Christmas theatre shows: London 2019 highlights

White Christmas, Dominion Theatre

Dreaming of a White Christmas? Dominion Theatre has just the ticket, with revival of Irving Berlin's festive musical. The production transfers from Leicester Curve, where it was hailed a 'faultessly executed', 'meltingly lovely' 'treat for the the eyes and ears', which offers 'pure escapism'.

Mary Poppins, Prince Edward Theatre London

Get ready for a flurry of kites, jolly holidays and spoons full of sugar as everyone's favourite nanny flies back onto the London stage.Fifteen years after its impressive premiere, Disney's stage show of Mary Poppins returns the West End to offer a practically perfect family night at the theatre.

A Christmas Carol, Old Vic Theatre

So good it is back for the third year running: Jack Thorne's adaptation of A Christmas Carol returns to the Old Vic once more with an atmospheric and utterly charming take on Charles Dickens's festive classic.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Bridge Theatre

Venture through the wardrobe the magical world of Narnia as C.S Lewis's classic is brought to life at the Bridge Theatre. Sally Cookson's devised production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe transfers to London after a successful opening in Leeds in 2017.

The Boy in the Dress, RSC Stratford Upon Avon

Wherever you're planning on going for Christmas 2019, make sure that a trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon is top of the list: the RSC is transforming David Walliams' hit book, The Boy in the Dress, into a large-scale musical production, featuring songs by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers. It might just be the best family musical since Matilda...

The Ocean at the End of the Lane, National Theatre

Enter a magical world plagued by dark forces in a new show at the National Theatre, based on a novel by Neil Gaiman, the ever imaginative writer behind Good Omens, American Gods and Coraline.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears panto, London Palladium

Finding a panto for all the family is tricky: some are too long, some are too complicated. But we know one coming up next festive season that looks like it's going to be just right.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears at the London Palladium is the biggest, glossiest and starriest panto this year. No word on whether porridge is included, though.

Snowflake, Kiln Theatre

Three-time Olivier Award-winning playwright Mike Bartlett (Dr Foster, King Charles III) explores the family politics of the festive season in a warm, witty new play that comes to Kilburn's Kiln Theatre after impressing in Oxford last year.

Sh!t-Faced Showtime: A Pissedmas Carol, Leicester Square Theatre

Jumping off of the success of Fringe favourites Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare and Sh!t-Faced Showtime, the professional piss-heads from both shows return to give A Christmas Carol a tipsy twist.

The production takes an all-singing, all-drinking approach to the classic Dikensian tale as the penny-pinching Scrooge faces encounters with spirits – of both the ghostly and alcoholic varieties. Charge your glasses in preparation for an evening of inebriated improvisation of the highest quality.

Amélie The Musical, The Other Palace

The musical adaptation of everyone’s favourite French film, Amélie, returns to the London stage for Christmas. Prepare for whimsical charm a-plenty.