Curtain Up on a Festive West End

Goodenough Hotel West End Theatre breaks in London

If there’s one thing London does better than anywhere else at Christmas, it’s theatre. Twinkling lights, champagne in the interval, and the unmistakable buzz of a West End night; it’s all feeling wonderfully festive right now.

 

✨ This Season’s Festive Must-Sees

 

December is peak sparkle in the West End, with big productions pulling out all the stops. Whether you’re visiting for a pre-Christmas break or staying through New Year, these are the shows everyone’s whispering about in theatre foyers.

 

  • Elf The Musical: Pure festive joy. Big laughs, catchy songs, and just the right amount of Christmas magic (even the most hardened Londoners can’t resist this one). A seasonal favourite and always a sell-out, so book early.

  • Classic crowd-pleasers like The Lion King and Les Misérables feel especially magical at this time of year… there’s something about hearing that first note when it’s cold outside.

  • Big, glossy feel-good musicals such as Mamma Mia! and Wicked are perfect for sing-along energy and winter cheer.

  • Limited-run festive productions pop up across the West End every December, often with special seasonal touches. Blink and you might miss them.

 

Our insider tip? A midweek evening performance offers all the buzz with slightly calmer streets — and it makes that pre-theatre glass of champagne feel even more deserved.

 

✨ January & February: Your West End Game Plan

 

Once the festive whirlwind settles, London theatre enters one of its most delightful seasons… quieter queues, friendlier prices, and plenty of great seats still available. Many shows offer cheaper tickets earlier in the year, especially in January and early February, so savvy visitors can see big titles without breaking the bank.

 

Here are some fabulous shows you can still catch, and ones just opening that are very much on our must-see radar:

 

Blockbusters Continuing Their Runs

  • The Devil Wears Prada (Dominion Theatre): Fashion-world fun with Elton John’s score, and still strutting on stage into early 2026.

  • The Importance of Being Earnest (Noël Coward Theatre): Oscar Wilde’s sparkling comedy of mistaken identity, starring celebrated performers, playing until 10 January.

  • Hadestown: A modern classic. Myth, music and magic woven together in one of the most talked-about musicals of recent years. January & February are ideal months to see it, with better availability and a wonderfully appreciative audience.

  • The Hunger Games on Stage, Hamilton, and The Play That Goes Wrong - all still playing strong into February and beyond.

 

Fresh & Exciting New Openings

  • Akram Khan’s Giselle: A breath-taking reimagining of the classic ballet, blending classical ballet with kathak and contemporary movement. Only a limited run in mid-January, but so worth planning around.

  • Inside No. 9 Stage/Fright: The wildly clever and darkly funny anthology series comes to life on stage (with surprise celeb guests and horror-comedy thrills), perfect for something a bit different early in the year.

  • The Tempest: A bold new reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s magical play, opening in January and promising a fresh theatrical experience.

 

Bonus Tips for January & February

  • Matinee bargains: Many shows release cheaper seats for midweek matinees - always check the theatre sites direct.

  • Late availability seats: For big musicals like Hamilton and The Lion King, day-of returns and lottery seats can be a happy surprise, and don’t forget the returns office on Leicester Square.

  • Mix it up: Pair a star musical with a play or a dance production (like Giselle) for a beautifully varied theatre trip.

 

(PS: Do always check exact dates/tickets, as they can move fast! And keep an eye out for our New Year Sales - launching at the end of December…)