• Venue Old Vic, London
  • Performance dates 12 November 2026 - 9 January 2027
  • Running time 2 hours (including interval)
  • Age guidelines 8+

Get tickets to A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic

Experience the magic of Christmas with The Old Vic’s smash-hit production of A Christmas Carol.

Jack Thorne’s (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) joyful adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic fills the theatre with festive cheer, from mince pies and music to an immersive staging that puts you right in the heart of the story.

Don’t miss this much-loved London tradition – now in its tenth spectacular season.

A Christmas Carol is playing at The Old Vic in London from 12 November 2026 to 9 January 2027.

What is A Christmas Carol about?

On a bitter Christmas Eve night a cold-hearted miser is visited by four ghosts.

Transported to worlds past, present and future, Ebenezer Scrooge witnesses what a lifetime of fear and selfishness has led to and sees with fresh eyes the lonely life he has built for himself.

Can Ebenezer be saved before it’s too late?

★★★★★
“Year after year, it earns its place as one of London’s most enchanting festive experiences”
Theatre Weekly (2025)
★★★★★
“A triumph”
City AM (2025)
★★★★
“Old Vic hit debuts one of its best Scrooges... Tremendous. Again.”
The Times (2025)

Videos & Photos

Performance Information

Check booking calendar for full details

Tickets by Month
Nov 2026
Dec 2026
Jan 2027

Stars and Creatives

Who are the creative team of A Christmas Carol?

  • A Christmas Carol is written by Charles Dickens
  • Adapted by Jack Thorne
  • Director: Matthew Warchus
  • Set & Costume Design: Rob Howell
  • Composer & Arranger: Christopher Nightingale
  • Lighting Design: Hugh Vanstone
  • Sound Design: Simon Baker
  • Casting Grindrod & Burton Casting
  • Movement: Lizzi Gee

Important Notes

Photos & Videos: Previous productions

Please note: Mince pies (containing gluten in the form of wheat and barley, milk and sulphites) and satsumas will be available to all ticket holders inside the auditorium; Some of the props that are passed through the audience may also have a latex coating.

Access performances: Audio Described: 4 Jan, 7pm (Touch Tour, 5pm)
Relaxed (also Audio Described, Captioned and BSL Interpreted): 12 Dec, 2pm (Touch Tour, 11.45am)
Captioned: 14 Dec, 7pm
British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreted: 5 Jan, 7pm

Venue Information

Old Vic , Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8NB

Nearest Tube or Train: Waterloo (Jubilee line, Northern line, Bakerloo line)

Nearest Buses: 1, 68, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 501

Directions

Google Apple

Critics' reviews of A Christmas Carol

Reviews of previous productions of A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic

★★★★★ “Paul Hilton is a revelatory Scrooge in this yuletide-rush, mega-hit production” London Theatre (2025)

★★★★★ “Year after year, it earns its place as one of London’s most enchanting festive experiences” Theatre Weekly (2025)

★★★★★ “A triumph” City AM (2025)

★★★★ “Old Vic hit debuts one of its best Scrooges... Tremendous. Again.” The Times (2025)

★★★★ “The whole cast is luminous” The Standard (2025)

★★★★ “Paul Hilton plays the hapless Ebenezer in Matthew Warchus’s ingenious production, and he rises magnificently to the challenge” The Arts Desk (2025)

★★★★★ “John Simm is tremendous... The actor gives Scrooge depth and vulnerability in a magical revival” The Times (2024)

★★★★ “A joyful, bravura piece of stagecraft” Evening Standard (2024)

★★★★★ “Christopher Eccleston rendition is the best yet” i News (2023)

★★★★★ “Gripping with lashings of melodrama” Daily Mail (2023)

★★★★ “I’ve fallen for Scrooge — God bless Christopher Eccleston” The Sunday Times (2023)

★★★★ “Christopher Eccleston’s Scrooge delights” The Times (2023)

★★★★ “Christopher Eccleston’s snarling Scrooge lights up this dependable show” The Telegraph (2023)

★★★★ “Christopher Eccleston is brilliant in this festive treat” The Stage (2023)

★★★★★ “Irresistibly feel-good” Sunday Express (2021)

Average Critics' Review Score: 4.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ (15)

Frequently Asked Questions

A Christmas Carol is playing at the Old Vic in London
The running time of A Christmas Carol is 2 hours (including interval)
The age recommendations for A Christmas Carol are: 8+
To buy official London Theatre tickets to A Christmas Carol, click on the Get Tickets button at the top of this page. You will be able to access the booking calendar to check live ticket availability and prices and see any exclusive offers or discounts. You will be purchasing tickets from an authorised retailer and member of the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers.
Yes, A Christmas Carol has matinee performances on the following days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

News about A Christmas Carol

More Great Family Shows

See all