Get tickets to West End shows this Easter

Enjoy a cracking trip to see the sweetest West End shows this Easter, whether it's an empowering pop-tastic hit like Six or a family-friendly classic like The Lion King.

The Easter school holidays are nearly upon us, and whether you’re planning quality time with your family, or just looking for fun London outings, the West End is your best bet. It’s been a particularly strong year for new and returning shows, meaning there are loads of great Easter shows on offer in 2024.

The West End is always a big draw for families, providing a range of plays, musicals, comedies and dedicated shows for young audiences. Many of these productions provide the perfect entry point for newcomers to theatre.

There’s also spectacular entertainment that works for everyone – ideal if you’re getting together with multiple generations of your family.

So, check out our selection of great Easter 2023 shows, and start planning your outing now!

The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre

Not only is this glorious stage musical, based on the beloved Disney animated movie, a wonderful first theatre experience for young audiences, it also has some Biblical elements: the stories of Joseph and Moses influenced the filmmakers.

The Lion King features good life lessons and differing philosophies, plus it's a triumph of stagecraft, with jaw-dropping puppets that evoke the animals. You also get the return of Elton John and Tim Rice’s catchy songs: “Circle of Life”, “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King”, “Be Prepared”, “Hakuna Matata”, and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”.

Book The Lion King tickets on London Theatre.

Back to the Future: The Musical, Adelphi Theatre

There’s nothing more pleasurable than passing on your favourite piece of art to your children, and the thrilling Back to the Future stage show means you can share a classic movie with them in an all-new musical form. Plus time-traveller Marty McFly's mission is all about saving his family.

This blockbuster production uses incredible special effects to plunge you into the zany sci-fi adventure – including a DeLorean that actually flies. It’s 1.21 gigawatts of enthralling fun for the whole family: a perfect Easter treat.

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

Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Phoenix Theatre

Welcome to the Upside Down. Fans of Netflix's sci-fi smash-hit Stranger Things simply have to catch this new theatre prequel, set in 1950s Hawkins, which shows characters like Hopper and Joyce in their teens, and offers tantalising clues to the series' upcoming conclusion.

It will definitely sell any newcomers on the jaw-dropping magic of theatre, with its combination of cutting-edge special effects and engrossing human drama. This show is like nothing else in the West End right now: it's out of this world.

Book Stranger Things: The First Shadow tickets on London Theatre.

Six, Vaudeville Theatre

Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss's world-conquery herstory musical is all about Henry VIII's six wives getting to tell their own version of events – and borrowing some female empowerment from today's top pop divas.

It's a nice accessible length and format for newer theatregoers, but everyone will love its wit, fire and irresistible tunes. You'd need a heart of stone to resist this royally great entertainment – a pop-tastic outing for this Easter holiday.

Book Six tickets on London Theatre.

Matilda, Cambridge Theatre

This beloved family musical works so brilliantly because adaptors Tim Minchin and David Kelly capture the anarchic spirit of Roald Dahl’s original novel, as well as its celebration of storytelling and imagination.

That makes Matilda ideal Easter family viewing. Not to mention the imaginative staging and unforgettable songs by Minchin, including the startlingly poignant “When I Grow Up”, which is just as likely to inspire parents as children.

Book Matilda tickets on London Theatre.

The Hills of California, Harold Pinter Theatre

Jez Butterworth, the award-winning playwright who brought us Jerusalem and The Ferryman, now tells the story of daughters reuniting in 1970s Blackpool and looking back at their childhood, when their mum tried to turn them into a hit singing group.

This beautiful production, directed by Sam Mendes, explores the complexity of family bonds – though this is definitely just one for the grown-ups. But it's empathetic towards each sibling and every generation, and will give you plenty to chat about this Easter.

Book The Hills of California tickets on London Theatre.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Palace Theatre

Get immersed in the wizarding world with the astonishing theatrical chapter in the Harry Potter saga, which follows on from the best-selling children's books. Even better: you can see all those spells and a battle between good and evil live in front of you.

This award-winning production is theatre at its most excitingly innovative, plus it has a relatable family tale at its heart. One that will thrill and surprise the adults just as much as the children this Easter.

Book Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tickets on London Theatre.

Mamma Mia!, Novello Theatre

If you’re staycationing during your Easter holidays this year, you can still escape to a magical Greek island full of sun, fun and ABBA songs via the West End favourite Mamma Mia!. The mother/daughter bond drives this show, but it's also a celebration of unconventional families.

Plus, of course, it’s wall-to-wall ABBA hits: “Money, Money, Money”, “Thank You for the Music”, “Dancing Queen”, “Super Trouper”, “Voulez-Vous”, “SOS”, “Does Your Mother Know”, “The Winner Takes It All”, and that catchy title number. Knowing me, knowing you – this is an irresistible Easter treat.

Book Mamma Mia! tickets on London Theatre.

The Play That Goes Wrong, Duchess Theatre

One of the most enjoyable things you can do as a family is have a really good laugh – and that's exactly what you get at this side-splitting West End farce, which goes wrong in all the right ways.

The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society is trying to stage a 1920s murder mystery, but this am-dram troupe keep running into trouble – often literally! You'll howl with laughter as they try to keep the show going while everything collapses around them.

Book The Play That Goes Wrong tickets on London Theatre.

Mrs. Doubtfire, Shaftesbury Theatre

This way for Easter entertainment, dears! If you loved the Robin Williams comedy film, then you'll be thrilled to learn that everyone’s favourite Scottish nanny is now strutting her stuff in the West End.

This inventive and heartfelt production tells the familiar story of the divorced dad who goes to mad lengths to see his children, only this time with original songs and dance numbers. It's a family-friendly treat, with a lovely message for the 21st-century family in particular.

Book Mrs. Doubtfire tickets on London Theatre.