Looking for the best Christmas shows and festive experiences in London in 2026? From A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic and the joyous community spirit of Ceilidh to family favourites including Stick Man, Potted Panto and The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, plus festive feasts, pantomimes, ice skating and immersive adventures, here's my pick of the shows, events and Christmas traditions worth booking this festive season.

Most visitors come to Dulwich Picture Gallery for The Great Wave, but Hokusai: Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji reveals a far richer story. From playful visual jokes and the transformative arrival of Prussian blue to the artist's lifelong quest for perfection, the complete series rewards close attention. Add the free Charlie Mackesy exhibition opposite, and this becomes one of London's most rewarding cultural days out.

Applebee's Borough Market has launched a seasonal autumn tasting menu showcasing British seafood, paired with natural wines from Rye's Walgate Wines. From a standout hand-dived scallop to warm, generous service and impressive gluten-free options, here's why this £55 menu is one of London's best-value dining experiences.

Memoriam explores a fascinating future where memories can be extracted, edited and sold, asking powerful questions about identity, grief and what happens when we soften painful experiences. Beverley Klein shines as the feisty Rivka, but while there are the bones of a cracking good story here, a tighter running time and less sibling bickering would allow its most compelling ideas to truly take centre stage.

Laura Grillo’s What Would Jarvis Do? is a brave, unsettling black comedy that blends fandom, grief and lockdown-induced psychosis into a fever-dream journey through the human psyche. At its best, it offers moments of real emotional insight, particularly in its exploration of loss and isolation. While its surrealism and familiar horror tropes sometimes hinder audience engagement, the production’s ambition, dark humour and pulsing Pulp soundtrack leave a memorable impression.

Night City is a bold and visually inventive look at London’s gig economy, driven by outstanding performances from Jack Ambrose and Bex Smith and exceptional movement direction. While Max Wilkinson’s play powerfully captures the human cost of insecure work, an unconvincing late plot development weakens its emotional impact. Ambitious and thought-provoking, it remains an engaging evening despite not fully delivering on all its ideas.

Think classy fun fair by the Thames and you're on the right track. Electric Summer at Battersea Power Station combines nostalgic rides, pétanque, roller skating, giant prize-winning games, food trucks and a riverside bar in one of London's most iconic locations. Best of all, entry is free, so you can simply soak up the atmosphere or pay as you go for the attractions.

A fascinating celebration of Jonathan Larson's lesser-known work, The Jonathan Larson Project showcases a superb cast delivering every song with commitment and flair. While it feels more like a theatrical revue than a fully-fledged musical, Imelda Warren-Green steals the show with a brilliantly hilarious turn as a deranged housewife, providing the evening's biggest laughs.

Conceived during Covid-19, TR(IA)L is a tense, claustrophobic sci-fi drama following ‘Subject X’ as she undergoes a mysterious drug trial. Isolated and stripped of memory, she begins to question her reality—and her supervisor. Smart and unsettling, it offers a chilling reflection on control, identity, and modern science

A warm, witty and deeply relatable look at love after sixty, Invisible Me shines thanks to Bren Gosling’s insightful script and a beautifully layered performance from Tessa Peake-Jones. Honest, funny and quietly moving, it’s a refreshing reminder that life’s most exciting chapters can still lie ahead.

This gripping 90-minute Saint Joan distils Shaw’s epic into a fierce, modern clash of faith and power. Ruthie Black is electrifying in the title role, while James Saxby’s shapeshifting performance is equally compelling. Together, they create a taut, thought-provoking piece that feels urgent, intimate, and strikingly relevant.

2210 by Natty Can Cook in Herne Hill is a buzzing Caribbean restaurant serving standout dishes, from the best roti we’ve ever had to perfectly spiced jerk chicken and tender oxtail. With warm, attentive service (and a surprise rum punch for a birthday), it’s a neighbourhood spot we hope stays busy every night.

An intimate and emotionally layered two-hander, Dawn of Reckoning draws you in with its relatable university nostalgia before unfolding into something far more unsettling. With gripping performances from Emily Carter and Sophie Linfield, this ambiguous story of friendship and loss lingers long after curtain call.

A chilling ghost story comes to life at Southwark Playhouse Borough. It Walks Around The House At Night blends clever staging, immersive lighting and sound, and a gripping central performance from George Naylor. With plenty of jumps and bumps for horror fans, balanced by sharp humour and strong storytelling, this atmospheric production proves that a small theatre can deliver a seriously big night of theatre.

A powerful, intimate revival of Savage at the historic White Bear, where Kerill Kelly and Matthew Hartley shine as lovers torn apart, and Claire‑Monique Martin delivers a quietly extraordinary performance as the nurse who risks everything to help.

Warm, funny and unexpectedly moving, Grindr Mom at Waterloo East Theatre is a standout solo performance from Jessica Martin. Blending mischievous humour with genuine emotional depth, this clever monologue explores faith, family and the search for connection, with hilarious Siri and Alexa moments sitting alongside a quietly heartbreaking journey of acceptance.

Resuming our long-lapsed Boxing Day theatre tradition, Ballet Shoes at the National Theatre proved the perfect return. From the ensemble warming up the audience with ballet moves pre-show, to a thoughtful, playful retelling of Noel Streatfeild’s story, this production balances warmth, invention and heart. Standout dancing, smart adaptations, and a finale that lands squarely in Croydon make this generous family theatre at its best. ★★★★★

There are a dozen ways to stage A Christmas Carol in December — lavish ensembles, swirling snow, celebrity Scrooges. One Christmas Carol goes the opposite way, and in the intimate upstairs room of the Bread & Roses Theatre, that choice feels like a declaration. Dickens is stripped back to story, language, and performance, with Gwithian Evans conjuring an entire Victorian world solo through voice, precision, and extraordinary control. It’s the one.

A cheeky, body-positive cabaret at Golden Goose Theatre, Boys in the Buff is all about confidence, humour, and audience fun. Expect dazzling songs, playful interaction, and even clothing-optional nights for a liberating twist. Running until 10 January 2026—book now for a night that’s bold, inclusive, and unforgettable

he Grim at Southwark Playhouse mixes sharp comedy with uneven horror. The dynamic between Shaun and Robert brings plenty of laughs, while Harry Carter’s explosive arrival as Jackie Gallagher steals the show. The 1960s setting feels unnecessary, and the supernatural elements don’t fully land, but there’s real potential for this to grow into something special.