from £40 per person Experience Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Cotswolds and Warwick Castle on a day trip from London Add on another attraction for £18 more Best Warwick Castle ticket deals and discounts for 2025 Save 43% on Warwick Castle one-day entry tickets What's the deal: Booking one-day entry to Warwick Castle online will cost £22, £17 less than if you buy at the gate. Why we chose it: Booking your tickets in advance means that you'll save 43% on entry – this one's a no-brainer. Save 43% on Warwick Castle one-day entry tickets Save with the Warwick Castle annual pass What's the deal: Warwick Castle annual passes begin at £44 per person, which grants Access to the castle grounds, attractions and live shows, as well as discounts and exclusive access to news and special offers. Why we chose it: If you're a local to the area or a history buff who would consider coming to visit several times a year, this is worth investing in as it won't take that many trips to make your money back. Save with the Warwick Castle annual pass Make use of the family discounts What's the deal: The castle offers a package ticket for parents and toddlers starting at £20. This is available for kids under five and includes full access to the castle and grounds. You can also get the family of four package for £86. Why we chose it: This is an ideal set of savings for families who want to take their kids out on an educational daytrip. Get the parent and toddler discount from £20 Get the family of four entry from £86 Sort your Christmas plans What's the deal: The Warwick Castle Christmas light trail is now available to book from £17, there's also ice skating from £8 and the chance to visit Santa from £29. Why we chose it: Warwick Castle is truly magical at Christmas time, and there's plenty to see for kids and adults. Book Warwick Castle Christmas from £8 Get a student ticket from £16 What's the deal: If you're signed up to Student Beans, you can get a one-day entry ticket to Warwick Castle from £16, which is a reduction of almost 30%. Why we chose it: Listen to the words of advice from the wise RadioTimes.com Going Out team. While you're a student, you should absolutely make the most off all the discounts you can get. Get a student ticket from £16 Experience a day trip from London to Warwick Castle by rail What's the deal: Head to Warwick Castle from London via rail for just £75, a price which includes the rail journey there and back, as well as entrance to the castle. Why we chose it: If you want to head to Warwick Castle from the UK's capital but are feeling a little lost without a car, then this is for you. Experience a day trip from London to Warwick Castle by rail Save on Warwick Castle and more UK attractions with the Merlin pass What's the deal: The Merlin Annual Pass gives you access to some of the UK's biggest attractions, including Warwick Castle, Thorpe Park and Alton Towers. The Essential Pass (300 days entry) costs £139. Meanwhile, the Gold, or Platinum passes give you 340 and 364 days respectively, and extra perks like free parking and a discount on fast track vouchers. Why we chose it: Whether you're a huge fan of theme parks or you often travel around the UK and are looking for new things to experience, the Merlin Pass is a great option. When you add up the cost of visiting the parks a few time over the course of the year, you'll really see the value for money. Save on Warwick Castle and more UK attractions with the Merlin pass Save with a group booking What's the deal: If you're making a group booking for 10 or more people, the price per person start from just £18, a reduction of £4 per head. Why we chose it: You know the saying; the more the merrier! And it's also the more the cheaper at Warwick Castle. Note that this offer is pre-book only and cannot be used at the gate. Save with a group booking Discounted Warwick Castle tickets with Tesco Clubcard What's the deal: Scanning your Clubcard when you shop at Tesco generates points, and you can convert these points into Tesco Reward Partners vouchers, where you get double the vouchers’ face value to use on tickets: so £5 in points is £10 worth of vouchers, for example. Why we chose it: Saving on Warwick Castle tickets while simply doing your weekly shop has got to be one of the lowest-effort ways to help out your wallet. Discounted Warwick Castle tickets with Tesco Clubcard Head on a short break to Warwick Castle from £40 per person What's the deal: You can purchase a short break to Warwick Castle from £40 per person, a price which includes an overnight stay in the castle grounds, day tickets and evening entertainment. Why we chose it: At Warwick Castle, you can enjoy an enchanting mini-break with lively evening entertainment. Choose between the Woodland Lodges, Medieval Glamping Tents, stunning Tower Suites, and the newly-opened Warwick Castle Hotel. Head on a short break to Warwick Castle from £40 per person Experience Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Cotswolds and Warwick Castle on a day trip from London What's the deal: Enjoy a grand day out, uncovering hidden gems in the Cotswolds and visiting iconic English sites from just £76.50. Why we chose it: With this trip, you'll get three tours of beautiful English sites (the Cotswolds, Straford-Upon-Avon and Oxford), as well as entry to Warwick Castle and Shakespeare's birthplace, depending on the option you select. Experience Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Cotswolds and Warwick Castle on a day trip from London Save up to 37% when you visit a second attraction What's the deal: When you book your Warwick Castle ticket online, you can book a ticket to a second attraction for just £40. Why we chose it: This deal allows you to choose between National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Birmingham or Cadbury World. The second attraction must be visited within 90 days of your visit to Warwick Castle, and you can reschedule for free up to 24 hours before your visit. Save up to 37% when you visit a second attraction Make sure you also check out our best West End shows and best operas in London guides. Also, how to get cheap Madame Tussauds London tickets and cheap London Dungeon tickets, or our Chessington World of Adventures review and Thorpe Park review. Plus, the best immersive experiences.
How to get cheap London Eye tickets, advance and last-minute bookings
Got your sights set on a trip to London this year? You can't miss a visit to the London Eye.
Now in its 25th year, the London Eye – or Millennium Wheel – has long been one of London's most iconic attractions. Pulling in over three million visitors per year, the tourist spot offers spectacular views of the capital, with clear days offering a view of up to 40km away. The wheel was first designed in 1993 as a way of marking the millennium and, like the Eiffel Tower, was intended to be temporary. But in 2002, Lambeth Council granted the Eye a permanent license, allowing this glorious structure to stand on London's Southbank for years to come. What's more, the Eye now plays a key role in the UK's annual New Year's Eve fireworks display, and of course it's seen thousands of proposals within its 32 pods. But, if we had to pick one draw back, it would be the cost. Like most London attractions, the London Eye isn't cheap, so below we've pulled together a full list of the best ways to save on entry tickets. Whether it's through buying multi-attraction combos, or getting your booking in well in advance, we've outlined all the ways to save money. Buy London Eye standard entry from £24.50 at Headout Here's how to get cheap London Dungeon tickets and cheap Madame Tussauds tickets. Book London New Year's Eve Fireworks tickets Tickets are now on sale for this year's London fireworks display on New Year's Eve. You can find tickets from £42 each at Ticketmaster. But beware that availability won't last long! Buy London New Year's Eve Fireworks tickets Jump to: Best London Eye ticket deals at a glance What is the cheapest way to buy London Eye tickets? Can you buy London Eye tickets on the day? Best London Eye ticket deals for 2025 Best London Eye ticket deals at a glance Book off-peak advance tickets from £29 Save 33% on entry when you travel by train Buy last-minute London Eye tickets from £32 Get fast-track tickets from £54 £44 (save £10 or 19%) Buy Flexi Fast-track tickets from £59 £49 (save £10 or 17%) See 100+ London tourist attractions with the London Pass Get 60 days' sightseeing with the London Explorer Pass Save 10% on London Eye and Thames River Cruise tickets Buy UK multi-attraction tickets with Merlin Get 200 days of entry to UK attractions with the Merlin Pass Book London Eye Champagne Experience ticket from £59 Splash out on the London Eye private pod What is the cheapest way to buy London Eye tickets? The cheapest way to get London Eye entry is by booking off-peak tickets, online and in advance. If you buy a ticket for an off-peak time (weekdays during work hours), prices start at £29. Otherwise, the cheapest method is to buy in a bundle with other London attractions like the Thames River Cruise bundle, or get full access to London tourist attractions with the London Pass. These multi-attraction deals have a higher starting price – e.g. £54 for the Go City Explorer Pass – but will ultimately end up saving you money if you're planning to visit more than one location. Can you buy London Eye tickets on the day? You can, but it's recommended you book in advance. If you turn up on the day, tickets start at £42 and you'll have to endure very long queues. Is it cheaper to book London Eye tickets in advance? Yes. It's much cheaper to book London Eye tickets in advance. Considering on the day tickets start at £42, and advance tickets start at £29, you're saving £13 on entry. Best London Eye ticket deals, discounts and two for one offers in 2025 Book off-peak advance tickets from £29 London Eye standard entry tickets start at £29, as long as you book online and in advance. You'll find the cheapest prices for off-peak times (weekdays), but even with peak times the cost only rises to £33. You can find standard tickets on the official lastminute.com London Eye website, or via official partners like Viator and Headout, where entry tickets are slightly cheaper depending on times. Buy London Eye standard entry from £29 at Headout Buy London Eye standard entry from £29 at London Eye Buy London Eye standard entry from £29 at Viator Buy last-minute London Eye tickets from £32 If you're looking to buy last-minute tickets to the London Eye, the best price we've found is through Expedia. Right now, you can book on the day tickets from £32. Buy last-minute London Eye tickets from £32 at Expedia Save 33% on entry when you travel by train If you book London Eye tickets through Chiltern Railways or National Rail, you can save 33% on entry, taking ticket costs down to £17.33. Book London Eye train tickets at Chiltern Railways Book London Eye train tickets at National Rail Get Fast-track tickets from £44 If you're keen to avoid the queues, London Eye Fast-track tickets start from £44 – £54 if you turn up on the day – or you can get Flexi Fast-track from £49 which allow you to turn up at any time. Again, this is only if you book online, and peak times will have slightly higher prices. Buy London Eye Fast-track tickets from £54 £44 (save £10 or 19%) at London Eye Buy London Eye Flexi Fast-track tickets from £59 £49 (save £10 or 17%) at London Eye See 100+ London tourist attractions with the London Pass If you're in London for a sightseeing trip, or you're just playing tourist for the day, why not invest in the London Pass? This multi-attraction ticket gets you entry and tours to over 100 London tourist spots, including St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Shakespeare's Globe. A one-day London pass currently costs just £109 per person, but you can make this back by heading to just three attractions. However, the best value option is the three-day pass, which costs £189. Buy the London Pass from £109 at London Pass Buy the London Pass from £114 £108.30 at Viator Get 60 days' sightseeing with the London Explorer Pass If you don't want to commit to the full London Pass, the London Explorer Pass costs £54 and comes with credits for two to seven attractions. You can choose where to redeem your credits from a list of London’s most popular spots such as the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey and more, and the pass will be valid for 60 days from your first use. Buy the London Explorer Pass from £54 with Viator Save up to 50% on London attractions with Go City Speaking about London passes, you can also explore the UK capital with the Go City Pass, which allows you to save up to 50% on attractions. Bear in mind that only the All-Inclusive Pass Plus includes the London Eye. There are a few different options when it comes to Go City passes: Explorer Pass: Choose how many attractions you want to visit within 30 days from £54. All-Inclusive Pass: Choose the duration of your pass and any of the attractions from £79. All-Inclusive Pass Plus: Get access to Go City attractions for as long as you want, plus three extras: The View from the Shard, the London Eye and Madame Tussauds from £109. Select your Go City London Pass at Go City Save 10% on London Eye and Thames River Cruise tickets If you have your eye on a specific set of attractions, you can get packages like the London Eye and Thames River Cruise combo for 10% off, taking the price down to £45.16. Buy London Eye and Thames River Cruise combo tickets from £50.17 £44.13 at Headout Buy London London Eye and Tower of London tickets for £71.17 £67.76 at Headout Buy UK multi-attraction tickets with Merlin Merlin also offers multi-attraction tickets to a wide-range of tourist hotspots. For the London Eye this includes the London SEA LIFE aquarium, Madame Tussauds, London Dungeon and Shrek's Adventure. Prices for these start at £50. Buy London Eye and SEA LIFE multi-attraction tickets from £49 at SEALIFE Buy London Eye and Madame Tussauds multi-attraction tickets from £49 at Madame Tussauds Buy London Eye and London Dungeon multi-attraction tickets from £49 at London Dungeon Buy London Eye and Shrek's Adventure multi-attraction tickets from £49 at Shrek's Adventure Merlin are also currently offering a 5 Attraction Pass, which offers entry to - you guessed it- five attractions across London. This means that each attraction will only set you back under £12, which is 70% less than if you bought them separately. Buy 5 Attraction Pass at London Eye Get 200 days of entry to UK attractions with the Merlin Annual Pass The Merlin Annual Pass gives you access to some of the UK's biggest attractions, including the London Eye, Thorpe Park, Chessington and Alton Towers. With prices starting at £139, you can get the Essential Pass, which gives you over 300 days entry to any of the attractions available. Or, you can upgrade to the Silver or Gold passes, which give you more days and extra perks like free parking and a discount on fast track vouchers. Buy the Merlin Annual Pass from £139 at Merlin Enjoy Afternoon Tea on the London Eye What could be a more quintessentially British experience than enjoying a spot of afternoon tea from one of London's most iconic landmarks? Guests will enjoy a double rotation in one of the London Eye pods (roughly one hour) while sampling some classic afternoon tea staples— we're talking cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches, premium teas and, of course, scones with clotted cream. Enjoy Afternoon Tea on the London Eye Book London Eye Champagne Experience ticket from £59.02 Why not make that London Eye trip extra special by washing it down with a glass of bubbly? At Viator, we've found London Eye tickets that come with a crisp glass of champagne for just £59.02. Buy London Eye Champagne Experience tickets from £59.02 at Viator Splash out on the London Eye private pod Now this isn't cheap. But if you want a truly special and private experience with the London Eye, you can a pod entirely to yourself for £850. Book a London Eye private pod from £850 at Tiqets Make sure you also take a look at how to get cheap Warwick Castle tickets, how to get cheap LEGOLAND tickets and how to get cheap Harry Potter Studios tickets.
How to get cheap theatre tickets for London’s biggest West End shows
Here's our complete guide to bagging cheap theatre tickets for the UK's top shows, including ones in London's West End.
Savings on top shows can be hard to come by, but if you're keen to find theatre tickets for less, you've come to the right place. First, we'll start with some advice. While this guide offers the best sites and methods for saving on theatre tickets, plus some great deals, there's also an element of luck and timing involved. Almost every show has a limited run in its given theatre, and if you've got a particular show or genre in mind, your chances of getting cheap tickets will be impacted by how in-demand those tickets are and how much of the show's run remains. There are, of course, some shows which have extremely long runs — we're looking at you, The Mousetrap... A top tip is to do your ticket shopping last-minute. Sometimes, if a show hasn't sold enough and there are lots of seats remaining, prices will plummet for last-minute buyers. Even sold-out shows may have tickets returned on the day as people realise they can no longer make it, so it's always worth checking with the box office or online. If you're looking for London shows and can trot along in person, it's worth checking out some of the booths in Leicester Square, which often offer discounted tickets. Finally, it's often cheaper to find theatre tickets outside of the capital. While some of the UK's most renowned shows are put on in the West End and around London, the UK has a thriving theatre scene and there are fantastic shows to be found wherever you're based, as well as musicals on tour. Now, let's help you find them. Plus, check out our Paddington Musical review. Jump to: How to get cheap tickets for London's West End shows Best cheap theatre tickets on sale today Best theatre and hotel deals available today How to get cheap tickets for London's West End shows The price of a West End theatre show ticket varies depending on where you sit and what you see. Starting off with what you see. Sometimes limited-run shows will have a higher ticket price as you can only experience it for a limited number of weeks – especially if there's a big star involved – so it's best to look for the plays and musicals with a slightly longer run, i.e. more than six weeks. That being said, a few well-established shows like Les Miserable and the Lion King have some of the highest ticket prices in the business owing to their huge popularity. So ideally you're looking for that sweet spot of a well-established show that isn't one of the classics, think The Devil Wears Prada. When it comes to seating, you'll pay more for a better, unobstructed view, usually in the stalls or the front of the Grand Circle. However, you'll pay less for a seat higher up in the Royal Circle or near the back, or for the seats where a pillar could potentially block part of the stage. Even then however, there are some cases where a cheaper ticket will be one seat over from one with a so-called unobstructed view. We can't speak for all theatres, but one of our RadioTimes.com writers went to see Wicked and bought cheap seats where the view was supposed to be partially obstructed. However, when they got there, the view was amazing, albeit far away. So, if you're not too bothered about where you sit, we'd recommend picking the cheapest seats to save money. Similarly, if you'd like to go to a West End show for the experience but you're not concerned about which show you see, be sure to select a cheaper one. To get your hands on cheap theatre tickets, Love Theatre is a fantastic destination, as well as Today Tix, ATG Tickets, Headout, London Theatre Direct, Ticketmaster, The Ticket Factory and Fever, all of which periodically offer chances to snap up cheap tickets. Or, you can find great savings at our very own RadioTimes Theatre Pass. Shop tickets at LOVEtheatre Shop tickets at Today Tix Shop tickets at ATG Tickets Shop tickets at London Theatre Direct Shop tickets at Ticketmaster Shop tickets at Fever Shop tickets at LW Theatres Shop tickets at See Tickets Shop tickets at Headout Shop tickets at SeatPlan Shop tickets at RadioTimes Theatre Pass London theatre ticket deals and the cheapest theatre tickets on sale today We've scoured the web for some of the very best deals available right now, and we've found some stunners. There's something for everyone, from Harry Potter fans to classic musical lovers, all for under £25. Buy Six the Musical tickets from £15 at ATG Tickets Buy Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tickets from £15 at Ticketmaster Buy Mamma Mia tickets from £16 at Today Tix Buy Matilda The Musical tickets from £20 at Matilda The Musical Buy The Great Gatsby tickets from £20 at TodayTix Buy Back to the Future: The Musical tickets from £23 at TodayTix Buy Hadestown tickets from £23 at Today Tix Buy Hamilton tickets from £23 at Today Tix Buy The Book of Mormon tickets from £24 at LOVEtheatre Buy Oliver! tickets from £24 at SeatPlan Buy Paddington tickets from £25 at ATG Tickets How to get cheap tickets for Les Misérables Les Misérables is one of the best-loved shows on the West End. The tragic drama based on the book of the same name by Victor Hugo, first ran in London in 1985 and has been performed continuously ever since. That makes it the second longest-running musical in the world and the longest in the West End. At the time of writing, there's quite a disparity in ticket pricing, as you can see from the listings below. Right now, the best deals are to be had via Ticketmaster, where you can get tickets for just £24. Buy Les Misérables tickets from £24 at Ticketmaster Buy Les Misérables tickets from £30 at Love Theatre Les Miserables has just had its 40th anniversary, check out our exclusive interview with Killian Donnelly. How to get cheap tickets for Matilda the Musical Roald Dahl's hit children's novel Matilda is re-imagined as a musical in this thrilling stage production. It's another West End favourite, and it's even been made into Matilda the Musical movie starring Emma Thompson as Miss Trunchbull. Currently, the cheapest deal for Matilda The Musical is £24 tickets at Love Theatre. Buy Matilda The Musical tickets from £24 at Love Theatre Buy Matilda The Musical tickets from £24 at Headout How to get cheap tickets for Hamilton Unfortunately, Hamilton's longstanding icon status on the West End means tickets are in very high demand and, as such, sizeable discounts are hard to come by. However, finding cheap tickets is something of our forte, and we've found some tickets for a snip at Ticketmaster. Buy Hamilton tickets from £22 at Ticketmaster Buy Hamilton tickets from £24 at Love Theatre Buy Hamilton tickets from £24 at Headout How to get cheap tickets for Wicked Wicked is one of the longer running musicals in the West End, having been playing since 2006, but has had renewed popularity since the song Popular went viral on TikTok. It's currently in the Apollo Victoria Theatre and is one of our favourites. And luckily for you, we've managed to find tickets available at Ticketmaster for just £27.50. Buy Wicked tickets from £27.50 at Ticketmaster Buy Wicked tickets from £28.25 at Love Theatre Buy Wicked tickets from £28.75 at The Ticket Factory Buy Wicked tickets from £30 at Headout How to get cheap tickets for The Lion King The Lion King is one of the most beloved shows on the West End. The 1994 Disney film has been reimagined as a spectacular theatre production, which boasts glorious special effects, enchanting music, and brilliant animal costumes and figures. While The Lion King tickets are still cheaper than those of a limited-time-only show's, the musical's popularity means that finding tickets for under 45 quid is no mean feat. Well, no mean feat for anyone other than the RadioTimes.com team! Currently, Ticketmaster sells the cheapest seats at £39.50 each. Buy The Lion King tickets from £39.50 at Ticketmaster Buy The Lion King tickets from £40.25 at The Ticket Factory Buy The Lion King tickets from £40.60 at See Tickets How to get cheap tickets for Cabaret Set in Berlin during the Jazz Age, Cabaret invites you to step inside, loosen up, and be yourself! Cabaret follows the story of struggling American writer Clifford Bradshaw as he wanders into the seedy yet exciting Kit Kat Klub and meets Sally Bowles, a talented cabaret performer. The musical has won seven Olivier Awards, including Best Musical Revival, and promises to be an electrifying night out. Currently, the cheapest tickets for Cabaret are at ATG Tickets for £30. Buy Cabaret tickets from £30 at ATG Tickets Buy Cabaret tickets from £33 at TodayTix How to get cheap tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child If you just can't get enough of the Harry Potter franchise, then it's time to tick Harry Potter and the Cursed Child off your list if you haven't already. The play is set 19 years after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and follows the story of Albus Severus Potter (son of Harry) as he enters Hogwarts. The play has won countless awards and has been staged at theatres all over the world. Now, thanks to an amazing deal at Ticketmaster, you can snap up tickets for just £15. Buy Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tickets from £15 at Ticketmaster Buy Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tickets from £17.40 at See Tickets Buy Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tickets from £30 at ATG Tickets Be sure to read our five star The Producers review. If you’re planning a trip abroad, read our financial expert's advice on what to consider before going on holiday. Best London theatre and hotel deals available today Another great way to save on a trip to the West End is to bundle tickets in with a hotel stay. Companies like Virgin Experience Days and Holiday Extras offer tickets to specific shows packaged in with a range of London hotels, making it much easier for your to sort your experience in one booking. Right now, most packages available are for the most well-known musicals, like Wicked, Les Misérables and Phantom of the Opera. However, you can find more flexible choice vouchers that give you a selection of shows to choose from. Here's the best deals at the moment: Buy Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Theatre Tickets and 4* London Stay for Two for £460 Buy Wicked Theatre Tickets and 4* London Stay for Two for £375 Buy Mamma Mia! Dine and Stay for one for £121.60 And here's a bigger list of the companies offering hotel and theatre packages: Shop London theatre and hotel breaks at Virgin Experience Days Shop London theatre and hotel breaks at Great Little Breaks Shop London theatre and hotel breaks at Holiday Extras Shop London theatre and hotel breaks at Red Letter Days We've put together guides on how to get cheap Madame Tussauds London tickets and cheap London Dungeon tickets, as well as doing a Chessington World of Adventures review and Thorpe Park review.
How to get Reading and Leeds festival tickets 2026 today as Charli xcx, Raye and Dave announced as headliners
The Reading and Leeds headliners have been announced and we couldn't be more excited!
Reading and Leeds festival is back with a star-studded line-up that's got everyone talking. Charli xcx, Chase & Status, Dave, Florence + the Machine, Fontaines DC and Raye will be headlining the stages of Bramham Park and Richfield Avenue next August. Also joining the line-up are Sombr, Role Model, Skepta and Geese, with many more still to be announced. PayPal pre-sale tickets for Reading and Leeds festival have already been released, so here's how you can get your hands on them today. Buy Reading festival tickets at Ticketmaster Buy Leeds festival tickets at Ticketmaster If you're looking for more live entertainment in 2026, here's how to get Kevin Bridges's tickets for his 2026 tour, as well as Peter Kay tickets. Jump to: What date is Reading and Leeds Festival 2025? When do Reading and Leeds tickets go on sale? How much do Reading and Leeds Festival tickets cost? What is the Reading and Leeds 2025 line-up? How to get Reading and Leeds Festival tickets What date is Reading and Leeds Festival 2025? Reading and Leeds festival will take place on the same weekend in August 2025: 27th – 30th August 2025. As usual, Reading festival takes place at Richfield Avenue and Leeds at Bramham Park. Buy Reading festival tickets at Ticketmaster Buy Leeds festival tickets at Ticketmaster When do Reading and Leeds tickets go on sale? PayPal pre-sale tickets are already available to buy, and you can sign up for Reading pre-sale and Leeds pre-sale on the company websites, which will go live at 9am on Tuesday 2nd December. General sale tickets will go live at 12pm on Wednesday 3rd December. Buy Reading festival tickets at Ticketmaster Buy Leeds festival tickets at Ticketmaster How much do Reading and Leeds Festival tickets cost? Prices for Release 1 have already been revealed on the Reading and Leeds website. Here's the full list: Weekend Camping: £325+ £20 deposit Weekend Camping Early Entry: £361 + £20 deposit Weekend Non-Camping: £295 + £20 deposit Friday and Saturday Non-Camping: £230 + £20 deposit Saturday and Sunday Non-Camping: £230 + £20 deposit Thursday (LEEDS ONLY): £55 + £20 deposit Friday: £125 + £20 deposit Saturday: £125 + £20 deposit Sunday: £125 + £20 deposit There are also a selection of VIP tickets available to book on the Ticketmaster website. Buy Reading festival tickets at Ticketmaster Buy Leeds festival tickets at Ticketmaster What is the Reading and Leeds 2025 line-up? At the time of writing, just 18 acts have been announced. The following artists have been revealed as headliners: Charli xcx Chase & Status Dave Florence + the Machine Fontaines DC Raye Kasabian (Thursday, Leeds only) Other artists announced are Skepta, Sombr, Role Model, Jade, Josh Baker, Kneecap, Kettama, Geese, Skye Newman, Adela and Keo. Buy Reading festival tickets at Ticketmaster Buy Leeds festival tickets at Ticketmaster How to get Reading and Leeds Festival tickets Reading and Leeds is always a popular one, so we'd recommend that you get online at least 20 minutes before tickets go on sale. Tickets for the festival are sold through Ticketmaster, so be sure you read up on our guide to how to beat the Ticketmaster queue. Buy Reading festival tickets at Ticketmaster Buy Leeds festival tickets at Ticketmaster For more live music in 2026, here's our roundup of the best UK concerts and tours. , plus how to get Evanescence tickets.
How and when to buy the new LEGO Stranger Things: The Creel House set – and how to claim free gift
Here's how you can own The Creel House — if you dare...
As if things couldn't get even more exciting for Stranger Things fans, LEGO has revealed their brand new Stranger Things set. The 2,539-piece set is a replica of the iconic Creel House from the series, and is LEGO's first ever transforming LEGO house set. The Creel House set boasts a detailed façade and seven furnished rooms, as well as iconic vehicles like Steve’s car and the WSQK radio station van, as well as plenty of easter eggs from across all five seasons of the show. Speaking about the set, creators of the show Ross and Matt Duffer said: “We grew up obsessed with the LEGO brand, so seeing Stranger Things rebuilt in bricks is honestly surreal. "With the show heading into its final chapter - and hitting the 10-year mark - bringing the Creel House to life this way feels like the perfect celebration of the world and the fans who made all of this possible.” We've put together everything you need to know about Stranger Things: The Creel new LEGO set, including release date, free gift info and more. Check out Stranger Things: The Creel House LEGO set at LEGO For more on the latest LEGO set, check out our guide to the new USS Enterprise Star Trek LEGO set. Jump to: Stranger Things LEGO set release date Which minifigures come with the Stranger Things: The Creel House set? How to get Stranger Things Creel House LEGO set free gift How much is Stranger Things LEGO Creel House set? How to get Stranger Things Creel House LEGO set Stranger Things LEGO set release date LEGO Insiders will be able to buy the new set from 1st January 2026, the day after the Stranger Things season 5 finale airs. Other customers can purchase it from 4th January 2026 onwards. Check out Stranger Things: The Creel House LEGO set at LEGO Which minifigures come with the Stranger Things: The Creel House set? This set comes with a stellar minifigure line-up, including Eleven, Will, Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Holly, Steve, Nancy, Robin, Jonathan, Max, Mr Whatsit and Vecna. Check out Stranger Things: The Creel House LEGO set at LEGO How to get Stranger Things Creel House LEGO set free gift As if this set couldn't get any better, it also comes with a free gift. Customers who order The Creel House shortly after release will receive a free WSQK radio station set with their purchase, which includes Joyce Byers and Sheriff Hopper minifigures. However, in order to receive the free gift, you must buy the set between 1st and 7th January 2026. Check out Stranger Things: The Creel House LEGO set at LEGO How much is Stranger Things LEGO Creel House set? Stranger Things: The Creel House is priced at £249.99 on the LEGO website. Check out Stranger Things: The Creel House LEGO set at LEGO How to get Stranger Things Creel House LEGO set The Creel House LEGO set is not available to pre-order on the LEGO site as of yet – if this changes, we'll be sure to update you. Head to the LEGO site on Sunday 4th January 2026 to get your hands on the new set the first day sales are live to the general public. If you want access to the new set earlier than 4th January 2026, you can sign up to become a LEGO Insider. Not only will you get early access to the new Stranger Things set, you'll also receive access to discounts, exclusive merch and early access to new sets. Check out Stranger Things: The Creel House LEGO set at LEGO Join LEGO Insiders Check out the latest new LEGO sets, as well as the best LEGO deals.
You may have heard the term 'Rush ticket' before, but what does it actually mean? And how do you get one?
With prices for West End theatre shows staying high and the most popular shows booked up months in advance, sometimes you have to look at other methods to get yourself a seat in the audience. So, when it comes to getting cheap theatre tickets or last-minute ones, we'd recommend taking a look at Rush tickets. These same-day seats are a great way of seeing that musical you've been hearing all about, and at a lower cost. From legacy shows like Hamilton to newer additions like Woman in Mind, you can get Rush tickets for all sorts of West End offerings. Plus, you can get Rush tickets for other popular productions like ABBA Voyage. In this piece, we're looking specifically at the Rush tickets available at TodayTix. Although there are other ticketing sites that offer last-minute bookings, TodayTix covers a lot of West End shows , and has a very easy method for bagging last-minute seats. It's worth noting that just because there are Rush tickets available doesn't mean that there aren't better prices out there. Before you buy we'd always suggest checking out the price of a show on each West End ticketing site, for example Ticketmaster, London Theatre Direct, Headout, LOVEtheatre, SeatPlan and ATG Tickets, as some may have lower booking fees than TodayTix. If you want a bit more advice on this, take a look at how to get cheap theatre tickets. Otherwise, let's check out how Rush tickets work and how you can buy some. Shop theatre tickets at TodayTix Check out our reviews of the latest West End shows, including our Hercules review and Born With Teeth review. Plus, our Paddington the Musical review. Jump to: How does a Rush ticket work? What time do Rush tickets on TodayTix go on sale? How many Rush tickets can you buy on TodayTix? Are Rush tickets expensive on TodayTix? How to get a Rush ticket on TodayTix What shows can I see with TodayTix? How does a Rush ticket work? <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2024/06/GettyImages-1141055100-1c33ae1.jpg" width="5365" height="3591" alt="LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 07: The cast of The Lion King perform on stage during The Olivier Awards 2019 with Mastercard at the Royal Albert Hall on April 07, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)" title="The Olivier Awards 2019 with Mastercard - Show" /> Rush tickets are last-minute seats that you can buy for a theatre performance going on that evening. The tickets go on sale at 10am each morning and are available on a first-come-first-serve basis – so you really have to be quick if you want to grab a seat. The number on sale and where they are in the theatre is subject to the availability of that evening's performance. So, you won't be able to choose your seat and you can only buy up to two tickets. Rush tickets are non-refundable, but they are often much lower in price than pre-booked seats. Shop theatre tickets at TodayTix What time do Rush tickets on TodayTix go on sale? Rush tickets go on sale at 10am every morning. As we've said, these tickets are available on a first-come-first-serve basis, so let's you'll need the fastest thumbs in the West End! Shop theatre tickets at TodayTix How many Rush tickets can you buy on TodayTix? You can only buy one or two Rush tickets per performance. Shop theatre tickets at TodayTix Are Rush tickets expensive on TodayTix? Rush tickets are not expensive. In fact, they're a great way of seeing a theatre show for a more reasonable price. Rush seats cost around £25, although this will depend on the base ticket price for the show, for example, right now the base price for Wicked is £33, so the Rush price is down at £28. Shop theatre tickets at TodayTix How to get a Rush ticket on TodayTix To get Rush tickets the first thing you need to do is download the TodayTix app. Then you'll need to select the show you want to see, find the red box that says 'Rush tickets' and select 'Unlock now'. The app will then prompt you to share the show link via your social media – through Facebook, X, or Instagram stories – but, you can actually bypass this by clicking on 'Unlock without sharing' underneath. Then, you can set up an alert that will go off each day at 10am if there are Rush tickets available. After that, it's up to you to click on the app fast enough and scoop up those tickets before someone else does! Shop theatre tickets at TodayTix What shows can I see with TodayTix? TodayTix sells seats to all the best London shows, from long-running residents like The Lion King and The Mousetrap, to limited-time hits like Hadestown. Here are some of the best shows you can see right now. ABBA Voyage, from £48 MJ The Musical, from £25 Back to the Future, from £20 Hadestown, from £23 The Book of Mormon, from £23 Hamilton, from £23 Moulin Rouge, from £23 Wicked, from £28 Six the Musical, from £35 The Importance of Being Earnest, from £18 Cabaret, from £45 Starlight Express, from £25 Stranger Things: The First Shadow, from £33 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, from £36 The Producers, from £28 The Devil Wears Prada, from £28 The Going Out team like to review the shows we recommend to you; just take a look at our Devil Wears Prada review and Hadestown review. Plus, how to get British Grand Prix tickets.
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! ABBA Voyage is a ground-breaking concert experience that brings the '70s into the modern age for one spectacular evening. Here’s everything you need to know.
Are you in the mood for a dance? Well, now’s your chance to bust out your best moves and go back to the '70s with ABBA Voyage. After 40 years off stage, you can see the Swedish supergroup reunite and perform their classic hits in one unforgettable concert experience at London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Described as "jaw-dropping" by fans, ABBA Voyage combines live music with virtual reality to create a unique, immersive show. Through the powers of modern technology, you’ll be able to see Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid looking and sounding just as they did when they first shot to stardom in 1974. For 90 minutes, these brilliantly-named ABBA-Tars run through 20 songs from the band's career, from the hits of Mamma Mia! to their iconic Eurovision entry. To explain how it works, we've put together this handy guide with everything you need to know about the concert, including price, location and how to buy. How could you ever refuse? Here’s what you need to know about the experience. For more like this, we've put together a list of the best immersive experiences to try in London, as well as the best London Dungeon deals. Plus, our Paddington the Musical review. Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £38.50 at Ticketmaster Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £48 at TodayTix Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £48 at Headout Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £49 at London Theatre Direct Jump to: What is ABBA Voyage? How does ABBA Voyage work? How much do ABBA Voyage tickets cost? Where to buy ABBA Voyage tickets Can you get tickets and hotel packages for ABBA Voyage? What is the ABBA Voyage TodayTix Lottery? Where is ABBA Voyage? How long does ABBA Voyage last? What is the setlist for ABBA Voyage? What are the best seats at ABBA Voyage? What is ABBA Voyage? ABBA Voyage is a live concert performed entirely by CGI versions of the four members of ABBA. The singers don’t appear in person but have instead recorded their voices and body movements to be transformed into 3D avatars (or ABBAtars). Together, the reunited couples sing 22 of their greatest hits including Voulez-Vous, Lay All Your Love on Me and Thank You for the Music. They also perform perfectly choreographed dances and play virtual instruments, all the while getting backed by a live 10-piece band. The show runs every Thursday to Monday with concerts usually taking place at 3pm or 7:45pm. In the audience, you can party from a seat, or book a spot on the dancefloor in the middle where you’ll find the other dancing queens. You can also hire a private booth for you and your super troop. ABBA Voyage is currently running until June 2026, so don’t let this chance slip through your fingers and read on to find out how to get tickets. Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £48 at TodayTix Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £48 at Headout Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £49 at London Theatre Direct How does ABBA Voyage work? The four avatars were created and designed by Industrial Light & Magic, a visual effects company responsible for the CGI in the Star Wars and Marvel films. With motion capture technology, Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid appear life-like on stage to perform the full setlist, complete with singing, dancing and piano-playing. All members of the band were involved in the creation of the concert, which makes it unsurprising that the avatars are younger versions of themselves. But with the lighting, sound, and cutting-edge special effects, you’d never know that nearly 50 years had passed since they first stepped onto the stage at Eurovision. The singing was done by the present-day band members who performed the song set over the course of five weeks while wearing motion-capture suits. The choreography is also based on the Swedes’ real movements but was actually filmed by younger body doubles. Then, on the night, all of this is put together into one seamless projection and is backed by a real band. Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £48 at TodayTix Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £48 at Headout Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £49 at London Theatre Direct How much do ABBA Voyage tickets cost? We know you work all night and day to pay the bills you have to pay, so we’ve broken down the different prices you’ll find at ABBA Voyage. There are four types of tickets you can book: auditorium seating, accessible seating, dance floor and dance booths. Within that, prices range depending on the date you want to book and where you choose to sit. According to ABBA Voyage the lowest price you can pay for a ticket is £21.50, however these are rarely seen. Here are the rough base prices for each ticket: Auditorium Seating – from £38.50 Accessible Seats – from £66 Dance Floor – from £55 Dance Booths – from £181.50 Where to buy ABBA Voyage tickets You can buy ABBA Voyage tickets from a number of official ticketing partners, including Ticketmaster, See Tickets, Today Tix, Headout and London Theatre Direct. All sites have good availability in the coming months, so you’ve got lots of options for dates. Shows run all week except Tuesdays and Wednesdays and are currently available to book until May 2026. Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £38.50 at Ticketmaster Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £48 at TodayTix Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £48 at Headout Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £49 at London Theatre Direct Can you get tickets and hotel packages for ABBA Voyage? If you don’t fancy fighting your way through London when the show’s over, there are plenty of hotel options open to you. The Ticketmaster site has a range of hotel packages in places such as Canning Town and Stratford, which all look to be less than a 30-minute trip to the ABBA Voyage arena. The hotels also have breakfast included, so you can re-fuel after your incredible ABBA experience. Buy ABBA Voyage tickets and a hotel stay at Ticketmaster What is the ABBA Voyage TodayTix Lottery? TodayTix has launched a brand-new weekly lottery for ABBA Voyage tickets. Simply download the TodayTix app, then enter via the app, and you'll be in with the chance of securing ABBA Voyage tickets for just £45. For more like this, take a look at our 'How do TodayTix Rush tickets work?' guide. ABBA Voyage location: Where in London is the ABBA Voyage arena? The ABBA Arena is a "temporary" building that was entirely purpose-built for this project. It sits in Queen Elizabeth Park in Stratford (where the 2012 Olympics took place) - and with a big light-up ABBA sign on the front, it’s pretty hard to miss. The nearest station is Pudding Mill Lane, which is available on the DLR, but you can also go to Stratford station (on the Jubilee, Central, Elizabeth, DLR and Overground lines) and Stratford International (which has National Rail services). The only car parking at the venue is 10 blue badge spaces that need to be booked in advance. The building is also entirely accessible for wheelchair users, with accessible tickets and accessible companion tickets available to buy online. Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £48 at TodayTix Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £48 at Headout Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £49 at London Theatre Direct How long does ABBA Voyage last? The concert lasts for approximately 90 minutes with no interval. Doors open one hour and 45 minutes before the concert, so if you want to arrive early and take full advantage of the bar areas, you can. What is the setlist for ABBA Voyage? ABBA Voyage recently celebrated its third anniversary by updating the established setlist. A few more of the well-loved favourites were added including Money, Money, Money and Super Trouper. When this was announced, the band said: "When we first opened, we never imagined that we’d still be in London three years on. We’re very grateful that so many of you have joined us… So, to celebrate we’ll be adding a little something to our concert from 27th May to thank you for your love and support. We hope you enjoy it!" Here's the updated list: The Visitors Hole in Your Soul SOS Knowing Me, Knowing You Chiquitita Fernando Mamma Mia Does Your Mother Know Eagle Lay All Your Love on Me Summer Night City Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! Voulez-vous When All Is Said and Done Don't Shut Me Down I Still Have Faith in You Waterloo Thank You for the Music Dancing Queen The Winner Takes it All What is the ABBA Voyage seating plan and where are the best seats? The ABBA Voyage Arena is split into three main categories: dance floor, dance booths and the seating blocks. If you're looking for a boogie, then we'd recommend the dance floor, which is right in front of the stage. From experience, the floor doesn't tend to get too cramped or crowded and you can see the action from any vantage point. If you'd rather sit, however, reports have said that the best place to sit is Block H, specifically the centre section – from there, you should have a perfect view of the ABBAtars, but won't feel like you're too far from the stage. If you're going in a big group, there are eight dance booths at the arena, and each have capacity for 10-12 people. You can book the whole booth, or individual tickets. With the booth, you have your own dance floor and dedicated booth bar. Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £48 at TodayTix Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £48 at Headout Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £49 at London Theatre Direct Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £55 at Ticketmaster For more musical days out, check out this list of the best West End shows and the best Candlelight concerts. Plus, how to get Alex Warren UK tour tickets.
11 Christmas shows, festive plays and musicals in London to see in 2025
It’s snow joke: we’ve recommended the very best plays, musicals and ballets happening in the West End this Christmas.
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. 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. Plus, if, like us, you're desperate for news of Elf! the Musical, we've got the most recent update below. 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. Plus, our Paddington the Musical review. Best West End Christmas shows at a glance: The Snowman, from £15 Nutcracker, from £34 A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story, from £19 Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas, from £22 Christmas Carol Goes Wrong, from £45 Father Christmas Needs a Wee!, from £27.72 Stick Man, from £30 Christmas with Anton Du Beke, from £30 Elf the Musical, from £31 A Christmas Carol, from £67 The Great Christmas Feast, from £104.75 Best West End Christmas shows for 2025 1. A Christmas Carol, The Old Vic View oEmbed on the source website When is it: 18th Nov 2025 – 10th Jan 2026 How long is it: 2 hours (20min interval) Age suitability: 8+ Paul Hilton – who you'll recognise from Lady Macbeth starring Florence Pugh and Doctor Faustus at the Globe Theatre – 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 £67 at London Theatre Direct 2. A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story, Alexandra Palace Theatre When is it: 22nd Nov 2025 – 4th Jan 2026 How long is it: 2 hours 10 (20min interval) Age suitability: 12+ If you go down to Alexandra Palace today, you're sure of a spooky surprise... Mark Gatiss – who has written episodes for Doctor Who – has taken Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol and transformed it into an eerie play. After all, the holiday tale had great foundations to become a chilling one with Scrooge being visited by four ghosts. Buy A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story tickets from £19 at London Theatre Direct 3. Nutcracker, London Coliseum When is it: 11th Dec 2025 – 11th Jan 2026 How long is it: 2 hours (20min interval) Age suitability: 5+ 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 £34 at London Theatre Direct Stick Man at Bloomsbury Theatre When is it: 4th Dec 2025 – 4th Jan 2026 How long is it: 1 hour (no interval) Age suitability: 3+ 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 £30 at London Theatre Direct Christmas Carol Goes Wrong at Apollo Theatre When is it: 6th Dec 2025 – 25th Jan 2026 How long is it: 2 hours (20min interval) Age suitability: 8+ 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 £45 at TodayTix The Snowman at Peacock Theatre When is it: 22nd Nov 2025 – 4th Jan 2026 How long is it: 1 hour 50 (20min interval) Age suitability: 2+ 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 £15 at London Theatre Direct There's more like this in our best kids theatre shows guide. Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas at Garrick Theatre When is it: 12th Dec 2025 – 4th Jan 2026 How long is it: 1 hour (no interval) Age suitability: 4+ This next Christmas show is perfect for your next family day out. Maddie Moate — who is best known from CBeebies — has a job to fix Santa's workshop in time for Mrs Claus’ big visit. However, with two elves helping her, Tinker, the trainee toymaker, and Goggles, the Head of Elf Safety, she certainly has her hands full. Buy Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas tickets from £22 at TodayTix Christmas with Anton Du Beke at Theatre Royal Drury Lane When is it: 14th Dec 2025 How long is it: 2 hours (20min interval) Age suitability: 4+ When the final "Keeeeep Dancing" has been said, you may expect judge Anton Du Beke to head on a long Christmas holiday, but no! Instead the Strictly legend is coming to London for a night of singing, dancing and splendour. It will be fab-yule-lous! Buy Christmas with Anton Du Beke tickets from £30 at London Theatre Direct Father Christmas Needs a Wee! When is it: 6th Dec – 24th Dec 2025 How long is it: 1 hour 30 (20min interval) Age suitability: From birth If you're searching for a theatre show which the whole family will enjoy, look no further than Father Christmas Needs a Wee! at the Arts Theatre in Leicester Square. This hilarious tale follows Father Christmas as he drops off presents at children's houses; as Santa eats and drinks the tasty treats left for him, he soon realises he really, really, really needs a wee! Buy Father Christmas Needs a Wee! tickets from £27.72 at LOVEtheatre The Great Christmas Feast When is it: 14th Nov 2025 – 4th Jan 2026 How long is it: 3 hours 30 Age suitability: 13+ The RadioTimes.com Going Out team were lucky enough to be invited to The Great Christmas Feast, and we can wholeheartedly recommend this experience for Christmastime. Sold out over six years, The Lost Estate's A Christmas Carol is essentially a one-man re-telling of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. The phenomenal show takes place in three acts, with a delicious course in-between each one. You'll feel completely swept away in the immersive production as from the moment you arrive, you feel like you've transported to Christmas Eve 1843. Buy The Great Christmas Feast tickets from £104.75 at The Lost Estate Is Elf the Musical coming to London in 2025? Yes! Elf the Musical is returning to London this winter. Last year, we were gutted that everyone's favourite heart-warming story about Buddy the Elf wasn't returning to London — despite it heading on a UK tour — but this year, our prayers have been answered. Based on the 2003 Christmas movie starring Will Ferrell, the hit Broadway and West End show, Elf the Musical will come to London’s Aldwych Theatre for a limited eight week run, and it stars Joel Montague, Carrie Hope Fletcher and Aled Jones. When is it: 29th Oct 2025 – 3rd Jan 2026 How long is it: 2 hours 25 (20min interval) Age suitability: 5+ Buy Elf the Musical tickets from £31 at London Theatre Direct For more great days out, here's the best musicals on tour UK and concerts on tour in 2025. Make sure you read our chat with Tom Fletcher on the Paddington Musical and how to watch the New Year's Eve Fireworks in London.
Best West End and London theatre shows you have to see in December 2025
Fancy a night out at the theatre? These are the West End shows, musicals and plays you need to see in London this year.
Whether you're a local or in town for a special occasion, a West End show is a brilliant way to spend an evening. From award-winning musicals to book adaptations, re-tellings of iconic stories to limited-time shows, London is jam-packed with entertainment. But how do you choose what to see in London? We've considered everything from budget, genres and cast to give you our pick of the best plays, musicals and theatre shows to see right now. With each recommendation, we've included the different pricing tiers for seating, but remember, ticket prices can change slightly depending on the ticketing site you purchase them from. Plus, for wildly popular shows, like Operation Mincemeat, tickets will start at a higher price point. We've got the likes of Hamilton for the history buffs, Back to the Future for a dose of nostalgia, Hercules will be a hit with the kids. There's also limited-time only shows, such as <a href="https://imp.i108736.net/c/1236178/783491/11264?_gl=1%2Abxvrhq%2A_up%2AMQ..%2A_gs%2AMQ..&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgd2nv5KVkQMVQ5RQBh2G4yljEAAYASABEgIMmvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&subId1=radiotimes-1614712&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.londontheatredirect.com%2Fdance%2Fmatthew-bournes-the-red-shoes-tickets%3F_gl%3D1%2Abxvrhq%2A_up%2AMQ..%2A_gs%2AMQ..%26gclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIgd2nv5KVkQMVQ5RQBh2G4yljEAAYASABEgIMmvD_BwE%26gclsrc%3Daw.ds" rel="sponsored" target="_blank">The Red Shoes, not to mention an array of long-running classics such as Les Misérables and The Mousetrap. All our recommendations come from critics at RadioTimes.com, who love to experience the plays we recommend. For our thoughts on some of the West End's latest offerings check out our Producers and 50 First Dates review. Plus, our Paddington the Musical review. Best West End shows at a glance Best West End shows to see in December 2025 Best West End shows coming later in the year What time do West End shows start and finish Can you get theatre gift vouchers for London? Best West End and London theatre shows at a glance: Awarded 4/5 stars or higher Hercules, from £33 Stranger Things: The First Shadow, from £30 The Devil Wears Prada, from £30 Hadestown, from £22.50 The Producers, from £28 Paddington The Musical, from £29 Limited time only West End shows The Importance of Being Earnest, from £42 Ivanov, from £35.50 Into The Woods, from £28 Paranormal Activity, from £25 I'm Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical, from £46 Woman in Mind, from £15 Oh, Mary!, from £25 Best West End shows for families Starlight Express, from £27.50 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, from £17.50 Matilda the Musical, from £20 The Lion King, from £39 Most popular West End shows Hamilton, from £24 Wicked, from £28.25 Phantom of the Opera, from £29 Les Misérables, from £30 The Book of Mormon, from £24 Operation Mincemeat, from £49.50 Best London musicals Moulin Rouge, from £24 Oliver!, from £24 Beetlejuice, from £24 Cabaret, from £30 Six the Musical, from £40 Last minute theatre tickets for London tonight Mamma Mia!, from £18 Witness for the Prosecution, from £20 Back to the Future: The Musical, from £23 Best West End and London theatre shows you must see in December 2025 Disney's Hercules What is it about: Taking its story, characters and songs straight from the beloved Disney movie, Hercules is all about a young demi-god trying to find his place in the world. After discovering Zeus is his father, Hercules seeks out a trainer who can help him harness his supernatural strength, in order to become a hero and return to Mount Olympus. However, a dangerous god called Hades has other plans for him... The RadioTimes.com Going Out team were lucky enough to experience Hercules, and in our five-star Hercules review, we said how much we loved the dramatic sets, the fantastic characters (particularly The Muses: Candace Furbert, Sharlene Hector, Brianna Ogunbawo, Malinda Parris and Robyn Rose-Li), and the incredible soundtrack. Venue: Theatre Royal Drury Lane When is it on until: 17th July 2026 Ticket prices: £33/£39/£56/£80/£103/144 Buy Hercules tickets at TodayTix Buy Hercules tickets at ATG Tickets Paddington the Musical <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/08/Introducing-the-principal-cast-of-PADDINGTON-the-Musical--enjoying-a-perfectly-proper-tea-photo-by-Jay-Brooks-667fa92.jpg" width="2953" height="2034" alt="Introducing the principal cast of PADDINGTON the Musical — enjoying a perfectly proper tea…” - photo by Jay Brooks" title="Introducing the principal cast of PADDINGTON the Musical — enjoying a perfectly proper tea…” - photo by Jay Brooks" /> What it's about: The on-stage version will closely follow Michael Bond's original book and the 2014 movie; a young bear leaves the shores of Peru and arrives at Paddington station wearing the simple note: "Please look after this bear." After a chance encounter, he finds a home with the Brown family at their beautiful house in Windsor Gardens. But, as the synopsis reads "London isn’t all cream teas and friendly faces – and even the happiest families have their cracks beneath the surface. So when Paddington’s life is suddenly in peril, the Browns must decide just how far they’re willing to go – and what they’re willing to risk – to give this special bear a home." When is it on until: Ongoing Ticket prices: £29/£40.50/£52/£69/£80.50/£98/£121/£142 Buy Paddington The Musical tickets at LOVEtheatre Starlight Express What is it about: Perhaps one of the most famous musicals, the 1984 production with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber is performing at the specially designed Starlight Auditorium at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. Starlight Express includes some of musical theatre's most loved songs, such as AC/DC, Make Up My Heart, Light at the End of the Tunnel and Starlight Express, and if you don't already know the plot: it follows a child's train set which magically comes to life. Venue: Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre When is it on until: 19th April 2026 Ticket prices:£35.50/£54/£90/£114/£150/£198 Buy Starlight Express tickets at LOVEtheatre The Devil Wears Prada <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2024/02/Vanessa-Williams-as-Miranda-Priestly--The-Devil-Wears-Prada--Photo-credit-Matt-Crocket-34071-a82bd20.jpg" width="8256" height="5504" alt="Vanessa Williams as Miranda Priestly – The Devil Wears Prada – Photo credit Matt Crocket (34071)" title="Vanessa Williams as Miranda Priestly – The Devil Wears Prada – Photo credit Matt Crocket (34071)" /> What is it about: Like the original movie, the Devil Wears Prada follows Andrea (Andy) Sachs, a salt-of-the-earth journalist who bags a job at the biggest fashion magazine in the world: Runway. As second assistant to the Editor-in-Chief, Andy fails to understand the glamorous world she finds herself in and struggles to meet the demands of her infamous boss, Miranda Priestly. Yet, as time goes on, Andy becomes seduced by the life she once despised and begins to lose herself on the way. Venue: Dominion Theatre When is it on until: 26th September 2026 Ticket prices: £30/£33/£39/£56/£78/£92/£114/£144 Buy The Devil Wears Prada tickets at LOVE Theatre Hadestown What is it about: The musical follows the story of Eurydice, a young girl who goes to work in the underworld after being invited there by Hades, to escape poverty. Hades runs the underworld, whereas his wife Persephone — Our Lady of the Underground — runs a speakeasy behind Hades’s back. Orpheus, Eurydice’s singer-songwriter lover, attempts to rescue his love from the underworld, but will they both make it out? Venue: Lyric Theatre When is it on until: 14th Feb 2026 Ticket prices: £23/£33/£44/£62/£72/£95/£98/£110/£127 Buy Hadestown tickets at TodayTix Oliver! What is it about: This beloved musical has been an instant classic since it first came to the stage in 1960. Its sensational soundtrack boasts timeless tracks like Food Glorious Food, Where is Love, Pick a Pocket or Two, As Long As He Needs Me, and many many more. Based on the Dickens novel, it's all about a poor Victorian child coming up against the terrifying, colourful characters of London. Venue: Gielgud Theatre When is it on until: 4th Oct 2026 Ticket prices: £24/£42/£66/£78/£107.40/£150 Buy Oliver! tickets at LOVEtheatre Cabaret What is it about: Cabaret is currently showing at the Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse in London's West End. A night at Cabaret promises to be an experience as well as a night out — guests are invited to immerse themselves in the club experience and can even drink and dine before diving into the world of inhibition-free Berlin. The cast of Cabaret, like 2:22 A Ghost Story, is ever-changing, right now you can see Rob Madge and Bridgerton's Hannah Dodd. Venue: Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse When is it on until: 26th September 2026 Ticket prices: £30/£55/£75/£100/£125/£150/£200/£235/£245/£285 Buy Cabaret tickets at ATG Tickets Operation Mincemeat What is it about: This sharp-witted comedy tells the real-life story of a WWII operation, and answers the question: how did a well-dressed corpse wrong-foot Hitler? If you're thinking that this musical sounds extremely bizarre, you'd be absolutely right. A favourite of several members of the RadioTimes.com team, this musical is sure to have you humming its soundtrack for the weeks after, but bear in mind it books up quickly and you may need to get Rush tickets to see it. Venue: Fortune Theatre When is it on until: 30th May 2026 Ticket prices: £59.50/£89.50/£99.50/£149.50 Buy Operation Mincemeat tickets at ATG Tickets Mamma Mia! What is it about: Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! West End theatre tickets! Mamma Mia! is one of the most popular London theatre shows, and it's easy to see why; set to the soundtrack of ABBA songs, the story follows Sophie as she prepares for her wedding day on the idyllic islands of Greece. But, Sophie has a dream, and it's to have her dad (who could be one of three people) walk her down the aisle... Venue: Novello Theatre When is it on until: Ongoing Ticket prices: £18/£30/£36/£60/£72/£102/£117/£150/£180/£210 Buy Mamma Mia! tickets at LOVETheatre Six the Musical What is it about: By now, you've probably caught a glimpse of this bizarre retelling of the lives of Henry VIII’s six wives. In the musical, each wife takes it in turns to share their story of how they were wronged by the Tudor King, and why that means they should be the lead singer of the wives’ pop group. Venue: Vaudeville Theatre When is it on until: Ongoing Ticket prices: £40/£51.20/£62.70/£85.70/£97.20 Buy Six the Musical West End tickets at LOVETheatre The Producers What is it about: Did you know that it's possible to make more money from a musical that fails than from a musical that's a smash hit? This is what Bloom and Max Bialystock discover- follow their journey, as it goes hilariously wrong. Venue: Garrick Theatre When is it on until: 21st Feb 2026 Ticket prices: £28/£67/£87/£103/£144 Buy The Producers tickets at TodayTix Hamilton What is it about: A blend of hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway is the musical backdrop to this show, which tells the true(ish) story of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s founding fathers and George Washington’s right-hand man. Now on stage for a whopping 10 years, Hamilton is still an unmissable musical. Venue: Victoria Palace Theatre When is it on until: Ongoing Ticket prices: £54/£69/£71.50/£95.50/£107.50/£120/£132/£162/£186/£210/£240 Buy Hamilton tickets at LOVETheatre Matilda the Musical What is it about: Adapted from Roald Dahl’s much-loved book of the same name, Matilda is an evening of wholesome, family-friendly fun. The story follows Matilda, an extraordinarily gifted girl who’s underappreciated by her parents, who finds herself at a school run by the dreaded Ms Trunchbull – but what happens when Matilda suddenly realises she’s gifted at more than just maths? Venue: Cambridge Theatre When is it on until: Ongoing Ticket prices: £25/£46/£64/£76/£85/£109/£134/£169 Buy Matilda the Musical at Matilda the Musical The Lion King What is it about: A story we all know and love. Based on the 1994 Walt Disney movie of the same name, The Lion King musical play features music from Elton John, actors in decadent animal costumes and giant hollow puppets. The show opened in the Lyceum Theatre over 20 years ago in 1999, and is still going strong after more than 7,500 performances. Venue: Lyceum Theatre When is it on until: Ongoing Ticket prices: £34/£53.95/£68.95/£78.95/£88.95/£98.95/£108.95 Buy The Lion King tickets at LOVEtheatre Buy The Lion King tickets at ATG Tickets Buy Lion King Theatre Tickets and Two Course Dining with Cocktail at Marco Pierre White's London Steakhouse Co for Two for £204 at Virgin Experience Days Wicked What is it about: Wicked knows a thing or two about being ‘Popular’! This musical is the prequel to The Wizard of Oz, and it tells the story of Elphaba (the future Wicked Witch of the West) and her friendship with Glinda (the Good Witch of the South). It was nominated for six Tony awards, including Best Actress, and obviously, has produced an incredible film with a sequel coming this year. Venue: Apollo Victoria Theatre When is it on until: Ongoing Ticket prices: £28.25/£38.25/£62.10/£73.60/£85.10/£96.60/£108.10/£123.05/£146.05 Buy Wicked tickets at LOVETheatre Buy Wicked tickets for £90 at Red Letter Days Back to the Future: The Musical What is it about: The musical follows the plot of the blockbuster film: teenager Marty McFly is blasted back in time to the year 1955 by eccentric scientist Doc Brown and unwittingly changes the course of history. Venue: Adelphi Theatre When is it on until: 12th April 2026 Ticket prices: £23/£46.50/£64/£75.50/£87/£99/£110.50/£128/£168.50/£203 Buy Back to the Future: The Musical tickets at LOVETheatre The Book of Mormon What is it about: From the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, comes this comedy musical about two Latter-Day missionaries who are posted to a remote Ugandan village to preach the faith of the Church, and to convert its inhabitants to Mormonism. Venue: Prince of Wales Theatre When is it on until: Ongoing Ticket prices: £24/£30/£42/£57/£66/£90/£117/£150 Buy Book of Mormon tickets at LOVETheatre Harry Potter and the Cursed Child What is it about: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a two-part play written by Jack Thorne and based on JK Rowling’s original story. It follows Harry, Ron and Hermione 19 years after they saved the wizarding world, and they’re joined by a new generation of wizards and witches to stop mysterious evil forces for another time. Venue: Palace Theatre When is it on until: Ongoing Ticket prices: £15/£29/£40.60/£52.50/£63.80/£75.40/£92.80/£121.80/£150.80 Buy Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tickets at LOVETheatre Buy Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tickets at ATG Tickets Les Misérables What is it about: Les Misérables is a musical that needs no introduction. After 20 years as a prisoner in 19th century France, Jean Valjean struggles to return to a normal life. At every corner, he is dogged by the ruthless Police Inspector, Javert. Venue: Sondheim Theatre When is it on until: Ongoing Ticket prices: £31/£49/£61/£88/£121/£134/£164/£188/£212/£242 Buy Les Misérables tickets at LOVETheatre Witness for the Prosecution What is it about: Based on the 1925 short story, Traitor Hands, this Agatha Christie play follows Leonard Vole, a young man accused of murdering a widow in cold blood to get a hold of her fortune. Despite protesting his innocence, the evidence of the case seems to be against him, helped along by those determined to see him face the noose. Venue: London County Hall When is it on until: Ongoing Ticket prices: £20/£40/£55/£70/£95/£115 Buy Witness for the Prosecution tickets at London Theatre Direct The Importance of Being Earnest What it's about: The sold-out National Theatre production of The Importance of Being Earnest is coming to the West End's Noël Coward Theatre and, boy, does it have a stellar cast! You can see the likes of Olly Alexander, Hugh Dennis, and Stephen Fry in the theatre show. Without giving too much away, The Importance of Being Earnest follows the complicated affairs of two young men about town who lead double lives... When is it on until: 10th Jan 2026 Ticket prices: £25/£30/£55 Buy The Importance of Being Earnest tickets at LOVEtheatre Phantom of the Opera What is it about: It's one of the most popular theatre shows and one of the West End's most enduring love stories. Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera has been performing for over 30 years now, and shows no sign of slowing down. If you aren't already familiar with the compelling plot, the show tells the story of the Phantom, who seeks to control the Paris Opera House. He finds a new student, a chorus girl called Christine, and trains her to sing the music of the night. Venue: His Majesty's Theatre When is it on until: Ongoing Ticket prices: £30/£45/£47.50/£57/£72/£75/£84/£114/£119.50/£162/£210 Buy Phantom of the Opera tickets at LOVETheatre Buy The Phantom of the Opera tickets and a three course meal for £230 £165 (save £65 or 34%) at Virgin Experience Days Stranger Things: The First Shadow What is it about: The play acts as a prequel to the series and follows a young Henry Creel, who we meet in season 4 of the Netflix show. He's just moved to Hawkins with his family, and has started at Hawkins High, alongside a mix of classmates that will be very familiar to fans – Joyce Maldonado, James 'Jim' Hopper Jr, Bob Newby and more, plus new character Patty Newby, Bob's adopted sister. Venue: Phoenix Theatre When is it on until: 31st May 2026 Ticket prices: £25/£30/£45/£65/£80/£99.50/£125 Buy Stranger Things: The First Shadow tickets at ATG Tickets Moulin Rouge! What is it about: Moulin Rouge follows the story of Christian, a young writer who meets and falls in love with cabaret dancer, Satine. The duo unfortunately can't be together, and this musical shows their love story filled with joy, heartbreak and despair. Venue: Piccadilly Theatre When is it on until: 23rd May 2026 Ticket prices: £20/£30/£40/£50/£60/£70/£80/£90/£100/£105/£125/£150 Buy Moulin Rouge tickets at ATG Tickets Into the Woods What is it about: Into The Woods is all about the intertwining of several of Grimm's Fairytales. Jack and the Beanstalk, Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Cinderella all come together under one story centred around a baker and his wife trying to have a child. Venue: Bridge Theatre When is it on: 2nd Dec 2025 – 18th Apr 2026 Ticket prices: £28/£35/£39/£42/£60/£133/£173 Buy Into The Woods tickets at TodayTix Oh, Mary! What is it about: Cole Escola's smash Broadway hit is heading to London's West End, much to the delight of UK theatre fans. This comedy follows the story of Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln's assassination. Venue: Trafalgar Theatre When is it on: 3rd Dec 2025 - 25th April 2026 Ticket prices: £25/£45/£65/£85/£92/£115/£135 Buy Oh, Mary! tickets at ATG Tickets Best West End shows coming later in the year Ivanov What is it about: Written by Anton Chekhov, Ivanov first premiered in 1887. The play follows Nikolai Ivanov, a man attempting to remedy the problems in his life. This will be the first time the play has been on the West End, and the lead role will be played by on-screen star Chris Pine. Venue: Bridge Theatre When is it on: 4th July – 19th September 2026 Ticket prices: £35.50/£47.50/£66/£90/114/£180/£234 Buy Ivanov tickets from £35.50 at LOVEtheatre Paranormal Activity What is it about: Not much information has been divulged about the new show, simply that it's an original story set in the world of the Paranormal Activity film series, but that just makes it all the more spooky in our opinion... Venue: Ambassadors Theatre When is it on: 5th Dec 2025 – 28th Feb 2026 Ticket prices: £25/£35/£50/£70/£90 Buy Paranormal Activity tickets from £25 at ATG Tickets Woman in Mind What is it about: When main character Susan receives a bump on her head, her world split into two; the mundane and the imagined. You should also note that this production stars Sheridan Smith, which is definitely an extra incentive to go. Venue: Duke of York's Theatre When is it on: 9th Dec 2025 - 14th March 2026 Ticket prices: £15/£35/£45/£70/£95/£125/£150 Buy Woman in Mind tickets at ATG Tickets I'm Every Woman: The Chaka Khan musical What is it about: The story of Chaka Khan is coming to the stage, with a book that includes some of her greatest hits, alongside songs from her famous friends like Stevie Wonder and Joni Mitchell. The role of Chaka will be played by another icon: Alexandra Burke. Venue: Peacock Theatre When is it on: 5th March - 28th March 2026 Ticket prices: £22/£46/£66/£78/£90/£102 Buy I'm Every Woman: The Chaka Khan musical at LOVEtheatre Beetlejuice What is it about: Much like the original 1988 film starring Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara, the musical follows "the tale of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager sharing her home with a pair of newly-deads and the demonic ghost-with-the-most, Beetlejuice. He’s dead trouble, but if you really want to feel alive, just say his name three times". Venue: Prince Edward Theatre When is it on: 20th May 2026 - 17th April 2027 Ticket prices: £25/£37/£49/£61/£73/£85/£97/£135/£158/£182 Buy Beetlejuice tickets at London Theatre Direct What time do West End shows start and finish? Like with the price, this depends entirely on the show, and whether you've got a matinee or evening performance. Most shows run for two hours to two and a half hours, with a 15-minute interval. A matinee performance usually starts at 2:30pm, whereas the evening performances will begin around 7:30pm. West End show weekend breaks and hotel stays If you're travelling to London for a West End show, it makes sense to spend a few days in the city; especially if you're planning on seeing an evening performance which will have you leaving the theatre at around 10pm (that's our bedtime!). There are a number of websites, like Holiday Extras, where you can book your theatre tickets and hotel in one go. You can choose which theatre show you'd love to see, then select how many nights you'll stay around your chosen date, and it'll suggest hotels just a stone's throw away from the theatre. Plus, as it's a package deal — a theatre show and hotel combo — you'll save a couple of quid, too. Book a West End show and hotel stay at Holiday Extras What is the easiest way to get to the West End? Travelling to the West End when you live outside of London can seem like a mean feat. But we're here to reassure you that it can be done with minimal faff and on a budget, too. Train timetables are usually released 12 weeks in advance, and train operators put cheap train tickets on sale shortly afterwards. The nearer your travel date, the more expensive the train tickets will be, so be sure to snap up tickets as soon as possible. Railcards are also a great way to save a couple of quid on your travel — 1/3 of the total ticket fare to be precise. Find the right Railcard for you at Trainline. If you live too far away from London to comfortably travel there and back in one day, and let's face it, a lot of us do, you may want to consider an overnight stay. Airbnb offers private rooms and entire homes all across London, so you're bound to find somewhere that fits your budget. If you’re planning a trip abroad, read our financial expert's advice on what to consider before going on holiday. Can you get theatre gift vouchers for London? Wondering what could be the perfect gift for your theatre-loving friend or family member? The obvious choice is to buy them theatre tickets, but with people's jam-packed schedules and with so many plays and musicals with a whole-host of genres to choose from, buying specific theatre tickets for a specific date might not be the easiest idea.. That's where a London theatre gift voucher comes in! Theatre gift cards are a great present idea for a loved one as you can use them on a range of theatre shows, such as Disney’s The Lion King, Cabaret, Wicked, and Moulin Rouge. The West End theatre gift cards are flexible, too, as a lot of them can be redeemed for up to 12-months from the time of purchasing. So where can you buy these brilliant vouchers from? A lot of UK ticketing companies sell them, and to make matters simple, the Going Out team have put together a list for you below — you're welcome. Buy a West End gift voucher at LOVEtheatre Buy a theatre voucher at ATG Tickets Buy a London gift card at Fever Buy a theatre gift card at London Theatre Direct Buy a theatre gift experience at Virgin Experience Days This next deal is perhaps out of a lot of people's budgets, however, despite the extravagant price tag, it does actually save you money in the long run. TodayTix is offering theatre lovers a ticket to every single show in the 2024 theatrical season with its All You Can Seat package. With All You Can Seat, you'll receive access to premium Band A tickets to all West End shows, and a personal concierge to assist with planning and booking. There are just 10 All You Can Seat tickets, and the packages are priced at £10,000. Find out more about All You Can Seat at TodayTix Browse West End shows at TodayTix Head to our Going Out section for the latest releases, including the best London escape rooms, best UK driving experiences and best London VR experiences. Don't forget to check out how to get Wimbledon tickets. Plus, here's how to get The Weeknd 2026 UK tour tickets and the best Downton Abbey tours UK. and take a look at how to get Two Doors Down tickets.