Make a day out of 'Mamma Mia!' in London

Indulge in all things ABBA to make your trip to Mamma Mia! all the more special.

Julia Rank2 December, 2024, 10:00

The mother of jukebox musicals, Mamma Mia! has been playing in the West End for a quarter of a century. Set on an idyllic Greek island, the story of taverna owner Donna and her bride-to-be daughter Sophie has captivated the hearts of millions on stage and on screen. With its emphasis on female solidarity and a whole catalogue of ABBA bangers, there’s no more uplifting show in London.

Don your best denim dungarees and turquoise jewellery, gather together your key “super troupers”, and head out for a life-affirming day (and night) with our guide to the most enjoyable Mamma Mia!-adjacent activities in London.

Book Mamma Mia! tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

The Life Goddess

“The Life Goddess” could easily refer to the eternally vivacious and free-spirited Donna! This Greek restaurant located in Soho (London’s party district – there’s another branch in Bloomsbury) is based on “the philosophy that good quality sustenance is the epitome of a healthy and happy life”. Ingredients are imported from Greece, including meat, fish and poultry grown by local cattle farmers and fishermen using traditional environment-friendly methods.

The tempting menu includes classic lamb souvlaki, moussaka, and fish of the day with black risotto, plus vegetarian and vegan options. Their Greek brunch is also great fun. The cocktail menu includes Greek twists on many classics, including the Greek Negroni and the Greek-style Old Fashioned. The Dynamos would be right at home!

Price: ££

Address: Carnaby Street, London W1B 5PW

Camden Market

There’s a perpetual hippy-ish vibe to Camden Market, which appropriately, was first established in the ‘70s (the heyday of Donna and the Dynamos). It’s the fourth most popular attraction in London, attracting around 250,000 visitors a week – and you can see why, as its 1,000+ shops and stalls have something for everyone. Follow the scent of incense!

The clothes stalls will provide plenty of inspiration for your own take on Donna and Sophie’s boho style and there are countless outlets peddling crafts, homewares, jewellery, and other trinkets. There are also plenty of food options to keep up your energy as you browse the stalls.

Price: £-£££

Address: Camden Lock Place, London NW1 8AF

Ruislip Lido

The weather might not be as warm and sunny as on a Greek island, but you can have a beach-like experience in a London suburb. Ruislip Lido comprises a 60-acre lake surrounded by sandy beaches where you can sunbathe, make sandcastles, and go for a swim. And it’s within reach on the Piccadilly Line.

Furthermore, it’s situated within Ruislip Woods Nature Reserve, consisting of 726-acres of ancient woodland. Take a walk or ride on the charming miniature railway. There are also themed play areas for children. You’ll leave fully refreshed. There are also the Essex and Kentish seaside towns located an hour or two from London, which are lovely in the summer but can be a bit bleak off season!

Address: Ruislip, HA4 7TX

Price: Free

ABBA Voyage

ABBA Voyage is a truly unique concert experience in which original ABBA members Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad take to the stage in the form of state-of-the-art avatars (“ABBA-tars”), performing all of the bands most iconic numbers. Through a miraculous use of motion-capture technology, a team of visual effects artists captured ABBA's performances over five weeks using 160 cameras.

You’d never guess it wasn’t the original quartet in their prime. London Theatre’s reviewer raved about the experience: “the end result is sublime, defining the phrase needs to be seen to be believed’… douze points”.

Book ABBA Voyage tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Mamma Mia! The Party

No show gives off party vibes quite like Mamma Mia! with its endless capacity for living, laughing and loving – so of course there’s a spinoff show/experience at The O2 where you can indulge in its joie de vie at an actual party. With an original story by celebrated comedian Sandi Toksvig, join Nikos, Kate, Adam, and Konstantin at their taverna for all sorts of fun, romance, and hijinks.

The experience includes a delicious three-course Greek meal at the taverna against a fantastic décor that was used in the Mamma Mia! movies. Dance, dine, and have the time of your life!

Address: The O2, Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX

Price: £££-££££

Mamma Mia!

My, my, how can we resist this show? Sophie is getting married and wants her father to walk her down the aisle… the trouble is, she’s never met him and there are three possible candidates as her mother Donna was quite the wild child back in the day. But does it really matter which one is her “real” dad, as family can take so many forms?

With a soundtrack of some of the most uplifting pop songs ever written, the numbers include “Dancing Queen”, “Lay All Your Love On Me”, “Waterloo”, and “The Winner Takes it All”. Irresistibly funny, feel-good, and empowering, you’ll be dancing all the way home.