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London’s Top Christmas Pantomimes and Performances

Who doesn’t love a good old pantomime? It’s the perfect activity for those days between Christmas and New Year, or really any time in the Christmas period. Oh not it isn’t! Oh yes it is!

Even if you find the jokes a little tired, your kids will undoubtedly love the slapstick humour – and as we always say, if they’re happy, we’re happy.

You can also think of it as a final act of goodwill for the year as you’re not only treating the kids but also giving our hard working British celebrities a bit of pocket money in return for being booed and hissed.

So without further ado, here’s our Top FIVE Festive Pantomime and Performances for 2020. For obvious reasons you should check details before booking as Covid is still around and definitely “Not Behind You!”

Have a watch of our #KidRatedLoves Pantos video too and see our guide to Things To Do At Christmas.

1. PantoLand at the Palladium

Pantoland at the Palladium, which features Julian Clary, Elaine Paige, Gary Wilmot and Paul Zerdin

The Pantoland at The Palladium is full of top names and surprises. Credits: The London Palladium.

Join The London Palladium for its annual Christmas pantomime.

Enjoy top comedy and celebrate the reopening of theatres across London with Pantoland at the Palladium, which features Julian Clary, Elaine Paige, Gary Wilmot and Paul Zerdin among other top names of London’s Theatreland.

12th Dec – 3rd Jan

2. The Gruffalo – Live Stream & The Gruffalo’s Child

Tall Stories are bringing a special live-streamed version of their family friendly adaptation of The Gruffalo.

Based on the classic children’s book by Julia Donaldson, buckle in for a wild adventure as Mouse journeys into the deep, dark and mysterious forest in search of the Gruffalo.

So break out the sweeties, get under the blankets and enjoy the show from the comfort of your sofa.

11th Dec – 13th Dec

Not content with streaming to audiences Tall Stories will be bringing The Gruffalo’s Child to Alexandra Palace Theatre for a limited Christmas run.

It follows the adventures of the Gruffalo’s Child, one wild and windy night when she ignores her father’s warning and tiptoes out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist… does he?

12th Dec – 3rd Jan

3. Potted Panto at The Garrick

You mission – choose you choose to accept it – is to squeeze seven classic pantomimes into 70 minutes?

So make get down to the Garrick Theatre, where the double Olivier nominees Dan and Jeff bring on the hilarious Potted Panto, which has been running for 10 years.

5th Dec – 10th Jan

4. Magic Goes Wrong

Another gem from Mischief Theatre – the award winning team behind The Play That Goes Wrong; The Comedy About a Bank Robbery; Peter Pan Goes Wrong and much, much more.

This show combines all the hallmarks of the Goes Wrong Team with tricks and illusions designed by Penn and Teller. And the upshot is a hilarious comedy show with some jaw dropping stunts. Suitable for older kids and teens.

10th Dec – 31st Jan

5. Stick Man at The Rose Theatre

Kids and the not-so-little-ones can follow the delightful story of Stick Man, as his misadventure takes him to places he’s never been. but will he make it back in time for Christmas?

See for yourself at this festive show which features puppetry, live music and a bit of grooving.

10th Dec – 3rd Jan

5. A Christmas Carol

It wouldn’t be Christmas without at least one production of the Dickens classic taking place somewhere. And we’ve got THREE we want to talk.

Andrew Lincoln as Scrooge at The Old Vic

The first is A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic. This adaptation by Jack Thorne has become a regular fixture at the theatre with Paterson Joseph, Rhy Ifans and this time Andrew Lincoln playing the miserable hero Ebeneezer Scrooge.

Due to Covid this year will be performed and streamed live as part of our Old Vic: In Camera series.

12th Dec – 24th Dec

Brian Conley and Cast

The second is the acclaimed musical version playing a strictly limited season at the Dominion Theatre in London.

It stars Brian Conley as Scrooge with support from Jacqueline Jossa and Matt Jay-Willis.

7th Dec – 2nd Jan

And finally acclaimed actor Simon Russell Beale jojns forces with, Patsy Ferran and Eben Figueiredo – to tell the famous story as well as play all the parts in a new production at The Bridge Theatre.