Things To Do
Feature
Ticketmaster’s Christmas 2024 Gift Guide
With our gift guide for all the family spanning must-see musicals to immersive art exhibitions, consider your festive shopping covered
When the Christmas season sleds around each year, the expectation of gifting the perfect present can induce mild panic in even the most Grinch-y of folk. Fear not – it’s not just the Christmas goose you’ll be clutching come Christmas Day, nor will you be frantically scampering around like Arnold Schwarzenegger in Jingle All The Way trying to find that one magical gift, thanks to our comprehensive Christmas gift guide.
From must-see musicals to immersive art exhibitions, acrobatic circus experiences to fascinating talks with television personalities, Ticketmaster has ideal gifts for each and every member of the family.
Whether you’ve got a difficult-to-buy-for dad, a fussy mum, or auntie that you know nothing about other than her penchant for breaking into song before shovelling in the Christmas sprouts, consider your Christmas shopping covered.
Moulin Rouge: The Musical
When is it? Now until May 2025
Where is it? Piccadilly Theatre, London
What is it? A lavish stage adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 jukebox musical drama which featured Nicole Kidman and Ewan MacGregor as star-crossed lovers working in Paris’ biggest nightclub at the turn of the 20th century. Directed by Tony Award® winner Alex Timbers, Moulin Rouge: The Musical is also brought to life with music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Tony Award® winner Justin Levine, and choreography by Tony Award® winner Sonya Taye.
Who would it make an excellent gift for? Anyone with a fondness for the vaudeville and cabaret culture, popping champagne, Parisian glamour, and a hefty dose of tragedy. The current iteration runs until the early summer, so there’s a chance to can-can with Moulin Rouge: The Musical ‘Come What May’…
Book tickets to Moulin Rouge: The Musical here
Matilda The Musical
When is it? Now until May 2026
Where is it? Cambridge Theatre, London
What is it? Roald Dahl’s mischievous and magical 1996 children’s novel about Matilda Wormwood, the brilliant yet neglected girl with telekinetic powers, has been reimagined for London’s West End. The now-classic story has received rave reviews thanks to its heartwarming, humorous retelling, featuring original songs from celebrated comedian and composer Tim Minchin.
Who would it make an excellent gift for? The whole family! Though, it’d be a lively initiation for nieces and nephews who have yet to be introduced to the weird and wondrous works of Roald Dahl.
Book your tickets to Matilda The Musical here
Cirque du Soleil: Corteo
When is it? January 2025 – March 2025
Where is it? Royal Albert Hall, London
What is it? Celebrating 40 years of spectacular acrobatics and humans tumbling from great heights, Cirque du Soleil brings CORTEO to London’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall throughout the early months of 2025. There’s a reason why the Canadian circus is world renowned – watching their entertainers swinging from the rafters truly needs to be seen to be believed.
Who would it make an excellent gift for? For any family members looking for some much needed inspiration to start bending and flexing in the New Year once they’ve signed up for the local gym. As long as they leave the high wire acts to the professionals…
Book your tickets to Cirque du Soleil: Corteo here
Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular
When is it? Now until March 2025
Where is it? Empress Museum, London
What is it? Based on 2017’s The Greatest Showman, Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular takes narrative cues from the Hugh Jackman-starring musical film, but is injected with a fascinating new story and even some new songs. Fans of the film, do not fear however: favourites written by Golden Globe-winning songwriting duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul such as ‘This Is Me’, ‘Rewrite the Stars’, ‘A Million Dreams’, ‘Tightrope’ and ‘The Greatest Show’ will of course feature.
Who would it make an excellent gift for? If Grandma’s bifocals can handle an “eye-popping theatrical spectacle” then get her involved. Though, if she’s fond of hunky Hugh Jackman, she’ll have to ready her picnic blanket to see him headline BST Hyde Park in the summer.
Book your tickets for Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular here
Mrs. Doubtfire
When is it? Now until April 2025
Where is it? The Shaftesbury Theatre, London
What is it? If you haven’t seen the 1993 Robin Williams’ comedic tour de force that is Mrs. Doubtfire, then you’re in for a treat. Basically…. a recently divorced dad can’t see his children after the dissolution of his marriage, so decides to masquerade as Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire to get closer to them, in turn learning a fair few lessons about life, love, and parenthood. Sounds legit, right? Now the film has been transformed into an enchanting musical for the West End.
Who would it make an excellent gift for? Mums or dads looking to spice up daily household chores by slamming on Aerosmith’s ‘Dude (Looks Like A Lady)’ and skidding across the lounge on their knees.
Buy your tickets for Mrs. Doubtfire here
Wicked
When is it? Now until January 2026
Where is it? London Apollo Victoria Theatre, London
What is it? Before Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo helped transform Wicked into a global box office smash at the cinemas, it was undoubtedly one of the most successful musical productions of our time, if not all time. Luckily for new generations of fans, Wicked is still a major hit on the stage, so there’s ample opportunity to delve into the untold story of Oz and its colourful characters that date back to long before Dorothy and her dazzling journey.
Who would it make an excellent gift for? For anyone who has seen the silver screen adaptation, still can’t get ‘Defying Gravity’ out of their heads, and needs another sing-song fix but this time in the flesh. This Christmas particularly, there will be a lot of the aforementioned no doubt.
Book your tickets for Wicked here
Disney’s Hercules
When is it? June 2025 – 2026
Where is it? Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London
What is it? A musical inspired by Disney’s 1997 animated feature Hercules (hence the name), the Gods of Ancient Greece are heading to London’s historic Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Expect an almighty adventure, tunics galore, and plenty of comic wise-cracking as the muscle-bound hero fights to save the world from Hades.
Who would it make an excellent gift for? History buff grandparents who can enlighten their grandchildren with tales of Ancient Greece without instantly boring them to death.
Book your tickets for Disney’s Hercules here
MAMMA MIA!
When is it? Now until September 2025
Where is it? Novello Theatre, Aldwych, London
What is it? Mamma Mia? Here we go again… Since debuting in 1999, the ABBA-rific musical comedy MAMMA MIA! has captivated fans the world over with its heart-warming story of dysfunctional families, long-lost love, and eventual happy marriages. It spawned a film version starring Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried and Pierce Brosnan in 2008, and a sequel ten years later with none other than Cher, though MAMMA MIA! is made all the more fabulous by the timeless music of ABBA.
Who would it make an excellent gift for? ABBA sadly aren’t reuniting any time soon, and to stave off your auntie from the karaoke machine after one too many Baileys, take her to MAMMA MIA! – a fine substitute without the inevitable embarrassment.
Book your tickets to MAMMA MIA! here
My Neighbour Totoro
When is it? March 2025 – November 2025
Where is it? Gillian Lynne Theatre, London
What is it? Studio Ghibli’s enchanting world is reimagined in a larger than life (honestly) way with the stage adaptation of Hayao Miyazaki’s magical coming-of-age tale My Neighbour Totoro, which returns to London’s West End after a critically acclaimed sell-out stint earlier this year. With puppetry and scenery which is lovingly created with the same kind of imagination and attention to detail as the 1988 animation, the production is hands down one of the most awe-inspiring stage experiences going – the titular Totoro needs to be seen to be believed.
Who would it make an excellent gift for? Anyone and everyone looking to rekindle some child-like wonderment. Be quick though, as the queues will be stretching round the proverbial block for this.
Book your tickets for My Neighbour Totoro here
Strictly Come Dancing – The Live Tour
When is it? January 2025 – February 2025
Where is it? Birmingham, Sheffield, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Glasgow, Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, London
What is it? BBC’s long-running ballroom competition Strictly Come Dancing is no longer confined to the television, with the enviable athletic dancers and fellow celebrities now heading out on tour of the UK. Actor Jamie Borthwick, opera singer Wynne Evans, pop music heartthrob Shayne Ward, Olympian Montell Douglas, author JB Gill, model Tasha Ghouri, and actress Sarah Hadland are taking their sequined attire on the road alongside famed judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood in what promises to be a glitzier, more glamorous affair that its televised counterpart.
Who would it make an excellent gift for? Based on the 6.4 million people that tune into Strictly Come Dancing each week, there’s undoubtedly one member of every family who would find the foxtrot far more engrossing in the flesh.
Book your tickets for Strictly Come Dancing – The Live Tour here
Disney On Ice presents: 100 years of Wonder
When is it? February 2025 – March 2025
Where is it? London, Glasgow, Liverpool, Cardiff, Leeds
What is it? Before the UK defrosts after the Christmas chill, Disney’s beloved signature characters are skating across the country on tour in Disney On Ice presents: 100 Years Of Wonder. Of course the likes of Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be there, but Mirabel and the stars of Encanto will be their on-ice debut, joining their fellow animated in Moana, Frozen’s Anna, Elsa and Olaf, the Toy Story gang, as well as Finding Nemo’s Dory and Nemo.
Who would it make an excellent gift for? Doesn’t everyone have a secret soft spot for Disney?
Buy your tickets for Disney On Ice: 100 Years Of Wonder here
The FRIENDS™ Experience: The One in London
When is it? Now until April 2025
Where is it? London Waterfront, ExCeL, London
What is it? You’d be flat out lying if you hadn’t daydreamed about living across the hallway from your best friends in a New York City high-rise flat, or wondered what was so darn good about the coffee at Central Perk that kept the ever-familiar cast of treasured sitcom Friends returning each and every day. Well, now you can make those daydreams a darn reality with The FRIENDS™ Experience: The One in London, which brings the iconic couch, the purple apartment walls, and a host of other fabled materials from the show – yes, even the turkey head – to the heart of London.
Who would it make an excellent gift for? A generation of UK fans were brought up on Friends, and have longed for the opportunity to sing “I’ll be there for youuu” to their nearest and dearest in front of the fountain. Now’s the time to gift someone their chance.
Buy your tickets to The FRIENDS™ Experience: The One in London here
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks™ Live Glow-N-Fire Tickets
When is it? January 2025 – April 2025
Where is it? London, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Glasgow
What is it? Those familiar with Hot Wheels know that playing with them can quickly become a high-octane rollercoaster, sometimes a death-defying exercise in dodging flying toys. The long-established toy automobile brand is upping the ante however, with the return of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks™ Live, a tour of monster cars – which are certainly no toys. Back with a brand new theme Glow-N-Fire, the event will bring fans’ favourite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks™ in eye-catching luminous designs in some of the UK’s biggest arenas.
Who would it make an excellent gift for? High-flying stunts, tyres that dwarf even the most leggy and lanky of citizens, and a transforming robot. This is a motor-head’s dream, and an ideal opportunity to get dad out of the garage on the weekend.
Buy your tickets to Hot Wheels Monster Trucks™ Live Glow-N-Fire tickets here
Ben Fogle: Wild
When is it? March 2025 – April 2025
Where is it? UK tour including Leamington Spa, Swansea, the Isle of Wight, Chester, Aberdeen, Reading and many more locations
What is it? Broadcaster Ben Fogle has been adventuring ever since first participating in BBC reality show Castaway 2000, and virtually lives in the wild given how much time he spends in the great outdoors. So who better to regale over the natural world than Fogle, who takes his enlightening and uplifting stage show Wild across the UK once again, sharing his life-changing experiences with animals, extraordinary humans, and how you can delve into your own ocean of possibility.
Who would it make an excellent gift for? For animal lovers, explorers, or for those who just think Ben Fogle is a lovely bit of crumpet.
Buy your tickets to Ben Fogle: Wild here
Thorpe Park
When is it? Every. Single. Day.
Where is it? Thorpe Park Resort, Staines Road, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 8PN
What is it? It may be located just 30 minutes outside of central London, but Thorpe Park is undoubtedly the nation’s thrill-seeking capital. With high voltage rides galore, one minute you’ll find yourself head in the clouds soaring on the likes of Hyperia (the UK’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster) before being plunged into darkness and despair on The Walking Dead: The Ride. With its enviable arsenal of attractions, there’s no wonder Thorpe Park has been the UK’s premier theme park for over four decades.
Who would it make an excellent gift for? Everyone in the family, especially the daring types. Maybe pack a spare pair of underwear after venturing onto SAW – The Ride’s 100 ft vertical drop however.
Buy your tickets to Thorpe Park here
FRAMELESS
When is it? Now until March 2025
Where is it? 6 Marble Arch Place, London
What is it? A multi-sensory digital art experience unfolding in the heart of London, FRAMELESS is a true spectacle. Step inside a variety of iconic artworks – by the likes of Cezanne, Kandinsky, Monet, Dalí, Van Gogh, Canaletto, Rembrandt and Klimt, you name it – within the immersive, purpose-built venue just a stone’s throw away from Marble Arch and Oxford Street. FRAMELESS is an entirely new way to experience art, and a state-of-the-art event that’s a must for any culture vulture.
Who would it make an excellent gift for? FRAMELESS caters for the entire family and for all ages, but is also inclusive for those that find public events challenging. There’s a range of accessible experiences, including reduced capacity time slots and dedicated sessions for British Sign Language users.
Buy your tickets to FRAMELESS here
