Guide to the Best London Christmas Shows 2026

Behind you!  What do you mean, Christmas?  Now is the time to start thinking about which of the London Christmas Shows 2026 you want to see.  To help you on your way I have list of the shows that have caught my eye.

Best London Pantomimes 2026

There is nothing like a Dame!  Pantomimes are Christmas.

Jack and the Beanstalk at Richmond Theatre

Bonnie Langford, Dr Ranj and Basil Brush star in Jack and the Beanstalk

• WHERE: Richmond Theatre
• WHEN: 5 December 2026 – 3 January 2027
• AGE: 4+
• PRICE: from £16

Cinderella at the Palladium

A Panto at the Palladium is traditionally the glitziest, starriest Panto in town. 2026 will see French & Saunders, Julian Clary and Nigel Havers in Cinderella. 

• WHERE: The London Palladium
• WHEN: 5 December 2026 – 10 January 2027
• AGE: 4+
• PRICE: from £37.50

Peter Pan at Wimbledon

Jessie Wallace and Aston Merrygold following the second star on the right and carrying straight on until morning in Peter Pan at the New Wimbledon Theatre this Christmas

• WHERE: New Wimbledon Theatre
• WHEN: 5 December 2026 – 3 January 2027
• PRICE: from £15

Best London Christmas Shows 2026

Christmas isn’t just Pantomime. There’s Charles Dickens and a Christmas Carol, Pinnochio, Jungle Book and drag.

A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic

Over the years I have seen many, many productions of A Christmas Carol this production at the Old Vic is easily the best that I have seen. 

• WHERE: The Old Vic
• WHEN: 12 November 2026 – 9 January 2027
• AGES: 8+
• PRICE: from £15

Jungle Book at the National Theatre

Rudyard Kipling’s classic reimagined for the 21st century London stage

• PRICE: from £25 plus a £4 booking fee
• WHERE: National Theatre
• WHEN: 13 November 2026 – 06 February 2027

Pinocchio at the Globe

No Shakespeare at the Globe this Christmas, Pinocchio the Musical awaits to entertain you.  

• WHERE:Globe Theatre
• WHEN: 28 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
• AGES: 5+
• PRICE: from £5

Thick and Tight: Camp as Christmas at the Royal Festival Hall

Not one for the children.  A cabaret revue style production full of drag, lip synching and satire.

• WHERE: Royal Festival Hall https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/thick-tight-camp-as-christmas/
• WHEN: 10 December 2026 – 6 January 2027
• Age: 15+
• PRICE: £26

The Little Match Girl at Wilton’s Music Hall

Hans Christian Anderson’s Little Match Girl transported to Italy on Christmas Eve, her story told in dance and song

• WHERE: Wilton’s Music Hall
• WHEN: 3 December 2026 – 2 January 2027
• PRICE: from £16

Best London Christmas Dance Shows 2026

Nothing says Christmas quite like a tutu and ballet slippers.

Nutcracker

Say Christmas ballet and the Nutcracker springs to mind.  The English National Ballet production is a Christmas stalwart at the Coliseum.  Over at the Royal Opera House you can see another version with the finest transformation scene in the business.

• WHERE: London Coliseum
• WHEN: 17 December 2026 – 10 January 2027
• AGES: 5+
• PRICE: from £27.25

• WHERE: Royal Opera House
• WHEN: 3 December 2026 – 13 January 2027
• AGE: 5+
• PRICE: from £10

The Snowman

The Snowman has been delighting audiences for more than 25 years. One of the Cultural Wednesday household favourites.

• WHERE: Peacock Theatre
• WHEN: 21 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
• AGE: 2+
• PRICE: from £18

Mathew Bourne’s Cinderella at Sadlers Wells Angel

Cinderella set in 1940s London.  War time romance adds a twist to tale of Cinderella and her handsome prince. 

• WHERE: Sadlers Wells, Angel https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/matthew-bournes-new-adventures-cinderella/
• WHEN: 1 December 2026 – 17 January 2027
• PRICE: From £15

Ebony Scrooge at Sadlers Wells East

Over in East London on the former Olympic site Sadlers Wells East Zoo Nation will be performing Ebony Scrooge.

• WHERE: Sadlers Wells East
• WHEN: 24 November 2025 – 3 January 2026
• PRICE: from £15

Christmas Concerts in London Churches 2026

London’s churches are special venues to listen to music at anytime of year.  At Christmas concerts in churches with twinkling lights are especially wonderful.  Some concerts are advertised in the churches themselves, others are bigger affairs.  Here are some that have caught my eye this year, these are affiliate links.

235 Shaftesbury Avenue or Bloomsbury Methodist Church

An array of Christmas themed concerts are taking place in December, take a look at the website for dates.  One that especially caught my eye is a Dickensian Christmas.

Cadogan Hall

OK, so not a church.  Still an excellent place to listen to classical music. Limber up for the New Years’ Day concert from Vienna on Radio 3 with a Viennese Christmas Spectacular on 30 December 2026.

St Mary le Strand

One of the prettiest churches in London.  Christmas Carols by Candlelight on 3 December 2026 is the perfect way to start December.

Southwark Cathedral

Parish church to William Shakespeare.  Come here for Candlelight: Christmas Movie Soundtracks on 19 December 2026.

Westminster Hall

Right opposite Westminster Abbey, Westminster Hall is a Methodist church with incredible acoustics.  Candlelight: Christmas Classics embracing music from the Sugar Plum Fairy to Wham Last Christmas on 12 and 18 December 2026.

Which London Christmas shows do you fancy?

Thinking Christmassy thoughts? Check out my guide to the Best London Christmas Lights or for a non Christmas show read my guide to how to buy Hamilton Tickets.