Gift Guide: Get West End theatre tickets for Christmas

From Matilda's Crunchem Hall to the bohemian Paris nightclub of Moulin Rouge!, the West End has the power to transport you. Give friends and family the ultimate gift this Christmas.

Struggling to decide what to buy someone for Christmas? Theatre tickets for London shows make the best gifts for the festive season. See a classic show that's run in London for decades, or check out a brand-new production. There's guaranteed to be a show to suit that certain someone you've got in mind.

Tickets to West End shows make wonderful gifts for friends and family. Instead of spending money on a piece of clothing or a gadget they won't use, give your loved ones the gift of live entertainment for Christmas 2024.

Make memories at the theatre together, and book your West End theatre tickets for Christmas now. We've rounded up some West End shows that would make great gifts at this special time of year.

Book Christmas West End theatre tickets on London Theatre.

ABBA Voyage

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! tickets to ABBA Voyage for Christmas! Join the band’s members Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad on stage for a once-in-a-lifetime concert – with a difference. The foursome will not appear in person at the live shows, but as digital versions of themselves, backed by a 10-piece live band.

But don’t worry, once the show begins, it’ll feel as though ABBA are in the room. Don’t miss your chance to see the worlds of music, technology and theatre collide in the cutting-edge spectacular that is ABBA Voyage – and bring your favourite dancing queen.

Book ABBA Voyage tickets on London Theatre.

The Lion King

Experience the Circle of Life for yourself at multi-award-winning musical The Lion King. If you’re not already familiar with the plot (where have you been?), the stage show follows young lion cub Simba, who is prince and heir to Pride Rock. He sets out on a life-changing journey through Africa’s Pride Lands with pals Timon and Pumbaa, but must defeat his evil uncle Scar who dreams of stealing the throne.

Sounds exciting? Then make like Simba and roar at your family until they snap up some tickets this Christmas. It’s a wonderful introduction to theatre for young audiences in particular, but everyone will love this Disney classic reborn.

Book The Lion King tickets on London Theatre.

Mean Girls

Get in, loser – this Christmas, we’re going to Mean Girls! The iconic comedy film has been adapted into an equally hilarious musical by Tina Fey, Jeff Richmond and Nell Benjamin, and this Broadway hit is now entertaining West End audiences at London’s Savoy Theatre.

Mean Girls features a totally fetch cast, including Georgina Castle starring as Regina George, Charlie Burn as Cady Heron, Grace Mouat as Karen, and Elèna Gyasi as Gretchen. If you come on a Wednesday, make sure you wear pink or you can’t sit with us.

Book Mean Girls tickets on London Theatre.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Nothing says festive like the creepy origin story of a monster called Vecna! This is your sign to travel to the Upside Down for Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which follows troubled kid Henry Creel after his family moves to the small town of Hawkins, Indiana.

The stage show features some familiar faces from the popular Netflix series, including teenage versions of Joyce Maldonado and Jim Hopper, plus some tantalising hints about the gripping story's endgame in the upcoming final season – and, via astonishing effects, you get to see all those sci-fi thrills live. Get ready for a new chapter in theatre.

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

The Mousetrap

There’s only one secret harder to keep from the kids than Santa, and that’s the plot of Agatha Christie’s murder mystery The Mousetrap. It is the longest-running play in the world but audiences are careful not to spoil the reveal at the heart of this whodunnit, about a group of people gathered in a remote part of the countryside who discover there is a murderer in their midst.

The Queen of Crime is still outfoxing keen amateur sleuths, all these decades on, and The Mousetrap features her signature fiendish plotting – and, of course, an almighty climactic twist. Put your detective skills to the test and join theatre’s best-kept secret this Christmas.

Book The Mousetrap tickets on London Theatre.

Mrs. Doubtfire

Christmas is a time to be with family, whatever form that might come in, and there is no show better at celebrating that than the fabulous musical adaptation of the Robin Williams-starring 90s comedy classic Mrs Doubtfire. Everyone’s favourite Scottish nanny is now a West End diva – and this production is a total riot.

The jaw-droppingly brilliant Gabriel Vick stars as divorced dad and out-of-work actor Daniel, who goes to crazy extremes to see his kids. All your favourite scenes are here, with clever updates and big, inventive musical numbers. Get booking for your Christmas trip now, dearies.

Book Mrs. Doubtfire tickets on London Theatre.

Matilda the Musical

Even revolting children deserve the chance to see Matilda the Musical in the West End. Adapted from the Roald Dahl novel, the musical is about a young schoolgirl with a thirst for knowledge. Sadly, her bright mind isn't appreciated by her vacuous parents, and when she joins new school Crunchem Hall, she comes up against an even bigger challenge: headmistress Miss Trunchbull.

Featuring deliciously naughty songs by comedian Tim Minchin, this family-favourite musical continues to inspire both kids and grown-ups. Stand up for what is right and secure your tickets to this Tony and Olivier Award-winning production.

Book Matilda the Musical tickets on London Theatre.

Wicked

What do Elphaba and Santa Claus have in common? They both defy gravity! Unfortunately, Elphaba doesn't give little boys and girls Christmas presents, but why not book Wicked tickets to see her soar? You can make it a double bill with the Hollywood movie version, which finally opens this Christmas season.

The bewitching musical tells of Elphaba and Glinda's journeys to become the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West. If you're a musical theatre fan, you'll probably know a lot of the songs, but the epic staging has to be seen to be believed. Keep dancing through life this Christmas.

Book Wicked tickets on London Theatre.

Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour

Keep dancing this Christmas and sashay your way to the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour – it’s a 10 from us! This official tour brings together all our favourite parts of the TV dance series, from judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood, who are ready to dazzle with their wisdom, to a fabulous celebrity line-up.

Kicking off in January 2025, the Strictly tour visits venues such as Sheffield, Nottingham, Newcastle, Glasgow, and London’s O2 Arena. Don’t miss the chance to see who will lift that coveted Glitterball Trophy: book those fab-u-lous tickets for a loved one now!

Book Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour London tickets on London Theatre.

Book Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour Sheffield tickets on London Theatre.

Book Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour Glasgow tickets on London Theatre.

Book Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour Nottingham tickets on London Theatre.

Book Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour Newcastle tickets on London Theatre.

Back to the Future: The Musical

Are you on Santa's "Johnny B. Goode" list? Rev up your DeLorean, as it's time to travel back to the future at the Adelphi Theatre! The hit sci-fi film is now an Olivier Award-winning West End musical hit, and you can join Marty McFly and Doc Brown on their epic time-travel adventure.

The Back to the Future musical is co-created by the film's writers/director Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis. Together, they've packed in all the most recognisable moments, now with a musical twist – including a flying car. What are you waiting for? Get ready to feel the power of love this Christmas.

Book Back to the Future tickets on London Theatre.

The Devil Wears Prada

If an ironic Christmas jumper is your choice for the party season, you might just incur the wrath of the legendary Miranda Priestley, editor of Runway magazine. Yes, the most stylish festive show in town is the musical adaptation of 2005 movie The Devil Wears Prada, so gird your loins!

This stage version stars Vanessa Williams and Matt Henry, and features a score by Elton John and Shaina Taub, a book by Kate Wetherhead, and direction by Jerry Mitchell. Get a front-row seat to this most fabulous West End production. That's all.

Book The Devil Wears Prada tickets on London Theatre.

MJ The Musical

Looking for a thriller of a Christmas outing? This sizzling bio-musical all about pop legend Michael Jackson, centring on rehearsals for his 1992 Dangerous World Tour, and reflecting on his turbulent life and revolutionary hits, is definitely the one to book for – you can't beat it.

MJ The Musical features all of Jackson's biggest songs, including “Billie Jean”, “Smooth Criminal” and of course “Thriller”, and both his distinctive voice and his electrifying moves are brought to life by the Tony Award-winning star Myles Frost – an appropriate name for this snowy season!

Book MJ The Musical tickets on London Theatre.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

You can-can-cannot miss theatre spectacular Moulin Rouge! The Musical this Christmas. Adapted from Baz Luhrmann's 2001 Oscar-winning film starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, the musical is an opulent, luxurious tale of love between a Bohemian poet and a beautiful courtesan.

The show’s music features more than 70 pop classics by the likes of The Beatles, U2, Elvis, Dolly Parton, Queen, Beyoncé, and more. So skip the trip to continental Europe and take a seat at London’s Piccadilly Theatre for a night at Paris’s most infamous and hedonistic nightclub. All you need is love!

Book Moulin Rouge! The Musical tickets on London Theatre.

Why Am I So Single?

Don't have a date to the Christmas parties this year? Fear not: the incredible creators of SIX, Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, have you got covered with their frank, funny and heartfelt new musical all about the world of modern dating. Follow two singleton BFFs as they exchange horror stories – all while trying to write a show...

Packed with musical theatre gags, plus real-life stories of love, loss, friendship and dating apps, and all set to a banging pop-fuelled score that fans of SIX will adore, it's the best festive night out you could ask for.

Book Why Am I So Single? tickets on London Theatre.

Starlight Express

As Santa makes his incredible journey from the North Pole, join another magical form of transport: the racing trains of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Starlight Express. These colourful engines come to life thanks to the imagination of a child – and to a new, state-of-the-art, turbo-charged production at the Troubadour theatre.

This excitingly immersive show plunges you right into the action as the actors playing trains whiz past on roller skates and deliver Lloyd Webber's beloved rock-pop tunes, including that glorious title number. Choo-choo-choose Starlight Express for your Christmas outing in 2024.

Book Starlight Express tickets on London Theatre.