Must-see musicals and shows in West End & London for Christmas 2023

This Christmas, London and the West End’s iconic venues are set to sparkle with a stellar lineup of musicals and shows.

Whether you’re seeking the razzle-dazzle of high-energy dance numbers, the emotional punch of dramatic storytelling, or the family-friendly charm of a matinee show, London’s stages offer something to capture every imagination.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the crème de la crème of the must-watch shows in the West End this festive season, from the grandeur of long-running classics to the thrill of new productions, these are the shows that are sure to add an extra dose of joy to your holiday season.

Peter Pan Panto artwork

Peter Pan

From 9 December 2023 to 14 January 2024 at the London Palladium

Starring Jennifer Saunders, Julian Clary, Rob Madge, Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot! Back for an eighth season, The London Palladium pantomime is renowned as the most spectacular show staged in the West End with fabulous sets and costumes, jaw-dropping special effects and all the spectacle and magic you'd expect from the UK's biggest panto.

Book Peter Pan tickets

elf musical london

Elf The Musical

Currently booking to 6 January 2024 at the Dominion Theatre

ELF is the funny and charming tale of Buddy, who mistakenly crawled into Santa's bag as a baby and was raised as an elf! Way too tall and not so great at his job, Buddy is the North Pole's biggest misfit... and knows he'll never belong. When Santa tells him the truth, Buddy heads to New York to find his birth father who turns out to be quite high on the Naughty List.

Book Elf The Musical tickets

The Snowman

Currently booking to 30 December 2023 at the Peacock Theatre

OFFER! Save up to £21!

Come with us on a wonderous adventure where we'll meet all my friends - from an enchanted music box to a dancing pineapple. Take flight to the North Pole just in time for our Christmas party where snowpeople from around the world meet penguins, princesses, the fiendish Jack Frost, and of course Father Christmas himself. It might even snow...

Book The Snowman tickets

Frozen

Currently booking to 6 June 2024 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Based on the hit 2013 Disney movie of the same name, hit West End musical Frozen tells the story of sisters Elsa and Anna as Elsa struggles to control her magical ice powers when she's crowned Queen.

Book Frozen tickets

Peter Pan Goes Wrong title artwork

Peter Pan Goes Wrong

Currently booking to 14 January 2024 at the Lyric Theatre

The hit festive comedy from the makers of The Play That Goes Wrong and The Goes Wrong Show on BBC One. The members of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are back on stage, battling technical hitches, flying mishaps and cast disputes as they attempt to present J.M Barrie's much-loved tale. But will they ever make it to Neverland

Book Peter Pan Goes Wrong tickets

Cinderella Lyric Hammersmith poster

Cinderella

Currently booking to 6 January 2024 at the Lyric Hammersmith

Cinderella is a bonafide boss-lady who runs her own business at Shepherd's Bush Market. One day the most handsome Prince Henry, who dreams of a life less spare, wears a disguise to the Market and falls instantly in love with Cinderella. With the paparazzi in hot pursuit the Prince is forced to flee. And so begins the quest to unite the unlikeliest of likely romances, Cinderella and the hapless Prince

Book Cinderella tickets

A Christmas Carol The Old Vic 2023

A Christmas Carol

Currently booking to 6 January 2024 at the The Old Vic

Starring Christopher Eccleston as Ebenezer Scrooge, A Christmas Carol fills the auditorium to the brim with mince pies, music and merriment. A unique staging immerses the audience in London's longest running adaptation of this beloved festive favourite.

Book A Christmas Carol tickets

The Witches artwork

The Witches

Currently booking to 27 January 2024 at the National Theatre

The Witches is a rip-roaring musical version of Roald Dahl's timeless tale, filled with wit, daring and heart. With book and lyrics by Olivier Award-winner Lucy Kirkwood, music and lyrics by Tony Award-nominee Dave Malloy, and directed by Lyndsey Turner.

Book The Witches tickets

Stranger Sings! poster

Stranger Sings!

From 13 December 2023 to 6 January 2024 at the Southwark Playhouse

The Upside Down returns, as The Vaults presents award-winning, smash-hit parody musical Stranger Sings!

Book Stranger Sings! tickets

West End Musical Christmas poster

West End Musical Christmas

On 12 December 2023 at the Adelphi Theatre

The set list is a closely guarded secret but expect heart-warming Christmas classics building to an all-out party with everyone on their feet by the end of the first act. Get ready to sing, dance, and spread the Christmas cheer for all to hear! We wish you a musical Christmas!

Book West End Musical Christmas tickets

Past production of Edward Scissorhands. Devised, Directed and Choreographed by Matthew Bourne. Photo by Johan Persson

Edward Scissorhands

Currently booking to 20 January 2024 at the Sadlers Wells

Based on the classic Tim Burton movie and featuring the hauntingly beautiful music of Danny Elfman and Terry Davies, Bourne and his company, New Adventures return to this witty, bittersweet story of an incomplete boy left alone in a strange new world.

Book Edward Scissorhands tickets

Nicole Scherzinger in Sunset Boulevard artwork

Sunset Boulevard

Currently booking to 6 January 2024 at the Savoy Theatre

Starring Nicole Scherzinger! Haunted by her memories and dreams, movie star Norma Desmond yearns to return to the big screen. A struggling screenwriter who can't sell his scripts to the Hollywood studios may be her only hope, until their dangerous and compelling relationship leads to disastrous circumstances.

Book Sunset Boulevard tickets

Nutcracker

From 14 December 2023 to 7 January 2024 at the London Coliseum

Over 100 dancers and musicians from English National Ballet bring Nutcracker to life with exquisite dancing, beautiful sets and Tchaikovsky’s popular score played live.

Book Nutcracker tickets

Christmas Actually artwork

Christmas Actually

From 7 December 2023 to 11 December 2023 at the Southbank Centre

Get ready for the ultimate Christmas variety show. Curated by Richard Curtis Love Actually, Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral in partnership with Comic Relief.

Book Christmas Actually tickets

Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends concert

Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends

Currently booking to 6 January 2024 at the Gielgud Theatre

Following a one-off gala show last May in aid of the Sondheim Foundation, the life and work of the famed composer will continue to be celebrated by an all star cast.

Book Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends tickets

My Neighbour Totoro - Key Art (Landscape) - My Neighbour Totoro © Studio Ghibli. Logo by Toshio Suzuki. Concept and Design by Dewynters. © RSC and Nippon TV

My Neighbour Totoro

Currently booking to 23 March 2024 at the Barbican Centre

My Neighbour Totoro tells the story of sisters Satsuki and Mei who move with their father from Tokyo to an old house in the country only to discover magical creatures living nearby, including the giant forest spirit Totoro.

Book My Neighbour Totoro tickets

The Time Traveller's Wife The Musical

Currently booking to 30 March 2024 at the Apollo Theatre

OFFER! Save up to 46%

Henry and Clare's love story is like no other and yet like all others; they meet, flirt, fight, love, marry - but all out of order

Book The Time Traveller's Wife The Musical tickets

More on: What's On
Follow on Twitter
Follow on Twitter
Like on Facebook