See what’s on offer across the House this festive season

The Royal Opera’s playful staging of Hansel and Gretel returns
The Royal Ballet presents the glittering rags-to-riches tale Cinderella
Paris at Christmastime sets the scene for La bohème
Lost Dog present Ruination, an alternative Christmas dance show exploring the myth of Medea
Tickets from £7 at rbo.org.uk

ON STAGE

Ruination, Lost Dog | Linbury Theatre
2 December 2024 – 4 January 2025
Tickets from £7

Journey to the underworld of the Linbury Theatre this December for a serving of Greek tragedy as an alternative festive show. An innovative production from Lost Dog, Ruination tells the story of the myth of Medea, combining spoken word, live music and contemporary dance. Ruination turns everything you know about the myth of Medea on its head, giving her the chance to tell her own story. This daring co-production premiered with 5* reviews in 2022 and makes its first revival this Christmas.

Cinderella, The Royal Ballet | Main Stage
3 December 2024 – 16 January 2025
Live cinema relay 10 December
Tickets from £10

You shall go to the ball this Christmas with The Royal Ballet’s enchanting production of Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella. This much-loved ballet is a classic for the whole family to enjoy this festive season.

This Season, Royal Ballet Principals Mayara Magri and Anna Rose O’Sullivan make their debuts as Cinderella, with Cesar Corrales, Calvin Richardson, Marcelino Sambé and Joseph Sissens making theirs as The Prince. Fumi Kaneko and William Bracewell lead the cast for the live Cinema relay on 10th December.

La bohème, The Royal Opera | Main Stage
13 December 2024 – 17 January 2025
Tickets from £13

Be transported to snow-swept 19th-century Paris for this timeless tale of young love, set at Christmas. Richard Jones’ beloved production of Puccini’s classic opera La bohème returns in the centenary year of the iconic composer’s death.

Olga Kulchynska stars as Mimì and Pene Pati, who makes his Royal Opera debut, shares the role of Rodolfo with Stefan Pop. Feel every note in this exquisite tale of heartache and heartbreak at The Royal Opera.

Hansel and Gretel, The Royal Opera | Main Stage
22 December 2024 – 9 January 2025
Tickets from £8

Antony McDonald’s mischievous staging of Engelbert Humperdinck’s beloved family opera returns to the Main Stage in December. Kate Lindsey and Heidi Stober (making her debut with The Royal Opera) star as Hansel and Gretel and drawing out the magic of the score is conductor Giedrė Šlekytė, who also makes her debut. Perfect for families and those new to opera, this imaginative production has plenty of stagecraft, comedy and colour to delight this festive season.

RBO IN CINEMAS

Wolf Witch Giant Fairy, The Royal Opera and Little Bulb | In selected cinemas
25 October 2024 – 22 December 2024
Tickets from £5.25

Following its Olivier Award-winning run in 2021 (Best Family Show) and triumphant return to the Linbury Theatre for 19 relaxed performances at Covent Garden in December 2023, Wolf Witch Giant Fairy now comes to the big screen for the first time, filmed specially in the Linbury and showing in selected cinemas from 25 October 2024. Presented by The Royal Opera and innovative theatre company Little Bulb, this enchantingly staged show promises to be an unforgettable family experience.