While pantomimes dominate the festive season, December 2025 is also a powerhouse month for serious new drama, major musical revivals, and cutting-edge comedy on the London stage. Forget the tinsel for a moment; this is a guide to the most exciting non-seasonal productions opening across the capital.
Major Transfers and Anticipated Revivals
The month kicks off with significant arrivals from Broadway and cherished revivals. Cole Escola's outrageous Broadway hit 'Oh, Mary!' makes its London debut at the Trafalgar Theatre from December 3rd. The comedy, which casts a wild eye on Abraham Lincoln's wife Mary, stars Giles Terera as Abe and Mason Alexander Park in the title role, with a run extending to April 2026.
In a major event for musical theatre fans, Stephen Sondheim's beloved 'Into the Woods' receives a lavish revival at the Bridge Theatre from December 2nd. Directed by Jordan Fein, the production features a stellar cast including Kate Fleetwood and Katie Brayben, interrogating classic fairytales until April 2026.
The theatre world also pays tribute to a late giant, as Tom Stoppard's 'Indian Ink' opens at Hampstead Theatre on December 3rd. This clever play, contrasting Western and Indian culture, stars Felicity Kendal—who played the lead in the 1995 original—now in the role of Mrs Swan. It runs until the end of January 2026.
New Writing and Bold Adaptations
Fresh talent and daring reinterpretations are also well represented this December. At the Almeida Theatre, Olivier-winning playwright Sam Grabiner teams up again with director James Macdonald for 'Christmas Day'. This dark comedy, opening December 9th, explores a Jewish family gathering on December 25th in an abandoned building.
In a surprising and ambitious move, Shakespeare's Globe stages its first-ever winter musical with 'Pinocchio'. Running now until January 4th 2026, Sean Holmes directs this outdoor adaptation of Carlo Collodi's original story, with a new script by Charlie Josephine and music by Jim Fortune.
Horror gets an immersive twist as Punchdrunk's Felix Barrett directs 'Paranormal Activity' at the Ambassadors Theatre. With a new story by Levi Holloway, this stage reimagining of the cult film franchise opens on December 5th, promising genuine scares until February 2026.
Festive Season Highlights and Cultural Treasures
The Southbank Centre offers a wonderfully varied festive programme. Families can enjoy 'Bluey's Big Play' at the Royal Festival Hall from December 18th, while the acclaimed Chichester revival of 'Top Hat' dances into the Queen Elizabeth Hall from December 12th. For something more alternative, Sh!t Theatre's funny and poignant 'Evita Too' runs in the Purcell Room from December 9th.
Classic drama is in excellent supply. The RSC brings Prasanna Puwanarajah's 'Twelfth Night' to the Barbican Centre from December 8th, featuring Freema Agyeman as Olivia and Sam West as Malvolio, complete with new songs by Matt Maltese. Meanwhile, Rajiv Joseph's Pulitzer-nominated 'Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo' finally receives its UK debut at the Young Vic. Directed by Omar Elerian and starring David Threlfall and Arinzé Kene, it runs from December 2nd.
Rounding out the month, the National Theatre presents its alternative festive offering with a revival of J.M. Synge's 'The Playboy of the Western World' in the Lyttelton theatre. Boasting a cast of Irish stars like Nicola Coughlan and Siobhán McSweeney, this dark 1907 comedy opens on December 4th.
From Broadway comedy and Sondheim magic to immersive horror and timely new writing, London's December theatre scene proves there is life—and thrilling art—beyond the traditional panto this Christmas.
