What’s on stage for London families Christmas 2017
The Snowman at The Peacock
The Snowman celebrates its 20th anniversary at The Peacock this year, and the show continues to be a family favourite for London families. Based on the book by Raymond Briggs and the film directed by Dianne Jackson and produced by John Coates, the wintery stage show tells the story of a boy and his magical snowman. The Snowman is playing from 23 November 2016 to 1 January 2017. Read my review from last year HERE.
The Nutcracker at Royal Albert Hall
As a special Christmas treat, the Birmingham Royal Ballet’s production of Christmas favourite The Nutcracker will premiere at the Royal Albert Hall. The new version of the ballet, playing at Royal Albert Hall from 28 to 31 December, is described as suitable for all the family, and the performance will see the Royal Albert Hall stage being transformed into a magical winter wonderland with the use of technology and 75kg of artificial snow.
Once Upon A Snowflake at Chelsea Theatre
Following a UK and Russian tour and a sold-out run at Pegasus Theatre, Paper Balloon’s quirky Christmas production Once Upon A Snowflake arrives at Chelsea Theatre for a Christmas run from 30 November to 22 December. The show, which follows the journey of missing Liza and the Winter Sprites, features shadow puppetry and original songs from Darren Clark (The Scarecrow’s Wedding). Once Upon a Snowflake is recommended for children aged 3 and over.
Disney on Ice at The O2
This Christmas Disney on Ice presents Passport to Adventure at The O2, and the show, hosted by Mickey and Minnie with friends Goofy, Daisy and Donald, take the audience on a journey to Africa with Lion King; to London with Peter Pan; under the sea to The Little Mermaid; and to Arendelle for a Frozen fairy tale. Disney on Ice presents Passport to Adventure is running at The O2 from 20 to 30 December, and the show is set to entertain families with impressive skating performances, catchy tunes and fun costumes.
Breaking The Ice at Ovalhouse
Breaking The Ice by Filskit Theatre, which tells the true story about the polar bear who made friends with a husky, will be playing at Ovalhouse this Christmas, and take audiences on a journey to the world of polar bears and huskies in a performance that will see children joining the adventure by taking their place on Team Polar Bear or Team Husky. The show, recommended for children aged 2 to 5, features music, shadows and projections and is playing from 13 to 23 December.
Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas at Lyric Hammersmith
Raymond Briggs’ classic Father Christmas is in its fifth year at Lyric Hammersmith this year. The show designed for children aged under 6 stays true to the children’s book, and the grumpy Father Christmas uses the same language as in the book, constantly complaining. With an intimate venue, live music and sounds, and wonderful stage set-up, the show has become a Christmas favourite for families with young children, introducing children to the magic of Father Christmas and the job he does on Christmas Eve. The show is playing at Lyric Hammersmith from 18 November to 24 December.
Boing! at Unicorn Theatre
At children’s theatre The Unicorn dance-theatre Boing!, a production by Travelling Light and Bristol Old Vic, returns for the Christmas season in a dance theatre show designed to capture the magic of Christmas Eve and the excitement of two boys waiting for Father Christmas. The show, aimed at children aged 2 to 6, will be playing at The Unicorn from 22 November to 31 December.
The Gruffalo’s Child at Lyric Theatre
After last year’s extended run of The Gruffalo at Lyric Theatre, theatre-goers can now experience the follow-up with the Christmas season bringing the stage adaptation of popular Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler children’s book The Gruffalo’s Child to Lyric. The 55-minute show by Tall Stories is recommended for children aged 3 years and older, and it tells the story of the Gruffalo’s Child going for a walk through the woods after ignoring the father’s warnings about the bad mouse. The Gruffalo’s Child will be playing at Lyric Theatre from 22 November to 7 January.
My Brother, My Sister and Me at Polka Theatre
The new Sarah Argent production My Brother, My Sister and Me explores sibling relationships and is playing in the Adventure Theatre at Wimbledon’s Polka Theatre until 11 February. The 45-minute show, recommended for ages 2 to 5, tells the story about a little sister who has to share a room with her big brother after the arrival of a new baby in the family.
Jack and the Beanstalk at New Wimbledon Theatre
This year’s New Wimbledon Theatre pantomime is Jack and the Beanstalk produced by the world’s biggest pantomime producer Qdos Entertainment, and the cast will be led by outspoken publican Al Murray and West End, television and Olivier Award winner Clive Rowe. The pantomime, running from Saturday 9 December 2017 to Sunday 14 January 2018, promises laugh-out-loud comedy, special effects and plenty of audience participation.
Dick Whittington at London Palladium
Pantomime returns to the West End’s London Palladium this Christmas with a new version of Dick Whittington, another production by world’s biggest pantomime producer Qdos Entertainment. The pantomime, running from 9 December to 14 January, will feature an impressive cast, including Ashely Banjo and Diversity.
The Nutcracker at London Coliseum
This Christmas season English National Ballet returns to London Coliseum from 13 December to 6 January with its production of Nutcracker. Last year saw English National Ballet’s most successful Nutcracker run on record, and more than 79,000 people made a performance at the London Coliseum a part of their holiday celebrations. This year’s tour of the ballet, choreographed by Wayne Eagling and accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s memorable score performed live by English National Ballet Philharmonic, continues the company’s tradition of presenting a Nutcracker production every year since its founding year in 1950. There is a family-friendly performance of Nutcracker on Saturday 6 January at 2.30pm, and children under 5 can attend this performance (up to two children under 16 can go free with each full paying adult).
Wilde Creatures at Vaudeville Theatre
For Christmas 2017, the producers of The Gruffalo Live–Tall Stories–are introducing its new musical show Wilde Creatures for everyone aged 5 and over. The Wilde Creatures is a live band of storytelling musicians, and the show brings characters from Oscar Wilde stories to life, including characters from fairy stories ‘The Happy Prince’, ‘The Nightingale and the Rose’ and ‘The Birthday of the Infanta’. Theatre-goers can expect original live music, imaginative storytelling and comedy from the show that is playing at Vaudeville Theatre from 15 to 31 December.
The Nutcracker at Royal Opera House
Christmas 2017 will see the return of Christmas favourite The Nutcracker at Royal Opera House too, and the Peter Wright’s production for The Royal Ballet ranks as one of the most popular versions of the festive ballet. The Nutcracker is playing at Royal Opera House from 5 December to 10 January.
Alice in Winterland at Rose Theatre
The festive production of Alice In Winterland opens at Rose Theatre in Kingston on 7 Demeber, and the adaptation of both Lewis Carrol’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass sees Alice on a whirlwind adventure fighting to save her new friends in Winterland. The show, recommended for ages 5 and over, will be playing until 7 January.
The Velveteen Rabbit at Unicorn Theatre
Returning for the third time to Unicorn this Christmas is the Unicorn adaptation of classic Margery Williams children’s book Velveteen Rabbit. The show, recommended for ages 5 and over, will be running from 17 November to 31 December.
The Tiger Who Came to Tea at artsdepot
The stage adaptation of classic Judith Kerr children’s book The Tiger Who Came to Tea brought catchy songs and dancing to Lyric Theatre for Christmas 2015, and this Christmas season the entertaining show directed by David Wood will be playing at artsdepot. The show tells the charming story of a girl and her mum who have their tea interrupted by a tiger, and it will be playing at artsdepot from 5 December to 31 December. The show is recommended for children aged 3 and over.
The Snow Queen at Polka Theatre
The Christmas season sees the arrival of The Snow Queen at Polka Theatre, a stage adaptation of the classic wintery Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. The show, adapted by Mike Kenny, tells the story about best friends Kai and Gerda and Gerda’s journey to save Kai after he’s taken by the Snow Queen. The show lasts approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, including interval, and it is recommended for ages 5 to 11.
Jack and the Beanstalk at Lyric Hammersmith
Pantomime returns to Lyric Hammersmith this Christmas season, and theatre-goers can expect live music, singing and dancing and laughs in Joel Horwood’s version of Jack and the Beanstalk by Joel Horwood. The show is recommended for ages 6 and over.
Stick Man Live at Leicester Square Theatre
Popular children’s picture book Stick Man by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is brought to life in the Scamp Theatre and Freckle Productions’ stage adaptation Stick Man Live, now back in London’s West End for the Christmas season. The show, recommended for children aged 3 and over, will be playing at Leicester Square Theatre until 7 January 2018 (Photo courtesy of Steve Ullathorne).
The Lost Boy Peter Pan at Pleasance Theatre
Ppresented by Action to the Word in association with Glynis Henderson Productions, The Lost Boy Peter Pan will be playing at Pleasance Theatre this Christmas, telling a funny and moving tale based on J.M. Barrie’s classic tale of fairies, pirates and the little boy who flew through the window. The show features seven live actor-musicians and the biggest Beatles hits of all time, and is playing at Pleasance Theatre from 29 November to 7 January 2018.
Pinocchio at National Theatre
The National Theatre’s new production of Pinocchio, recommended for ages 8 and over, will open on 1 December. The production by Dennis Kelly features music and songs from the Walt Disney film, including I’ve Got No Strings, Give a Little Whistle and When You Wish upon a Star in new arrangements.
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London is one of the greatest cities to be in for the holidays. Between all the Christmas markets, festive lights, and wonderful shows like these, you can’t escape it! And why would you? Thanks for this compilation! There’s so many fabulous shows to choose from!