Christmas Ballet and Dance in London

Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty

For a truly unforgettable Christmas experience, check out one of the beautifully festive ballets taking place in London this winter.

Christmas Ballet and Dance Map

Check out the LondonTown.com map of Christmas Ballet and Dance in London.

The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker

This glittering production of The Nutcracker is a true highlight of the festive season.

English National Ballet: The Nutcracker English National Ballet: The Nutcracker Unless your name's Ebenezer Scrooge, this glittering production of E.T.A. Hoffman's The Nutcracker cannot fail to get you in the Christmas spirit. As sure as putting up fairy lights, filling Christmas stockings and having too much mulled wine at the office party, watching Clara dance in front of the Christmas tree is a truly festive thing to do. It's hard to imagine a production more indulgently sumptuous than Wayne Eagling's choreography to Tchaikovsky's famous score. From the heart-warming family party of the opening scene to the appearance of the magical kingdom, the action beckons you in. This is pure spectacle but The Royal Ballet pulls it off with such beauty and style that it's a Christmas cracker... 2012-12-122013-01-05 Where:

London Coliseum - English National Opera (ENO), St Martin's Lane, London London, WC2N 4ES

Category: Dance

London Coliseum - English National Opera (ENO), St Martin's Lane, Covent Garden, London, WC2N 4ES

Tube: Leicester Square Station, Charing Cross Station, Covent Garden Station, Embankment Underground Station

Dates: 12th December - 05th January 2013

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Unless your name's Ebenezer Scrooge, this glittering production of E.T.A. Hoffman's The Nutcracker cannot fail to get you in the Christmas spirit. As sure as putting up fairy lights, filling Christmas stockings and having too much mulled wine at the office party, watching Clara dance in front of the Christmas tree at the Royal Opera House is a truly festive thing to do. It's hard to imagine a production more indulgently sumptuous than Peter Wright's restaging of Lev Ivanov's choreography to Tchaikovsky's famous score. From the heart-warming family party of the opening scene to the appearance of the magical kingdom, the action beckons you in, helped every ballet step of the way by Julie Trevelyan Oman's gorgeous, nostalgic designs out of the late 1800s. This is pure spectacle but The Royal Ballet pulls it off with such beauty and style that it's a Christmas cracker...

Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty

Acclaimed choreographer, Matthew Bourne, puts a new spin on ballet classic Sleeping Beauty.

Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty The famous ballet classic Sleeping Beauty hits the London stage in Matthew Bourne's re-imagining of the iconic classic. The choreographer is renowned for his revolutionary adaptations of classic works and this production of Tchaikovsky's 1889 ballet is no different as the heroine of the piece, Aurora, wakes up in 2011 and, in a radical twist on the original tale, doesn't fall in love at first sight. Bourne describes the modern age that she wakes up in as "a world more mysterious and wonderful than any fairy story". He has also produced modern versions of Swan Lake and Nutcracker! and the Sleeping Beauty revival will be part of the 25th anniversary of his company.
2012-12-042013-01-26 Where:

Sadler's Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, London London, EC1R 4TN

Category: Theatre

Sadler's Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R 4TN

Tube: Angel Station

Dates: 04th December - 26th January 2013

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The famous ballet classic Sleeping Beauty hits the London stage in Matthew Bourne's re-imagining of the iconic classic. The choreographer is renowned for his revolutionary adaptations of classic works and this production of Tchaikovsky's 1889 ballet is no different as the heroine of the piece, Aurora, wakes up in 2011 and, in a radical twist on the original tale, doesn't fall in love at first sight. Bourne describes the modern age that she wakes up in as "a world more mysterious and wonderful than any fairy story". He has also produced modern versions of Swan Lake and Nutcracker! and the Sleeping Beauty revival will be part of the 25th anniversary of his company.

The Snowman

Loved by children and adults alike, this festive tale returns for its annual sob-fest.

The Snowman The Snowman The spirit of Raymond Briggs's The Snowman lives on in this winter wonderland of a stage show, an annual festive fixture at the Peacock Theatre for the 12th consecutive year. This is the theatrical equivalent of going to see Father Christmas in his grotto except infinitely more spectacular - young James's snowman comes to life and the two of them fly across the sky with a full moon behind them, whizz around the stage on a sidecar motorcycle and meet a snow princess and the icy Jack Frost on their night-time adventure. When Father Christmas does appear on the scene it's in a shimmering woodland, surrounded by magical reindeer, comical dancing penguins and a host of snowy friends. As the first notes of 'Walking in the Air' fill the theatre, awe-struck children (and nostalgic adults) are mesmerised by the dancing, storytelling and magic of this timeless adventure. Suitable for children aged 4+

2012-11-282013-01-06 Where:

Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, London London, WC2A 2HT

Category: Theatre

Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, Holborn, London, WC2A 2HT

Tube: Holborn Station, Covent Garden Station, Temple Station

Dates: 28th November - 06th January 2013

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The spirit of Raymond Briggs's The Snowman lives on in this winter wonderland of a stage show, an annual festive fixture at the Peacock Theatre for the 12th consecutive year. This is the theatrical equivalent of going to see Father Christmas in his grotto except infinitely more spectacular - young James's snowman comes to life and the two of them fly across the sky with a full moon behind them, whizz around the stage on a sidecar motorcycle and meet a snow princess and the icy Jack Frost on their night-time adventure. When Father Christmas does appear on the scene it's in a shimmering woodland, surrounded by magical reindeer, comical dancing penguins and a host of snowy friends. As the first notes of 'Walking in the Air' fill the theatre, awe-struck children (and nostalgic adults) are mesmerised by the dancing, storytelling and magic of this timeless adventure. Suitable for children aged 4+

Wind in the Willows

The timeless tale of Mole, Ratty and Toad gets an update from choreographer Will Tuckett.

The Royal Ballet: The Wind In The Willows The Royal Ballet: The Wind In The Willows Choreographer Will Tuckett's witty theatrical style brings together elements of dance, drama, music and puppetry and this time he turns his creative eye on the Kenneth Grahame classic The Wind in the Willows. Let the Royal Ballet take you on a journey down to the riverside where Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad are waiting. This timeless collection of characters are loved by generation after generation, as they roar around the English countryside causing havoc and hilarity. Kept contemporary by Tuckett's imaginative choreography, performers include Will Kemp and Clemmie Sveaas and it is composed by George Butterworth. 2012-12-122013-01-05 Where:

Linbury Studio Theatre, Bow Street, Covent Garden, London London, WC2E 9DD

Category: Dance

Linbury Studio Theatre, Bow Street, Covent Garden, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD

Tube: Covent Garden Station, Leicester Square Station

Dates: 12th December - 05th January 2013

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Choreographer Will Tuckett's witty theatrical style brings together elements of dance, drama, music and puppetry and this time he turns his creative eye on the Kenneth Grahame classic The Wind in the Willows. Let the Royal Ballet take you on a journey down to the riverside where Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad are waiting. This timeless collection of characters are loved by generation after generation, as they roar around the English countryside causing havoc and hilarity. Kept contemporary by Tuckett's imaginative choreography, performers include Will Kemp and Clemmie Sveaas and it is composed by George Butterworth.