The best Christmas dance and ballet shows in London

In one of his best works, Matthew Bourne transforms the classic 1948 Powell and Pressburger film, The Red Shoes, into a dance-drama that uses Bourne’s gift for storytelling in full force. The audience is whirled through the tragic story of Vicky Page, the dancer who must choose between her art and her heart on her quest to become the world’s best ballerina. 

English National Ballet’s new-for-2024 production of ‘Nutcracker’ returns this winter. Choreographed by ENB’s artistic director Aaron S Watkin, and Olivier Award-winner Arielle Smith, this show opens in a sweet shop in Edwardian London. Clara will be played ENB principal Ivana Bueno, while the Sugarplum Fairy role goes to Sangeun Lee. 

Peter Wright's version of The Nutcracker has been enchanting children and adults since its first performance by The Royal Ballet in 1984. And the classic production still has chops in 2025 as it returns to the Royal Opera House for the festive season. Expect Tschaikovsky’s magical live score, fancy footwork and loadsa sweets.

Created exclusively for the Royal Albert Hall, the Birmingham Royal Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker will leap back onto the west London stage this Christmas in a flurry of tulle and snowflakes. Using Peter Wright’s choreography, this version has a much more limited run than the English National Ballet and Royal Ballet productions, but a variety of start times ranging from midday to 7pm make the Royal Albert Hall a good acessible option. 

ZooNation takes on Dickens this winter with a hip hop retelling of A Christmas Carol, centred around the drippy Ebony Scrooge as she rediscovers her Caribbean roots. Combining punchy hip hop, physical theatre and comedy, with a high-fashion edge, this festive production should be a hit for the whole family. 

After 25 years on the stage, Birmingham Rep’s ballet spin-off of Raymond Briggs’ dreamy Christmas classic is back in London once again. It’s billed as ballet, but don’t expect tutus and immaculate technique. Instead, the cast’s job is to convey the story’s cycle of Christmassy feelings via movement. A classic in its own right, The Snowman is still one of the best shows in London to take a pre-schooler to. It’s shorter and less bloody noisy than panto. The tickets are good value. And, after all these years – it has a kernel of something magical that can transport you to a childlike world of imagination and touch your heart – no matter how old you've become.