The most romantic London shows to book for Valentine's Day

This Valentine's Day, treat someone special to a West End play, musical or comedy – here's our round-up of the best date night theatre.

When it comes to date night, what could be better than a world-class theatre trip? The West End has so many great options when it comes to romantic nights out – and you can pair your theatre date with a delicious pre- or post-show meal. It’s a perfect way to make your Valentine’s Day 2024 really memorable.

You can choose between plays, musicals, and comedies, shows with big-name stars or incredible stage versions of your favourite movies, or productions with swoon-worthy love stories. The best part is sharing the experience with your loved one and making it a Valentine’s Day date that you can always look back on together.

Book West End shows now on London Theatre.

Hadestown, Lyric Theatre

Do you love someone enough to risk journeying into the Underworld for them? That’s the high bar set by Orpheus and Eurydice in the Ancient Greek myth, which is gloriously reborn in Anaïs Mitchell’s Tony-winning musical – a perfect Valentine’s outing.

Dónal Finn and Grace Hodgett Young lead this new exciting West End company, which also features Zachary James, Melanie La Barrie, and Gloria Onitiri, performing an extraordinary score fusing New Orleans jazz, and American folk – and telling one of the most enduring love stories of all time.

Book Hadestown tickets on London Theatre.

Plaza Suite, Savoy Theatre

Well, you can’t get more romantic than this. The real-life married couple Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick star in Neil Simon’s comedy – which is all about relationships.

Parker makes her West End debut in Plaza Suite, following its hit Broadway run. She and Broderick play a series of couples, all staying at the Plaza Hotel. Expect plenty of laughs on this starry Valentine date, as well as some wry truths about love and sex.

Book Plaza Suite tickets on London Theatre.

Love Songs by Candlelight, The Actors’ Church

You can really set the mood for a special Valentine’s Day with this atmospheric concert in a beautiful church right in the heart of the West End. Candlelight and music: it's an enchanting combination.

The two concerts on Valentine’s Day will feature exquisite classical versions of a range of romantic music – from pop ballads to musical theatre duets – all performed live by an award-winning string quartet.

Book Love Songs by Candlelight tickets on London Theatre

Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Piccadilly Theatre

The tragic romance at the centre of this lavish production is one for the ages. Immortalised on film by Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman, you can now see the budding musician Christian and cabaret star Satine fall in love on stage in a whole new way.

Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 movie has become a Spectacular Spectacular stage show, bringing fin-de-siècle Paris – with its bohemians, dancers, heroes, and villains – to the West End, along with an incredible 75 pop songs. You can-can-can have a show-stopping Valentine’s Day date at Moulin Rouge!.

Book Moulin Rouge! The Musical tickets on London Theatre.

Back to the Future: The Musical, Adelphi Theatre

If you or your Valentine – or both! – loved this 80s sci-fi movie comedy, then you need to go at 88 miles per hour to catch the jaw-dropping West End musical version, which uses incredible special effects to bring the time-travelling DeLorean to the stage.

Of course, love is also a key element in this thrilling adventure, as Marty McFly races to get his parents together and save his family’s future. Add in a fantastic rock-pop score, and it’s 1.21 gigawatts of exhilarating fun.

Book Back to the Future: The Musical tickets on London Theatre

Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Gillian Lynne Theatre

Connection with other people is at the heart of this Olivier Award-winning musical, beautifully written by Chris Bush, and featuring the soul-stirring and heart-rending songs of Robert Hastie.

Follow three generations who live on the titular Sheffield estate: their hopes and dreams, their victories and losses, and above all the love they cherish. It will make you value your own loved ones even more this Valentine’s Day.

Book Standing at the Sky’s Edge tickets on London Theatre.

Mamma Mia!, Novello Theatre

Love is all around in this brilliant long-running musical featuring the music of ABBA. There’s the upcoming wedding of Sophie and Sky, plus mum Donna suddenly being confronted with her three exes thanks to Sophie’s search for her father.

Not to mention the love of family and friends – all encapsulated in the iconic pop songs that power this irresistible show. If you want a boogie this Valentine’s Day, then channel your inner dancing queen and head straight for Mamma Mia!.

Book Mamma Mia! tickets on London Theatre.

The Hills of California, Harold Pinter Theatre

If you and your Valentine are both theatre buffs, or just fans of the brilliant writer Jez Butterworth and Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes, then your hot ticket is their latest collaboration, The Hills of California.

Set in 1970s Blackpool during the big heatwave, it features a cracking cast, led by Ophelia Lovibond, Leanne Best, Helena Wilson, Bryan Dick, Shaun Dooley, and Corey Johnson. Its bound to give you plenty to chat about during your post-show dinner.

Book The Hills of California tickets on London Theatre.

The Play That Goes Wrong, Duchess Theatre

Sometimes, you just want to share a silly joke together. Comedy fans will definitely have a laugh-a-minute Valentine’s Day at this hilariously chaotic farce, which sees an am-dram theatre comedy trying to stage a murder mystery – and everything going wrong, in just the right way.

The actors forget their lines, confuse their props, fall over, get knocked out, and gradually the entire set seems to conspire against them. It’s guaranteed to have you crying with laughter, both on your date and for a long time afterwards.

Book The Play That Goes Wrong tickets on London Theatre.

Photo credit: Moulin Rouge! (Photo courtesy of production)