Plays, Experiences & Pantos — our picks of Christmas Shows 2025
- Sarah
- 3 hours ago
- 17 min read
There’s nothing quite like theatre in December — those long winter evenings are just begging for drama, sparkle or a touch of mischief. Whether you prefer immersive feasts, traditional pantos, or something a little bit naughty, here’s a hand-picked round-up of London (and beyond)’s most magical Christmas shows in 2025.
Index
In the run up
The Grim
Cockfosters
The Enigmatist
Experiences
A Fairy Tale for Christmas
My Fair Lady
The Great Christmas Feast
The Magic of Christmas
Pantos
Potted Panto
Wicked Witches
Jack and the Beanstalk
Cinderella
Sinderalla
Beauty and the Beast - a horny love story
The Fit Prince
The Liar, the Bitch and the Wardrobe
Other Christmas Shows
The Christmas Thing
A Christmas Carol
Boys in the Buff
Maddie Moat's Very Curious Christmas
In the run up to Christmas
If you're not quite ready for the C word -here are some fun shows to see.
The Grim – Southwark Playhouse Borough
After acclaimed runs at the Edinburgh Fringe and the Old Red Lion Theatre, The Grim makes its way to Southwark Playhouse this winter for a strictly limited season. Written by Edmund Morris, this macabre yet wildly funny play mixes dark comedy, farce and horror with a deft hand — think League of Gentlemen meets Shaun of the Dead in a 1960s undertaker’s workshop.
The story follows Shaun, an overworked funeral director, and his hapless assistant Robert as they prepare the body of notorious criminal Jackie Gallagher for burial. But as night falls, things take a rather grisly turn when the corpse refuses to stay dead. What unfolds is a high-octane romp through panic, chaos and pitch-black humour, as the pair try to survive a night they definitely didn’t train for.
Expect jump scares, belly laughs and a few moments that will make you clutch your mulled wine a little tighter.
Dates: 26 November – 6 December 2025
Venue: Southwark Playhouse Borough, 77–85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD
Tickets: From £22
Running time: 90 minutes (including interval)
Age guidance: Contains strong language, adult humour and some dark themes
All Aboard for Cockfosters – London’s Funniest Tube Ride Is Back!
Southwark Playhouse Borough
If you’ve ever found yourself side-eyeing a manspreader, dodging a busker, or silently judging someone’s pronunciation of “Leicester Square,” then Cockfosters is the show for you.
We've reviewed this previously and have been promised that it’s bigger, bolder, and even more chaotic than before.
Two strangers, James and Tori, meet on the Piccadilly Line at Heathrow and embark on a surreal journey across 38 stops. One Tube carriage. Zero refunds. Along the way, they encounter a parade of eccentric Londoners, musical numbers, and painfully familiar commuter moments.
It’s fast-paced, sketch-driven, and packed with original songs — a love letter to the London Underground, with a healthy dose of sarcasm.
So, mind the gap — and don’t miss the train! Cockfosters is the festive comedy Londoners didn’t know they needed. Grab your tickets, bring your mates, and prepare for a journey you won’t forget.
Southwark Playhouse Borough 77–85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD
Dates: 4 Dec 2025 – 3 Jan 2026
Times: Mon–Sat at 7:00 pm, Tues & Sat matinees at 2:30 pm, Extra shows: 22 Dec, 29 Dec, 2 Jan at 2:30 pm
No shows on 24–26 Dec, 31 Dec, or 1 Jan
Run time: 70 minutes (no interval) Age guidance: 16+
Prices start at just £12 — a bargain for a night of belly laughs and brilliant performances.
The Enigmatist – Wilton’s Music Hall
Erica Fee and James Seabright present David Kwong, the renowned magician and New York Times crossword constructor, as he brings his acclaimed US hit The Enigmatist to the UK for the very first time.
Part immersive puzzle, part theatrical event, The Enigmatist invites audiences to become codebreakers for the evening — deciphering clues, cracking riddles and unravelling mysteries woven seamlessly into the performance. Kwong’s sharp wit and sleight of hand transform logic and language into something astonishing, culminating in a final reveal that’s as jaw-dropping as it is satisfying.
Blending live magic, wordplay and mental gymnastics, this is intelligent entertainment with a twinkle in its eye — the perfect show for puzzle lovers and curious minds alike.
Dates: 24 – 29 November 2025
Venue: Wilton’s Music Hall, Graces Alley, London E1 8JB
Experiences
A Fairytale for Christmas – UK Tour
Back for its biggest year yet, A Fairytale for Christmas has become a festive tradition for thousands of families across the UK and Ireland. From the creators of Seven Drunken Nights – The Story of the Dubliners, this joyous concert blends Celtic rhythm, Irish dance and Christmas sparkle into one grand celebration that feels like St Patrick’s Day crashing head-first into Christmas Eve.
Expect a whirlwind of live music, fiddles, flutes and foot-stomping dance, all wrapped in tinsel and twinkling lights. The show moves effortlessly from much-loved carols like O Holy Night and I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day to Irish favourites such as The Irish Rover and Dirty Old Town — a sing-along spectacular that’s become an annual highlight from Dublin to Dundee.
With multiple casts touring simultaneously this year, it’s truly a nationwide celebration — performing in more than 50 venues across the UK, Ireland and even Scandinavia. Whether you’re near Cardiff, Brighton, Belfast or Manchester, you can catch the show somewhere nearby.
Director Ged Graham describes it as “the ultimate Irish-inspired Christmas party” — and that’s exactly what it feels like. Packed with warmth, wit and good-natured mischief, it’s a show that leaves audiences beaming and tapping their feet all the way home.
Running time: 130 mins
Age guidance: All ages welcome
Dates: 31 October – 22 December 2025
London: 23 November 2025, 7.30pm – Dominion Theatre, London
Tour link: afairytaleforchristmas.com
My Fair Lady – The Mill at Sonning
Whilst not an obviously Christmassy choice, The Mill at Sonning has a long-standing tradition of programming feel-good musicals for its festive season — and artistic director Sally Hughes has once again chosen a winner. We're we big fans of White Christmas, Gyspy and High Society, so have high expectations of this production. This year’s Christmas show is Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady, a musical theatre gem with timeless charm and one of the most glorious scores ever written.
Featuring classics such as Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?, On the Street Where You Live and I Could Have Danced All Night, the show will be directed by Joseph Pitcher, whose 2023 production of Gypsy at The Mill won the UK Theatre Award for Best Musical Production. Pitcher returns following acclaimed runs of High Society and Guys & Dolls, bringing his trademark polish and warmth to this story of transformation, class and connection.
With Simbi Akande and Nadim Naaman leading the cast, My Fair Lady at The Mill promises to be sumptuous, witty and heart-warming — the perfect musical antidote to a cold winter’s night.
Tickets include a two course meal pre show, either lunch or dinner.
Dates: 20 November 2025 – 17 January 2026
Venue: The Mill at Sonning Theatre
The Great Christmas Feast – The Lost Estate
Each winter, a hidden door in West Kensington opens into another world — and for those in the know, The Great Christmas Feast has become one of London’s most magical secrets. Now entering its eighth year, this cult festive experience blends theatre, dining, and live music into a truly Dickensian night out.
Set on Christmas Eve, 1843, the evening transports guests into Charles Dickens’ parlour, where the author himself unveils his latest story — A Christmas Carol. It’s an immersive blend of theatre and hospitality, where you don’t just watch the story unfold — you dine, drink, and live inside it.
At the heart of the performance is David Alwyn (Secret Cinema, War of the Worlds: The Immersive Experience), delivering a captivating one-man performance as Dickens, weaving effortlessly between narrator and character to conjure Scrooge, Marley and Tiny Tim in vivid detail. The result feels part ghost story, part fireside storytelling session — with the thrill of live performance pulsing through it all.
The show is directed by Simon Pittman (Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre), who returns for his fourth year to reimagine this extraordinary world. Each season brings new layers of design, music and atmosphere. Guests cross the threshold into a candlelit Victorian London — all gaslight, snow-dusted streets and flickering parlour fires.
Of course, this is The Lost Estate, so the food is every bit as important as the theatre. A three-course Victorian banquet is served between acts.
Threading through it all is a haunting live score creating a musical landscape that feels as much a part of the story as the dialogue itself.
The Great Christmas Feast is theatre, dinner and time travel rolled into one — a rare experience that feels handcrafted for Londoners who crave something beyond the usual seasonal sparkle. Whether you go for the storytelling, the sumptuous food or the sheer atmosphere, this is one festive tradition that lingers long after the final toast.
Tickets:
Classic Dining from £139.50 (shared tables)
Charlie’s Circle from £179.50 (private tables with welcome drink)
Charlie’s Circle Royale (VIP) from £249.50 (champagne, canapés and premium seating)
Evening performances at 7pm (doors 6pm) and matinees at 1pm (doors noon).Nearest station: West Kensington (2 min), Earl’s Court (10 min).
Dates: 14 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
Venue: The Lost Estate, 9 Beaumont Avenue, London W14 9LP
The Magic of Christmas – Brick Lane Music Hall
Each winter, Brick Lane Music Hall transforms into the beating heart of East London’s festive cheer — and this year’s brand-new show, The Magic of Christmas, looks set to be another sparkling addition to the venue’s long line of beloved seasonal productions.
Hosted by the inimitable Vincent Hayes MBE, the founder of the Music Hall and tireless champion of this uniquely British art form, the show is a joyful blend of music, comedy, and cabaret — with a generous dash of nostalgia. Expect toe-tapping songs, warm-hearted humour, and moments that’ll have you humming all the way home.
The 2025 company features an impressively talented lineup: violinist Victoria Yellop (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Windsor Tattoo), Broadway World Award nominee William Byrne (Jesus Christ Superstar, Ronnie Scott’s regular), Andrew Robley, winner of BBC’s Search For A Star, and Music Hall favourites Lucy Reed, Samantha McNeil, Jake Lawrence and Charlotte Fage. Together they deliver a feast of festive music — from traditional carols and golden-age crooners to pop hits, film favourites, and even a cheeky country Christmas medley.
Part of Brick Lane’s enduring charm lies in its roots. Music hall entertainment began in London’s taverns, where audiences ate, drank, and sang along — and that tradition of merriment lives on here. Each performance pairs the show with a meal: three-course dinners and dancing in the evenings, hearty festive lunches by day, or afternoon teas for matinee-goers. It’s part show, part party — and the result is pure Christmas spirit.
Now based in Silvertown, the venue continues Vincent’s original vision — laughter, song and community all under one roof. This year’s Magic of Christmas captures that beautifully, celebrating the past while welcoming new audiences into the fold. It’s London’s most joyful festive time capsule — a place where tradition still shines, tinsel sparkles, and everyone leaves a little bit merrier.
Dates: 19 November – 19 December 2025
Venue: Brick Lane Music Hall, Silvertown, East London
Pantos
Potted Panto – Wilton’s Music Hall
The hit festive romp returns to Wilton’s for another season of gleeful chaos. We have seen this before and have to admit that it's one of our favourites. Potted Panto squeezes seven classic pantomimes into one gloriously bonkers evening — from Aladdin to Cinderella, via a flying cow and a giant beanstalk.
This year sees Gary Trainor join the cast, stepping in for Jefferson, alongside co-creator Dan Clarkson, whose quickfire comic energy has made this show a perennial favourite. As Dan puts it:
“The beauty of panto is that you can sprinkle it each year with a bit of current pop culture. We’d be hard pushed to resist a nod to all the ‘fun’ happening in America and the larks in UK politics, though at this point, it’s hard to know where the politics ends and the pantomime begins! It really does feel like the world’s doing half our writing for us!”
Expect a madcap mix of topical gags, audience participation and affectionate parody, all set within the magical surroundings of Wilton’s. It’s fast, funny and packed with festive spirit — perfect for kids and grown-ups alike.
Dates: 3 December 2025 – 3 January 2026
Venue: Wilton’s Music Hall, Graces Alley, London E1 8JB
Wicked Witches - A Popular Panto - Pleasance Theatre
If you’re looking for a festive night out that’s equal parts glitter, giggles and glorious chaos, then look no further than Wicked Witches – A Popular Panto! This gloriously camp Christmas spectacular is packed with cabaret, pop parody, drag royalty and more sass than you can shake a wand at.
And yes, that is Jeremy Corbyn making a cameo as the Wizard of Oz-lington. In a magical on-screen moment, the MP for Islington North swaps Parliament for panto, promising magic — and actually delivering it. It’s a celebration of local theatre, community spirit, and festive mischief.
This is Pleasance’s first panto in over twenty years, and it kicks off their 30th anniversary celebrations with a bang. So grab your ruby slippers, gather your chosen family, and get ready to boo, cheer, and laugh your way through the wild world of Oz-lington.
It’s loud, it’s proud, and it’s pure festive magic.
Expect soaring vocals, sparkly spells, and plenty of audience participation. Whether you’re seven or seventy-seven, there’s something here for everyone — from cheeky adult humour to heart-warming family fun.
Two Shows, One Magical World:
Running: Friday 21 November to Wednesday 31 December 2025,
Adults-only version: Tuesday 18 November – Sunday 28 December
Family-friendly version: Friday 21 November – Wednesday 31 December
Venue: Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, North Road, London N7 9EF
Tickets: £10–£35
Running time: 2 hours (including interval)
Jack and the Beanstalk - King's Head Theatre
It’s that time of year again – the fairy lights are twinkling, the mulled wine is flowing, and the panto dames are dusting off their wigs.
Running from 23 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, this Islington panto is back with a bang – and leading the charge is none other than Victoria Scone, the first AFAB queen to grace RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and finalist on Canada vs The World. She’s stepping into the heels of Dame Trott, and if her past performances are anything to go by, we’re in for a treat that’s equal parts glitter, gags, and glorious gowns.
Joining her is a cracking cast: Elliott Baker-Costello as Jack (fresh from Mamma Mia!), Priscille Grace as Jill (panto royalty in the making), Mia Ito Smith as Fairy Fullobeans, Pavanveer Sagoo as Pat the Cow (yes, there’s a cow), and Joseph Lukehurst as the dastardly Nightshade.
The show is written and directed by panto pro Andrew Pollard, the creative team is top-notch, with West End designers, Olivier Award-winning musical direction, and choreography that promises to have you dancing in your seat.
Family-friendly shows run throughout the week, but if you’re after something a little more risqué, the Adults Only performances on Thursday and Saturday nights are where the real mischief happens – complete with surprise celeb guests (last year saw Vinegar Strokes and Christina Bianco, so expect big names and bigger laughs).Whether you’re bringing the kids or rounding up your mates for a festive knees-up, Jack and the Beanstalk is the perfect mix of tradition, sparkle, and sass.
Tickets start at just £10, with family bundles, Pay What You Can nights, and special offers for locals and under 35s.
King’s Head Theatre, Islington Square, N1
Cinderella - Hackney Empire
If there’s one thing that makes London sparkle at Christmas, it’s a proper East End panto – and this year, Hackney Empire is pulling out all the stops with Cinderella. Expect glitter, giggles, and a whole lot of Hackney magic.
Running from Saturday 22 November to Wednesday 31 December 2025, this show promises everything we love about panto: outrageous costumes, toe-tapping tunes, and plenty of cheeky jokes to keep the grown-ups grinning. And with a stellar cast led by Siobhan James as Cinderella, Jade Johnson as the Fairy Godmother, and Hackney favourite Kat B returning for his 20th panto, you know you’re in safe (and sparkly) hands.
Whether you’re bringing the kids for a festive family day out or rounding up your mates for a night of nostalgia and laughter, this is the perfect way to kick off the season. Just don’t hang about – tickets are flying faster than a pumpkin carriage at midnight. So grab your glass slippers and get ready for a night of pure festive joy.
Venue: Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, London E8
Dates: 22 November – 31 December 2025
Sinderella - Scala
London’s sauciest panto is back. Written and directed by Simon Gross, Sinderella is a disco-fuelled, glitter-strewn night of outrageous fun featuring Regina Sparkles and Kevin Mornas as the improbably named Prince Donkey Dick of Euston. Expect laughter, audience participation and more innuendo than you can shake a wand at. Proceeds support the Terrence Higgins Trust.
Strictly for adults, and not for the prudish!
Dates: 19 Dec 2025 – 11 Jan 2026
Venue: Scala London, 275 Pentonville Road, N1 9NL
Beauty and the Beast: A Horny Love Story at Charing Cross Theatre
Right, let’s get one thing straight: this is an adult panto.
This December, the gloriously chaotic minds behind He’s Behind You! are back – and they’re bringing a whole new level of festive filth to the West End. Their latest creation, Beauty and the Beast: A Horny Love Story, lands at Charing Cross Theatre for a strictly adults-only run.
Set in the fictional Scottish town of Lichmanochers, this is a tale as old as time... if time involved sexual awakenings, queer chaos, and a lot of very inappropriate jokes. Think classic panto tropes, but turned inside out, shaken up, and served with a side of glitter and gin.
Expect original music, outrageous costumes, and more double entendres than you can shake a candy cane at. If you’re after a festive night out that’s a little bit naughty, a lot hilarious, and guaranteed to leave you grinning all the way home, this is the one.
Venue: Charing Cross Theatre, The Arches, Villiers Street, London, WC2N 6NF,
Dates: 21 November 2025 to 11 January 2026 [charingcro...atre.co.uk], [london-the...land.co.uk]
No performances on 25, 26, and 31 December
Strictly 18+
The Fit Prince – King’s Head Theatre, Islington
Fresh from stealing hearts (and headlines) at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, The Fit Prince comes to the King’s Head for Christmas — and it promises to be one of the most riotous, glitter-dusted nights in town.
Created by Awkward Productions — the team behind Gwyneth Goes Skiing, Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story and How to Live a Jellicle Life — this is their most extravagant festive spoof yet. Think Hallmark holiday rom-com meets drag cabaret meets royal scandal, all set in the suspiciously Nordic kingdom of Swedonia, where the crown and the heart are both up for grabs.
The story follows unlucky New York baker Aaron Butcher, whose career (and love life) are collapsing faster than a soufflé. When he’s unexpectedly invited to bake the royal wedding cake in Swedonia, he heads off on a journey that’s equal parts farce, fairy tale and queer fantasia. There are puppet sidekicks, royal dilemmas, and more snow-covered castles than you can shake a whisk at.
Expect outrageous comedy, tongue-in-cheek choreography, and just enough sincerity to make you swoon. A smart, sparkly alternative to the traditional panto — and quite possibly the most joyful love story of the season.
Dates: 2 December 2025 – 3 January 2026
The Liar, The Bitch and The Wardrobe – Union Theatre
If you thought Christmas theatre was all sugar and spice, think again. This winter, the Union Theatre is serving up something gloriously naughty with the return of The Liar, The Bitch and The Wardrobe – and trust me, it’s going to be outrageous.
Following a sell-out run at The Turbine Theatre, this “very adult panto” by Joshua Coley is back to shake up your festive season. Running from 29 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, it’s a cheeky, irreverent twist on the Narnia you think you know. Forget snow-covered forests – this version is packed with East End lovers, a boarding school for “Bad Butch Boys,” and characters like Mr. Topless, The Hungry Beaver, and the evil Tight Bitch. Yes, really.
Directed by Sasha Regan, expect sharp humour, pop culture nods, and musical numbers that will have you laughing (and maybe blushing) all the way home. It’s bold, it’s brash, and it’s definitely not for the kids. So, if your idea of festive fun involves sass, satire, and a wardrobe full of surprises, this is the one to book.
Venue: Union Theatre, Old Union Arches, 229 Union Street, SE1 0LR
Dates: 9 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
Shows run Tuesday to Saturday at 7:30pm, with weekend matinees
Other Christmas Shows
The Christmas Thing - Seven Dials Playhouse
If your idea of festive fun involves drumming robots, rogue cameras, and a healthy dose of Christmas chaos, then The Christmas Thing is your must-see show this December. This multimedia variety extravaganza is back to turn the theatre into a gloriously unhinged broadcast studio.
Created by comedy duo Tom Clarkson and Owen Visser, The Christmas Thing is part TV special, part live variety show, and all-out festive mayhem. Think Morecambe & Wise meets The Muppet Show, with a dash of Taskmaster and the joyful nonsense of Shooting Stars. Audiences become the live studio crowd as the show unfolds with surprise guests, Christmas games, video sketches, music, and technical hijinks galore.
Expect:
Remote-controlled cameras and drumming robots
Gadgets that misbehave
Props with minds of their own
A festive atmosphere that channels the unruly energy of a family gathering
It’s nostalgic, unpredictable, and packed with Christmas cheer — perfect for anyone looking for a seasonal night out that’s a little wilder than your standard Christmas Carol.
Whether you're a fan of festive nostalgia or just in it for the chaos, The Christmas Thing promises a night of laughter, surprises, and seasonal silliness. So grab your Christmas jumper, maybe an eggnog or two, and get ready to go "on air" with the most delightfully bonkers show in town.
Show Details:
Dates: Tuesday 2 December – Saturday 20 December 2025
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Seven Dials Playhouse, Covent Garden, London
Booking: https://www.sevendialsplayhouse.co.uk/shows/the-christmas-thing
A Christmas Carol – The Old Vic
Dates: 12 November 2025 – 10 January 2026Venue: The Old Vic, 103 The Cut, London SE1 8NBScrooge: Paul Hilton (The Inheritance, Lady Macbeth, Slow Horses)
Each year, The Old Vic transforms into something truly magical with Jack Thorne’s now-iconic adaptation of A Christmas Carol, directed by Matthew Warchus. Now in its ninth season, this much-loved production has become a cornerstone of London’s festive calendar — part theatre, part Christmas ritual.
This year, Paul Hilton steps into the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, bringing quiet intensity and fresh humanity to Dickens’ tale of redemption, ghosts and generosity. The staging remains breathtaking — all flickering candles, ringing bells and carols that seem to lift the roof. Even if you’ve seen it before, it’s one of those rare productions that feels different every year: intimate, immersive, and somehow still capable of giving you goosebumps.
What to expect:
Running time: approx. 2 hours (including 20-minute interval)
Suitable for ages 8 and up
Candlelit atmosphere, live music and immersive staging
Multiple access performances (Audio Described, BSL, Captioned and Relaxed)
Booking tip: Tickets start from around £10 for previews (12–17 Nov), with peak dates closer to Christmas selling fast. Look out for discounts for over 60s at selected performances, and book early for weekends or family visits — this show tends to sell out weeks in advance.
Boys in the Buff – Golden Goose Theatre
Dates: 10 December 2025 – 10 January 2026Venue: Golden Goose Theatre, 146 Camberwell New Road, London SE5 0RRA cult favourite returns — part cabaret, part comedy, Boys in the Buff celebrates body confidence, friendship and festive cheek. Expect upbeat songs, sharp humour and a playful take on self-image that’s both hilarious and unexpectedly heart-warming. The atmosphere is joyous and inclusive, and while there’s a fair bit of flesh on show, it’s all done with charm and wit.
Some performances even come with a “clothing-optional” audience option (strictly voluntary — not for us, thank you!). Grab a drink, settle in, and prepare for a night that’s as fun as it is feel-good.
Book tickets →
Dates: 10 December 2025 – 10 January 2026Venue: Golden Goose Theatre, 146 Camberwell New Road, London SE5 0RR
Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas – Garrick Theatre
If your festive plans involve a little magic and a lot of curiosity, then this one’s for you. BAFTA-winning presenter Maddie Moate is back in the West End with her Olivier-nominated family show, Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas, and it’s the perfect mix of science, silliness, and seasonal cheer.
Running at the Garrick Theatre from Friday 12 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026, Maddie takes audiences inside Santa’s workshop for a hands-on STEM adventure. Expect giggles, experiments, and a sprinkle of Christmas chaos as Maddie teams up with her elf pals Tinker and Goggles to save the day before Mrs Claus pops in for a special virtual cameo.
It’s clever, it’s festive, and it’s guaranteed to keep little ones (and grown-ups) entertained while sneaking in some science magic. So grab the family, and get ready for a Christmas show that’s as educational as it is enchanting.
Where: Garrick Theatre, 2 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0HH
When: 12 December 2025 – 4 January 2026
