Index of Christmas Shows 2024 in this article
A Christmas Carol - The Old Vic
A Sherlock Carol - Marylebone Theatre
White Christmas - The Mill at Sonning
Crumple Zone - Waterloo East Theatre
Horrible Christmas - Alexandra Palace Theatre
Funicular - the Murder Express - Pedley Street
Fawlty Towers Dining Experience -President Hotel
Potted Panto (family) - Wilton's Music Hall
Snow White (family) - Leicester De Montfort
Jack and the Beanstalk - What a Whopper! (adult) - Charing Cross Theatre
Snow White (adult) - Vauxhall Food and Beer Garden
Plays and Musicals for Christmas 2024
A Christmas Carol
This has to be on most people's 'feel good' Christmas show lists. The Old Vic is putting on its annual version, now in it's 7th year; the cast changes but the staging is the same each year. This year it's John Sim's turn to tread the boards as Scrooge. It's a lovely production and if you haven't seen it before, it's certainly going to warm the cockles of your heart. Our review from 2021 and previous years is here.
When: 9 November - 4 January
Running Time: Approximately two hours and five minutes plus a 20 minute interval
Suitability: for ages 8+
Prices from: from £13 - £95
Address: The Old Vic, The Cut, London SE1 8NB
Telephone: 0344 871 7628
A Sherlock Carol
For something rather different, why not book A Sherlock Carol?
It's been three Christmases since the famous confrontation with his nemesis Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls, and Sherlock Holmes has lost his appetite for mince pies or for solving crime. As he wanders through Victorian London, he meets a grown-up and not-so-Tiny Tim who beseeches him to investigate the mysterious death of his reformed benefactor, one Ebenezer Scrooge (Kammy Darwesh).
The mystery unfolds; a seemingly impossible murder, a threatening letter, and a missing diamond - it’s just enough to intrigue the great Holmes. But it’s a dark and treacherous Christmas Eve, and once again the night is haunted by the spirits of the past, present, and future. Using his powers of deduction, can Holmes (Ben Caplan) overcome his own ghosts to crack the case?
The worlds of Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle combine on stage in this ‘instant holiday classic’, coming to London for the second year running , just a stone’s throw from Holmes’ fictional base at 221B Baker Street itself. Our review from last year here.
Address: Marylebone Theatre, Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London, NW1 6XT
When: 29 November 2024 - 5 January 2025
Suitability: age 10+
Prices: from £15 to £67
White Christmas
Is this the ultimate show for Christmas 2024? We're looking forward to finding out. Based on the film, Irvin Berlin's classic musical staged at The Mill at Sonning follows two World War II veterans as they team up with a sister act to save a local inn and discover the true meaning of Christmas.
Filled with so many memorable songs including “Blue Skies“; “Sisters“; “How Deep is The Ocean” – and of course “White Christmas“. This is going to be a show of pure nostalgia with a warm Christmas glow - I can't wait!
All tickets include a 2 course meal in the restaurant before the show, helping to make this even more of an occasion.
Address: The Mill at Sonning Theatre, Sonning Eye, Reading, RG4 6TY
When: 27th November to 18th January
Performances: Saturday matinees every week
Sunday matinees from 8 December
Friday matinee 27 December and 3 January
Tuesday eve from 3 December (Excluding 24th December)
Sunday eve 15, 22, 29 December
FOR MATINEE PERFORMANCES: Restaurant open and serving lunch from 12.15pm – 2pm Performance starts 2.15pm
FOR EVENING PERFORMANCES: Restaurant open and serving dinner from 6.15pm – 8pm Performance starts 8.15pm
Prices: £71.25 to £104.50
Box office: 0118 969 8000 Mill At Sonning
Crumple Zone
For something rather different and fun, we're looking forward to this play which has been promised to be hilarious. It sounds a great way to start the Christmas festivities. Crumple Zone is a Off-Broadway hit, set in a run-down apartment on Staten Island, centering on three roommates coming to a crisis during one frantic Christmas weekend.
There's Terry, an out-of-work actor who can’t keep a job or get a date, who spends his days swilling cheap vodka and playing referee to a messy love triangle.
It's billed as both extremely funny and deeply moving, and with brief nudity. The Crumple Zone is about staying together, breaking apart, and the things we lose along the way (not least underpants!)
Address: Waterloo East Theatre, Brad Street, London SE1 8TN
When: 26 November to 22nd December
Suitability: Adults only
Performances: Tuesday - Saturday at 7.30pm Sundays at 4.00pm
Prices: £15.00 - £27.00 (plus booking fee)https://www.waterlooeast.co.uk/
Box office: 020 7928 0060
Show length: 1 hour 55 minutes (inc interval)
Horrible Christmas!
My son loved the Horrible History books when he was much younger, and I suspect would equally have loved this show. Simon from the team is borrowing an 11 year old to take to this, I'm sure that they will both love it.
Horrible Histories Live on Stage is playing at Ally Pally Theatre, bringing holiday cheer with a fabulous twist in their fan-favourite show, Horrible Christmas! It's part of a wider festive season at the historic venue that includes a Santa grotto, the darts and much more.
If you've ever wondered why you get together with your family - or put up a Christmas tree - or send a Christmas card - or buy presents - or eat a turkey? Then this is the show for you and the kids. Horrible Christmas goes on an amazing journey to discover the answers in a fabulous adventure for the whole family!
Expect sing-a-longs, “behind you!” moments, and plenty of laughter – but don’t mistake this for a typical panto!
Address: Alexandra Palace Theatre, Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY
When: 12th December to 4th January
Suitability: Age 5+
Performances: A variety of matinees and evening performances
Prices: £17.50-£48.50
Immersive Experiences
Funicular - The Murder Express
This is a fun immersive experience set on board a 1920s/30s train carriage (the train is static, you don't actually go anywhere). From the moment you are greeted at the ticket hall, everyone is in character.
The cast mingled with the audience pre-on boarding, as we enjoyed a pre-show drink. They find out a little about you, and then come to back to you throughout the trip using that bit of knowledge as a running gag. Be prepared to offer up a bit of banter.
Many of the hard working cast play several roles, and the audience is invited to help solve the murder mystery. During the trip the illusion of movement is portrayed through moving images on the 'windows'. The ticket comes with a three course meal included in the price, which is served by the cast. When we went last year, it was actually much better quality than I'd expected. The menu on the website is different to the one we experienced.
The audience are asked to help to solve the mystery, and invited to decide who is the murderer. We thoroughly enjoyed our evening, it's not every Christmas that you get to solve a murder!
Address: Funicular Productions - Pedley Street Station, Arch 63, London, E1 5BW
When: Wednesday to Friday
Suitability: Over 5s only. Family-friendly shows are now available at 1 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Children’s tickets will receive the children’s menu.
Performances: 6-8pm, or 8:30-10:30pm.
Prices: From £74.60
Box office: The Murdér Express - London - Tickets | Fever
Fawlty Towers Dining Experience
I'm sure that we're all familiar with the 1970s sitcom, 'Fawlty Towers' which this experience takes it's inspiration from. Its characters are household names; the reluctant and irascible hotelier Basil, hapless Manuel the waiter, shrewish Sybil, competent Polly the waitress/chambermaid/receptionist, drunken chef Terry and the array of guests who came through the doors over the course of the 12 episodes.
You may not be so familiar with the fact that Basil was based on a real person, who ran a hotel where the Pythons stayed at one point. Donald Sinclair would rather have stayed in the Navy than helped run his wife's hotels, and it showed. He came to an untimely end in 1981, aged 72, reportedly from a stroke and heart attack after some workmen he'd upset painted his patio furniture and car gunmetal grey during the night. One can only hazard a guess at what the provocation actually constituted!
It's pretty amazing to think that this immersive experience is now in it's 13th year in the UK, with the London residency at the President Hotel extended until 21st December 2025.
Devised by Alison Pollard-Mansergh, Andrew Foreman and others, the show has been touring the UK and internationally since 2008, having appeared in 41 countries to date, and employing 56 actors per season. The show is also London’s longest running immersive experience. It is a tribute to the original, not a re-creation, and uses all it's own scripts.
We went 2 years ago to enjoy the mayhem and had a really fun afternoon. It seems that my father shares his dress sense with Basil! (the actors do change, so 'our Basil' may not be the one you meet). Our review here.
There is also a special Christmas menu.
Prices vary depending on the sitting booked with a reduction for groups of ten, the over 60s and children. These include the cost of the show and the meal, drinks are paid for separately and can be pre-ordered on the website.
Venue: The President Hotel 56-60 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1DB
Nearest tube: Russell Square, it's also walkable from Holborn, Tottenham Court Road, Euston, King's Cross and St Pancras.
Pantomime - the Ultimate Christmas Shows for 2024
Potted Panto returns to Wiltons
If you want the whole pantomime experience in one fell swoop, Potted Panto is for you. How many pantos can be performed in just 80 minutes by Daniel Clarkson, Jefferson Turner (former CBBC TV presenters) and Richard Hurst? It seems that the answer is a lot! We are promised a madcap ride through the biggest stories and best-loved characters from the wonderful world of pantomime.
We will see this dastardly double act dash between rubbing Aladdin’s lamp to roaming the golden streets of Dick Whittington’s London and making sure that Cinderella gets to the Ball. Snow White and Seven Dwarfs is a challenge for the two- hander, and which will be the prettiest to play Sleeping Beauty?
We saw this a couple of years back, and it was very funny, a 80 minute long riot of silliness.
Address: 1 Graces Alley, London E1 8JB
Box office: 020 7702 2789
Suitability: Age recommendation 6+
When: 4 December to 4 January
Duration: 70 minutes no interval
Price: £15 to £29
Traditional Pantomimes
These are always great fun, and something rather unique to this country. Most local theatres will have one on, including at Fairfield Halls, Hackney, and the King's Head in Islington, and many many more.
Imagine Theatre is putting on no less than an incredible 18 pantomimes across the UK. Amrat will be taking his nieces to see Snow White in Leicester at De Montfort Hall.
Mirror, Mirror on the wall, what’s the fairest panto of them all? Snow White, of course! Drag superstar of stage and screen and finalist in Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK season 1, Divina De Campo will be the evil Queen Morgiana while CBeebies' favourite, Gyasi Sheppy, will also join the cast as the dashing Prince.
Returning to the Hall will be X-Factor winner Sam Bailey, dame Jack Ballard, and comedian, Jarred Christmas.
When the Wicked Queen’s magic mirror declares that Snow White is the fairest in the land, the Wicked Queen is overcome with jealousy. Will Snow White defeat the Queen, meet a dashing prince, and will love prevail? Of course it will!
This promises a wickedly good time with this traditional show, perfect for all, with panto jokes, hit songs, incredible dancing, and plenty of festive joy.
Address: De Montfort Hall, Granville Road, Leicester LE1 7RU
Box office: Snow White - De Montfort Hall
Tickets: £19.50 to £25.50
Suitability: Family
When: December 13th to January 5th
Adult Pantomime
Jack and the Beanstalk - What a Whopper!
For a truly naughty pantomime Charing Cross Theatre promises to give us a wild night of fun. Expect all the fun of traditional panto - just not for all the family! Dame Dolly Trott was the matriarch of a rural soap opera for 20 years until scandal and swindle finished her career and her fortune, leaving her to eke out a life on her son’s dilapidated dairy farm. Jack Trott is poor, gay and very horny, living 10 miles from the nearest Grindr user in the quaint Yorkshire Village of Upper Bottom.
Pantomime Dames are always glorious, and Queen of adult panto Matthew Baldwin dons the demurest of wellies as Dame Dolly Trott. Baldwin says “Dolly is a wild narcissist who speaks as she finds, which is a northern euphemism for being f***ing rude, and she won’t take nonsense from either side of the fourth wall, so don’t be cheeky. But she has a heart of gold and deserves love – as we all do. Making people laugh is the best job in the world and I cannot wait to get back on stage at Charing Cross Theatre.” And we can't wait to see this production.
Address: Charing Cross Theatre, The Arches, Villiers Street, London WC2N 6NL
Box office: 08444 930650 www.jackpanto.com
Tickets: from £28.00
Suitability: Adult
When: November 23rd to January 11th
Snow White
The Entertainment Providers and the team that brought last year’s sell out show Jack And His Bigstalk, are back for 2024 with a brand-new production of Snow White at the brand new 200 seater Garden Theatre in Vauxhall Food And Beer Garden. This year we're promised that it will be bigger, bolder, camper and naughtier than ever.
We've seen a Simon Goss panto previously, so know to expect a evening of innuendo, risque jokes, lots of laughter, and feel-good pop songs. The character's names give a good indication of what to expect! Snow White, The Evil Queen Chlamydia, Prince Donkey Dick Of Vauxhall, Herpes The Henchman, Willy The Rabbit.
The pop powered pantomime features feel good party anthems Don’t Stop Believing, YMCA, Dancing Queen, Electric Dreams, Like A Virgin, Never Going To Give You Up and more.
I think that we'll try not to sit at the front as we're promised (threatened?!) a whole load of audience participation.
Address: Vauxhall Food And Beer Garden, 6A South Lambeth Place, SW8 1SP
When: 6th – 22nd December (No shows Monday)
Suitability: Please note Over 18’s only
Performances: Tue-Sat 7:30pm - Doors 7pm Sundays 4pm Doors 3.30pm
Prices: £40.00
Box office: www.ticketsource.co.uk/theentertainmentproviders
Running time: 2 hours 15 minutes including interval
