What's On in London, West

Barbie®: The Exhibition

Venue: The Design Museum

Website: www.designmuseum.org/exhibitions/barbie-the-exhibition

A major exhibition exploring the design evolution of one of the world’s most famous dolls: Barbie®. Journey into the Barbie universe and discover over 250 remarkable objects, with rare, unique and innovative...

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Venue: Royal Opera House

Website: www.rbo.org.uk

From a mysterious Cheshire Cat and a tap-dancing tea party, to frogs acting as footmen and unknown potions that turn you tiny, many treats and eccentricities await in this weird and wonderful world. You...

ParkPlay

Venue: Osterley Park and House

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

ParkPlay is a two-hour long play session of fun and games for everyone starting at 9.30am every Saturday. Register for ParkPlay before joining, by visiting https://park-play.com/register/ Under 14s must...

Glide at Battersea Power Station

Venue: Battersea Power Station

Website: www.glidebatterseapowerstation.co.uk

Set against a backdrop of one of the capital’s most iconic buildings, Glide at Battersea Power Station is the most magnificent open-air ice rink in the city. Off the ice, there is plenty to enjoy including...

Christmas at Kew

Venue: Kew Gardens

Website: www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/christmas

As one of the UK’s leading and most acclaimed illuminated trails, Christmas at Kew is an unmissable opportunity to herald the start of Christmas or welcome in the New Year. Discover glittering tunnels...

Skate at Somerset House

Venue: Somerset House

Website: www.somersethouse.org.uk

Skate at Somerset House signals the start of the festive period with unrivalled skating, contemporary music and tasty food and drink. From skating lessons with Skate School and Chilled Out sessions, onwards...

Aladdin

Venue: Lyric Hammersmith

Website: www.lyric.co.uk/shows/aladdin-2024

Award-winning writer Sonia Jalaly and director Nicholai La Barrie join forces once again to bring us a brand new take on the story we all know and love, with added chart-topping tunes, side-splitting comedy...

Elf's Christmas Tree Adventure

Venue: Colour House Theatre

Website: www.colourhousetheatre.co.uk

Join Elvie on their adventure to the top of the tree, and meet all their lovely friends who helped them on the way.A wonderful story full of nursery rhymes and Christmas cheer! Approx running time 30 minutes....

The Nutcracker

Venue: Polka Theatre

Website: www.polkatheatre.com

When Clara receives a super-cool enchanted Nutcracker toy, one thing’s for sure - she doesn’t want her accident-prone little brother, Fritz, anywhere near it! But with rumours of an evil, seven-headed...

Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas

Venue: Lyric Hammersmith

Website: www.lyric.co.uk/shows/father-christmas-2024

Join Santa as he awakes from a dream of sun, sea and sand only to find it is the busiest day of the year: Christmas Eve. Back for another brilliant year, Christmas isn’t Christmas without this Lyric...

Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas

Venue: Lyric Hammersmith

Website: www.lyric.co.uk/shows/father-christmas-2024

Join Santa as he awakes from a dream of sun, sea and sand only to find it is the busiest day of the year: Christmas Eve. Back for another brilliant year, Christmas isn’t Christmas without this Lyric...

Winter Wonderland

Venue: Hyde Park

Website: https://hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland runs for six magical weeks with a variety of attractions, activities and entertainment including Justin's Christmas Singalong, Ice Skating, Santaland, Magical Ice Kingdom, rides,...

Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink

Venue: Hampton Court Palace

Website: www.hamptoncourtpalaceicerink.co.uk

Set against the backdrop of Henry VIII’s historic home, Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink is the perfect way to glide into the season. Lace up your skates, bring your loved ones, and get ready for an enchanting...

Room on the Broom

Venue: Lyric Theatre

Website: https://tallstories.org.uk/dates-and-tickets/room-on-the-broom

Jump on board the broom with the witch and her cat in Tall Stories’ fun-filled adaptation of Room on the Broom, by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.Will there ever be room on the broom for everyone?...

The Snowman

Venue: Sadlers Wells

Website: www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/the-snowman-2024

Make your Christmas a cracker with this family treat that will melt your heart. Join the Boy as his Snowman comes to life and they embark on a magical adventure far across the world. Meet a host of woodland...

London illuminated lights

Venue: Fulham Palace and Garden

Website: www.fulhampalace.org/whats-on

As you explore the grounds of Fulham Palace, adorned with thousands of lights, the gardens will be transformed into an enchanted winter wonderland—a truly unmissable event to kick off the holiday season.

Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out

Venue: Theatre Royal Haymarket

Website: www.trh.co.uk/whatson/peppa-pigs-fun-day-out

Join Peppa with her family and friends as they go to the zoo and the beach for a special party- it’s going to be an exciting and fun packed day. Packed full of songs, dance and muddy puddles, Peppa’s...

The Smartest Giant In Town

Venue: St. Martin's Theatre

Website: www.stmartinstheatre.co.uk

This heart-warming tale about friendship and helping those in need is brought to life in a musical, puppet-filled adventure, following on from Little Angel Theatre's bestselling adaptations of Julia Donaldson's...

Captain Sandy and The Sea Monster

Venue: Puppet Theatre Barge

Website: www.puppetbarge.com

A brand new show by Puppet Theatre Barge, expect stormy seas, sea monsters, grumpy fishermen and seaweed cake, this is a fun-filled musical adventure on the high seas for all the family! Recommended for...

Christmas at Hertfordshire Zoo

Venue: Hertfordshire Zoo

Website: www.hertfordshirezoo.com

This year, the zoo is going all out to spread holiday joy, offering a range of enchanting activities and seasonal treats included in your day ticket. One of the highlights is the magical Christmas Grotto,...

Storytelling with Santa

Venue: Chiswick House Garden

Website: www.chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk

In small groups, children will enjoy a a Christmas sing-along with the elves, before listening to a festive story read by Santa himself. Children will then have the opportunity to have their photo with...

Twinkle Trail

Venue: Headstone Manor and Museum

Website: www.headstonemanor.org

Can you help find all of the decorations hidden around the Manor House? Celebrate the 12 days of Headstone! Fill in the sheet as you explore the site and you will get a festive prize when you have finished....

The Pirates of Penzance

Venue: London Coliseum

Website: www.eno.org/whats-on/the-pirates-of-penzance

Batten down the hatches. Strike the colours. The pirates are back. The ENO’s smash-hit production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s swashbuckling farce returns shortly – and is set to get audiences toe-tapping...

Cinderella

Venue: Royal Opera House

Website: www.rbo.org.uk/tickets-and-events/cinderella-details

Stuck at home and put to work by her spoiled Step-Sisters, Cinderella’s life is dreary and dull. Everything changes when she helps a mysterious woman out... With a little bit of magic, she is transported...

Stick Man

Venue: Bloomsbury Theatre

Address: University College London, Gower Street,

Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/bloomsbury-theatre

Freckle Productions’ delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man is back in town! This award-winning production, from the team behind Zog and Zog and the Flying Doctors,...

Snow White

Venue: Compass Theatre

Website: www.discover.hillingdon.gov.uk/snow-white

Mirror mirror on the wall, which is the fairest panto of them all? It's Snow White at the Compass Theatre of course! This high-energy fun-filled extravaganza is packed with laugh-out-loud comedy, well-known...

Jack and the Beanstalk

Venue: The Judi Dench Playhouse

Website: www.questors.org.uk

Join Jack on his quest up into the clouds to defeat the Giant and save the Princess aided (or should that be hindered) by his mother and brother. Get ready for some Fee Fi Fo FUN with traditional panto...

Maddie Moate's Very Curious Christmas

Venue: Apollo Theatre

Website: www.theapollotheatre.co.uk/tickets/maddie-moates-very-curious-christmas

This seasonal STEM adventure dives into the science of winter, uncovers the mysteries behind our Christmas traditions, and answers some of your most curious Christmas questions… Where does snow come...

Father Christmas Needs a Wee!

Venue: Arts Theatre

Address: Great Newport Street

Website: www.artstheatrewestend.co.uk/events/father-christmas-needs-a-wee

Father Christmas is on his rounds... and he needs a WEE! At every house Father Christmas eats and drinks the tasty treats that have been left for him. But when he reaches number ten he realises that he’s...

Jack and the Beanstalk

Venue: New Wimbledon Theatre

Website: www.atgtickets.com

Joining Alexandra Burke will be comedy legend Joe Pasquale as Jack Trot’s brother, Simon, Cabaret Star Ceri Dupree and West-End star Ria Jones.Expect laughs, music, special effects, magic beans and bundles...

Robin Hood

Venue: The London Palladium

Website: www.lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/robin-hood

Join the merry madness as Palladium Pantomime returns for its 9th spectacular season with a brand-spanking-new production of Robin Hood! Starring national treasure Jane McDonald as Maid Marion and Palladium...

The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan

Venue: Harrow Arts Centre

Website: www.harrowarts.com

Brace yourself for a hilarious script that promises laughter at every turn, plus bags of audience interaction to make you feel like a part of the action. And who knows, there might even be the occasional...

The Night Before Christmas

Venue: New Wimbledon Theatre

Website: www.atgtickets.com

This enchanting Christmas adventure is suitable to 3-8 year olds and features festive fun, classic Christmas songs and lots of audience participation plus the opportunity to join Santa, his helpers and...

Horrible Christmas

Venue: Alexandra Palace

Website: www.alexandrapalace.com

Horrible Histories proudly presents the terrific tale of Christmas at Alexandra Palace Theatre this December. It’s a celebration of Christmas in the most wonderful, funny and moving way you’ll ever...

Nurcracker

Venue: London Coliseum

Website: www.ballet.org.uk/production/nutcracker

Embark on a journey full of colour and wonder, with over 100 dancers and musicians. From the orchestra warming up, to the final bows and applause, English National Ballet’s new Nutcracker promises an...

Nutcracker

Venue: London Coliseum

Website: www.ballet.org.uk/production/nutcracker

Embark on a journey full of colour and wonder, with over 100 dancers and musicians. From the orchestra warming up, to the final bows and applause, English National Ballet’s new Nutcracker promises an...

Aladdin

Venue: Beck Theatre

Website: www.trafalgartickets.com

Starring Karim Zeroual as Aladdin, the much-loved comic Joe Pollard as Soapy Simon, from Sky’s The Makery Nim Odedra as Spirit, the wonderful Mama G as Dame and the wickedly talented Jason Marc-Williams...

3 Little Pigs Tails at Christmas

Venue: Omnibus Theatre

Website: www.omnibus-clapham.org/3-little-pigs-tails

A funny and magical Christmas treat to make you squeal with laughter, bristling with puppets, live accordion music and lots of joining in. Garlic Theatre entertain the whole family with beautifully crafted...

Santa Specials

Venue: Hampton Kempton Waterworks Railway

Website: www.hamptonkemptonrailway.org.uk

Go and experience a magical Christmas with Santa and his elves! The beautiful heritage locomotive ‘Darent’ will be decked out in fun and festive lights ready for Santa and his helpers to come onboard...

Slava's SnowShow

Venue: Harold Pinter Theatre

Website: www.haroldpintertheatre.co.uk

Witness a show that revives the art of clowning, drawing in those who’ve turned away from the circus tents of old. Slava’s Snowshow is a cavalcade of chaos and charm that invites you to leave the everyday...

Festive Family Fun Day

Venue: London Wetland Centre

Website: www.wwt.org.uk

Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit with gospel choir performances, enchanting storytelling sessions, face painting and hands on workshops. Watch as our playful otters enjoy their unique Christmas gifts,...

Hansel and Gretel

Venue: Royal Opera House

Website: www.rbo.org.uk/tickets-and-events/hansel-and-gretel-details

A delicious treat for all the family returns this Christmas.The magic of the Grimm tales comes to life in this mischievous production. A fairy tale adventure for all.

The Gruffalo and The Snowman in concert

Venue: Cadogan Hall

Website: www.cadoganhall.com

Now a regular highlight of Christmas in Chelsea, the Mozart Symphony Orchestra returns to Cadogan Hall for its annual performance of the timeless classic, The Snowman, for which the film is shown on the...

Empower Arts Drama Classes and Holiday Fun!

Venue: Empower Arts

Address: Grand Union Village Community centre, Northolt

Website: www.empower-arts.co.uk

Alongside classes, Empower Arts offers birthday parties, holiday clubs, and LAMDA exam preparation. This holiday season, don’t miss their festive Christmas Fun Day on Monday, 23rd December, or the Kids...

The Nutcracker

Venue: Royal Albert Hall

Website: www.royalalberthall.com

Experience the true magic of Christmas, as Clara’s toys come to life at the stroke of midnight. Journey through a fantastical winter wonderland of dancing snowflakes to the kingdom of the Sugar Plum...

London New Year's Day Parade 2025

Venue: Piccadilly, Regents Street St James’s, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall

Website: https://lnydp.com

Running alongside the parade is the LNYDP concert series and the Grand Finale of the London International Choral Festival performed in internationally acclaimed music venues across the nation’s capital.

Magical Toy Tales

Venue: Polka Theatre

Website: www.polkatheatre.com

Based on their production of The Nutcracker, choose a toy from Polka's toy box or bring your own to magically ‘come to life’! In this drama workshop you will create some fantastical characters that...

Family Explorer Evening

Venue: London Transport Museum

Website: www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/family-events/family-explorer-evening

Free Family Explorer event especially for visitors with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, including Autistic Spectrum Disorder. This is a safe space to explore the Museum in a more relaxed setting,...

Chinese New Year Extravaganza

Venue: Beck Theatre

Website: www.trafalgartickets.com

The show features popular acts including cheerful lions, Britain's best Kung Fu display, playful pandas, along with some new and exciting acts. A family-friendly show full of colour, amazement and fun,...

Depot Family Tours

Venue: Acton Depot

Website: www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/family-events/depot-family-tours

From the tons of poo that accompanied the first Horse Buses, to why trains have bogies, this highlights tour of the bus and train shed may surprise you! The learning facilitators will take you around part...