Best London Christmas Shows For 2025

From immersive dining experiences to crowd-pleasing cabaret, Christmas theatre shows in London this 2025 don't start and end with The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol. Whether you’re looking for a festive day out for the entire family or a chance to let loose from yuletide stress, we’ve rounded up the best performances to experience this festive season; all of which are guaranteed to put a smile on the face of even the most stubborn scrooge.

Last edited by Marcus Sanigar

Last updated on 26th November 2025




All I Want For Christmas Is Cabaret

@ The Phoenix Arts Club on Various dates from Friday 5th December 2025

Looking for a fantastic festive event that is bound to leave you impressed? Then check out All I Want For Christmas Is Cabaret, taking place at The Phoenix Arts Club in Soho throughout December.

Expect a fantastic lineup of drag queens, burlesque artists, musical theatre and comedy, all with a seasonal theme. enjoy themed cocktails and mulled wine while you watch, with the option to add on a three-course meal, and be sure to stick around for the afterparty.

A Dickensian Christmas by candlelight

@ Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church on Saturday 6th and Friday 12th December 2025

Save 10% on ticket Concession (65+/u-18/FTE): 6 December at 1pm with discount code SCROOGE
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Returning for its fourth year running, the spectacular show A Dickensian Christmas by Candlelight is coming to Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church this December. This is a celebration of festivities, with a Victorian twist, all in stunning surrounds.

Expect to hear carols from the Covent Garden Carollers Vocal Quartet, with a sing-along section too. Plus, legendary actor Don Gallagher will be performing readings from Charles Dickens's classic A Christmas Carol.

The Rosemary Branch Theatre

Get your fix at Islington's well-loved Rosemary Branch pub. Enjoy their tasty food and drink, before heading to a range of shows in their award-winning theatre upstairs.

This season even includes a top pick of Christmas shows in London for 2025 - a hilariously entertaining festive cabaret performance, which you can attend for as little as £10 per person.

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience

@ President Hotel on Various dates from Friday 5th December 2025

This award-winning dining experience is the ideal theatre show for Christmas, as it sees you become part of the well-loved TV series Faulty Towers. Join Basil, Sybil and Manuel for an unforgettable night of improvised comedy, belly laughs and delicious food (served shambolically, of course).

Tickets start from only £60 per person, including a three-course meal and a two-hour show that promises to be an unforgettable experience.

LondonSwedes' Lucia 2025 - Lucia i London with Guest Performance by Tommy Nilsson

@ Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall on Sat, 13th Dec 2025 @ multiple start times (see ticket info)

LondonSwedes is back with one of the capital's most unique winter events: the annual Lucia concert, a cherished Scandinavian celebration that's been captivating Londoners since 2016. Held inside the magnificent Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall, the evening features a spellbinding candlelit procession, ethereal choral performances, and a beautifully serene atmosphere that cuts straight through the December gloom.

The LondonSwedes Choir, under the direction of Michaela Lundin, brings the tradition to life with harmonies that fill the hall like warm light. And 2025's edition comes with star power: Swedish vocalist Tommy Nilsson joins the celebration, adding beloved hits and pure nostalgia to the occasion. Arrive early for mulled wine, hot drinks, and traditional buns from the on-site café.

KIKI Christmas Drag Cabaret

@ Queen of Hoxton on Saturday 6th December 2025 and 2 other Saturdays

Kiki doesn't care if you're naughty or nice this festive season, just as long as you're fabulous. Join hostess with the mostest Ginger Phlappage at the Queen of Hoxton as she guides you through a night of sparkling drag cabaret.

Get a front row seat to the high kicks, sleighin' lip syncs, hilarious antics and Christmas chaos from just £14.30. You can be sure Santa's never seen a show like this.

Benny's Festive Package - A Traditionally Alternative Christmas Cabaret

@ Walthamstow. Trades Hall on Mon, 15th Dec 2025 @ 19:00 - 22:30

Jump into the magic of the festive season as Benny 'the Elf' Louche brings his Traditionally Alternative Christmas Cabaret to Walthamstow Trade Halls. He'll be joined by amazing acts from the worlds of circus, burlesque and drag, plus the main man himself, Santa.

You can sit on the big guy's lap, bag yourself some free sweets and potentially pocket some prizes, all from just £8 - with all proceeds going to support those with cancer. When it's time to fuel your festivities, the legends from Yards Pizza will be ready and waiting for your order. 

Black Market Knees-Up

@ Cahoots on Various dates from Saturday 6th December 2025

Taking place at Cahoots in Soho, the Black Market Knees-Up is a fantastic immersive experience that's getting some festive twists for the Christmas period. Live actors and a quirky set will transport you to the 1940s, where you'll be surrounded by illicit characters and secretive drinks.

Sip cocktails disguised as milk bottles, tea pots or even poison, with the option for bottomless drinks too - and you'll even get rations to spend on snacks. On the entertainment front, there are games to get involved in, as well as a 1940s pub quiz.

The Murdér Express Part Deux -Jewel Of The Empire

@ Pedley Street Station on Various dates from Friday 5th December 2025

London Christmas theatre in 2025 is topped off by The Murdér Express. Here, you'll combine the immersive murder mystery with a full, three-course festive feast.

You'll be transported back to the early 20th century here, in a spectacular show that takes place at Pedley Street Station. Plus, there's a bar on the platform if you fancy a drink beforehand.

The Elves & The Shoemaker in the Garden

@ Forester on Sat, 13th Dec 2025 @ 15:00 - 17:00

Experience the festive magic of The Elves and the Shoemaker in the Garden at The Forester, Ealing. This 70-minute show brings the Brothers Grimm classic to life with puppetry, music, and audience interaction, perfect for families or anyone looking for a joyful Christmas outing.

Sip a mulled wine, enjoy a mince pie, and get involved in this lively, heartwarming performance that captures all the cheer of the season. Can't make this? There's also a performance at The Queen's Head in Kingston on the 4th of December.

House of Burlesque: Unwrapped

@ Arches Lane Theatre on Various dates from Wednesday 10th December 2025

This December, the Power Station hums back to life, and it's naughty, glittering, and gloriously over-the-top. Step into the Burlesque Grotto at Arches Lane Theatre for House of Burlesque: Noll-esque, where holiday magic collides with high-voltage tease.

Forget ordinary tinsel and expect sultry snow queens, tassel-twirling elves, dazzling divas, and a cheeky dose of British humour to warm even the frostiest December night. Inspired by the legendary Power Station, this immersive festive cabaret cranks glamour all the way up. 

West End Musical Brunch

@ Secret London Location on Various dates from Saturday 6th December 2025

Sit back and sip on bottomless prosecco, all while watching the city's top West End talent flex their might. The West End Musical Brunch has you skipping the box office queues and seeing the stars from Les Mis, Wicked, The Lion King and Phantom of the Opera all in one place.

This interactive show allows you to get involved as much as the cast, with singing along highly encouraged. Plus, your two-course meal and hour of unlimited drinks all comes included in your £69.95 ticket.

Mr Fogg's Christmas Murder Mystery

@ Mr Fogg's Residence on Sunday 7th December 2025 and 2 other Sundays

An immersive, theatrical event with a festive theme, Mr Fogg's Christmas Murder Mystery takes place at their Mayfair venue. This interactive story is led by the one and only Phileas J Fogg, who'll guide you through a two-hour sleuthing session.

Using the clues provided, you'll work together to find out exactly what took place at this seasonal crime scene. Plus,, every ticket includes two cocktails per person.

Christmas Royale

@ The London Cabaret Club on Various dates from Friday 5th December 2025

Step into a glittering winter wonderland where the world of Bond meets Christmas enchantment at Christmas Royale. Set against the stunning backdrop of The London Cabaret Club, this immersive experience brings the high-stakes world of spies to life through jaw-dropping performances, dazzling dance routines, and a soundtrack of iconic Bond classics.

With a menu designed for indulgence and an atmosphere dripping in sophistication, this is the Christmas event you'll be talking about long after the festive season is over.

Sophie's Surprise Party

@ Underbelly Boulevard Soho on Various dates from Friday 5th December 2025

Transporting you to a festive house party in the 90s, Sophie's Surprise Party is an immersive show that sold out at the Edinburgh Fringe. It features a cast of exceptional performers, from circus acts to burlesque stars, all with a fun, seasonal twist.

Every night, one lucky guest is chosen to become Sophie, getting involved in the show as a main character. Plus, there'll be non-stop 90s hits for a nostalgic vibe.

Nutcracker

@ London Coliseum on Various dates from Thursday 11th December 2025

Set on Christmas Eve in Edwardian London, Nutcracker is one of the most iconic ballets of all time - promising to get you in the festive spirt. Follow the story of Clara, who discovers a magical nutcracker doll in a sweetshop.

This mystical tale promises plenty of wonder and enchantment, filled with mesmerising song and dance. Prepare to be amazed at the London Coliseum this December, with tickets starting from just £22.

The Nutcracker Tickets

@ St Martins Theatre on Various dates from Wednesday 10th December 2025

For festive fun, a sleigh-full of feelgood and just the right amount of cheese, head down to St. Martin's Theatre for a laugh-out-loud retelling of The Nutcracker. From the Olivier Award-winning theatre company behind the CBeebie's Panto, it serves up toe-tapping festive tunes, ingenious cardboard creations and plenty of Christmas chaos.

Will the many-headed Mouse King ruin the festive fun or will he be stopped in his tracks by the bickering siblings? Grab a ticket from just £16 to find out.

A Christmas Carol

@ Old Vic Theatre on Various dates from Friday 5th December 2025

Scrooge is back, and he's bigger, badder, and hilariously grumpier than ever. From ghostly surprises to joyous music and plenty of festive cheer, this smash-hit adaptation at The Old Vic will have you laughing, gasping, and maybe even shedding a tear. With Jack Thorne's playful adaptation and Paul Hilton's unforgettable Scrooge, this is the ultimate Christmas night out.

A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story

@ Alexandra Palace Theatre on Various dates from Friday 5th December 2025

A theatrical retelling of Charles Dickens' iconic tale, A Christmas Carol is being performed at Alexandra Palace Theatre this winter. This captivating play by Mark Gatiss received critical acclaim for its 2023 run, promising to leave you mesmerised.

Watch as the cold-hearted Ebeneezer Scrooge is visited by a series of ghosts on Christmas Eve, determined to change his ways. Plus, you can secure tickets from just £19.

The Snowman

@ Peacock Theatre on Various dates from Friday 5th December 2025

Step into a world of snowflakes, music and wonder with The Snowman at London's Peacock Theatre. Returning for its 28th spectacular season, this critically acclaimed adaptation of Raymond Briggs' treasured tale captures the innocence and joy of childhood with breathtaking visuals and a live orchestra performing the beloved 'Walking in the Air'. It's the kind of show that stays with you long after the snow settles.

Perfect for children and nostalgic adults alike, this festive treat features woodland creatures, whimsical costumes, and a cast of snowmen from across the world, plus a surprise dancing pineapple. Charming, imaginative, and beautifully staged, The Snowman continues to be a cornerstone of London's Christmas theatre calendar.

Elf The Musical

@ Aldwych Theatre on Various dates from Friday 5th December 2025

Get ready to feel festive: Elf The Musical is decking the halls of the Aldwych Theatre once more. Running from late October to early January, this West End favourite follows Buddy, a not-so-typical elf who leaves the North Pole to find his family, and ends up finding himself in the middle of Manhattan.

This seasonal spectacular delivers big laughs, catchy songs and a powerful reminder of what Christmas is really all about. Whether you're new to Buddy's story or know every line of the film, this show guarantees a sleigh-load of joy. Don't miss your chance to see Elf live - it's everything you love about the movie, with even more sparkle.

Cinderella Tickets

@ Rose Theatre Kingston on Various dates from Friday 5th December 2025

This Christmas, the Rose Theatre Kingston invites you to a reimagined Cinderella that's as heartwarming as it is magical. Follow Ella from her humble home life — shared with a stepmother and twin stepsisters - to a dazzling realm of palace balls and handsome princes.

But not everything is as perfect as it seems. Created by Olivier Award-winner Chris Bush with music by Matt Winkworth, and from just £19, this limited-run show is the perfect dose of festive theatre.