As the school holidays approach, what better way to keep your little ones from trashing the house than take them to a Christmas show?
London has a wealth of great theatre, dance and other performance aimed at children of all ages, and our pick – not including pantos, which will come later in the week – is below...
The Witches at the National Theatre
This brand new adaptation of Roald Dahl's twisty classic is an absolute triumph (hear our critics rave about it on the Standard Theatre Podcast here). Candy coloured, with a witty script from Lucy Kirkwood and a fantastic score from Dave Malloy, it's as much fun for adults (often slightly more, if you listen carefully) as for children. And the kids' performances are just knock-out. Recommended for ages eight to 88.
To January 27; buy tickets here
The Snow Queen at Polka Theatre
Wimbledon’s wonderful children’s theatre hasn’t looked back since reopening in 2021 after an £8.5m refurbishment. This Christmas it has pulled off something of a coup with rising theatre star Jude Christian adapting Hans Christian Andersen classic The Snow Queen. Christian promises a show that’s “noisy and caring and masses of fun, inspired by this beautiful story about best friends and the adventure of growing up together”. For ages six to 12.
To January 21; Polkatheatre.com
Solstice at the Battersea Arts Centre
The BAC is a wonderfully atmospheric building full of nooks and crannies, ripe for inquisitive visitors to explore – just ask those who saw Punchdrunk Theatre’s immersive show Masque of the Red Death. This festive season there is an immersive experience for the whole family with Solstice, created by the company Wild Rumpus. This brand-new show takes the audience on an enchanting journey through the BAC’s corridors and hidden spaces, which double as a winter wonderland with magical woodland characters appearing at every turn. Recommended for ages three and up.
From December 1 to 24; bac.org.uk
Bluey’s Big Play at the Southbank Centre
Bluey is one of the few children’s TV shows that has the ability to delight parents and their offspring in equal measure, and over the Christmas period, she’s taking up residency at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall. Everyone’s favourite blue Heeler from Oz will be brought to life in puppet form, alongside the rest of the family, in a brand new story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm. For all ages.
From December 20 to January 7; southbankcentre.co.uk
Hansel and Gretel at the Globe Theatre
In the magical space of the Globe comes a new adaptation of the classic fairy tale by poet laureate Simon Armitage. "Filled with music, magic, songs and a sprinkling of hope," this will be a treat for anyone over five.
From December 8 to January 7; buy tickets here
Peter Pan at the Rose Theatre
What better time to return to the magical realm of Neverland than at Christmas. After Peter Pan crashes through the open window of Wendy Darling's bedroom a miraculous adventure awaits. In a brand new take on JM Barrie's much-loved classic, this production promises to have audiences – from five years old and up – completely hooked.
From December 1 to January 7; buy tickets here
Rapunzel at Theatre Peckham
Theatre Peckham is offering audiences the chance to let their hair down with this "modern day hairy-tale with a few twists". In what it describes as a musical-inspired, pantoesque Christmas show, this new take on Rapunzel is set in a vibrant Peckham hairdresser's. This year's show follows the theatre's previous festive treats including Scroogelicious, inspired by A Christmas Carol, and The Wonderful, based on The Wizard of Oz. Suitable for all ages.
From December 5 to 24; theatrepeckham.co.uk
The Toymaker’s Child - Chickenshed
Pioneering theatre company Chickenshed have an updated take on the Pinocchio story in which the toymaker 3D prints an AI child, serial number PIN:0Cch10, but things quickly get out of control. It promises that the stage will be filled with "wonder, beauty, and just a touch of delightful chaos". It's sure to be joyous.
From November 29 to January 13; chickenshed.org.uk
Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out at the Theatre Royal Haymarket
Peppa Pig, the being that seems to hold complete control over all children under five, is returning to the West End. There will be much singing, dancing and, presumably jumping in muddy puddles. More than two million people have seen Peppa Pig in the UK, and she has played 11 West End Christmas seasons... a veritable Theatreland stalwart. Suitable for all ages.
From November 30 to December 31; buy tickets here
Wishmas at the Old Bauble Factory
In this hour-long walk-through adventure, families head into the magical world of Wishmas (in the slightly less magical location of Waterloo), where no wish is ever forgotten, and where they may even come face to face with Father Christmas himself. Suitable for all ages
To January 7; buy tickets here
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler: from the page to the stage
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s work doesn’t just dominate bookshops, now they are dominating London’s stages as well. The author and illustrator, who have sold more than 17 million books, have four, yes four, adaptations of their work running in London next month…
The Smartest Giant in Town at St Martin’s Theatre
Nominated for an Olivier Award for best family show, the story of friendship and helping those in need returns to London next month.
From December 2 to January 7; buy tickets here
Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book at Little Angel Studios
This reunites The Smartest Giant’s director Samantha Lane and adapter Barb Junger in the story of Charlie attempting to convince his sister that reading isn’t boring.
From December 1 to February 4, littleangeltheatre.com
The Gruffalo’s Child at the Garrick Theatre
The sequel to Donaldson and Scheffler’s blockbuster book The Gruffalo is also by theatre company Tall Stories, and heading to the West End.
From December 1 to January 7; buy tickets here
Stick Man at the Leicester Square Theatre
Another of the pair's much loved characters is on the stage in London this year. All Stick Man wants to do is go for a jog, but he gets into trouble as soon as a dog wants to play and it goes downhill from there.
To January 2; buy tickets here
Dance and opera for children
Christmas is the perfect time to introduce children (and adults) to ballet or opera, with plenty of delightful family shows to choose from.
The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House
If you're in search of Christmas magic this one of several Nutcrackers is definitely the OG. Encased in the vast jewel box that is the Royal Opera House, the Royal Ballet's traditional production is dripping with sweetness and laden with sparkle, and it has an actual, growing, magic Christmas tree. What more can you ask for?
From December 6 to January 13; roh.org.uk
Edward Scissorhands at Sadler's Wells
Matthew Bourne's dance version of the film would work well for older children, with its American gothic aesthetic (designed by Lez Brotherston) and its message of accepting difference. It doesn't hit the emotions particularly hard, but it's a lot of fun.
From December 13 to January 20; buy tickets here
Pirates! at The Place
Scottish Dance Theatre's new production, a dance/theatre/storytelling hybrid commissioned by The Place, is a gutsy, energetic story of identity and friendship, and the fact that the greatest treasure might be just under your nose. Oh and there are zombies.
December 16-24; theplace.org.uk
Nutcracker at the Coliseum
English National Ballet give the Royal a run for their money with this lovely, still gorgeous version of the Tchaikovsky classic, with the fabulous addition of a hot air balloon.
From December 14 to ; buy tickets here
Hansel and Gretel
Anthony McDonald's exquisite production of the 19th century composer Engelbert Humperdinck's children's opera, with a libretto written by his sister, Adelheid Wette, based on the Grimm brothers' fairy tale, is not only lavish and delicious, it's also a brilliant way to put them off sweets for life. Suitable for all ages, as long as they can sit through two hours with an interval.
