The 50 best Christmas shows for all the family, from plays to panto, carols to comedy
From old favourites to radical reimaginings – our critics pick 50 essential seasonal outings
Family Shows
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
Sally Cookson’s inventive assault on C S Lewis – first seen in 2017 – uses the simplest techniques (bedsheets for carpets of snow, suitcases for train carriages) to rustle up enchantment. Bridge Theatre, London SE1 (0333 320 0051), Nov 9-Feb 2
The Canterville Ghost
An adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s 1887 comic short story about an American family who move into a gothic mansion, there to discover its resident ghost. Unicorn Theatre, London SE1 (020 7645 0560), Nov 10-Jan 5
The Prince and the Pauper
Mark Twain’s tale adapted and directed by superlative theatre-maker Theresa Heskins – with the two role-swapping youths here played by identical twin sisters Danielle and Nichole Bird. New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme (01782 717962), Nov 16-Jan 25
The Snowman
Bill Alexander’s wordless, dance-based version of the Raymond Briggs story about a young boy who journeys to see Father Christmas with his snowman pal is required viewing. The Peacock, London WC2 (020 7863 8222), Nov 21-Jan 5
A Christmas Carol
Jack Thorne’s carol-saturated adaptation, as directed by Matthew Warchus, returns. As sweet as a mince pie, with Scroogey sourness this year from Paterson Joseph. Old Vic Theatre, London SE1 (0344 871 7628), Nov 23-Jan 18
A Christmas Carol
John O’Connor visits Dickensian locations in this one-man tour using the author’s own performance script. Theatre Royal, Margate (european arts.co.uk), Nov 27 and touring
Peter Pan
Director Liam Steel has reconceived Pan for the modern age, moving J M Barrie’s story to Birmingham in 2019. Birmingham Rep (0121 236 4455), Nov 30-Jan 19
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Joel Horwood adapts the 2013 Neil Gaiman novel, in which an adult returns to his childhood home – near a duck pond once purported to contain an ocean – and is subsumed by a sea of memories. National’s Dorfman Theatre, London SE1 (020 7452 3000), Dec 3-Jan 25
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Griff Rhys Jones, X-Factor winner Matt Terry and Edward Baker-Duly star in this musical version of the Dr Seuss book about the ultimate party-pooper. Lowry Centre, Salford (0343 208 6000), Dec 10-Jan 5
Magic Goes Wrong
The Mischief Theatre team have joined Vegas entertainment legends Penn & Teller to deliver the mangled goods once again. What could go wrong? Vaudeville Theatre, London WC2 (0330 333 4814), Dec 14-May 31
Circus 1903
A smart homage to a bygone age of circus, with a dozen or so acts from around the world performing dumbfounding feats of derring-do. Southbank Centre, London SE1 (020 3879 9555), Dec 19-Jan 5
Thursford Christmas Spectacular
This three-hour spectacular features 65 musical numbers, delivered by a cast of more than a hundred, and sound from one of the largest Wurlitzers in Europe. Thursford Collection, Fakenham (01328 878477), until Dec 23
Dance
Birmingham Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker
Set in the Edwardian era, BRB’s Nutcracker (produced by Sir Peter Wright and designed by John Macfarlane) is in a league of its own for spectacle and magic. Birmingham Hippodrome (0844 338 5000), Nov 22-Dec 14
The Royal Ballet: Coppelia
This 1954 production of the romantic comedy is a real delight, perfect for young and old, with a tune-packed score by Delibes. Royal Opera House, London WC2 (020 7304 4000), Nov 28-Jan 7
Scottish Ballet: The Snow Queen
An all-new adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s fable. Steps are by SB director Christopher Hampson, music by Rimsky-Korsakov, designs by Lez Brotherston – promising stuff. Festival Theatre, Edinburgh (scottishballet.co.uk), Dec 7-29 and touring
Opera
The Mikado
Jonathan Miller’s brilliantly bonkers reinvention of Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic operetta returns by public demand. John Tomlinson and Elgan Llŷr Thomas star. London Coliseum, WC2 (020 7845 9300), in rep Nov 9-Nov 30
The Magic Flute
Benjamin Hulett sings Tamino in this revival of David McVicar’s sumptuous Mozart staging. Royal Opera House, London WC2 (020 7304 4000), in rep to Nov 27
La Traviata
Hrachuhi Bassenz and Liparit Avetisyan star in Richard Eyre’s beautiful realisation of one of Verdi’s most lyrical and intimate masterpieces. Royal Opera House, London WC2 (020 7304 4000), in rep Dec 17- March 23
Pantomime
Puss in Boots
One of the dinkiest, and most warmly enjoyable, pantos in the land, this Fifties-set version is directed by family show veteran (not the footballer) John Terry. The Theatre, Chipping Norton (01608 642350), Nov 13-Jan 12
Cinderella
Modern and urban without being brash or predictably PC, the Lyric’s annual panto invariably harnesses the innate Victorian charm of its playhouse auditorium. Lyric Hammersmith, London W6 (020 8741 6850), Nov 16-Jan 5
Dick Whittington and his Cat
A “Windrush generation” spin on the familiar tale; veteran dame Clive Rowe is back (his 13th appearance here), with doyenne of panto Susie McKenna directing and contributing her 21st script. The noisiest, most good-natured panto in London Town. Hackney Empire, London E8 (020 8985 2424), Nov 23-Jan 5
Cinderella
Gok Wan leads the team as “the Fairy Gokmother” in Cardiff’s celeb-iest Crimbo offer. New Theatre, Cardiff (029 2087 8889), Dec 7-Jan 12
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Arguably the world’s glitziest panto: Paul O’Grady, Julian Clary, Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot star. Stunts come from illusionist Phil Hitchcock and roller-skating duo The Skating Medini. London Palladium, London W1 (020 7087 7747), Dec 7-Jan 12
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
At the bastion of the posh panto, Jo Brand leads the cast as the Wicked Queen, with Britain’s Got Talent finalist Jon Clegg as Muddles. Richmond Theatre, London TW9 (0844 871 7615), Dec 7-Jan 5
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Glasgow’s biggest panto boasts Doon Mackichan as the Wicked Queen. SEC Arena, Glasgow (0844 395 4000), Dec 14-31
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
A flagship regional panto from the biggest company in the business – Qdos. Lesley Joseph leads the cast as the Wicked Queen. Birmingham Hippodrome (0844 338 5000), Dec 21-Feb 2
Classical and Jazz
The Sixteen at Christmas
Britain’s favourite choir is touring a heart-warming bill that cleverly mixes medieval and Victorian carols with beautiful new Christmas music, centred around Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols. The Anvil, Basingstoke (the sixteen.com), Dec 4 and touring
Katherine Jenkins
Wales’s bestselling music export is joined by special guests for a Christmas spectacular. Royal Albert Hall, London SW7 (020 7589 8212), Dec 12
Guy Barker’s Big Band Christmas
The jazz bandleader has bagged a terrific guest list for his annual Christmas bash, including top American singer Kurt Elling. Royal Albert Hall, London SW7 (020 7589 8212), Dec 19
Christmas Oratorio
Bach’s delightful retelling of the Christmas story is performed by The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment at London’s most beautiful venue. St John’s Smith Square, London SW1 (020 7222 1061), Dec 22
Comedy
Terrible Wonderful Adaptations
Pythonesque absurdist John-Luke Roberts hosts a madcap night in which alternative comics try to stage an unadaptable text. Previous tomes to get the Roberts treatment include Ulysses and the iTunes terms and conditions. Battersea Arts Centre, London SW11 (020 7223 2223), Dec 14
Andy Zaltzman
The affable host of satirical podcast The Bugle attempts to sum up the events of the past 12 months in his new show 2019: The Certifiable History, aided and abetted by razor-sharp Australian stand-up Alice Fraser. Expect up-to-the-minute gags and gloriously laboured puns. Soho Theatre, London W1 (020 7478 0100), Dec 16-Jan 4
Unlikely Darlings
An intriguing-sounding new show inspired by surrealist Leonora Carrington. Helen Duff and Elf Lyons blend mime, clowning and puppetry in an “anarchic homage”. Nonsuch Studios, Nottingham (0115 837 1950), Dec 18-19
Pop
The Robbie Williams Christmas Party
The pop star releases an album on Nov 22, The Christmas Present, with standards alongside such originals as Happy Birthday Jesus Christ. What guests will he pull out of the cracker for this one-off party? Wembley SSE Arena, London HA9 (0844 815 0815), Dec 16 & 17
Ronnie Spector & The Ronnettes: Best Christmas Party Ever
The irrepressible 76-year-old soul singer revisits hits from the classic 1963 album A Christmas Gift for You with a souped-up version of her girl group. Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry (ronniespector.com), Dec 17 and touring
Musicals
& Juliet
Using the music of Max Martin, the songwriter behind hits such as Britney Spears’s …Baby One More Time, this show imagines the Shakespearean heroine’s “ending” as a new start. Shaftesbury Theatre, London WC2 (020 7379 5399), booking to May 30
Matilda the Musical
Now in its 10th year, Tim Minchin’s take on Roald Dahl’s classic is still a must-see. Cambridge Theatre, London WC2 (020 7087 7745), booking to Dec 20 2020
Mary Poppins
With a script by Julian Fellowes and songs from the 1964 film (as well as newer numbers), this glorious musical stars Zizi Strallen as the magical nanny. Prince Edward Theatre, London W1 (0844 482 5100), booking to May 3
The Boy in the Dress
David Walliams’s bestselling children’s book gets a theatrical makeover, with new songs by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers, a script by Mark Ravenhill and a family-friendly production by Gregory Doran. Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon (01789 331111), until Mar 8
White Christmas
Based on the classic 1954 film (with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin), this stage version stars Danny Mac and Dan Burton. Dominion Theatre, London W1 (0345 200 7982), Nov 16 to Jan 4
The Wizard of Oz
Leeds Playhouse – formerly the West Yorkshire Playhouse, now reopened after a fancy £15.8 million redevelopment – whisks its audiences off to Munchkinland. Leeds Playhouse (0113 213 7700), Nov 20 to Jan 25
The Boy Friend
Matthew White directs Sandy Wilson’s 1954 marvel, a mixture of wit, nostalgia and sentiment. Menier Chocolate Factory, London SE1 (020 7378 1713), Nov 22 to Mar 7
Cinderella the Musical
Michael Fentiman directs a new adaptation that features two heroines: the younger Cinders, who feels old beyond her years, and the older Ella, who remembers when she danced as a girl. NST City, Southampton (023 8067 1771), Nov 23- Jan 5
Gypsy
Ria Jones stars as the ultimate pushy parent Momma Rose for an in-the-round staging of the 1959 musical based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee. Royal Exchange, Manchester (0161 833 9833), Nov 30-Jan 25
Guys and Dolls
Robert Hastie directs Frank Loesser’s 1950 evocation of Depression-era New York. Crucible Theatre, Sheffield (0114 249 6000), Dec 7-Jan 18
Miracle on 34th Street
The 1963 musical of the film in which Kris Kringle gets a job impersonating himself, complete with It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas. Liverpool Playhouse (0151 709 4776), Dec 7-Jan 4
Nativity! The Musical
Sharon Osbourne joins Danny Dyer and his Love Island-winning daughter Dani in an uproarious spin-off from the Nativity films. Eventim Apollo, London W6 (0844 249 1000), Dec 11-29
Exhibitions
Beautiful Books
Subtitled “Dickens and the Business of Christmas”, this show in the author’s home features his letters, the earliest sketches of Ebenezer Scrooge and the world’s first printed Christmas card. Charles Dickens Museum, London WC1 (020 7405 2127), Nov 20-April 19
Feast & Fast
No shortage of food for thought in this free exhibition of dining-inspired art from 1500 to 1800. Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge (01223 332900), Nov 26-April 26
Fairies in Illustration
With charming art from Arthur Rackham, Heath Robinson and Richard Doyle, there’s plenty here for fairy-spotters young and old. Heath Robinson Museum, Pinner (020 8866 8420), Nov 30-Feb 23
