Our review of the new London Theatre shows opening in December 2026 in the West End.

Christmas in the West End is a magical time, with the lights of Regent’s Street and Oxford Street, and a bustling theatre scene.

From Kids shows coming to town, to London’s pantomimes powering up into full glitter mode during December, ballet and dance, Christmas-themed shows and more, there is something for everyone in London in December.

Also see: All shows playing in December | West End Theatre Christmas guide

Also see:
December
← What's On
← What's On
Christmas

Note: Date information for guidance only, check the show's booking calendar for details.

Matthew Bourne's Cinderella 2026 - Tickets - London
Matthew Bourne's Cinderella
Sadler's Wells Theatre
Matthew Bourne's dazzling ballet set in London during the Second World War and played against Prokofiev's haunting score.
Starts: 1 Dec 2026

Poster for the National Theatre announcing The Rise and Fall of Little Voice with a gold tinsel background.
The Rise and Fall of Little Voice
National Theatre - Dorfman Theatre
Experience Jim Cartwright’s masterpiece at the Dorfman Theatre. Starring Francesca Mills and directed by Robert Hastie, this 2026 revival brings small-town dreams and iconic music to life.
Starts: 2 Dec 2026

Poster for Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, with a green background and Christmas tree made of books.
Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley
Park Theatre
The UK premiere of Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon's hit US play gives Mary Bennet, Pride and Prejudice's most overlooked sister, the festive story of her own.
Starts: 2 Dec 2026

Promotional poster for The Little Match Girl: a girl leaps before a glowing full moon in a snowy night over a city skyline, with the title and venue text: Christmas at Wilton's Music Hall.
The Little Match Girl
Wilton's Music Hall
Book tickets for enchanting fairy tale The Little Match Girl.
Starts: 3 Dec 2026

Stick Man Tickets – Bloomsbury Theatre, London
Stick Man
Bloomsbury Theatre
Book Stick Man tickets for Bloomsbury Theatre in London. Julia Donaldson’s beloved family Christmas show returns from 3 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Starts: 3 Dec 2026

Peppa Pig's Big Family Show! - London
Peppa Pig's Big Family Show!
Theatre Royal Haymarket
Peppa Pig is back in the West End with her brand new live show Peppa Pig's Big Family Show!
Starts: 4 Dec 2026

Poster for a comedy show titled 'Sacreligious' with two men in suits back-to-back on a blue background; one holds cash, the other a pastrami sandwich, large bright yellow title and show details.
Sacrilegious
Riverside Studios
Book tickets to see Sacrilegious, the world premiere comedy from Oscar winner Tom Schulman, at Riverside Studios.
Starts: 5 Dec 2026

Promotional poster for Vernon Kay's Sleeping Beauty: pink background, host in diamond-pattern vest, large gold text and show dates Dec 5, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027.
Sleeping Beauty
Churchill Theatre Bromley
Book tickets for festive panto Sleeping Beauty, starring Vernon Kay, at Churchill Theatre Bromley
Starts: 5 Dec 2026

Cinderella - London Palladium - Tickets
Cinderella
London Palladium
Cinderella returns to the London Palladium for Christmas 2026, starring Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders. Book tickets now for the West End’s biggest festive pantomime.
Starts: 5 Dec 2026

Stacks of hundred-dollar bills tied with bands, with brown aviator sunglasses resting on top (image evokes wealth)
The King's Ransom
Donmar Warehouse
See The King's Ransom, Stuart Slade's dark comedy world premiere starring Charlie Cox and Blake Harrison, at the Donmar Warehouse in London from 5 December 2026.
Starts: 5 Dec 2026

Poster advertising a pantomime show with a bright green background and a group of costumed performers in colorful outfits, promoting '7 Classic Pantos in 70 Minutes'.
Potted Panto
Wilton's Music Hall
Potted Panto, the Olivier Award-nominated festive celebration comes to the East End's Wilton's Music Hall this Christmas.
Starts: 6 Dec 2026

Dolly An Original Musical
Dolly: An Original Musical
St. James Theatre
The story of the extraordinary life and career of country music legend Dolly Parton is coming to the stage in Dolly: An Original Musical.
Starts: 7 Dec 2026

The Smartest Giant in Town
The Smartest Giant in Town
St Martin's Theatre
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's picture book The Smartest Giant in Town live on stage at the St Martin's Theatre London
Starts: 9 Dec 2026

There's a Bear on My Chair - Tickets - London
There’s a Bear on My Chair
Queen Elizabeth Hall
The first ever stage adaptation of There’s a Bear on My Chair by Ross Collins, returns to London.
Starts: 9 Dec 2026

The Choir of Man - London 2024
The Choir of Man
The Arts at Marble Arch
Book tickets for The Choir of Man at The Arts at Marble Arch, the Olivier-nominated pub singalong.
Starts: 10 Dec 2026

The Animals Come to the Table at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
The Animals Come to the Table
Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
Book tickets to The Animals Come to the Table, making its world premiere at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.
Starts: 11 Dec 2026

Poster for a play titled 'Mother Russia' featuring a yellow matryoshka doll holding cash and a pistol, beside an orange diagonal panel with production details.
Mother Russia
Hampstead Theatre
Book tickets for Mother Russia, the UK premiere of Lauren Yee's acerbic comedy at Hampstead Theatre.
Starts: 11 Dec 2026

Cirque Alice - Royal Festival Hall London
Cirque Alice
Royal Festival Hall
Step into a spectacular Wonderland with Cirque Alice. Book tickets now for this breathtaking acrobatic adventure at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
Starts: 12 Dec 2026

Caissie Levy in an off-shoulder black top with a denim jacket, beside the neon-like text: 'CAISSIE LEVY LIVE AT THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE' on a dark backdrop.
Caissie Levy Live at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Book tickets for Caissie Levy Live at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and see the Tony-winning Broadway star live in concert on 13 December 2026.
Starts: 13 Dec 2026

Poster for The Magic Flute by Royal Ballet & Opera, showing two dancers holding hands in silhouette against a yellow gradient background.
The Magic Flute
Royal Opera House
David McVicar’s five-star production of Mozart’s beloved opera The Magic Flute is coming to the Royal Opera House, London.
Starts: 13 Dec 2026

West End Musical Christmas - London
West End Musical Christmas
Lyric Theatre
Book tickets for West End Musical Christmas at the Lyric Theatre, London's feel-good festive concert series with a surprise West End cast.
Starts: 14 Dec 2026

Bill Bailey Vaudevillean - Tickets - London
Bill Bailey: Vaudevillean
Theatre Royal Haymarket
Bill Bailey returns to London with Vaudevillean - his acclaimed new live show.
Starts: 16 Dec 2026

Nutcracker - English National Ballet - London Coliseum (2025)
Nutcracker - English National Ballet
London Coliseum
English National Ballet return to the London Coliseum this Christmas with its spectacular production of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker.
Starts: 17 Dec 2026

Christmas Carol Goes Wrong - Tickets - London
Christmas Carol Goes Wrong
Wyndham's Theatre
Christmas Carol Goes Wrong - a brand new festive misadventure from Mischief Comedy, packed with laughter, mayhem, and plenty of unexpected surprises!
Starts: 18 Dec 2026

Poster Art: The Elvis Years - London
The Elvis Years
Dominion Theatre
Smash-hit Elvis Presley tribute The Elvis Years is back at the Dominion Theatre in London, starring Mario Kombou.
Starts: 20 Dec 2026

Scrooge Cirque Extravaganza
Scrooge: Cirque Extravaganza
Immerse LDN
Watch Scrooge: Cirque Extravaganza at the Excel London, a Christmas classic reimagined with breathtaking artistry.
Starts: 23 Dec 2026



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Main photo: New Shows - December

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