The best family days out in London and beyond rated by kids and teens
Pantomime season is here for 2023 – oh yes, it is! As the festive season approaches, London is buzzing with fabulous pantomimes and shows for all the family. Whether you’re a kid or just a big kid at heart, pantomimes are the ultimate family treat. Get ready for sparkles and glam, goofy fun, timeless fairy tales and a magical line-up of must-see performances this Christmas!
Even if you’re a bit sceptical about the whole pantomime affair, fear not – it’s a foolproof way to light up your kids’ faces with joy. After all, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without the hilarious antics and heart-warming stories of a good panto; it’s a British holiday tradition!
Remember to have a watch of our #KidRatedLoves Pantos video too and see our guide to Things To Do At Christmas.
In the meantime, with more sparkle, slosh and silliness than you can shake your magic wand at, here’s our selection of top festive pantomimes and shows in London to delight your kids with this Christmas….
First up, we’ve got our favourites for younger kids…
Twelve-year-old Marinka dreams of a normal life, where her house stays in one place long enough for her to make friends. But her house has chicken legs and moves on without warning. The only people Marinka meets are dead, and they disappear when her grandmother, Baba Yaga, guides them through The Gate. Marinka wants to change her destiny, but her house has other ideas…
Based on the best-selling novel by Sophie Anderson, Marinka and her unusual house are brought to life with live music, puppetry and the quintessential Les Enfants Terribles flavour. Their co-production with HOME premiered in Manchester in 2022, receiving critical acclaim including an Offies OffComm Award for excellence in theatre outside of London.…
Tiggy took her Mum along who said, “It was the most magical, clever and thought provoking story and production. It worked really well for kids and adults. We both loved it, and have been recommending it to everyone”.
Tigs gives The House with Chicken Legs a KidRating of 10
There’s trouble on Church Street.? The Big Bad Wolf is trying to blow down the neighbourhood to build luxury flats, Robin Hood has somehow misplaced his arrows, and someone keeps breaking into houses and eating all the porridge!?
What we need is a hero.?
Each Christmas, The Cockpit present brand-new adventures for families to enjoy, bringing audiences original stories built around the magical characters and tales we all know and love.
Co-director Dave Wybrow says, “The show is going to be fun: it’s going to be inclusive and affordable, it’s going to deliver Christmas messages of?wonder, generosity, courage and goodness and it’s going to be as loud, bright, different, intelligent and beautiful as the kids we are here to serve.
Jack, his Mum and their cow Caroline live in the magical Kingdom of Lewishfarm where life is tough; the people are poor, and the rich are getting richer.
Everyone lives in fear of Giant Blunderbore and his evil cockroach henchman Boris (who, by the way, secretly wants to destroy humanity).
But inside Jack beats the heart of a hero. Can he defeat Blunderbore? Will Caroline the Cow become a Tik Tok star? Will Jack’s Mum find love in the audience?
Get ready for a South London Panto that promises to deliver in spades. With a kickin’ band, a funky Giant, magic beans, slapstick routines, laughs and silliness galore with plenty of boos, cheers and songs kids and parents will know and love!
Bluey’s Big Play is a brand-new theatrical adaptation of the award-winning children’s TV series, with an original and new music.
So, join the Heelers in their first live theatre show featuring brilliantly created puppets. This is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real life.
Bring the whole family along to experience the festive magic of Elf The Musical at the Dominion Theatre, as you discover a heart-warming adaptation of the beloved Christmas movie.
For just 8 weeks, witness Buddy’s hilarious journey from being mistakenly raised as an elf in Santa’s workshop to his quest for family in New York. The musical, featuring catchy tunes like “Nobody Cares About Santa,” brings the joy of the holiday season to life. Don’t miss this enchanting tale of laughter and love!
This winter family favourite is the timeless tale of a boy and a snowman that comes to life. Back for it’s 26th year, The Snowman is a magical stage adaptation of the much-loved picture book by Raymond Briggs and the film directed by Dianne Jackson.
Younger kids will love the enchanting story transformed for the stage with dazzling and whimsical sets, dancing and music performed by a live orchestra. Plus, hearing the iconic song “Walking in the Air” floating through the Peacock Theatre has got to be one of the most the perfect ways to start your festive family celebrations!
The West End’s longest running pantomime is coming to the East End this Christmas! Wilton’s Music Hall is hosting Olivier Award nominated festive celebration Potted Panto in 2023, bringing you seven classic pantomimes in 80 hilarious minutes.
In a madcap ride through the biggest stories and best-loved characters from the wonderful world of pantomime, catch timeless characters such as Aladdin, Cinderella and Dick Whittington. As an audience, you and the kids will travel far and wide, from the streets of Dick Whittington’s London to the fictional Arabian city of Agrabah.
No matter your kids’ age, the Potted Panto has something that’ll delight everyone.
Will Cinderella get to the ball in time?
Matthew Warchus’ heart-warming, critically acclaimed production of Charles Dickens’ timeless tale returns to The Old Vic in 2023, joyfully brought to life on stage by Jack Thorne (known for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, His Dark Materials) and featuring the Emmy Award-winning Christopher Eccleston as the iconic Ebenezer Scrooge.
Audiences of all ages revel in the enchanting story of Scrooge’s transformative journey from a miser to a kind soul on Christmas day. See all the favourite characters, from Jacob Marley to Tiny Tim, not to mention the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future.
A Christmas Carol fills the auditorium to the brim with mince pies, music and merriment. The Old Vic’s unique staging transports the audience right into London’s longest-running adaptation of this beloved holiday classic, creating an unforgettable experience for all the family.
Step into Splatford, the place where Jack, his cow Winnie The Moo, and his mom Milky Linda call home. The town is home to a magical marsh filled with healing mud which Jack and his pals spend their days mining. But there’s a problem: Giant Belch rules the skies, causing chaos by stealing the mud, hiking up rents, and, uh, polluting the air with his burps and gas!
When an unexpected journey involving a shepherd, some beans, and a massive beanstalk begins, Jack faces a life-changing adventure. Can he climb to the top and overcome Flesh Creep, Belch’s sidekick?
This fun filled panto is packed with lively music and quirky characters, after all Stratford East are known for tearing up the rulebook and putting a unique spin on classic stories. Bring the kids along and help show them, and Jack, that even ordinary kids can accomplish extraordinary things!
Flying into The London Palladium this Christmas, Peter Pan is the ultimate pantomime adventure for all the family! The beloved Jennifer Saunders stars as the villainous Captain Hook as she prepares to bring the whole of Neverland to its knees with laughter.
Back by popular demand for its eighth spectacular season, the London Palladium’s annual panto is a cherished tradition among families, promising a whirlwind of rib-tickling humour, show-stopping musical extravaganzas, flamboyant costumes, and a mesmerising set that’ll leave jaws dropping!
Featuring an all-star cast including Julian Clary, Nigel Havers, Gary Wilmot, and Rob Madge, this rendition of Peter Pan is no ordinary fairy tale. It’s a roof-raising adventure brimming with magic, spectacle, and dazzling special effects. The kids will be whisked away on a magical journey that’s nothing short of extraordinary.
Julia Donaldson’s loveable Stick Man is being brought to life with puppetry and dance again this Christmas at the Leicester Square Theatre.
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?
This award-winning production is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves. Discover a delightful and touching show perfect for younger kids!
Get ready for a winter wonderland with Cinderella in Boots… the frosty twist on a classic tale brought to you by Chickenshed; North London’s inclusive theatre company!
Join Cinderella as the slipper fits perfectly into place and bliss fills the air, only to face a new foe, the infamous “de Boot.” Brace for a topsy-turvy adventure blending fairy-tale antics with beloved characters.
This spectacular show packs songs, dance, uproarious comedy, and chances for everyone to join in! Perfect for families, especially kids under seven, expect inclusive fun and laughter that’ll keep you grinning throughout. Don’t miss this high-energy winter treat – Cinderella in Boots kicks off the festive fun!
Get ready for an oinktastic adventure with Peppa Pig in her brand-new live show for 2023; Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out!
Join Peppa, along with her family and friends as they go on a trip to the zoo and the beach for a special party – it’s going to be an exciting and fun packed day.
Sing and dance with colourful scarecrows, feed playful penguins, build big sandcastles, and take a dip in the sea!
Bringing together lively songs, energetic dance numbers, and of course, muddy puddles, the show promises laughter and joy for all Peppa enthusiasts. It’s an ideal way to introduce your little ones to the magic of theatre!
Celebrate the magic of Christmas with Nutcracker at the London Coliseum! Adored by critics and audiences all over the world, this enchanting show for whole family returns after a sold-out run in 2022.
On a sparkling Christmas Eve in frost-dusted Edwardian London, Clara and her enchanted Nutcracker embark on a hot air balloon ride together to the glistening Land of Snow. From the orchestra’s warm-up to the final bows, this unforgettable treat is perfect for both kids and adults alike.
Dates: 14th December 2023 – 7th January 2023
Venue: London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4ES
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.
Join siblings Hansel and Gretel for a delicious adventure as they try to discover a way out of the forest, instead discovering the sweet-covered cottage of a kind old woman. But all is not as it seems, as the pair discover the dessert house is not the only thing on the menu!
Full of music, verse, song and sparkle, this exciting new production is set to be a highlight of the festive season, and will delight everyone aged 5 to 105!
Dates: 15th – 31st December
Venue: Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, London, SE1 9DT
Enjoy a merry day out at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre with Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas pantomime! Tailored for kids under 6, this delightful production is based on Briggs’ beloved book.
Join Santa as he awakens from a dream of sun, sea, and sand, only to realise it’s the busiest day of the year: Christmas Eve. Kids will be swept up in the holiday enchantment as Santa gets ready for his deliveries, tends to his reindeer, and sets off on a snowy night flight.
Returning for Christmas 2023, this Lyric family favourite, co-produced with the Olivier Award-nominated Pins & Needles Productions, embodies the true essence of Christmas.
One of the world’s most loved monsters is growling its way back to the West End, bringing with it a brave and adventurous mini Gruffalo! The Gruffalo’s Child is the sequel to the hugely successful stage adaptation of The Gruffalo, which has delighted many families for many years.
One wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warnings about the Big Bad Mouse and tiptoes out into the deep dark wood. She follows snowy tracks and encounters mysterious creatures – but the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist… does he?
Let your kid’s imagination run wild with songs, laughs and scary fun for everyone
this festive season.
This December, the Arts Theatre in Leicester Square presents a side-splitting adaptation of Nicholas Allan’s book: Father Christmas Needs A Wee! Join Santa on Christmas Eve as he find various delicious treats, cookies and milk left out for him at the houses he visits. But by house number 10 he’s discovered a problem- he needs to use the toilet so much that he forgets some presents along the way!
TaleGate Theatre Productions brilliantly blend witty humour, fantastic music, and their signature sparkle in this uproariously funny and energetically bouncy musical adaptation of Nicholas Allan’s much-adored book. Kids will just love the silliness of this show!
Fancy something a bit different? Why not catch a puppet show with the kids this Christmas! You’ll meet George, a friendly giant with a big heart who wishes he wasn’t the scruffiest giant in town. So when he sees a new shop selling giant-sized clothes, he decides it’s time for a new look. Now he’s the smartest giant in town, until he bumps into some animals that desperately need his help – and his clothes!
Younger kids will love musical adaptation of the bestselling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, telling the moving story of a giant in his quest to start anew. This heart-warming tale is a celebration of kindness, friendship, and the importance of being true to oneself.
Get ready to be whisked away to a magical world with the whole family, as the enchanting story of Aladdin lands in Hackney this festive season!
Aladdin’s dreaming big—he’s on the hunt for love and a bit of fortune. When he stumbles upon an enchanted lamp and meets a mysterious genie, it seems like his wishes might just come true. But will they, or will trouble come knocking?
Expect an unbelievable cast, incredible costumes, uncontrollable laughter and song and dance numbers that are nothing short of genie-us!
When Christmas comes under threat from a jolly man dressed in red, it’s up to one brave young boy to save the day – but can he really save Christmas? From Victorian villains to medieval monks, Puritan parties to Tudor treats, kids will love this hair-raising adventure through the history of Christmas. You’ll be in the company of Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell, King Henry VIII and St Nicholas, as they come together to save the festive season.
This one-night-only spectacle is a festive celebration unlike any other, immersing kids in the wonders of Christmas across the ages!
Brace yourself and the kids for an awfully big adventure at Mischief’s riotous spin on a timeless classic Peter Pan Goes Wrong. This quirky adaptation turns the classic tale of Peter Pan into a comedy of errors, featuring the ‘Cornley Drama Society’ back on stage battling technical hitches, flying mishaps and cast disputes as they attempt to present J.M Barrie’s much-loved tale.
As the set malfunctions and lines are fumbled, the result is an incredibly funny portrayal of a play-within-a-play gone awry. Will they ever make it to Neverland? Nominated for Best New Comedy at the Olivier® Awards, it’s one that the kids are sure to love!
Born at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2004, and subsequently gaining international acclaim touring the globe, this original and trailblazing Spiegeltent cabaret show is returning to London’s Leicester Square for Christmas 2023.
One for your older teens (rage 16+), this show promises a night of laughter and surprises inside the spectacular Spiegeltent. Created by David Bates, La Clique has been the torchbearer for nearly 20 years, winning awards and selling out in London, Edinburgh, and beyond. Critics rave about its amazing, hilarious, and mesmerizing performances. Join the fun for an unforgettable night of breath-taking skill and entertainment!
Discover an unforgettable and thrilling adventure where the strength of friendship is tested to its limits, and nothing is quite what it seems in the fantastical, frosty world of The Snow Queen.
Gerda sets off on a magical quest to save her best friend Kai, who’s vanished with the mysterious Snow Queen. Time is ticking-unless Gerda rescues him soon; he’ll be lost in an eternal winter.
Jude Christian’s brand new family adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale is brought to life with songs, spectacular storytelling and a flurry of mythical magic. Enter a wintry wonderland of imagination for the whole family at Polka Theatre this Christmas; their new, accessible venues is also home to a café and outdoor and indoor play areas.
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