We confirmed 15 Christmas events for kids in London for 2026. The season starts on 13 November with Christmas at Kew and runs until 24 January (Peter Pan). Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in the UK.
The short version
- 15 kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in London, Richmond, Wimbledon and Twickenham
- First: Christmas at Kew, Richmond, 13 November
- Free events: None confirmed yet
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by area, with the date, time, price and the small things parents ask about (booking, ages, what is included).
London Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 15 confirmed for 2026
- Areas
- London, Richmond, Wimbledon and Twickenham
- Season
- 13 November to 24 January
- Free events
- None confirmed yet
- Last checked
Christmas events for kids in London
10 confirmed events in London, soonest first.
Cinderella
Panto or Christmas showLyric Hammersmith Theatre · London
- Host
- Lyric Hammersmith Theatre (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Main House, Lyric Square, King Street, London W6 0QL
- When
- Nov 14 to Jan 3, various times
- Price
- £10 to £50
- Ages
- 6+
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Lyric Hammersmith's 2026 pantomime is Cinderella, written by Joel Horwood and directed by Robin Belfield. Cinderella is stuck scrubbing a crumbling castle for her stepmother Suella and the stepsisters, while the prince must find a wife by midnight. Fairy magic and a lost shoe set the story moving towards the ball.
The show runs from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 in the Main House and lasts about two hours. The theatre recommends it for ages 6 and up. Access performances include a Relaxed Performance on 1 December at 10am, an Audio Described show on 10 December, a BSL performance on 11 December and an Open Captioned performance on 16 December, all at 7pm apart from the relaxed show.
Parent tip: Ticket prices rise with demand, so booking early gets the cheapest seats. The relaxed morning performance on 1 December suits children who prefer a calmer setting.
See dates and details from Lyric Hammersmith Theatre (opens in a new tab)Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Christmas lightsHyde Park Winter Wonderland · London
- Host
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Hyde Park, Hyde Park, London W2 2UH
- When
- Daily Nov 19 to Jan 3 (closed Dec 25), 10am to 10pm
- Price
- Off-peak entry free with booked ticket, standard £8.25, rides extra
- Ages
- All ages, everyone needs an entry ticket
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland returns from Thursday 19 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, open every day except Christmas Day. It is a huge festive site with funfair rides, attractions, shows, food stalls and Christmas lights, and the final day is billed as a Family Fun Day.
Everyone needs an entry ticket, whatever their age, booked in one-hour slots between 10am and 8pm. Off-peak slots are free to enter but still need a ticket, standard entry is £8.25, and peak slots cost more. Spending £25 online on rides, attractions or meal deals in one transaction gets your entry free. Rides and shows are charged separately. Opening is usually 10am, but several weekday mornings start at 11am or 12pm and 1 December opens at 2pm.
Parent tip: Book a free off-peak weekday slot for the calmest visit with children, and check the opening time for your date as some mornings open later.
See dates and details from Hyde Park Winter Wonderland (opens in a new tab)Robin Hood and the Merry Mandem
Panto or Christmas showTheatre Royal Stratford East · London
- Host
- Theatre Royal Stratford East (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, London E15 1BN
- When
- Nov 21 to Jan 2, various times
- Price
- Prices vary, under 2s lap seat £1, under 17 concessions
- Ages
- Suitable for all ages
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Theatre Royal Stratford East's 2026 pantomime is Robin Hood and the Merry Mandem, a fresh take on the outlaw story set in Stratford. Robin and the Merry Mandem roam local streets, stations and estates, taking from the rich and backing the poor, with big sets, costumes and plenty of comedy.
The show is suitable for all ages and runs for about two hours plus an interval. Performances begin on Saturday 21 November, and Thursday 26 November is a Pay What You Can evening. Prices rise as the theatre fills, so booking early is wise. Children under 2 can have a lap seat for £1 by calling the box office on 020 8534 0310, and concessions are available for under 17s.
Parent tip: Call the box office to book a £1 lap seat for under 2s. The Pay What You Can performance on 26 November is a budget friendly option.
See dates and details from Theatre Royal Stratford East (opens in a new tab)Pinocchio the Musical
Panto or Christmas showShakespeare's Globe · London
- Host
- Shakespeare's Globe (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT
- When
- Nov 28 to Jan 3, various times
- Price
- Prices not stated
- Ages
- 5+
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Shakespeare's Globe on Bankside stages Pinocchio the Musical for the 2026 festive season. Geppetto carves a wooden puppet who sets out to discover what it really means to be human, and the puppetry is singled out as a highlight of the production.
The show runs from 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 and lasts 2 hours 10 minutes including an interval. It is recommended for ages 5 and up. The Globe has an open roof, so audiences are advised to wrap up warmly in winter coats, hats and gloves, and a blanket or cushion can help on the benches. The production is a family friendly alternative to a traditional pantomime, with a classic story that many children will already know, and it plays across the whole Christmas holiday period, including New Year.
Parent tip: The Globe is open to the sky, so dress children in warm layers for a December performance.
See dates and details from Shakespeare's Globe (opens in a new tab)Cirque Alice
Panto or Christmas showSouthbank Centre · London
- Host
- Southbank Centre (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
- When
- Dec 2 to Jan 3, various times
- Price
- From £38.75
- Ages
- 5+, under 12s must be with an adult
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Cirque Alice is a brand new circus show for the festive season at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall. It reimagines Lewis Carroll's Alice story with acrobatics, aerial numbers, contortion and puppetry, accompanied by live guest musicians.
The show runs from 2 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 and lasts around two hours. It is recommended for ages 5 and up, and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets start from £38.75. The Royal Festival Hall sits on the South Bank by Waterloo, so it is easy to combine with a riverside walk. It is a more theatrical, spectacle led outing than a pantomime, so it suits children who enjoy acrobatics and big stage moments, and it runs right through the Christmas holidays into the New Year weekend.
Parent tip: Under 12s must attend with an adult, and the two hour running time suits school age children best.
See dates and details from Southbank Centre (opens in a new tab)Stick Man
Christmas story timeBloomsbury Theatre · London
- Host
- Bloomsbury Theatre (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Bloomsbury Theatre, 15 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AH
- When
- Dec 3 to Jan 3, various times
- Price
- From £18.75
- Ages
- 3+
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Stick Man brings Julia Donaldson's much loved Christmas picture book to the stage at the Bloomsbury Theatre. The show follows Stick Man as he tries to get home to his family tree, meeting a dog, a swan and a fire along the way, told through puppetry, music and storytelling.
It runs from 3 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 and lasts one hour with no interval, which suits younger children well. The recommended age is 3 and up, and tickets start from £18.75. The Bloomsbury Theatre is on Gordon Street, a short walk from Euston and Euston Square stations. Reading the picture book together at home beforehand helps younger children follow the story and spot each character as Stick Man meets them on his long journey home.
Parent tip: At one hour with no interval, this is a good first theatre trip for preschoolers.
See dates and details from Bloomsbury Theatre (opens in a new tab)The Little Match Girl
Panto or Christmas showWilton's Music Hall · London
- Host
- Wilton's Music Hall (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Wilton's Music Hall, 1 Graces Alley, London E1 8JB
- When
- Dec 3 to Jan 2, various times
- Price
- From £20
- Ages
- 5+
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Little Match Girl is a winter ballet based on the Hans Christian Andersen story, directed and choreographed by Arthur Pita with live music by Frank Moon. First seen at Sadler's Wells, it plays at Wilton's Music Hall in east London, a beautifully atmospheric Victorian venue.
The production runs from 3 December 2026 to 2 January 2027 and lasts 80 minutes including an interval. It is recommended for ages 5 and up, and tickets start from £20. It is a gentler, more artistic choice than a pantomime and a nice introduction to dance for school age children. Andersen's tale is a bittersweet one, so parents of sensitive children may want to share the story beforehand. Seats in this historic hall vary, so check views when booking.
Parent tip: At 80 minutes with an interval, it is a manageable length for younger school children.
See dates and details from Wilton's Music Hall (opens in a new tab)Peppa Pig's Big Family Show!
Panto or Christmas showTheatre Royal Haymarket · London
- Host
- Theatre Royal Haymarket (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Theatre Royal Haymarket, 18 Suffolk Street, London SW1Y 4HT
- When
- Dec 4 to Jan 3, various times
- Price
- From £12.50, under 12 months on a lap free
- Ages
- Babes in arms welcome
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Peppa Pig's Big Family Show is a West End stage show for Peppa fans, playing at the Theatre Royal Haymarket over the festive season. Peppa and her family are getting ready for a new baby, and the show is packed with songs, colourful sets and plenty of audience participation.
It runs from 4 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 and lasts 1 hour 20 minutes including an interval. Tickets start from £12.50. Babes in arms are welcome, and babies under 12 months on an adult's lap do not need a ticket. The theatre is just off Trafalgar Square, so it pairs well with a look at the Christmas tree. The audience participation keeps preschoolers involved throughout, and the songs are easy to join in with even on a first visit.
Parent tip: The interval gives little ones a break, and under 12 months on a lap go free.
See dates and details from Theatre Royal Haymarket (opens in a new tab)Cinderella, the London Palladium Pantomime
Panto or Christmas showCrossroads Pantomimes · London
- Host
- Crossroads Pantomimes (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- The London Palladium, 8 Argyll Street, London W1F 7TF
- When
- Dec 5 to Jan 10, various times
- Price
- Prices not stated, book via LW Tickets
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The London Palladium's 2026 pantomime is Cinderella, running from Saturday 5 December 2026 to Sunday 10 January 2027. Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders reunite on stage as the Ugly Sisters, joined by Julian Clary as the Fairy Godfather, Dex Lee as Prince Charming and Hope Dawe as Cinderella, with Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Rob Madge also in the cast.
This is a lavish West End production with big sets and famous faces, and it is one of the most popular Christmas shows in the capital. LW Tickets is the official box office and tickets are booked through the dedicated Palladium pantomime website. The producer's page does not give prices or an age guide, so check the booking page before you buy.
Parent tip: The Palladium panto is known for cheeky grown-up humour alongside the family fun, so check the age guidance on the booking site for younger children.
See dates and details from Crossroads Pantomimes (opens in a new tab)The Smartest Giant in Town
Christmas story timeSt Martin's Theatre · London
- Host
- St Martin's Theatre (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- St Martin's Theatre, West Street, London WC2H 9NZ
- When
- Dec 9 to Jan 3, various times
- Price
- From £16.25, under 12 months on a lap free
- Ages
- Babes in arms welcome
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Smartest Giant in Town is a stage adaptation of the picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, playing at St Martin's Theatre in the West End over Christmas. George the giant buys a smart new outfit, then gives it away piece by piece to help animals in need, a gentle story about kindness.
The show runs from 9 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 and lasts 55 minutes with no interval. Tickets start from £16.25. Babes in arms are welcome, and babies under 12 months sitting on an adult's lap do not need a ticket, which makes this a good option for families with a baby and a toddler. Reading the picture book together before the trip helps younger children follow along and spot the animals George helps.
Parent tip: Babies under 12 months on a lap go free, and the show is under an hour with no interval.
See dates and details from St Martin's Theatre (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Richmond
2 confirmed events in Richmond, soonest first.
Christmas at Kew (Richmond)
Meet SantaRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew · Richmond
- Host
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Kew Road, Richmond TW9 3AE (near London)
- When
- Selected evenings, Nov 13 to Jan 3, from 4.20pm
- Price
- From £25.50 adults, children from £20, under 4s free
- Ages
- All ages (3 and 9 Dec are adults only)
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Christmas at Kew is London's best known festive light trail, winding through the botanic gardens after dark. The 2026 trail runs on selected evenings from 13 November to 3 January, opening at 4.20pm, with large light installations, colour tunnels, immersive soundscapes and a traditional fairground. Father Christmas also makes an appearance along the way.
Tickets are timed and booked in advance, with family and child tickets available and Kew Members receiving discounts. Quiet Access sessions on 21 November and 1, 16 and 26 December are designed for visitors with hidden disabilities such as autism. Note that 3 and 9 December are adult-only evenings, so plan family visits for other dates. Entry is through Brentford, Elizabeth or Victoria Gate, each with its own last entry time.
Parent tip: Popular time slots sell out, so book early, and avoid the adult-only evenings on 3 and 9 December. Last entry at Victoria Gate is 8pm (7pm on Christmas Eve).
See dates and details from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (opens in a new tab)Jack and the Beanstalk (Pantomime) (Richmond)
Panto or Christmas showRichmond Theatre (ATG) · Richmond
- Host
- Richmond Theatre (ATG) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Richmond Theatre, The Green, Richmond TW9 1QJ (near London)
- When
- Dec 5 to Jan 3, relaxed show Dec 30
- Price
- Prices on ATG Tickets
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Richmond Theatre's 2026 pantomime is Jack and the Beanstalk, the classic tale of a boy who swaps the family cow for a few beans and climbs into the clouds to outwit an evil giant. The grand Victorian theatre on Richmond Green is one of the best loved panto houses in south west London.
The pantomime runs from Saturday 5 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, with a Relaxed Performance on Wednesday 30 December for children and adults who benefit from a calmer, more flexible theatre experience. Tickets and performance times are sold through ATG Tickets, which operates the theatre. The show uses all the familiar pantomime ingredients, from the cow and the beans to the beanstalk and the giant, so it is an easy story for younger children to follow, and the run continues over New Year.
Parent tip: Book the relaxed performance on 30 December if your child finds loud noise or sitting still difficult.
See dates and details from Richmond Theatre (ATG) (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Wimbledon
2 confirmed events in Wimbledon, soonest first.
Peter Pan (Wimbledon)
Panto or Christmas showPolka Theatre · Wimbledon
- Host
- Polka Theatre (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Polka Theatre, Y C Chan Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB (near London)
- When
- Nov 14 to Jan 24, various times
- Price
- Prices not stated, see Polka box office
- Ages
- 5 to 12 years
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Polka Theatre in Wimbledon is a theatre built entirely for children, and its main festive production for 2026 is a remixed musical version of Peter Pan, based on J.M. Barrie's story. Peter and Wendy chase their wish never to grow up, with a company of vocalists, beatboxers and rappers performing original songs live on stage.
Conrad Murray adapted the show and wrote the music, and co-directed it with Ria Parry. It plays in the Y C Chan Theatre from Saturday 14 November 2026 to Sunday 24 January 2027 and is aimed at children aged 5 to 12. Prices are not listed on the announcement, so contact the box office on 020 8543 4888 or visit the Polka website to book.
Parent tip: Polka is a child friendly venue with its own garden and café, so it is easy to make a morning of it. Book through the box office at 020 8543 4888.
See dates and details from Polka Theatre (opens in a new tab)Antarctica (Wimbledon)
Panto or Christmas showPolka Theatre · Wimbledon
- Host
- Polka Theatre (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Polka Theatre, Adventure Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB (near London)
- When
- Nov 27 to Jan 17, various times
- Price
- Prices not stated, see Polka box office
- Ages
- 3 to 7 years
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Antarctica is Polka Theatre's festive show for younger children in 2026, staged in the intimate Adventure Theatre. Made by Little Bulb and first produced with Bristol Old Vic, it takes the audience on a journey across the frozen continent to meet penguins, albatrosses and creatures of the deep, using clowning, puppetry and snowy surprises.
The show runs from Friday 27 November 2026 to Sunday 17 January 2027 and is pitched at ages 3 to 7, making it a gentle first theatre trip for preschoolers and infant school children. Prices are not given on the season announcement, so contact the box office on 020 8543 4888 or email boxoffice@polkatheatre.com. The gentle mix of clowning and puppetry, with no long speeches, makes it well suited to children who are new to sitting through a show.
Parent tip: The Adventure Theatre is small, so seats go quickly over the school holidays.
See dates and details from Polka Theatre (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Twickenham
1 confirmed event in Twickenham, soonest first.
Cinderella (Twickenham)
Panto or Christmas showThe Exchange Twickenham · Twickenham
- Host
- The Exchange Twickenham (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- The Exchange, 75 London Road, Twickenham TW1 1BE (near London)
- When
- Dec 7 to Dec 27, various times
- Price
- £19 adults, £14.50 concessions, £58 family of four online
- Ages
- Family pantomime
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Exchange in Twickenham stages Cinderella as its 2026 family pantomime, running for 20 days from Monday 7 December to Sunday 27 December. It is a traditional panto with the familiar story of the girl, the glass slipper and the ball, pitched at local families.
Tickets are £19 for adults and £14.50 for concessions, and a family ticket for four is £58 when booked online, which makes this one of the more affordable pantomimes around London. You can book online, in person at the box office or by phone on 020 8240 2399. The venue is on London Road close to Twickenham station. Early bird prices were offered earlier in the year, and the short three week run means weekend performances tend to be the busiest, so it is worth booking well ahead of the school holidays.
Parent tip: The family ticket for four is only available online, so book there for the best price.
See dates and details from The Exchange Twickenham (opens in a new tab)A story for the trip home
Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is hand-painted in watercolour. It is a cosy five-minute read after a big day out.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolour. Ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon.co.uk (opens in a new tab)London Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in London in 2026?
We confirmed 15 Christmas events for kids in London for 2026, each on its host’s own page, including Christmas at Kew (Richmond), Cinderella, Peter Pan (Wimbledon), Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Robin Hood and the Merry Mandem, Antarctica (Wimbledon), Pinocchio the Musical, Cirque Alice, Stick Man, The Little Match Girl, Peppa Pig's Big Family Show! and Cinderella, the London Palladium Pantomime. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.
Where can kids see Santa in London this year?
Santa appears at Christmas at Kew (Richmond). Times and booking rules are in each listing above.
Where are there Christmas story times for kids in London?
Christmas story times on this page: Stick Man and The Smartest Giant in Town.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on 2 November 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.
