Latest update: Cirque Alice is coming to the Royal Festival Hall at Southbank Centre from 12 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, bringing Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland to the stage through acrobatics, aerial performance, puppetry, dance and live music.
Overview
Cirque Alice reimagines Lewis Carroll’s classic adventures as a large-scale circus spectacle. Rather than a traditional play or musical retelling, the production uses world-class acrobats, aerialists, contortionists, puppetry, dancers and guest musicians to create its own version of Wonderland.
The show is set to contemporary arrangements of familiar classical music, with the visual storytelling and circus skills doing much of the work as audiences head down the rabbit hole.
Why See It?
This looks like a particularly good festive option for families who want something a little different from a traditional Christmas pantomime. The Alice in Wonderland connection gives younger audiences a familiar story world, while the aerial work, contortion, puppetry and live performance should give it plenty of spectacle for older children and adults too.
It also fits nicely into a South Bank Christmas day out, with the Royal Festival Hall right beside the Thames and within easy reach of Waterloo.
Dates, Venue & Tickets
- Dates: 12 December 2026 – 3 January 2027
- Venue: Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
- Running time: approximately 2 hours
- Age guidance: 5+. Under-12s must be accompanied by an adult
- Tickets: from £35 at the time of writing; prices may change with demand
Check current Cirque Alice dates, prices and availability at Southbank Centre.
Accessibility
Southbank Centre currently lists several accessible performances for Cirque Alice:
- BSL interpreted: Thursday 17 December 2026 at 3pm
- Captioned: Monday 28 December 2026 at 3pm
- Audio described: Tuesday 29 December 2026 at 7.30pm
Southbank Centre also operates a free Access Scheme. If you need BSL seating or captioning support, the venue advises contacting its access team when booking. Audio Description headsets can be arranged with staff on arrival.
No relaxed performance is currently listed for this production, so families who need one should check the official event page again before booking in case additional access dates are added.
Practical Information
- Address: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
- Nearest stations: Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest mainline rail station
- Venue payment: Southbank Centre is cash-free
- Food & drink: Royal Festival Hall has cafés, bars and restaurants, with more food options along the South Bank
Plan Your Visit
If you are making a full day of it, the South Bank is easy to combine with a riverside walk, seasonal London attractions or another family-friendly event at Southbank Centre. December performances also make this one to consider as part of a wider Christmas day out in central London.
Alice in Wonderland on Clarissa’s Corner
Cirque Alice is a completely separate production from the Wonderland Musical covered on Clarissa’s Corner in 2017. That older post remains part of the site archive, while this guide covers the new 2026 festive production at the Royal Festival Hall.
More at Southbank Centre
For more family theatre at the venue, you can also read our guide to The Smeds and the Smoos Live 2026 and our archive review of The Creakers Musical.
Cirque Alice FAQ
When is Cirque Alice in London?
Cirque Alice runs at the Royal Festival Hall from 12 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Where is Cirque Alice playing?
The production is at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX.
How long is Cirque Alice?
Southbank Centre lists the running time as approximately two hours.
What age is Cirque Alice suitable for?
The current age guidance is 5+. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Are there accessible performances of Cirque Alice?
Yes. A BSL-interpreted performance is listed for 17 December at 3pm, a captioned performance for 28 December at 3pm and an audio-described performance for 29 December at 7.30pm.
More Theatre on Clarissa’s Corner
Explore more London theatre news, family shows, reviews and practical guides in Theatre & Culture on Clarissa’s Corner.
