The Nutcracker 8 Dec - 30 Dec
Join the English National Ballet for this classic telling of ETA Hoffmann’s story of Christmas Eve. Family friendly perfor-mances for Under 5s on 13 Dec, 26 Dec. Coliseum, WC2 www.key2theatre.co.uk

The Nutcracker 3 Dec – 18 Jan 2012
The Royal Ballet production of The Nutcracker draws on all the imagination and fantasy of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story of Christmas Eve, when young Clara creeps downstairs for one of her presents, but finds herself instead at the start of a night of magical adventures. Royal Opera House, WC1 www.roh.org.uk

Santa’s Grottos Nov-Dec
Father Christmas gets busy appearing across town, including the Harrods experience (book from 20 Sep or earlier for Rewards Members): a more chic offering at Selfridges; the one-stopfest with rides, ice-rinks and Santa Claus in Hyde Park’s Winterwonderland 18 Nov-3 Jan 2012. Hyde Park, W1 www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

The Railway Children From June til 8 Jan 2012
Waterloo Station’s Eurostar terminal is transformed into an atmospheric theatre for this retelling of Nesbitt’s classic story of three children who uncover the story of their father’s disappearance. Waterloo Station Theatre, SE1 www.railwaychildrenwaterloo.com

Pepper Pig’s Treasure Hunt 13 Oct – 22 Jul 2012
Help Peppa, George and Danny Dog find buried treasure. Real life puppets and perfect singalongs help to bring this new story to life. Catch up with this touring show at London’s Criterion Theatre, W1 www.peppapiglive.com

Lapland UK 3-24 Dec
A magical Christmas experience for young children is set out around the Bewl Water Estate in Kent. Making Christmas cookies, helping the elves in the toy workshop and a winter skate. Tickets on sale in early September  0871 620 7063 www.laplanduk.co.uk

The Snowman 30 Nov – 8 Jan 2012
Young children will be spellbound when the young boy, in Howard Blake’s story, takes to the air with the Snowman. Peacock Theatre, WC1 www.thesnowman.co.uk

The Snow Queen 23 Nov – 8 Jan 2012
Take a trip to the snow covered Himalayas and busy Bombay streets to see this Bollywood version of Hans Christian Andersen’s Christmas tale. Unicorn Theatre, SE1 www.unicorntheatre.com/snowqueen