Christmas 2026 is going to be a lovely one for theatre, pantomimes, festive concerts, family days out and a little alternative sparkle. This is Clarissa’s Corner’s growing guide to the best festive things to see and do in London and the South East.
Last checked: 15 September 2026. I’ll keep adding shows, local events, honest reviews, access information and trusted ticket options here as they are announced — so save this page and come back whenever you are planning a Christmas outing.
Pantomimes and family theatre
Sleeping Beauty at Churchill Theatre Bromley
5 December 2026–3 January 2027
Vernon Kay stars as Billy in Churchill Theatre Bromley’s festive Sleeping Beauty. It is a proper local panto choice, with big songs, magical storytelling and audience participation for the whole family.
Read the full Sleeping Beauty guide, dates and access information →
Hansel and Gretel – The Christmas Escape
5–22 December 2026 · Churchill Theatre Studio
A shorter festive family show for ages 2+, with interactive storytelling, original music and a 50-minute running time — ideal for younger children or a gentler Christmas outing.
See official dates and tickets →
Festive theatre, music and nights out
- Christmas Carol Goes Wrong — Mischief brings Dickens-style mayhem to Churchill Theatre, 27–31 October.
- Step Into Christmas — festive live music at Churchill Theatre, 25–26 November.
- That’ll Be Christmas — nostalgic Christmas music and comedy, 28 November.
- Christmas Cabaret Ex-Drag-Aganza — an adults-only festive drag cabaret at the Churchill Lounge on 11 December.
- Silent Disco: Dancing Through the Decades — a festive adults-only party at the Churchill Lounge on 18 December.
See the complete Churchill Theatre December guide →
London and nearby pantomime picks
Jack and the Beanstalk at Hackney Empire
21 November–31 December 2026 · Hackney Empire
Hackney Empire’s legendary panto climbs back up the beanstalk for the theatre’s 125th-anniversary festive season. Clive Rowe directs and stars as Dame Trot, with Kat B as Simple Simon Trot, Marina Lawrence-Mahrra as Jack, Summer Priest as Jill, Louise Cielecki as Fairy Firethorn, Christopher Staines as Stephen Fleshcreep and Andre Antonio as Harp and Timothy Trot.
Family and access: all ages are welcome; children aged 3 and under may sit on an adult’s lap, while children aged 4+ need their own ticket. BSL-interpreted performances are scheduled for 5 December at 1.30pm and 6pm, and 17 December at 1.30pm and 7pm. The 5 December 1.30pm show is also relaxed and dementia friendly; the audio-described performance is 6 December at 1pm.
Current offers: £2 off concessions on all performances. Schools and youth groups can book Green performances for £12 each if booked and paid by 30 September (£14 afterwards), with one teacher free per 10 paid students. Groups of 5+ can access £25 tickets on eligible Green, Red and Black performances until 30 September. NHS and key-worker £12 tickets are available for the 7pm shows on 2, 4 and 11 December, subject to the venue’s ID and booking conditions.
CHECK DATES, ACCESS PERFORMANCES & CURRENT PANTO OFFERS → · Plan your visit to Hackney Empire →
Peter Pan at New Wimbledon Theatre
5 December 2026–3 January 2027
Jessie Wallace stars as Captain Hook, Aston Merrygold as Peter Pan, Tom Read Wilson as the Magical Merman and Pete Firman as Smee. There is also a relaxed performance on 30 December, making this a useful festive option for families who need a more relaxed auditorium environment.
Jack and the Beanstalk at Richmond Theatre
5 December 2026–3 January 2027
A classic panto option at Richmond Theatre, ideal for readers who want a festive theatre trip a little further into London.
Dartford and Catford pantomimes
Cinderella at The Orchard Theatre, Dartford
12 December 2026–3 January 2027
The newly reopened Orchard Theatre welcomes back panto with Cinderella, starring Joe Pasquale. It is an easy Kent option for South East London families and has some especially useful accessible dates.
- Relaxed performance: 17 December, 10am
- Chilled performance: 19 December, 11am
- Audio-described performance: 28 December, 1pm
Cinderella at Broadway Theatre, Catford
9–31 December 2026
The Broadway’s Catford panto is Cinderella, with former Sugababes singer Amelle Berrabah as the Fairy Godmother and returning favourite Wayne Rollins as Buttons. Previews run 9–17 December, with the main “Gold” run from 19–31 December.
Official Broadway Theatre booking and family prices →
Croydon and Sevenoaks festive theatre
Cinderella at Fairfield Halls, Croydon
11 December 2026–3 January 2027 · Ashcroft Theatre
Fairfield’s festive panto is Cinderella, with Steps star Lee Latchford-Evans as Prince Charming, Rachel Grundy as Cinderella and Charlie Guest as Buttons. Tickets start from £18, with a captioned performance on 21 December and a relaxed performance on 30 December.
Official Fairfield Halls tickets →
Robin Hood at Stag Theatre, Sevenoaks
11 December 2026–3 January 2027
Stag Theatre’s Christmas panto is Robin Hood — a lovely Kent option for families looking for a festive theatre trip outside London.
Stag Theatre panto information →
Stratford East festive panto
Robin Hood and the Merry Mandem at Theatre Royal Stratford East
21 November 2026–2 January 2027
This is one of the most distinctive local pantos on the list: an East London reimagining of Robin Hood, with the Merry Mandem racing through stations, shops and estates in E15. It is made by Stratford East for its own community, with comedy, music and a proper local edge.
- BSL interpreted: 11 December, 6.30pm
- Captioned: 18 December, 6.30pm
- Audio described: 19 December, 12pm
- Relaxed performance: 2 January 2027
Suitable for all ages; approximately two hours plus an interval, subject to confirmation.
Official Stratford East tickets and access details →
West End Christmas theatre
- A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic — 12 November 2026–9 January 2027; age guidance 8+ and approximately two hours including an interval.
- Christmas Carol Goes Wrong at Wyndham’s Theatre — 18 December 2026–23 January 2027.
Festive watchlist
Cinderella at the London Palladium is announced for 5 December 2026–10 January 2027, with Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders as the Ugly Sisters. LOVEtheatre is currently taking sign-ups rather than selling tickets, so I’ll move it into the main list only once booking is open.
Greenwich, Woolwich and Bromley festive picks
Jack and the Beanstalk at Greenwich Theatre
27 November 2026–10 January 2027
Greenwich Theatre’s own Christmas panto is right on the doorstep. It is a brilliant local alternative to a bigger West End trip, with performances across the festive period.
See dates and booking information →
Greenwich Market Lantern Parade and Christmas Lights Switch-On
Wednesday 18 November 2026 · free
One of the nicest ways to start the local festive season: the Greenwich Market Lantern Parade runs from 4pm–4.50pm, with the Christmas light switch-on programme from 1pm–6pm.
Christmas Fair at Eltham Palace
5–6 December 2026 · 10am–4pm
Local makers in the medieval Great Hall, fire-pit marshmallows, festive treats and a community wreath trail make this a gorgeous local day out. It is included with admission; English Heritage members enter free.
Christmas Bauble Workshop at The Admiral Hardy, Greenwich
16 December 2026 · 6.30pm–8pm
A calm, creative grown-up festive plan: make glass baubles using real dried flowers in a relaxed workshop near Greenwich Market.
Charlton House Christmas 2026 — Greenwich
Charlton House joins the Greenwich festive line-up from late November with a wider programme including a free Christmas Fair on 5–6 December, Santa’s Grotto, wreath-making, Mrs Claus storytelling, Santa Paws and Ghost Stories for Christmas.
Accessible pick: Jack and the BeanSTEM
29 November 2026 · 11am and 1.30pm · 45 minutes · £10 per adult/child ticket
This SEND-friendly pantomime includes Makaton, sensory toys, interactive and multisensory elements, wheelchair access and a sensory/quiet room. One free carer ticket is available per group with qualifying PIP or DLA evidence.
Jack and the BeanSTEM official details → · Accessibility & SEN → · Greenwich Days Out & Events →
For a darker festive evening, Ghost Stories for Christmas takes place on 6 December at 7.30pm, with the official listing advising that it is not suitable for under-10s. Pet owners can also look out for Santa Paws on 11 December. Check the individual Greenwich Heritage listings for current booking information.
BYMT Presents ’26 — A Night of New Musicals at Woolwich Works
Sunday 6 December 2026 · 6pm (doors 5.30pm) · Fireworks Factory, Woolwich Works
British Youth Music Theatre brings its annual celebration back to Woolwich for a one-night showcase of standout songs and performances from its 2026 season of new musicals. Young performers and musicians aged 11–21 reunite for the evening, which also includes the announcement of the New Music Theatre Award.
Current ticket prices: VIP £38.50; Standard £28.60; Concessions £21.45; group offer of four tickets for £90; front-row tables for four £150. Check the booking page for current availability and fees.
CHECK BYMT PRESENTS ’26 TICKETS →
Relaxed & SEND-Friendly Christmas Experiences
Santa’s Grotto at the Queen’s House — relaxed sessions
Royal Museums Greenwich is running quieter Santa sessions specifically described as ideal for neurodivergent and SEND visitors. Pre-booking is recommended.
- 15 November: 2.45pm
- 28 November: 11.15am
- 4 December: 5.15pm
- 10 December: 5.15pm
Current relaxed-session pricing is £30 for a child and accompanying adult; Family Member pricing is £27, plus a £3 booking fee per transaction. Check the Queen’s House Santa listing and booking route →
Father Christmas at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich
Admiral’s House at the Old Royal Naval College is running Father Christmas experiences across November and December 2026, with standard visits, quieter babies-and-toddlers sessions and Father Christmas’s Workshop.
Relaxed SEND-friendly workshop sessions: 9.30am on 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13 December. The current official listing confirms softer lighting, reduced noise and fewer visitors for relaxed sessions. Additional 10.15am relaxed sessions are also listed on selected standard and babies-and-toddlers dates.
Children’s tickets are currently listed at £5–£65 depending on the experience and date, with adults free. Advance booking is essential. Check the current Father Christmas session dates and booking → · Greenwich Days Out & Events → · Accessibility & SEN →
Chartwell Christmas — I Follow the Fox & #DrawWithRob
19 November 2026–3 January 2027, excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Chartwell’s festive family trail is based on Rob Biddulph’s picture book I Follow the Fox. The outdoor trail costs £3.50 including a prize, with normal property admission or National Trust membership also applying.
#DrawWithRob — 12 December: Rob Biddulph is leading in-person festive family workshops at 10.30am and 1.30pm. Places are limited and pre-booking is essential; current prices are £12 per child and £7 per adult. The Chartwell Christmas Market opens the festive programme from 19–22 November.
This is a particularly nice crossover for readers who enjoy book-themed days out as well as Christmas events. Check Chartwell’s Rob Biddulph family programme → · More book-inspired family days out →
More Christmas 2026 ideas are coming
This guide will grow to include London pantomimes, South East family shows, Christmas markets and light trails, festive food and drink, winter days out, alternative Christmas events and Clarissa’s own reviews. Every new festive post will be added here, so you have one reliable place to begin.
Planning your festive outing
Check the official venue page before travelling: performance times, access provisions, ticket prices and availability can change. Some links on Clarissa’s Corner may later be affiliate links; if you book through one, it may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Christmas Concerts, Carols & Community Events
Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice Carol Concert 2026
Friday 4 December 2026 · 7pm–8.30pm · Chapel at the Old Royal Naval College · tickets from £20
Christmas by candlelight — and a festive night supporting a local hospice. Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice’s traditional Carol Concert brings Christmas carols led by the Trinity Laban Choir, special readings and a torch-lit procession to the historic Chapel at the Old Royal Naval College. The £20 chapel ticket includes concert entry and a programme; the £25 festive ticket also includes a mince pie and a glass of mulled wine, with the festive gathering beginning in the Queen Mary Undercroft before the 7.30pm concert.
Accessibility: the organiser states that wheelchair capacity is limited to a maximum of two wheelchair users, so anyone requiring wheelchair access should contact the hospice in advance at events@gbch.org.uk. Seating is unreserved and cannot be allocated. There is no event parking at the Old Royal Naval College, so public transport is the practical option. Tickets are non-refundable.