Highlights – December Events in London 2025
- 🎭 Major Christmas shows & musicals across the West End
- 🎄 Iconic concerts at Royal Albert Hall & Barbican Centre
- 🩰 Classic ballet performances, including The Nutcracker
- 🚢 New Year’s Eve cruises with unforgettable firework views
- 🧚 Family favourites like The Snowman, Elf and Pinocchio
Links to Christmas articles
The Snowman – Live on Stage
The beloved Christmas classic The Snowman returns to the Peacock Theatre.
Follow the magical story of a young boy whose snowman comes to life, taking him on an unforgettable journey to the North Pole filled with wonder, friendship and Christmas spirit.
📍Peacock Theatre | 22 Nov 2025 – 4 Jan 2026
Pinocchio at Shakespeare’s Globe
This brand-new winter musical brings Pinocchio to Shakespeare’s Globe for the first time. Based on Carlo Collodi’s original tale, the show follows Geppetto and his wooden puppet Pinocchio, who miraculously comes to life, leading the pair on an adventure of self-discovery and imagination.
- Directed by Sean Holmes
- Book & lyrics by Charlie Josephine
- Music by Jim Fortune
📍Shakespeare’s Globe | 29 Nov 2025 – 4 Jan 2026
Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall
One of London’s best-loved traditions, Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall returns with a spectacular programme of concerts and seasonal performances.
Highlights include:
- Tony Hadley – The Christmas Big Band Tour
- Christmas with the Salvation Army (3 Dec)
- Glyndebourne: Handel’s Messiah (5 Dec)
- Home Alone in Concert (6–13 Dec)
- My Christmas Orchestral Adventure (7 Dec) – family concert
- Streets of London’s Starry Night (10 Dec) – charity gala
- Late Night Jazz: Jazz at the Movies (10 Dec)
- Trevor Nelson’s Soul Christmas (11 Dec)
- Jamie Cullum – The Pianoman at Christmas (12 Dec)
- Carols at the Royal Albert Hall (14–24 Dec) – festive singalong
- Keith & Kristyn Getty – Home for Christmas (19 Dec)
- Friendship Matinee: Carols (21 Dec)
- Birmingham Royal Ballet – The Nutcracker (29–31 Dec)
📍Royal Albert Hall | 2 Dec – 31 Dec 2025
The Nutcracker – English National Ballet
A cornerstone of London’s festive season, The Nutcracker returns to the London Coliseum. Choreographed by Aaron S. Watkin and Arielle Smith, this magical production follows Clara, the Nutcracker and the battle with the Mouse King, all set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score.
📍London Coliseum | 11 Dec 2025 – 11 Jan 2026
Raymond Gubbay Christmas Festival – Barbican Centre
The Raymond Gubbay Christmas Festival brings choral, orchestral and cinematic music to the Barbican throughout the festive season. Programme highlights:
- Christmas Carol Singalong (20 Dec)
- Christmas with King’s College Choir (21 Dec)
- Candlelit Carols (22 Dec)
- Christmas with Sir Karl Jenkins (23 Dec)
- Holst: The Planets (27 Dec)
- The Best of John Williams (28 Dec)
- Beethoven’s Ninth (29 Dec)
- The Glenn Miller Orchestra (30 Dec)
- Zimmer vs Williams (31 Dec)
- New Year’s Day Proms (1 Jan 2026)
📍Barbican Centre | 20 Dec 2025 – 1 Jan 2026
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Riverside Studios
Douglas Adams’s legendary sci-fi comedy comes to life in a new stage adaptation at Riverside Studios. Join Arthur Dent, Zaphod Beeblebrox, Fenchurch and their unlikely crew as they escape Earth’s destruction and journey across the galaxy in search of the meaning of life.
📍Riverside Studios, Hammersmith | 15 Nov 2025 – 15 Feb 2026
Elf The Musical
Based on the much-loved Christmas film, Elf follows the cheerful Buddy as he leaves the North Pole to find his father in New York — and perhaps save Christmas along the way. The musical features all the key characters: Buddy, Jovie, Santa, Emily Hobbs and Walter Hobbs.
📍Aldwych Theatre | 22 Nov 2025 – 3 Jan 2026
A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story
This atmospheric stage adaptation of Dickens’s classic takes audiences back to Victorian London. With dramatic effects and a haunting score, the production retells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge as he encounters the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future — and is given one final chance at redemption.
📍Alexandra Palace Theatre | 21 Nov 2025 – 4 Jan 2026
New Year’s Eve Fireworks Cruise – Silver Sockeye
Celebrate New Year’s Eve aboard the Silver Sockeye for a peaceful and scenic Thames Cruise. Enjoy a welcome drink, live music and views of London’s illuminated landmarks. At midnight, toast with sparkling wine while watching the fireworks directly from the river — without the crowds.
📍Thames, Tower Bridge Quay | 31 Dec 2025
Plan Your December in London
From magical ballets and festive concerts to Christmas musicals and New Year’s Eve celebrations, London’s December calendar is packed with seasonal events for every age and interest. Whether you're exploring the West End, admiring Christmas lights or attending world-class performances, December is one of the best times to experience the city.
