There’s something rather special about Christmas in London. Not only do we get the gorgeous light displays in Oxford Circus, rampant Christmas markets (from Winter Wonderland to smaller, more boutique affairs) and skating rinks galore, we also get a load of cultural activities too.
From pantomimes to immersive theatre, there’s a whole lot to look forward to over the next few months. So, without further ado, here’s our roundup of the best activities to do in the capital over the Christmas period – both for adults and for families. Happy holidays!
For adults
Lander 23
This ought to be good. The latest production from immersive theatre pros Punchdrunk takes the company into brand-new territory: sci-fi video game territory, to be exact. Billed as a ‘multiplayer stealth game,’ it splits participants into two teams, both of whom are working for the Lander Division of the Centre for Astrobiology, which explores the galaxy in pursuit of energy sources and sweet data.
A week ago, the last crew (Lander 23) mysteriously vanished in the field; your team has been sent to find them. Unsurprisingly, there’s a fair dollop of horror here. Not for the faint-hearted.
From November 5; punchdrunk.com
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold
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Remarkably, this play marks the first time a John le Carré novel has ever been adapted for the stage – all the more reason to go see it. This, one of le Carré’s most famous novels, casts Rory Keenan as weary intelligence officer Alec Leamas, who finds himself agreeing to do One Last Job in enemy territory. Even better, tickets start from only £25, making this quite the steal.
From November 17 - Feb 21; sohoplace.org
Oh, Mary!
This gloriously camp extravaganza received rave reviews when it debuted in Broadway; now, it’s coming to London. The subject matter – telling the story of former first lady Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks leading up to her husband Abraham Lincoln’s assassination – doesn’t exactly scream queer romp, but that’s what it is.
Written by Cole Escola, it boasts fake ringlets, mutton chops, crinolines and Mason Alexander Park in the starring role. Glorious.
Until July 2026; ohmaryplay.com
Paranormal Activity
Calling all horror fans… this on-stage spooktacular seems better suited to Hallowe’en than Christmas, but it starts its run from December 5, and to be honest, what better way to celebrate the festive season than by scaring yourself silly?
This production is based on the hit films, but features entirely new characters: in this case, American couple James and Lou, who move from Chicago to London to escape their past, only to find out (of course) that they cannot. It’s also been directed by Felix Barrett, aka the Artistic Director of Punchdrunk, so expect immersive horror scares galore.
From Dec 5 - March 28; paranormalonstage.com
The Best of John Williams
In London over the festive period? Then this is the perfect Betwixtmas treat. The legendary composer John Williams is getting a night dedicated to his entire body of work (at this point, stretching back decades), and it will be played by a 70-piece orchestra. Come along, sit back and let the sounds of ET, Jaws, Harry Potter and Indiana Jones wash over you. Bliss.
December 28; barbican.org.uk
Christmas Carols at the Royal Albert Hall
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a full-throated carol singalong, and they don’t get much better than the ones at the Royal Albert Hall. With a stonking 15 performances spread out across six days, the odds of getting a ticket are pretty good, and you’ll get the unique experience of getting to carol your lungs out in one of the most iconic buildings in London.
From Dec 14 - 24; royalalberthall.com
All My Sons
Arthur Miller’s devastating classic is back on stage again, just in time for Christmas. First performed in 1947, this tale of guilt, grief and immorality, played out across a day in the life of a stereotypical American family, has lost none of its power. It’s also got a stacked cast: think Bryan Cranston, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Paapa Essiedu and Tom Glynn-Carney. Not one to miss.
From Nov 14; allmysonsplay.com
Action Syria Carols
Put your festive money to a good cause this year with this star-studded concert for Syria. Tickets cost £28, but for that, you’ll get to attend a candlelit service at the oldest church in London, St Bartholomew the Great, where (in addition to the carols) famous faces will be giving celebrity readings.
A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic
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It’s back for another year, but this one might be its last… so don’t miss the chance to catch an abiding classic before the doors shut for the last time. As ever, this festive adaptation will be taking place in a candlelit Old Vic, and the audience plied with mince pies. This time, Paul Hilton will be taking on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge – but regardless of who’s in it, this is always a special, quintessentially London experience.
From Nov 12 – Jan 10; oldvictheatre.com
Pantomimes
Cinderella at the Hackney Empire
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One of London’s very best pantos is back for another year. The story is a classic, and 2025 marks the first year of Clive Rowe (aka one of the nation’s most beloved pantomime dames) being in charge. He’s not on stage, though: this time, he’s directing, but head along to see Kat B take on the role of one of the Ugly Sisters, with George Heyworth (part of the cabaret double act Bourgeois & Maurice) alongside her.
From Nov 22 - Dec 31; hackneyempire.co.uk
Jack and the Beanstalk at the Lyric Hammersmith
This one’s for people who fancy something a little bit different. The Lyric’s panto only started in 2012 but these days it’s best known for being rather subversive in its takes on the classics. Dream team Sonia Jalaly and Nicholai La Barrie (who were behind last year’s Aladdin) are back in the driving seat, and their take on Jack and the Beanstalk sets the action in the suspiciously Wednesday-sounding Fleshcreep Academy.
From Nov 15 - Jan 4; lyric.co.uk
Sleeping Beauty at the London Palladium
Head along to the Palladium to see a sprinkling of celebrity stardust along with all the requisite pantomime action. Who’s on the billing this time? Why, none other than Catherine Tate (playing Carabosse the Wicked Fairy) and the irrepressible Julian Clary. That’s right, Clary is back for another year, and as ever, the show is set to feature a tonne of innuendo-laden jokes that the kids will ignore and the adults will chortle at. Hilarious, camp, a hit with all ages.
From Dec 6 - Jan 11; palladiumpantomime.com
For families
Christmas Carol Goes Wrong
One for kids (and adults) of all ages. Theatre troupe Mischief Comedy have seen huge success by making their own, disaster-ridden takes on murder mysteries, bank robberies and even Peter Pan, so it stands to reason that their festive outing will be just as disastrous (in the best way). On the menu: the classic Dickens tale, A Christmas Carol, but of course, expect slapstick mayhem galore, in the form of missing actors, a feud over who’ll be playing the lead role and malfunctioning props.
From Dec 6 - Jan 26; mischiefcomedy.com
Paddington: The Musical
I mean, come on. Who isn’t looking to score a ticket to one of the most hotly-anticipated new musicals of the year? This version of the beloved marmalade-chowing bear has been brought to life after five years, and represents the first time Paddington has ever had a musical of his own.
That’s thanks to work from McFly’s Tom Fletcher (who wrote the songs), as well as years of painstaking development from the costume department. The result: a four-foot, real-life bear costume, which will be animated by Arti Shah and given a voice by James Hameed. The pictures that have come out so far look indecently cute and the internet is melting down about them. A guaranteed good time, that will undoubtedly bring to life the magic of the books and films.
From November 6; paddingtonthemusical.com
Punchdrunk Entertainment: Fireside Tales
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Who says only adults get to experience Punchdrunk? This immersive experience aimed at kids between 7-11 (and their grown-ups) aims to deliver the same sense of wonder, only, you know, without any of the scary bits and with a whole load of festive spirit instead. Written and directed by the team’s incoming artistic director Steve McCourt, this is a show that invites children to step into a magical world where stories flicker like flames and imagination keeps them burning bright. But this tradition is fading and these stories are at risk of being lost - which is where you come in.
From Dec 6 - Jan 4; punchdrunkenrichment.org.uk
The Twelfth Night of Christmas at Chiswick House
The gorgeously atmospheric Chiswick House is throwing open its doors at Christmas for the very first time to put on a festive spectacular. Working together with entertainment company Underbelly, the team have concocted an immersive festive journey based on the carol Twelve Days of Christmas and the era in which it was written. Take your kids along to explore a Georgian wonderland of festive opulence, themed rooms and fabulous costumes. Plus, of course, there’s also a Santa’s Grotto.
From Nov 21 - Jan 4; chiswickhousechristmas.com
The Elmer Adventure
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Everybody’s favourite patchwork elephant gets his own show this December. Adapted from the beloved Elmer books, this is a magical, musical adaptation that invites the audience to become adventurers, and search for the mysterious Elmer from their jungle campsite. There are three Elmer stories to tell, lots of puppetry and an experienced team - that is, the company that also brought you The Gruffalo live on stage.
From December 20 - Jan 4; sohotheatre.com
