West End matinee guide: Which West End shows have matinee performances and how to book tickets

Check out West End matinees currently running in London.

Matinees are a crucial part of London’s theatreland — and a treat all of their own. For many, these afternoon shows are a scheduling lifeline, especially if you’re travelling in and out of the city or have young children. Matinees in the West End can also be a great family occasion, or a fun way to have a special day out, accompanied by shopping, sightseeing, socialising, and a meal. Several shows now also eschew Monday evening performances in favour of Sunday matinees.

But not all shows have matinees on the same days or at the same times, which can make planning your outings something of a challenge. So, we’ve assembled a guide to some of London’s top shows and all of their upcoming matinees. Get inspired and get booking!

Back to the Future: The Musical, Adelphi Theatre

Great Scott! The 80s sci-fi film phenomenon is now a spectacular stage musical, complete with a flying car. Can Marty McFly save his family and make it back home in time?

Back to the Future: The Musical matinees: Thursdays and Saturdays at 2:30pm, Sundays at 3pm

Book Back to the Future: The Musical tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

The Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales Theatre

The West End’s most outrageous musical, helmed by a loveably underprepared odd couple who get more than what they bargained for when they’re posted to Uganda on their first posting as Mormon missionaries.

The Book of Mormon matinees: Fridays and Saturdays at 2:30pm

Book The Book of Mormon tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Cabaret, Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre

Willkommen to Rebecca Frecknall’s thrilling revival of Kander and Ebb’s musical, which places you right in the heart of the club – and amidst the rise of a far-right power. A rotating door of star casting means that there’s always a surprise in store.

Cabaret matinees: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2pm

Book Cabaret tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

The Choir of Man, Arts Theatre

Following a hiatus whilst the Arts Theatre undergoes refurbishment, the pub-set musical exploring male bonding returns in March through to August.

The Choir of Man matinees: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 3:30pm

Book The Choir of Man tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Ambassadors Theatre

“It’s all just a matter of time”, goes the refrain of this magical Cornish-set folk musical about a man who ages in reverse. You’ll be enchanted whatever time of day you attend.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button matiness: Tuesdays at 1:30pm, Saturdays at 2:30pm

Book The Curious Case of Benjamin Button tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

The Devil Wears Prada, Dominion Theatre

Matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays? Groundbreaking – but why change something that works! The beloved noughties coming-of-age workplace comedy gets the musical treatment with songs by Sir Elton John and all the famous one-liners are present and correct.

The Devil Wears Prada matinees: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2:30pm

Book The Devil Wears Prada tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Fawlty Towers, Apollo Theatre

Check in at Torquay’s finest closes on 1 March… and then reopens on 24 June for the summer holidays. The stage version is adapted by John Cleese himself and features all your favourite farcical sequences from the classic sitcom.

Fawlty Towers matinees: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2:30pm

Book Fawlty Towers tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

The Great Gatsby, London Coliseum

Wonderful news, old sports! The Broadway hit moves into the London Coliseum in April, where it resides until September. It’s just as much fun to party in the afternoon as it is in the evening!

The Great Gatsby matinees: Thursdays and Saturdays at 2:30pm, Sundays at 3pm

Book The Great Gatsby tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Hamilton, Victoria Palace Theatre

Lin-Manuel Miranda's mega-hit and cultural phenomenon shines a whole new light on the Founding Fathers with its diverse casting and unforgettable mash-up of hip hop, R&B, and soul musical influences.

Hamilton matinees: Thursdays and Saturdays at 2:30pm

Book Hamilton tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Hadestown, Lyric Theatre

Take a trip to the underworld with singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell’s “musical poem” based on the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. With a matinee performance (and spring on its way), you’ll emerge while it’s still light outside.

Hadestown matinees: Thursdays and Saturdays at 2:30pm, Sundays at 3pm

Book Hadestown tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Les Misérables, Sondheim Theatre

Celebrating its 40th birthday this year (where does the time go!), the French historical epic never ceases to move audiences to tears with its themes of love, faith, and justice – and of course that unforgettable score.

Les Misérables matinees: Thursdays and Saturdays, 2:30pm

Book Les Misérables tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre

The Disney classic recently celebrated its 25th birthday and its glorious puppetry and songs by Elton John and Tim Rice are as captivating ever.

The Lion King matinees: Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 2:30pm

Book The Lion King tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Mamma Mia!, Novello Theatre

An idyllic Greek island, a heartfelt tale of family and friendship, and the indelible songs of ABBA: the perfect feel-good show.

Mamma Mia! matinees: Thursdays and Saturdays at 3pm

Book Mamma Mia! tickets on London Theatre

Matilda the Musical, Cambridge Theatre

Tim Minchin and Dennis Kelly’s wickedly subversive family musical harnesses the brilliance of Roald Dahl’s storytelling. Utter magic for all ages.

Matilda The Musical matinees: Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 2pm

Book Matilda the Musical tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Mean Girls, Savoy Theatre

On Fridays we attend matinees. And on Saturdays and Sundays too. The hilarious high school romp comes to the stage in all its snarky rose-coloured glory.

Mean Girls matinees: Fridays and Saturdays at 2:30pm, Sundays at 3pm

Book Mean Girls tickets at LondonTheatre.co.uk

MJ The Musical, Prince Edward Theatre

Set during the run-up to the Michael Jackson’s Dangerous tour in 1992, director/choreographer Christopher Wheeldon’s super-slick celebration of the King of Pop’s musical legacy is a real thriller.

MJ the Musical matinees: Thursdays and Saturdays at 2:30pm

Book MJ The Musical tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Piccadilly Theatre

Baz Luhrmann’s unforgettable movie is now a red-hot stage musical, once again mixing a lavish Belle Époque Parisian romance with a mega mash-up of modern pop hits.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical matinees: Thursdays and Saturdays at 2:30pm

Book Moulin Rouge! The Musical tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

The Mousetrap, St Martin’s Theatre

The West End’s longest-running show by Queen of Crime Agatha Christie is a bona fide institution – can you guess whodunnit?

The Mousetrap matinees: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 3pm

Book The Mousetrap tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Mrs Doubtfire, Adelphi Theatre

Listen carefully poppets, it’s your last chance to catch the Scottish nanny in action before she moves on to pastures new in April. Gabriel Vick is truly splendid in the title role.

Mrs Doubtfire matinees: Thursdays and Saturdays at 2:30pm

Book Mrs Doubtfire tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

My Neighbour Totoro, Gillian Lynne Theatre

Coming soon to the Gillian Lynne Theatre after breaking box office records at the Barbican, the dazzling stage adaptation of the Studio Ghibli classic picked up six Olivier Awards.

My Neighbour Totoro matinees: Thursdays and Saturdays at 2pm

Book My Neighbour Totoro tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

The Play That Goes Wrong, Duchess Theatre

The amateur Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are attempting to stage a murder mystery, but, in this side-splitting comedy, they are constantly besieged by disasters. The show will go on, won’t it?!

The Play That Goes Wrong matinees: Saturdays at 2:30pm and Sundays at 3pm

Book The Play That Goes Wrong tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

The Phantom of the Opera, His Majesty's Theatre

Surrender to the Music of the Night in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s romantic classic, set in 19th-century Paris.

The Phantom of the Opera matinees: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2:30pm

Book The Phantom of the Opera tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Oliver!, Gielgud Theatre

Consider yourself at home! Matthew Bourne’s brilliant new staging of the Lionel Bart classic has already been extended to March 2026. We’ve taken to it so strong, as per our 5-star review.

Oliver! matinees: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2:30pm, Sundays at 3pm

Book Oliver! tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

SIX, Vaudeville Theatre

Henry VIII’s wives tell their own stories in this smash-hit herstory musical – and in the guise of pop divas like Adele and Beyoncé. It’s the ultimate girl power rallying cry.

SIX matinees: Thursdays and Saturdays at 4pm, Sundays at 3pm

Book SIX tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Starlight Express, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre

The roller-skating extravaganza is back in style in a truly immersive production. Full steam ahead!

Starlight Express matinees: Thursdays and Saturdays at 2:30pm, Saturdays at 1pm and 5:30pm

Book Starlight Express tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Phoenix Theatre

The prequel to the Netflix smash continues to dazzle audiences with its breathtaking visuals and gripping storytelling.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow matinees: Fridays and Saturdays at 1pm, Sundays at 3pm

Book Stranger Things: The First Shadow tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Titanique, Criterion Theatre

The uproarious Celine Dion jukebox musical is sending audiences overboard with its ribald humour and outstanding vocals. With two weekend matinees, there’s no excuse to miss the boat!

Titanique matinees: Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm

Book Titanique tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Wicked, Apollo Victoria

If you loved the film, here’s the chance to see the original stage show. Alexia Khadime and Lucy St. Louis play Elphaba and Glinda until 27 March, with Emma Kingston and Zizi Strallen taking over thereafter.

Wicked matinees: Wednesday, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30pm

Book Wicked tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Witness for the Prosecution, London County Hall

This riveting site-specific production places you right in the court room with Leonard Vole, accused of the murder of a wealthy widow, in Agatha Christie’s twist-packed tale.

Witness for the Prosecution matinees: Thursdays and Saturdays at 2:30pm, Sundays at 3pm

Book Witness for the Prosecution tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk