The best family days out in London and beyond rated by kids and teens
Pantomime season is back for 2022: oh yes it is! We all love a good pantomime – kids and adults alike. It’s the perfect day out for all the family over the Christmas period, bringing alive the magic of theatre through a medley of live music, dance, laugh out loud jokes and enchanting fairy tales.
Even if you’re a little skeptical about pantomimes, it’s an activity that’s guaranteed to make your kids smile! For many of us, it just wouldn’t be Christmas without a good panto; now a quintessential part of British culture.
So without further ado, here’s our Top Festive Pantomime and Performances in London to delight your kids with this Christmas!
Have a watch of our #KidRatedLoves Pantos video too and see our guide to Things To Do At Christmas.
Enjoy an adaptation of the beloved Christmas movie Elf The Musical. For 8 weeks only, you can see the funny and charming story of Buddy brought to life!
After mistakenly crawling into Santa’s bag as a baby, Buddy grew up around Santa’s helpers, and was raised as an elf. Join Buddy on his heart-warming journey as he heads to New York to find his real family.
Dates: Until 7th January 2022
Performance Times: Mon – Sat: 7.30pm, Thurs & Sat: 2.30pm
Venue: Dominion Theatre, 268-269 Tottenham Court Rd, Fitzrovia, London W1T 7AQ
Allow your kids to be transported the wintery wonderland of a boy and a snowman that comes to life as Raymond Briggs’ beloved adventure, The Snowman, returns to central London for its 25th year.
Based on the beloved children’s book and the subsequent animated film, The Snowman is a timeless and enchanting story transformed for the stage with dazzling and whimsical sets, dancing and music performed by a live orchestra.
Hearing the iconic song “Walking in the Air” floats through the Peacock Theatre auditorium has got to be one of the most the perfect ways to start your festive celebrations!
Dates: Until 31st December 2022
Venue: The Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, Kingsway, London, WC2A 2HT
Potted Panto is a pantomime that is second to none, with 70 minutes of 7 classic pantomimes from Aladdin to Cinderella and Snow White all mashed together into one incredible display.
The hilarious Olivier Award-nominated production returns for four weeks only at The Apollo Theatre London, the perfect festive outing for families looking for some outrageous laughs!
Dates: 11th December to 9th January 2022
Venue: The Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7EZ
Experience a reimagined Dickens Classic with a Tennessee Twist as Dolly Parton brings the Smoky Mountains from her childhood memories to London for a magical Christmas show!
In this adaptation of David H. Well’s book, high up in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, greedy Ebenezer Scrooge has forgotten the meaning of Christmas. Everything changes when the spirit of his deceased business partner visits him, and three ghosts who convince him to see that love and family are the most precious gift we have.
The whole family will love this unique show featuring an original soundtrack written by the Queen of Country herself!
Dates: Until 8th January 2023
Venue: Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX
If Dolly Parton isn’t your kids’ thing, you can see the classic story of a Christmas Carol come to life at the old Vic.
People of all ages adores Charles Dickens’ story of Scrooge and his journey from mean to nice come Christmas day. See all of the favourite characters from Jacob Marley to Tiny Tim, not to mention the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.
Even those parents who identify with Scrooge and his feelings towards Christmas won’t be able to help but love The Old Vic’s production.
Dates: Until 7th January 2023
Venue: The Old Vic, The Cut, London, SE1 8NB
Each year, Stratford East’s panto tears up the rulebook and turns a classic story on its head to make it relevant to the local community and beyond.
In 2022, get ready to experience Stratford East’s unique twist on Cinderella, set in the ancient home of Sphinx cats, pharaohs and the empress Cleopatra.
You’ll find not one but three panto dames in the shape of a Wicked Stepmother and two Mean-Girl Sisters in this perfect festive treat for all ages.
Dates: Until 7th January 2023
Venue: Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, Stratford, London, E15 1BN
The London Palladium makes a spectacular return to full-scale panto for Christmas 2022 with Jack and the Beanstalk. Featuring big name stars such as Dawn French, Alexandra Burke and Julian Clary, this one isn’t to be missed!
This year the classic tale of a boy who exchanges the family cow for a handful of magic beans hits the West End with a ton of theatrical surprises. As Jack climbs the magic beanstalk to confront the giant, audiences can expect fantastic animatronic effects and a new, nasty baddie – the giant’s wife, Mrs Blunderball.
It’s worth noting that under 4’s aren’t permitted to this show, so this one is for the slightly older kids!
Dates: 10th December 2022 to 15th January 2023
Venue: The London Palladium, Argyll Street, London, WIF 7TF
Julia Donaldson’s loveable Stick Man is being brought to life with puppetry and dance this Christmas at the Leicester Square Theatre; a delightful and touching show perfect for younger kids!
What starts off as a morning jog becomes quite the misadventure for Stick Man: a dog wants to play fetch with him, a swan builds a nest with him, and he even ends up on a fire! How will Stick Man ever get back to the family tree?
Dates: Until 2nd January 2023
Venue: Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7BX
Chickenshed, the inclusive theatre company in North London has a new festive show this year; Christmas Tales!
With puppets, singing, dancing and some larger-than-life characters, Christmas Tales is guaranteed to entertain the very youngest of audience (and grown-ups too!), leaving everyone happy and merry at this most wonderful time of the year!
Dates: 3rd December 2022 to 30th December 2022
Venue: Rayne Theatre, Chickenshed, N14 4PE
After a roaring success with the first Peppa Pig panto in 2022, Peppa Pig is back and excited to be going on another day out with George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig – it’s going to be her best day ever!
Get ready for a road-trip full of adventures, from castles to caves, dragons to dinosaurs and ice creams to muddy puddles. Enjoy a show that’s packed full of songs, games and laughter, it really is the best day ever for mini Peppa Pig fans!
Dates: Until 1st January 2023
Performance Times: Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri 11am & 1.30pm, Sat 10.30am and Sun 10.30am, 1pm and 3.30pm
Venue: Theatre Royal Haymarket, Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4HT
Rufus Norris directs this vividly original retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale; a mythic, big-hearted new musical that tells the story of beyond the waking kiss.
When a lonely fairy is summoned to the palace to help the princess sleep, her dream turns into a nightmare and her blessing becomes a curse. Soon, she is plunged into a frantic, hundred-year quest to somehow make everything right.
Dates: Until 14th January 2023
Adored by critics and audiences all over the world, Nutcracker is a magical Christmas tradition for all the family.
On a sparkling Christmas Eve in a frost-dusted Edwardian London, Clara receives an enchanted Nutcracker as a present. Together, they take a hot air balloon ride across London to the glistening Land of Snow
This year, over 100 dancers and musicians bring Nutcracker to life with captivating dancing; beautiful sets and Tchaikovsky’s charming score played live English National Ballet Philharmonic.
Dates: 15th December 2022 to 8th January 2023
Performance Times: Tues – Sat 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Venue: London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4ES
The whole nation is flocking to see Ian McKellen and John Bishop this year, as they join forces to bring you a hilarious family-friendly panto.
Meet Mother Goose (McKellen) and her husband Vic (Bishop). Running an Animal Sanctuary for waifs and strays, they live a wholesome life inside an abandoned Debenhams. But when a magical goose comes a-knocking, will fame and fortune get the better of them?
This show is sure to leave the kids in splits: why not treat the whole family to a show of a lifetime this Christmas!
Dates: 15th December 2022 to 29th January 2023
Venue: Duke of York’s Theatre, St Martin’s Ln, London WC2N 4BG
Hugo is bored, lonely and needs a friend, so his mum makes him his very own Pinocchio, setting them both on an adventure to the top of a snowy mountain, out to pleasure island and into the belly of a wiggly whale! With puppetry and original music, let your kids widen their imagination this Christmas.
A fun, interactive show for all ages on the outskirts of London about the adventures we can have when we pretend, created by OT Community director Liam Shea.
Dates: 14th to 31st December 2022
Performance times:
Mon & Wed & Fri 11am & 2.30pm
Tue & Thu & Sat 10am (no shows 25th, 26th, 27th Dec)
Venue: 1 Clarence Street, Richmond, Surrey TW9 2SA
Strange things are occurring in Alfie’s town. When the children put their teeth under their pillows for the tooth fairy they expect to find something round and shiny. Instead, they are waking up to find some extremely odd things!
Don’t miss this terrific tale from the West End producers of David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy, which were both nominated for an Olivier Award! It’s the funniest and most exciting show yet!
Dates: 15th December 2022 to 8th January 2023
Venue: Bloomsbury Theatre, 15 Gordon Street. London WC1H 0AH
9th Dec – 9th Jan 2022
Samantha Womack (Eastenders) stars as the white witch in this major new production of C.S. Lewis’ book, guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages.
Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they step through the wardrobe into the magical kingdom of Narnia for the most mystical of adventures.
Dates: Until 8th January 2023
Venue: Gillian Lynne Theatre, 166 Drury Lane London, WC2B 5PW
Based on the incredibly successful Disney film, the production brings Elsa and Ana’s story to life, providing your kids with hours of singing, dancing and fun.
Expect breathtaking special effects, next-level set design, brand-new music and an incredible production – with many magical moments that will leave both kids and adults in awe.
Dates: Until June 2023
Venue: Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Catherine Street, Covent Garden, WC2B 5JF
Experience the magic of Christmas in the Globe Theatre with all the family, as this re-imagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s festive fairy tale returns for a second year.
Let imaginations run wild as the Globe transforms into a hand-crafted forest, meet friendly puppets made of cardboard – and make your own to bring to the performance! A wonderfully festive dose of storytelling, song and hope.
Dates: 15th – 31st December
Venue: Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, London, SE1 9DT
This Christmas, venture into the woods with ‘Little Red’ as she strays from the path on her rhythmical journey to visit Grandma.
This original telling of the well-loved fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood brings characters together in song, silliness and dressing up. At just 50 minutes long, this is the perfect show for those aged 3+ who may be a bit too young to watch a full-length pantomime.
Dates: 10th – 23rd December 2022
Venue: Churchill Studio, Churchill Theatre, High Street, Bromley, BR1 1HA
In a first from the National Gallery, the ‘Picture Perfect Christmas Show’ brings art and theatre together in a 60-minute adventure of the secret life that lives within art.
See larger-than-life characters step out of a masterpiece and embark on a magical Christmas adventure: a tale of friendship, mystery and festive spirit set in the 1600s.
Dates: Until 23rd December 2022
Venue: The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN
Discover a joyful tale of star-crossed aliens! Soar into space with this exciting adaptation of the award-winning book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
On a far-off planet, Smeds and Smoos can’t be friends. So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love and zoom off into space together, how will their families get them back?
Music, laughs and interplanetary adventures for everyone aged 3 and up, from Tall Stories – the company that brought you The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom live on stage.
Dates: Until 2nd Jan 2023
Venue: artsdepot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, London, N12 0GA
Experience the magic of Christmas in the Globe Theatre with all the family, as this re-imagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s festive fairy tale returns for a second year.
Let imaginations run wild as the Globe transforms into a hand-crafted forest, meet friendly puppets made of cardboard – and make your own to bring to the performance! A wonderfully festive dose of storytelling, song and hope.
Dates: 15th – 31st December
Venue: Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, London, SE1 9DT
Experience the magic of Christmas in the Globe Theatre with all the family, as this re-imagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s festive fairy tale returns for a second year.
Let imaginations run wild as the Globe transforms into a hand-crafted forest, meet friendly puppets made of cardboard – and make your own to bring to the performance! A wonderfully festive dose of storytelling, song and hope.
Dates: 15th – 31st December
Venue: Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, London, SE1 9DT
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