The best family theatre shows for you to see at the West End this Christmas
As the streets begin to illuminate this Winter, a flurry of festive fun flies into London's West End.
From Christmas classics to panto pandemonium, there's plenty of shows taking the stage this Christmas season that are certain to delight families.
There really is something special about visiting the theatre during the festive season, so Lovetovisit.com has compiled just some of the very best shows for you to check out with your family this Christmas.
So put on your warmest gloves, hang up the stockings and take your family down to the West End this Winter to head on an unforgettable night of festive magic.
Christmas Classics - From renowned famous theatre shows to new and exciting upcomers, here's our pick for the best Christmas-themed shows on the West End
A Christmas Carol
We all know Charles Dickens' story of Ebenezer Scrooge and how the old miser learned to love Christmas, but seeing it unfold on stage is a whole new experience.
A pure immersive experience with its unique staging, Jack Thorne's A Christmas Carol stars Owen Teale as Scrooge as the audience follows along his extraordinary visits with the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.
Resulting in an uplifting and joyous conclusion is bound to give the audience that Christmas jolliness we need this Winter!
Book your tickets to A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic here:
Elf the Musical
The Will Ferrell film "Elf" has become a real Christmas classic, with heartwarming laughs entertaining families for almost 20 years now and now its heading to stage in London this Winter.
Buddy (Simon Lipkin) is a human who's accidentally been raised as one of Santa's elves. But one Christmas when he learns the truth, he decides to meet his biological father Walter (Tom Chambers) in New York and merry mayhem ensues!
With fun and catchy new songs, Elf the Musical will put a great big smile on the faces of kids and adults alike in this cheery musical.
Book your tickets to Elf the Musical at the Dominion Theatre here:
The Fir Tree
Hans Christian Andersen's The Fir Tree gets a fresh adaptation at Shakespeare's Globe this Christmas in a magical tale for families of all ages.
Imaginations run wild as a little tree dreams of living a life of adventure far outside the forest. But after learning what happens to fir trees in Christmas time, this tree embarks on a journey with it's furry friends of the forest to live the life it dreams of.
With hand-crafted environments and puppetry, the story of The Fir Tree is brought to life in an encapsulating fashion as Christmas carols and hot chocolates compliment a magical theatre experience.
Get your tickets to The Fir Tree at the Globe Theatre here:
The Wind in the Wilton's
You read that right! The Wind in the Wilton's (not Willows) is bringing the charm of Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows to Wilton's Music Hall this Winter.
Set in modern day Hyde Park, Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad set off on an adventure through the Thames this Winter to save Toad Hall from the mischievous Weasels while tackling themes of climate change and the environment.
Retaining the spirit of the Edwardian story while bringing in modern themes, The Wind in the Wilton's is a Christmas family thrill that will inspire the imaginations of all.
Book your tickets to the Wind in the Wilton's at Wilton's Music Hall here:
Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol
If you're looking for something really different this Christmas, the Queen of Country has just the thing for you!
Bringing that irresistible Tennessee flair to the West End, Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol tells the story of Scrooge like you'd have never even imagined before.
With songs written by Dolly herself, this show will take you on a ride from the West End all the way to the Smokies in a brilliantly fun country bonanza.
Get your tickets to Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol at the Southbank Centre here:
Family Festives - A delightful selection of old and new shows are taking the London stages this December, here are some of the best family ones to check out
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Open up the door to Narnia again this Christmas with C. S. Lewis's timeless The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Join the Pevensie children (Ammar Duffus, Shaka Kalokoh, Robyn Sinclair and Delaney Hayles) on there escape from war-torn Britain to the magical world of Narnia. See them join up with the heroic lion Aslan (Chris Jared) and the talking faun Mr. Tumnus (Jez Unwin), to end the cruelty of The White Witch (Samantha Womack).
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe continues to wow audiences on stage, with its impressive display of effects and puppetry that truly immerse you into the magical land of Narnia.
Get your tickets to The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at the Gillian Lynne Theatre here:
My Neighbour Totoro
Studio Ghibli's cult classic My Neighbour Totoro is heading to theatres this Christmas season.
From the brilliant mind of Hayao Miyazaki, My Neighbour Totoro explores sisters Satsuki (Ami Okumura Jones) and Mei (Mei Mac) on a coming-of-age adventure with the giant but friendly forest spirit Totoro as they're transported to a magical realm of mystical creatures.
With themes of childhood, imagination and environmentalism, the movie that welcomed a legendary studio to the world is now taking the breath away of theatre-goers with its stunning puppetry and heartwarming story and visuals.
Get tickets to My Neighbour Totoro at The Barbican here:
Demon Dentist
Say AHHHH!! David Walliams' acclaimed children's novel is now hitting the stage for a hilariously horrid encounter with the Demon Dentist.
When children are being left nasty surprises under their pillows after their teeth come out, Alfie (Sam Varley) and Gabz (Georgia Grant-Atkinson) investigate, only to end up face to face with the evil Miss Root (Emily Harrigan), the Demon Dentist herself!
Demon Dentist is certain to leave your jaws aching from laughter with your family at the West End this Christmas.
Get your tickets to Demon Dentist at the Bloomsbury Theatre here:
Circus 1903
Roll up, roll up, the circus is in town this Christmas!
Circus 1903 takes you and your family back to the Golden Age of Circus in the early 1900's, with a wonderful display of gymnasts, strongmen, jugglers, high wires, fire-breathers and even giant puppeted elephants.
From the team behind War Horse, Circus 1903 breaks new ground in what a modern circus can be, all in a colourful flurry of astounding thrills and endless excitement.
Get your tickets to Circus 1903 at the Eventim Apollo Theatre here:
Something for the kids - Take your little ones on a wonderful Winter adventure with these stage shows for young children!
The Snowman
Raymond Briggs' classic story of The Snowman is retunring to the Peacock Theatre for its 25th year of running!
Everyone knows the story, on a snowy Christmas Eve, a boy goes on a magical adventure with a snowman he built that comes to life. But on the stage, the show takes you through its spellbinding story with a full live orchestra and supporting cast with acts of music, song, dance and magic.
Accumulating with the show-stopping Walking in the Air, The Snowman remains as delightful as ever in capturing the imagination of kids and grown-ups alike.
The Smartest Giant In Town
The Smartest Giant In Town stomps into St. Martin's Theatre this Christmas for a 55-minute spectacle that can put a smile on the face of any child!
George the giant is delighted with his new giant-sized clothes, but after coming across some animals that need his help, he goes out of his way to lend his hand... and his new clothes!
A charming story filled to the brim with music and puppets, The Smartest Giant in Town is a heart-warming and funny romp that highlights the importance of helping those in need. It's bound to delight young kids everywhere!
Get tickets to The Smartest Giant In Town at St. Martin's Theatre here:
Peppa Pig: Best Day Ever!
Peppa Pig is going on the best day ever and you're are invited to come along!
Join Daisy and the family of Peppa, George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig as they head on a road trip of adventures involving castles, dragons, dinosaurs and of course, muddy puddles.
Buckle up for a trip of non-stop fun with Peppa Pig plus her family and friends, it's going to be the best day ever!
Get your tickets to Peppa Pig: Best Day Ever! at the Theatre Royal Haymarket here:
Winter Wonders - Whether it's ballet, dance, opera or musicals, there are a number of breath-taking shows this Christmas season that will leave you entranced
The Nutcracker
What's a Christmas without The Nutcracker? One of Christmas's longest enduring stories is returning to the Royal Albert Hall this Winter season.
With Tchaikovsky’s classic score comes an enchanting ballet that will grasp audiences of all ages with its stunning grace and dazzling effects and costumes.
The appeal of The Nutcracker is as enduring as ever, so be sure not to miss it this December.
Get tickets to The Nutcracker at the Royal Albert Hall here:
It's a Wonderful Life
The classic Christmas story of Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life gets its operatic adaptation at the London Coliseum.
Banker George Bailey (Frederick Ballentine) is down on his luck and begins to question it all, but when his guardian angel (Danielle de Niese) visits him at Christmas time, George discovers that his home town of Bedford Falls wouldn't quite be the same without him.
This enchanting opera takes over the West End this December, so don't miss out on It's a Wonderful Life.
Get your tickets to It's a Wonderful Life at the London Coliseum here:
Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty
10 years since it first premiered, Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty awakens again this Christmas time for a dazzling show.
The timeless tale of good vs evil is flipped on its head as the tale of Princess Aurora is turned into a supernatural vampiric love story.
With a supporting Tchaikovsky score, a mystical display of choreography unfolds in a lively Gothic setting that will change the way you look at the story of Sleeping Beauty forever.
Get tickets to Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty at Sadler's Wells here:
It's pantomime time! - What would a Christmas be without the farcical fun of a panto show? Check out some of the best pantomimes in London this Christmas time
Jack and the Beanstalk
Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum, to the London Palladium you must come!
Starring Dawn French, Julian Clary and Alexandra Burke in her Palladium panto debut, comes the latest production of the classic fairytale of Jack and the Beanstalk. Featuring the story we all know and love of Jack, his magic beans and of course... giants!
Featuring panto favourites Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot, plus their usual array of colourful costumes and stunning sets that will have adults and kids laughing their socks off in delight.
Get tickets to Jack and the Beanstalk at the London Palladium here:
Potted Panto
The Olivier Award nominated festive celebration, Potted Panto, is back at the Apollo.
This lightning-paced panto takes you through all of the classic pantomime stories in a span of just 70 minutes, including Aladdin, Snow White and Cinderella. All with the typical panto twists and turns, as well as a few surprises!
Packed with slapstick and innuendos, Potted Panto is sure to put a smile on your face, whatever your age.
Get tickets to Potted Panto at the Apollo Theatre here:
Mother Goose
A brand-new reimagining of the classic pantomime is heading to the Duke of York's Theatre this Christmas in the form of Mother Goose.
Mother Goose lives a simple life with her husband, but everything they know gets flipped on its head when a magical goose pays them a visit.
You'll be honking with laughter at this star-studded panto, so book your tickets today for an impeckable night in London this Christmas.