It simply wouldn't be a London Christmas without this heart-warming family favourite. Now in its 28th year, the gorgeous dance-theatre version of Raymond Briggs's picture book continues to charm and thrill young audiences – and leave their grown-up companions misty-eyed.

Join a lucky boy whose snowman comes to life, and who explores his new world in adorably slapstick fashion. Then he takes his new friend on a magical adventure, including a visit to the North Pole and an unforgettable flight set to “Walking in the Air”.

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Another joyful Christmas treat is this wonderful festive ballet. The plot is easy to follow (it's pretty close to Toy Story), making it an easy entry point for anyone new to ballet, but the sheer scale, skill and wonder of the storytelling makes this a real treat.

English National Ballet's epic London Coliseum version features more than 100 dancers and musicians. Set in a picturesque Edwardian London, their production combines tradition with innovation: Aaron S. Watkin and Arielle Smith have created a wonderful new staging.

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We're spoiled for choice in London when it comes to productions of The Nutcracker. Another brilliant choice is Birmingham Royal Ballet's sparkling staging, which takes full advantage of the majestic setting of the Royal Albert Hall – a particularly special treat at Christmas.

Featuring beautiful period costumes and spectacular projections, and dancers accompanied by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia playing Tchaikovsky's indelible score, it's a winter wonderland. Enjoy whirling snowflakes, the Kingdom of Sweets, and the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

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For a truly enchanting festive outing, try the beautiful Christmas by Candlelight concert. The award-winning string quartet Icon Strings play all your seasonal favourites, including “All I Want For Christmas is You”, “Fairytale of New York”, and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

Even better, the entire show takes place by magical candlelight, creating an extraordinary atmosphere. Sip your mulled wine and be transported by the music. The concert is at two central London venues: the Actors' Church and St-Giles-in-the-Fields.

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Join Maddie Moate in a jolly spin on scientific discovery in her brilliant family show set in Santa's workshop. There are all sorts of mishaps, thanks to two hapless elves, and Mrs Claus is on her way for a surprise inspection!

The children's TV presenter and author Moate is back in the West End with a live version of her best-selling book, bringing facts, experiments and lots of festive fun to the curious audiences. This is unmissable entertainment for any budding STEM stars.

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The zany festive favourite is back! This hit stage musical version of the classic film tells the story of Buddy, a boundlessly optimistic human man raised by elves, who travels to New York to find his father – with plenty of hijinks along the way.

The show returns to the West End with an impressive cast, led by Joel Montague, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Aled Jones, Rosanna Hyland, and Martyn Ellis. If smiling's your favourite, this hilarious musical comedy is an unmissable treat this Christmas.

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Hackney Empire's pantomime is always a highlight of the season, mixing a classic fairy tale with loads of hilarious contemporary and local gags to tickle a family audience. This season, you shall go to the ball, as the theatre stages the beloved Cinderella. Will she escape the clutches of her Wicked Stepmother and find true love?

Directing the panto is Hackney stalwart Clive Rowe, and the cast features Jade Johnson, Siobhan James, Nicholas McLean, Alexandra Waite-Roberts, Kat B, George Heyworth, Chrissie Bhima, and Luke Latchman. Don your best glass slippers and join this amazing tradition.

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The Mischief team, creators of long-running smash-hit comedies like The Play That Goes Wrong, have dreamt up a side-splitting new festive show. This is the accident-prone Cornley Amateur Drama Society's version of Charles Dickens's classic – expect tidings of chaos and joy!

The Cornley troupe are beset by in-fighting, issues with their set, and fatal miscommunications as they attempt to mount a series production of this ghostly fable. Join Ebeneezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and a host of surprises in this utterly escapist comic pleasure.

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Panto is reaching new heights this year at the Lyric Hammersmith with this adventure of simply giant proportions! The Lyric's annual pantomime is always a delight, packed with pop songs, jokes, audience participation and hilarious slapstick comedy to give you a proper laugh this festive season.

Writer Sonia Jalaly and director Nicholai La Barrie, who brought us 2024's hit Aladdin, are back. Their version of the story takes place at a strict school in Hammersmith run by a scary headmaster – but can the intrepid Jack bring some joy back to west London? Oh yes he will!

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For the spine-chilling version of Charles Dickens's tale, head to the wonderfully atmospheric Alexandra Palace Theatre for Mark Gatiss's acclaimed adaptation of this iconic ghost story. It's Christmas Eve, and Scrooge is about to receive a ghostly visit – will it come in time for him to change his fate?

Expect some shiver-inducing special effects and imaginative puppetry in this riveting staging, which is back by popular demand. Matthew Cottle (Bridgerton) reprises his Scrooge, joined by Neil Morrissey (Men Behaving Badly) as Scrooge's former partner, now deceased, Jacob Marley.

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