What is it? The National Theatre sumptuous adaptation of Noel Streatfeild’s classic 1936 children’s novel Ballet Shoes returns for a second Christmas after blockbuster success last year.
Where is it? National Theatre, Olivier.
Greetings of the season. Well, I'm actually writing this in early September. But then, how long is Christmas theatre season in London exactly? Certainly it’s in full swing by late November, with virtually every pantomime and kids’ show in the city up and running way before Advent, with most of them running until the new year.
London's best family Christmas shows at a glance:
- Best cartoon spin off: Bluey’s Big Play, Royal Festival Hall
- Best immersive show for kids: Fireside Tales, Punchdrunk Enrichment Stores
- Best musical for all the family: Top Hat, Queen Elizabeth Hall
- Best returning Christmas classic: A Chistmas Carol, Old Vic
- Best for babies: Scrunch, Unicorn Theatre and Univers, Barbican
I’m Time Out’s theatre editor, and I have seen more pantos and Julia Donaldson adaptations than any human being should. But also it’s always an exciting time of year: Christmas is the best time to take children to the theatre because there are such a dizzying array of options, for all ages.
This list is an attempt to try and put some order on the gargantuan breadth of children’s and family friendly theatre across the city during the season. It doesn’t include long running West End shows – you know about The Lion King, right – but is an attempt to compile as many festive shows for young audiences as possible, at theatres big and small.
We’ve divided our list into family-friendly Christmas shows – that is to say, shows suitable for children, but that you could easily visit without – and shows that are directly aimed at a younger audience.
Please note that there are so many pantomimes in London that they have their own seperate list – see link below.
RECOMMENDED: The best Christmas pantomimes in London.
Find more Christmas shows in London.
