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Phantom Peak concludes the 2023 season with an exceptionally fun set of festive trails in this top-tier Christmas offering. Photo: Alistair Veryard Returning for its fourth and final season of 2023, Phantom Peak continues to stand head and shoulders above every other immersive experience in London. Simply put, if you've never visited the platypus-loving mining town located in Canada Water, you're missing out on a truly special one-of-a-kind show. Our love for this experience is well documented - our initial Phantom Peak review back in August 2022 was glowing. With 16 interconnected storylines that saw guests exploring every corner of the town over five hours, it delivered an experience that had so much to do that it was impossible to complete in one visit. Fifteen months on, Phantom Peak has continued to reinvent itself and grow season after season. There have now been 87 different story trails available across its seven seasons, and the continued evolution of the town has created a loyal fanbase and a huge number of repeat visitors. With a whole host of changes around the town with every season, as well as hours' worth of new storylines to experience, Phantom Peak changes at a pace that makes every other immersive show's growth seem glacial. Photo: Alistair Veryard The townsfolk of Phantom Peak are on edge this Wintermas season. Demigod Father Platmas has returned and vowed to take down JONACO - the mysterious organisation that controls much of the town's operation. Last year, the purple-suited bringer of festive cheer was imprisoned by JONACO in a make-shift jail and is certainly holding a grudge against their previous captures. Mayor Pocket, fresh off being re-elected during the Lunar Festival, has cordoned off a large part of town around Father Platmas' Grotto, and a Defence Centre has been erected to keep him at bay. Elsewhere in town, the usual mix of unexplained goings-on that are part and parcel of Phantom Peak is keeping everyone busy. This season's many storylines include everything from a group of missing teens who were last seen investigating some monstrous sightings (a pitch-perfect parody of Scooby-Doo!), a race against the clock to prevent the town's shopkeeper from spontaneously exploding, and the arrival of an anonymously sent puppet to Mayor Pocket that has minds racing. Photo: Alistair Veryard For those unfamiliar with how it works, upon arrival, groups load up the JonAssist website on their phones. Acting as a handheld guide to the town, visitors are assigned one of ten trails to start. Taking anywhere from 25 to 45 minutes to complete if you're dedicated, a typical trail will see you solving puzzles, interacting with numerous townsfolk and learning information from any of the numerous machines scattered around the town - including RoboDoc (a sarcastic digital doctor), Jonavisions (TVs that need to be tuned to a specific channel), Videomatics (keypad operated video players) and Jonagraphs (telegram machines to contact people out of town). You progress through these stories at your own pace, which allows you to get distracted by any of the numerous other things going on around the town at any one time without losing your place in that storyline. Upon completion of a storyline, you're rewarded with a collectable trail card, which also serves as a memento of your visit. It combines elements of immersive theatre, escape rooms and video games to form an experience that's completely unique and not being done anywhere else. Photo: Alistair Veryard Every trail this season continues to meet the high standard set by past iterations, and the fact that the writers don't appear to be anywhere close to running out of ideas after creating close to 90 individual storylines for Phantom Peak is a testament to how deep and detailed the overall world in which the towns exist is. Alongside the 10 main storylines on offer, there's plenty else to occupy your time - from the trio of carnival games to the Miramaze (a lengthy obstacle course complete with tunnels, a ball pit, dark corridors and several hundred bungee cords to navigate) and the wide range of food and drinks options, which includes some excellent festive cocktails and mulled wine. Photo: Alistair Veryard An optional add-on experience for the Wintermas season this year is a meet-and-greet with Father Platmas in their grotto. Entering in small groups, guests first have their auras read and are then deemed to be either Naughty or Nice. To break the ice, there are several rounds of festive charades, and each visitor is gifted a Polaroid photo of themselves with Father Platmas and a unique trail card. While it may not be an essential experience for newer visitors to Phantom Peak, having some one-on-one time with arguably the season's most important character will be of particular enjoyment to regular visitors who are clued up on the lore of the town. Photos: Alistair Veryard With the overarching story of Phantom Peak set to continue into 2024, and no end date in sight for its ongoing season updates, it's a show that rewards regular and repeated visits. If you've not yet set foot into this immersive open world, you're missing out. Phantom Peak has delivered the best immersive Christmas experience on offer in London yet again, and we can't recommend it highly enough. ★★★★★ Christmas at the Peak: The Beast of Winter runs at Phantom Peak in Canada Water until 30th December. Tickets start at £39.99 for adults, and can be booked via phantompeak.com . Check out our other reviews from Phantom Peak here .

Santa has been propping up the bar in his favourite watering hole and is lacking in Christmas spirit. Can we save the holiday season and get him back on his sleigh, or has he hung up his boots for good? Our review of Humbug, the immersive Christmas dive bar. Photo: Grant Walker Temperatures are dropping, and it's getting dark at what feels like 3pm again, so that can only mean one thing: Christmas is fast approaching. With it comes the return of Humbug, the adults-only immersive Christmas dive bar experience, which previously took over Brick Lane's Truman Brewery and this year returns to its spiritual home of Waterloo, where it first debuted in 2023. The experience, which this time around is at The Vaults just off Leake Street, combines live music, sing-alongs and cabaret with a cast of memorable characters to create a raucous and booze-fuelled evening out that's basically the adult equivalent of going to a Christmas grotto, but with cocktails, swearing and sacks full of innuendo. This edition of Humbug is front-loaded with several immersive scenes for groups of up to 20 at a time. Starting in the Humbug Mail Room, guests are introduced to bumbling mailman Howard (Perry Meadowcroft/Craig Hamilton), who's getting increasingly worried after losing all of the letters due to be delivered to Santa after a few too many after-work cocktails. He's quick to swear in the group as honorary, seasonal Humbug Mail workers and soon tasks them with searching through all the sorting office's pigeonholes for any stray letters bound for the North Pole. Photo: Grant Walker With the search yielding little success, Howard directs guests out of the Mail Room through the 'Die Hard tunnel'. There's no explanation for its existence, and of course, nobody questions it, because if you're given the chance to act like John McClane, you say 'Yippee-ki-yay' and start crawling. On the other side, guests come face to face with Daphne (Savannah Beckford/Heather Gourdie), a disgruntled waitress who has long since mentally clocked out of her job, inside the bar's office, which is doubling as Santa's dressing room for his open-ended residency at Humbug. Daphne expresses some concern for Santa's well-being, sharing that he should have already been on his way back to the North Pole, and if he doesn't leave Humbug soon, Christmas might end up being cancelled. While Daphne has long dreamt of being a singer on Humbug's main stage, an embarrassing moment in her past ended with a pile of vomit on the stage, so she's convinced there's a Christmas curse hanging over her and has vowed to no longer perform. Photo: Grant Walker Johnny (Thomas Fabian Parrish/Joey Bradick), who enters the room at the end of Daphne's speech, has no such issue performing on stage. As the lead singer of Humbug's house band, he's slightly worried to hear that Santa hasn't arrived ahead of his final performance yet, but encourages us to holler and cheer later on when Santa takes the stage. With a strum of his guitar, the doors of a nondescript wardrobe swing open, and guests are ushered past rails of coats and jackets into an elaborately decorated hallway covered floor to ceiling in wrapping paper and bows. While the Mail Room and Bar Office are both well decorated and detailed, the wrapping paper tunnel serves as guests' first introduction to the maximalist design on display throughout the venue. Every inch of Humbug's main space is covered in Christmas memorabilia, including VHS tapes, board games, trinkets and signs for the North Pole. References to classic Christmas films like Home Alone, The Grinch, Die Hard (which is 100% a Christmas film), and The Santa Clause are scattered throughout the space by the dozen, and basically every corner of the venue is crying out to be Instagrammed. If you so wished, you could fill an entire evening just admiring the venue's lovingly curated set dressing. Photo: Grant Walker The centrepiece of Humbug's main space – a gold streamer-lined main stage – sits at the far end of the venue and plays host to Johnny Whiskey and the Barflys throughout the evening, alongside duets from Howard and Daphne and solo performances from Santa, who is meant to be performing for the final time before heading back to the North Pole. Throughout the 2-hour-long experience, several scenes tie into the story set up in the show's immersive rooms, including Howard's ongoing hunt for Santa's letters and Daphne's repeated refusal to perform on her own, but the main focus once the on-stage performances begin is Santa (Curtis Medley/Ryan Freebury) and their refusal to get into the Christmas spirit. Those who have attended Humbug before will immediately notice that Santa has been reworked quite heavily for this 2025 run. Previous versions of the show portrayed Santa as a pint-loving East London geezer, too drunk to drive his sleigh and resigned to staying in Humbug purely because he couldn't stay away from the bar long enough to sober up. In this year's version of the show, he's a charismatic Mancunian who's seemingly got his life together but just can't face returning to the North Pole and delivering presents yet again. Photo: Grant Walker Alongside several modern Christmas classics from the likes of Ariana Grande and Mariah Carey performed throughout Humbug, there are also some deeper festive cuts on Humbug's setlist. Clarence Carter's 'Back Door Santa' turns more than a few heads once people clock the lyrics, and a brief rendition of 'All I Want For Christmas Is Booty', a song from John Goodman's opening monologue in a 2013 episode of Saturday Night Live, shows that no festive song is too obscure to include, as long as it's catchy. In the second half of Humbug, an extended scene on stage featuring Santa wearing a bucket hat and red tracksuit, along with a gold snowflake chain, draws some of the evening's loudest cheers. DJ Pied Piper's 'Do You Really Like It?' and M-Beat's 'Incredible' both blast from the speakers while Daphne, who's sporting a green Team Australia cap, parodies the viral Olympian breakdancer with some wonderfully half-hearted dance moves. While the live band (featuring Tomas Wolstenholme as Ginger Snap on bass and Josh Haberfield/Evie Joy Wright as Rudy on drums, alongside Johnny) put on a great show, on the night we attended, the room's acoustics made a lot of their hard work tough to hear clearly. The sound bounced off the venue's arched brick walls in every direction, creating a muddled mix that made distinguishing the vocals from the instruments nigh on impossible. When The Barflys aren't performing live, and pre-recorded tracks are played, there was no such issue, which sadly results in the live performances - both musical numbers and dialogue scenes - often failing to hold the audience's attention. The accumulation of numerous group conversations also drowned out a good amount of what was happening on stage for all but those in the premium cabaret seats directly in front of the stage. Photo: Grant Walker Outside of the show's cast occasionally moving through the audience and a brief conga led by Howard and Daphne around the venue, the majority of Humbug's runtime is devoid of any audience interaction, besides a handful of the letters written to Santa earlier in the evening by guests being read out on stage. On top of this, one of the standout moments from earlier editions of Humbug – the group visits to Santa’s makeshift grotto hidden in the venue’s backrooms – no longer appears in the production, further reducing the opportunities for guests to interact with the show's cast. While some performance elements have been scaled back for 2025, the food and drinks on offer at Humbug remain consistently strong and suitably festive. Cocktails include the bright green Grinch 3.0, a Festpresso Martini, and the Bah F*ckin' Humbug, which is made up of at least three different spirits and comes with a sparkler and candy cane on top. Food, which comes courtesy of Bang Bang Burger, includes a Chicken Humburger that's stuffed with Brussels sprout slaw and cranberry sauce on top of a fried chicken breast, alongside slightly less indulgent, but still great, beef and vegan options. Those feeling up to the challenge can also take on a side order of 20 pigs in blankets, with more traditional sides and desserts like stuffing balls and waffles also on offer. Photo: Grant Walker As a booze-fuelled evening of festive cheer and sing-alongs, Humbug is an ideal choice for those in search of a Christmas night out with friends or colleagues that's grown-up and leans into the adult humour. Anyone going into Humbug hoping for an experience that's as much an immersive show as it is a Christmas knees-up may leave disappointed, but you'd have to have a heart two sizes too small to stumble out of Humbug and not find yourself more in the Christmas spirit than when you went in. ★★★ Humbug runs at The Vaults near Waterloo Station until 31st December 2025. For more information and to book, visit feverup.com . Tickets start from £22.00.

Photo: Layered Reality After more than 31,000 performances, six years of record-breaking success, over 20,000 five-star reviews, and 300,000 visitors, Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds: The Immersive Experience is about to change forever. This winter marks the final opportunity to experience the original award-winning production before it undergoes a major transformation in Spring 2026. Tickets have been released today at a special rate of £40, available for performances from now until the end of January 2026. Photo: Layered Reality Winner of 15 major awards, including the 2025 City AM Toast the City Award for Best Family Attraction, the show holds the Guinness World Records™ title for Longest Theatrical Run of a Musical Immersive Theatre Production. Since 2019, the production has redefined live entertainment, combining Jeff Wayne’s iconic musical score with cutting-edge virtual reality, holograms, holographic characters, and 5D effects across 24 breathtaking scenes. Audiences are transported to a steampunk vision of Victorian England under Martian invasion, and along the way, encounter abandoned Victorian houses, take a heart-pounding VR boat ride down the Thames as 300-foot Martian Fighting Machines attack Westminster and Big Ben, traverse the trenches to London sliding down the claw of a Martian Handling Machine, and soar in a hot air balloon on an epic journey to Mars. The climax of the first half features the naval battle of HMS Thunder Child versus the Martians, with an exclusive intermission at the secret Red Weed Bar. This will be the final chance to experience original sequences. Photo: Layered Reality Speaking on the upcoming transformations, Jeff Wayne comments: When we first opened, it was meant to run for just three months. Six years later, it has become something truly special. January 2026 marks the end of this era, the last chance to see the show exactly as it was before it evolves into its next extraordinary chapter. Layered Reality CEO Andrew McGuiness comments: Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds: The Immersive Experience has been extraordinary from the moment it opened, captivating hundreds of thousands of visitors and setting new benchmarks for immersive theatre worldwide. After six incredible years, this is the final opportunity to experience the original production before it transforms into something new. From now until the end of January 2026, audiences can witness the iconic sequences, the original technology, and the moments that have made this show a global phenomenon. This is more than a performance. It is a chance to be part of theatre history and say, ‘I was there'. Photo: Layered Reality Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds: The Immersive Experience is currently booking until 31st January 2026 at 56 Leadenhall Street near Aldgate. Tickets start at £40.00 and can be purchased via feverup.com

Photo: The Last Days of Pompeii In 79 AD, the city of Pompeii was destroyed following the eruption of the nearby Mount Vesuvius. A cloud of ash and toxic gases engulfed the city, killing nearly all of its 10,000+ inhabitants, and the volcanic debris that followed entombed their remains, preserving their final moments in a hardened cast of calcified ash. It's one of history's best-known disasters, and is now the focus of The Last Days of Pompeii, a new immersive exhibition, which has just begun a 16-week run at Immerse LDN in East London. The show's producers, Madrid Artes Digitales , have had a near-constant presence in London over the past year, having previously launched Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition at Immerse LDN and The Legend of the Titanic: The Ultimate Titanic Exhibition in Canada Water. This latest exhibition, which runs until 15th March 2026, sees them return to the same cavernous space in Immerse LDN that they took over for Tutankhamun and brings with it additional interactive elements not seen in other cities across Europe. Using a mix of 360-degree immersive projections, virtual reality, and interactive screens alongside traditional, museum-like displays, The Last Days of Pompeii: The Immersive Exhibition aims to transport visitors back nearly 2000 years to not only witness the destruction of the famed city but also learn more about the everyday lives of its inhabitants. Photo: The Last Days of Pompeii The opening rooms of The Last Days of Pompeii look a lot like any other museum exhibition. Large wall-mounted panels provide information and context about the day-to-day lives of those within Pompeii, detailing their morning routines, social activities and cultural offerings. Several display cases house fragments of marble sculptures, terracotta pots, swords and mural paintings alongside museum labels. While MAD's Tutankhamun exhibition was made up almost entirely of recreations, the items on display in The Last Days of Pompeii are genuine artefacts from the time, on loan from Barcelona's Galeria F. Cervera. Further into the exhibition, the focus shifts to archaeologist Giuseppe Fiorelli, who in 1863 pioneered the technique of making plaster casts from the hollow space left in the hardened ash casings of the city's entombed residents. There are recreations of several plaster casts throughout the space, all frozen in time, and seeing them is a pretty moving experience, with their poses conveying the fear and terror of their final moments, despite not having any identifiable features. In the next room is the first of two virtual reality scenes. With visitors wearing headsets while seated on swivel chairs, they're free to look around as they follow an unnamed gladiator into battle at Pompeii's amphitheatre. There's certainly some artistic licence on display during this 7-minute-long sequence, with a fight taking place in the centre of a full-blown, Rome-like colosseum, complete with retractable platforms that spit fire, animals appearing out of trap doors and a two-ship naval battle. It's all engaging and visually impressive, but it seems to be pretty far from the reality of what Pompeii's gladiator fighting was like, and it plays fast and loose with facts. Photo: The Last Days of Pompeii/Set Vexy The exhibition's main space, which offers 360-degree projections, lies behind a curtain following the VR section. In stark contrast to some of the small personal items on display in the exhibitions' earlier rooms, everything in this space is writ large. Standing 8 metres tall, the four walls and floor of the space display an ever-changing series of Instagram-worthy animations on a 26-minute loop. Much like in MAD's Tutankhamun exhibition, the projection room is by far the most impressive part of The Last Days of Pompeii and is the space visitors will likely spend most of their visit in. Broken up into eight chapters, the projections shift from showing the day-to-day life of Pompeii's residents, relaxing in their villas and shopping in the market, to the first-hand testimony of the catastrophe by lawyer-cum-author Pliny the Younger. Other scenes show abstract premonitions of the impending disaster by a Wizard of Oz-like bronze faun statue and the eventual discovery of the city by Spanish explorer Roque Joaquín de Alcubierre. While the highlight of this room are the two scenes depicting Vesuvius' eruption and the destruction of the city below, complete with a whirlwind of embers, ash, and lightning, along with chariot-sized chunks of molten lava smashing through buildings, we'd recommend staying in the space for a complete loop to get the full experience, as there are also moments that offer up quiet reflection. Regardless of the content, the scale of the room is pretty stunning and truly engulfs your vision, pulling you into the experience. Photo: The Last Days of Pompeii The exhibition's second VR experience sees visitors step into the metaverse as they explore several digital recreations of the Villa of the Mysteries, which owes its name to a series of frescoes depicting rituals associated with a secret society dedicated to the worship of Dionysus, the god of wine, ecstasy and theatre. Visitors move freely through each room as it transforms from a derelict ruin to how it would have existed back in 79 AD. While the real-life Villa is one of Pompeii's must-see attractions, this VR version feels weirdly anticlimactic after the repeated depictions of fire and destruction earlier in the experience. There's a certain novelty associated with moving through a virtual space while wearing a headset, and seeing other visitors also exploring the Villa being represented as floating busts that glide effortlessly through the space, only adds to it. Rounding off the experience, there are several more interactive exhibits, including interactive tables that allow guests to dig through a layer of virtual sand to uncover hidden treasures like coins, swords and lamps; objects that can be touched to reveal their history on large screens above; and some AI-powered photobooths that overlay photos of guests' faces onto era-appropriate bodies to varying levels of success. Photo: The Last Days of Pompeii While MAD's trio of recent exhibitions has dominated this corner of London's immersive scene throughout 2025, the city has, of course, had several hugely popular projection-led experiences in the past. Frameless in Marble Arch has been displaying the work of artists like Monet, Hokusai and Dalí since first opening in 2022, and Immersive Van Gogh (an experience that was notably reviled by many) ran for many years out of its Shoreditch home, proving that there's a huge appetite for this kind of work. Recently, there's been a notable shift towards creating experiences with a more substantial educational angle, with shows like The Moonwalkers (narrated by Tom Hanks) and Prehistoric Planet now making up the current line-up at King's Cross' Lightroom. While there's constant debate around just how 'immersive' these kinds of experiences really are, they undoubtedly offer a modern way to learn about history that's not always possible within a traditional museum setting, and provides an experience that's both fun and engaging. Much like MAD's previous exhibitions, The Last Days of Pompeii's mix of traditional museum displays with modern technology makes it the kind of experience that's both appealing to younger visitors and satisfyingly informative for their parents, and a step above other projection-led immersive experiences on offer in London. ★★★½ The Last Days of Pompeii: The Immersive Exhibition runs at Immerse LDN near Custom House until 15th March 2026. Tickets are priced from £24.00 and can be booked via Fever . For more coverage and reviews of experiences like The Last Days of Pompeii: The Immersive Exhibition, check out our recent Reviews .

Photo: Matt Crockett This Christmas, globally-acclaimed scene makers DesignScene and immersive storytellers Secret Theatre will present The Nutcracker Noir - a brand-new immersive dining experience and modern reimagining of the classic Christmas tale that promises to be THE festive dining show of the season. Transforming Protein Studios in the heart of Shoreditch into a festive extravaganza for a limited time (26th November to 21st December 2025), this immersive dining experience combines world-class performances, mischief and theatrical storytelling with decadent dishes from immersive dining specialist Jenny McNeill at Feast & Fable (Gingerline, Fat Duck). Inspired by Tchaikovsky’s 1892 ballet, this dazzling show follows the story of an orphan raised in a fantastical world, Clara, as she searches for her long-lost father and somehow ends up directing her own wild adaptation of The Nutcracker in her quest to save her father’s theatre. Through striking immersive design and next-level storytelling, guests will be taken on an otherworldly adventure as they make their way through five interactive spaces filled with captivating performances, hidden surprises and extraordinary characters – think secret spaces, Christmas bodegas, fantasy elves and a journey to the North Pole – all preparing them for the incredible night ahead as they emerge into the spectacularly grand theatre for the main show. The Nutcracker Noir features a truly exceptional cast, showcasing some of the brightest talent fresh from London’s West End. Anita Nicole (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Amazon Prime) takes centre stage as Clara, joined by Jairus McClanahan (Hamilton) as her younger brother Frank Zane, and Patrick Wilden (Cabaret, Stage Door) as Jazz, Frank’s best friend and a fellow lost boy. Photo: Matt Crockett The cast also includes a stellar lineup of immersive and musical theatre performers: Christopher Howell (Punchdrunk) as Elf Eldar, Jessica Alonso (Pelotas, Vampire Virus, Art of Dying - Hong Kong, The Great Gatsby - Madrid) as Madame Zel, a theatre critic who plays a key role in the show’s direction, and Shoko Ito (Wicked, Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker) as Clara’s best friend, Angie. David-Michael Johnson (The Bodyguard, Starlight Express and Dirty Dancing) appears as Clara’s long-lost father, and Alex Codd - renowned for his work as Assistant Choreographer to Gary Lloyd on Rehab and most recently as choreographer on Beauty and the Beast - joins the story as a mysterious outsider whom Clara entrusts to help bring the Nutcracker to life. Photo: Matt Crockett Rounding out the ensemble, Tianna Sealy-Jewiss (BOMBAY SUPERSTAR, Rock of Ages, Cross Roads) plays Future, a phenomenal dancer who has lost their way and finds renewed inspiration through Clara. Phoebe Coray (Celebrity Cruises, Sex Education on Netflix, War 2, The Collection on Amazon Prime) plays Flow, a wild Welsh talent who caught Clara’s eye as London's most fantastic specialist performer. Finally, Safeena Ladha (39 Steps - West-End and UK tour, The Great Gatsby, Immersive Everywhere; Dracula - A Comedy of Terrors) steps into the role of Saffy the Deck Slayer, blending movie quotes, game sounds and pop culture references between nostalgic tunes to create her signature DJ style. Entertained at every turn, The Nutcracker Noir promises to be the ultimate Christmas dining experience. Filled with fun, frivolity and flamboyance, the experience allows guests to be as involved in the storyline as they like – whether they want to be at the heart of the action or prefer to sit back and take it all in. Together, this dynamic ensemble will deliver soaring vocals, powerful drama, and a touch of mystery, elevating the immersive Christmas dining experience to extraordinary new heights. Adapted and co-directed by immersive pioneer Richard Crawford (SE7EN / The Great Gatsby), co-directed and choreographed by Gary Lloyd (Thriller Live / Heathers) and co-produced by Atilla Keskin , founder of DesignScene (Amazon MGM Studios, Apple, Pinterest and Bacardi), the production will feature some of the city’s finest talent. Photos: Matt Crockett Designed for groups who love the unexpected, twinned with a hint of the decadent, The Nutcracker Noir promises guests a seasonal experience like no other and is set to create a new standard for festive dining experiences. Showcasing a uniquely designed food and drink concept curated by leading immersive dining specialist Jenny McNeill’s Feast + Fable (Fat Duck, Gingerline), combined with original storytelling and a newly imagined world, it truly is the ultimate Christmas party. The waitlist will open from 25th September, and tickets will be available to purchase during the general on-sale from 30th September 2025. The Nutcracker Noir will run at Protein Studios near Shoreditch High Street from 26th November to 21st December 2025. Tickets are priced from £48 for Bar Seating (Show Ticket) and £180 for a shared Club Table (inclusive of a three-course meal). VIP tickets range from £240 to £300 per person. To book tickets, visit nutcracker-noir.co.uk

Image: Punchdrunk Enrichment Punchdrunk Enrichment have announced the cast for the world premiere of their new show, Fireside Tales . An enchanting  interactive adventure for children aged 7-11 and their grown-ups, running at Punchdrunk Enrichment Stores in Wembley Park, Brent, from 6th December 2025 to 4 January 2026. The cast announced today (who will rotate two roles in the production) are Siddiqua Akhtar  ( A Good Girl's Guide to Murder , BBC/Netflix; Tartuffe,  Birmingham Rep), Rebecca Clark  ( who has performed recently with Frantic Assembly and Complicité),  Amari Harris (who has collaborated with venues including the Old Vic and Half Moon Theatre in his work as a storyteller and drama facilitator) and Alex Stedman  ( The Lost Lending Library , Punchdrunk Enrichment; Murder On The Orient Express , UK & Ireland Tour). Photos: Rebecca Clark, Siddiqua Akthar, Alex Steadman (Yellowbelly Photo), Amari Harris (Suzi Corker) For thousands of years, people have gathered around fires to share stories. But this tradition is fading, and many are at risk of being lost. Now, a new story has arrived: faint as an ember, not yet ready to be told. It needs help to stay alive. Without care, the fire might fade, be forgotten or take on a dangerous new form. Fireside Tales is a show about the stories we tell, the ones we pass down, the ones we forget and what happens when we take the time to listen. Audiences are invited to step into a magical world where stories flicker like flames and imagination keeps them burning bright. Developed with schools, Fireside Tales encourages young audiences to draw, write and share their own stories. The show is written and directed by incoming Artistic Director of Punchdrunk Enrichment Steve McCourt, with additional material devised by the company. The creative team also includes design by Mydd Pharo, costume design by Melissa Simon-Hartman, lighting design by Sarah Readman and sound design by Dominic Kennedy. Additional early evening performances at 7.30pm (for grown-ups only) and extra weekend performances are now on sale due to popular demand, with tickets available via the Punchdrink Enrichment website . Video: Punchdrunk Enrichment Ahead of Fireside Tales opening, from 16th to 18th October, outgoing Artistic Director and CEO of Punchdrunk Enrichment, Peter Higgin, will embark on an epic 100-mile charity run from the Isle of Wight to Wembley Park over 3 days in a remarkable effort to raise £25,000 for Punchdrunk Enrichment. The money will help Punchdrunk Enrichment reach more children and families, particularly those with limited access to arts and cultural experiences. Funds raised through the Founder to Future Challenge will support their core work: keeping ticket prices affordable, offering schools highly subsidised creative learning projects, and developing bold, imaginative experiences that place children at the heart of the story. For more details, see here . Fireside Tales will run at Punchdrunk Enrichment Stores in Wembley Park from 6th December 2025 to 4th January 2026. Tickets are priced from £15, and can be booked via punchdrunkenrichment.org

Image: Mundo Pixar Step into the vibrant world of Pixar like never before. Mundo Pixar Experience is a multi-sensory exhibition which offers fans of all ages a chance to enter the universes of Pixar’s most iconic films. Relive the stories that have shaped generations up close at London's Wembley Park from 13th February 2026.  Following its record-breaking success in Brazil, Mexico, Belgium and Spain, where it welcomed over 3.2 million visitors and received widespread acclaim, Mundo Pixar Experience now arrives in the UK for the very first time. The Experience also launches ahead of the release of two brand-new Pixar films coming to cinemas in 2026 - the new original Hoppers , which opens in March, and the eagerly anticipated Toy Story 5 in June.   Photo: Mundo Pixar Set in a purpose-built venue in Wembley Park, the exhibition will span more than 3,500 square metres, and will feature 14 Pixar universes, including over 25 sculptures, inviting guests to explore meticulously recreated environments from Toy Story , Monsters, Inc. , Cars , Finding Nemo , Inside Out , Coco , Up , and many more fan favourites. Each space combines detailed set design, ambient music, and specially crafted scents to immerse visitors in Pixar’s most beloved stories. Visitors can shrink down to toy size in Andy’s Room from Toy Story , explore the Scare Floor from Monsters, Inc . with Mike and Sulley, race into Flo’s Café from Cars to meet Lightning McQueen, or soar through the skies with Carl Fredricksen from Up . They can also visit the Headquarters of Riley’s emotions from Inside Out 2 , and journey from Coco 's Land of the Living to the Land of the Dead. Photo: Mundo Pixar Presented by Golden Peak Live Entertainment, in collaboration with Proactiv Entertainment, RG Live, Senbla, and Luna, the London edition will also include a brand-new room created exclusively for this stop on the world tour - debuting for the very first time at Wembley Park and offering a unique experience available only in the UK. Beyond the immersive sets, guests can take part in a special Pixar Ball Treasure Hunt, searching for the famous yellow ball with a red star hidden throughout the exhibition - a playful nod to the beloved Easter egg that appears in many Pixar films. Photo: Mundo Pixar London's Mundo Pixar Experience  is accessible for visitors with motor, hearing, visual, and neurodivergent disabilities, ensuring that everyone can share in the creativity and joy of Pixar’s storytelling. This trailblazing exhibition is a heartfelt journey through 40 years of imagination, emotion, and innovation - celebrating the timeless stories that continue to inspire children, families, and fans around the world. Photo: Mundo Pixar Mundo Pixar Experience opens in Wembley Park on 13th February 2026. To find out more and sign up for the presale, visit mundopixar.com

As the nights grow colder and the dark draws near, a light glows in the distance. It’s inviting you to take part in the ritual of the fire season.  Punchdrunk Enrichment (Enitan’s Game, The Lost Lending Library) have announced a brand-new show for Christmas. Fireside Tales, written and directed by Steve McCourt, is an enchanting interactive adventure for children aged 7-11 and their grown-ups, running at Punchdrunk Enrichment Stores in Wembley Park, Brent, from 6 December 2025 to 4 January 2026.  For thousands of years, people have gathered around fires to share stories. But this tradition is fading, and many are at risk of being lost. Now, a new story has arrived: faint as an ember, not yet ready to be told. It needs help to stay alive. Without care, the fire might fade, be forgotten or take on a dangerous new form.  Fireside Tales is a show about the stories we tell, the ones we pass down, the ones we forget and what happens when we take the time to listen. Audiences are invited to step into a magical world where stories flicker like flames and imagination keeps them burning bright. Developed with schools, Fireside Tales encourages young audiences to draw, write and share their own stories.   Writer and director Steve McCourt said: As someone who has dedicated their career to providing platforms for youth voice, ‘Fireside Tales’ stands as an exciting opportunity for the children of Brent and beyond to share their stories with the world. For millennia, we have gathered to share tales of resilience, hope and home - in an increasingly isolating world, it’s essential we hold on to that spark of imagination and the flame of community spirit. Punchdrunk Enrichment was founded in 2008 to take the innovative practice of Punchdrunk into communities and schools. Punchdrunk are celebrated as pioneers of a new form of theatre in which roaming audiences experience epic storytelling inside sensory theatrical worlds. Today, Punchdrunk Enrichment is an independent charity creating transformational theatrical experiences for education, community, and family audiences.   Previous productions include Enitan’s Game (the first show to be staged in the company’s own unique immersive venue, Punchdrunk Enrichment Stores, in Brent), The Lost Lending Library (Edinburgh International Festival and now touring internationally), Against Captain’s Orders  (created in partnership with the National Maritime Museum), Greenhive Green (which took place in a care home for older people including those with dementia) and digital experiences The Wild Visitor and Our Home Story.  Brent-based theatre maker and educator Steve McCourt has created work alongside some of the most celebrated companies (Tall Stories, Blind Summit, Improbable) on some of the world’s most recognised stages, including the West End (The Lyric, The Vaudeville), Sydney Opera House and Bregenzer Festspiele. His work ignites intergenerational conversation and champions youth voice as a driver for change. Originally trained as a performer, Steve is an Associate Artist of The Arts Centre, Hounslow and Associate Director at Punchdrunk Enrichment.  Punchdrunk Enrichment are based in Punchdrunk Enrichment Stores in Wembley Park. Their mission is to celebrate the power of the imagination and storytelling to empower young people to be the best that they can be, whilst offering training for educators and artists and providing support for local creatives. Brent residents can get a 20% discount on tickets for Fireside Tales by signing up to the Punchdrunk Enrichment mailing list. Fireside Tales will run at Punchdrunk Enrichment Stores in Wembley Park from 6th December 2025 to 4th January 2026. Tickets are priced from £15, and can be booked via punchdrunkenrichment.org

Photo: Wundrful World of Christmas A much-loved Christmas phenomenon is set to make its UK debut this winter, bringing an extraordinary festive experience to families, right in the heart of London. Having fully sold out last year and delighted thousands of families in Australia,  Wundrful World of Christmas  is now coming to the UK for the very first time. This 50-minute-long immersive, festive adventure will open in a specially selected venue just moments from Borough Market, transforming one of London’s most historic neighbourhoods into a world of Christmas magic. Set amongst the atmospheric streets of Southwark, with the scents of mulled wine, spices and seasonal treats in the air, Wundrful World of Christmas will offer a truly unforgettable seasonal experience, as families will be welcomed into a mixed reality realm filled with wonder and festive cheer. Photo: Wundrful World of Christmas Created by immersive entertainment company Wundr , and produced in partnership with UK-based Live Venture Group, the experience invites guests on a 50-minute walk-through, theatrical journey to the North Pole. Blending rich storytelling, live performance, dynamic animated content, projection screen technology, detailed sets and sensory design, Wundrful World of Christmas is a magical and interactive celebration of the season. Children and their grown-ups will journey through a series of fantastical rooms, guided by a cast of animated characters and real-life actors. They will have the chance to meet Santa’s hard-working elves, sort magical mail, and travel skyward in a simulated lift ride to explore a snowy ‘Wundrland’, enjoy festive tales with Mrs Claus in her cosy cottage, and finish with a heart-warming encounter and photo opportunity with Santa Claus himself, a family moment to treasure. Photo: Wundrful World of Christmas Perfect for young believers aged 3 to 8 and their families, Wundrful World of Christmas is a celebration of imagination, wonder and joy, offering a brand-new way to experience the magic of Christmas for families in London. Speaking on the experience, Andy Edwards and Justin James, Co-CEOs of Wundr, comment: We’re thrilled to be bringing Wundrful World of Christmas to the UK. The response to our concept has been incredible, and we’ve used that energy to deepen the magic, add surprises and create something even more unforgettable for the stunning Borough location. The UK can expect to see something really special this winter. Antony Warren and Mike Levin of Live Venture Group added: We are so excited to be partnering with Wundr as they transform iconic locations into exciting new worlds filled with magic and joy. We look forward to working with their creative team to help deliver an exceptional fan experience and offer our dynamic city a new and memorable location to celebrate the festive season. Photo: Wundrful World of Christmas Wundrful World of Christmas runs in Borough Yards near London Bridge from 7th November to 24th December 2025. Tickets are priced from £17.50 and include a group/family photo with Santa Claus. For more information and to book tickets, visit  wundr.live/london

Image: Grant Walker/HUMBUG This festive season, dive into a full-throttle, immersive blowout of festive magic, mayhem and mischief as HUMBUG: Santa’s Christmas Dive Bar Experience makes its return to London for the festive season. Returning to its original location at the iconic Waterloo Vaults, HUMBUG is bringing back the Christmas magic to a fully transformed festive venue to deliver a vibrant, immersive party experience like no other. Santa’s been working overtime for centuries - now it’s time to return the favour. He’s back, and he's not just checking his list; he’s throwing the ultimate Christmas blowout. Humbug is taking festive cheer to the next level with a raucous 2-hour, immersive Christmas party, where the big man himself brings joy (and booze) on tap.   Revellers are invited to party with the ONLY man who truly sleighs. Expect live music, Christmas cabaret sing-alongs, immersive storytelling, and hidden experiences. And for those who love to get merry the most, they will be rewarded with confetti cannons, festive surprises, and the most joyfully chaotic celebration on earth. Image: Grant Walker/HUMBUG At Humbug, guests step into a one-of-a-kind Christmas at Santa’s cherished watering hole, where party and performance collide in a whirlwind of high-energy antics, flamboyant theatrics, and festive surprises. Expect immersive storytelling, live performances, sing-alongs, games, and nonstop holiday fun! More than a themed bar, Humbug is a ticketed show that redefines Christmas celebrations, blending walkthrough theatre sets, dazzling special effects, a live band, and a world of festive mischief. At its heart, it’s an outrageous production that combines immersive storytelling with the energy of a wild Christmas party. With space for 256 guests per night, it’s the ultimate festive knees up with the greatest holiday tunes of all time, live on-stage entertainment, a massive hit of nostalgia and an epic house band playing every night, all set against a backdrop of colourful Christmas lights, dazzling neon, mistletoe and festive memorabilia. Image: Grant Walker/HUMBUG Explore Santa’s ‘Grotto’, a shrine dedicated to Mariah Carey - the queen of Christmas, as well as a festive-themed beer can bowling alley. Along the way, guests will encounter a line-up of the finest cabaret from HUMBUG regulars, including Daphne the sassy waitress, Rudie the ever-energetic landlord, Howard the mailman who will be delivering more than just ‘letters to Santa’, and of course the big man himself, whether he’s merry, moody, or slightly tipsy, Santa’s sure to spread the festive spirit. Throughout the night, guests can sip on festive tipples from HUMBUG’s ‘Naughty or Nice’ cocktail list, before tucking into a full menu of festive street food from Bang Bang Burger – including their legendary Christmas Humburgers. Created by Speakeasy Project, HUMBUG is no ordinary night out – it’s a wild, joy-fuelled celebration packed with great drinks, magical moments, and unapologetic festive fun. Whether visiting with friends, planning an office bash, or just chasing a guaranteed good time, HUMBUG delivers. This fully immersive experience rewards both the naughty and nice – and promises a night that’s anything but forgettable. Images: Grant Waler/HUMBUG HUMBUG will run from 18th November to 31st December 2025 at The Vaults, Leake Street. Tickets are on sale at 10am on 9th September 2025 via humbugchristmas.co.uk and are priced from £22.00 per person.

From boozy immersive dive-bars, to fantastical Christmas adventures and festive three-course meals, here are our recommendations for the best immersive shows in London this side of New Year's... With the nights drawing in and the temperature beginning to drop, Christmas is fast approaching. While London has no shortage of festive activities (we're looking at you Winter Wonderland..), you might be looking for something a bit more interactive and immersive. We've made a list, checked it twice, and these are our picks of London's best immersive experiences this Christmas. From family-friend festive adventures to immersive three-course meals and adults-only parties with Santa, these are the top immersive offerings this Christmas.. Phantom Peak: Christmas at the Peak - The Beast of Winter Hot on the heels of its excellent Halloween season, the town of Phantom Peak will get a festive makeover for Christmas at the Peak. A continuation of the show's ongoing story, this Christmas edition of the platypus-obsessed mining town will have 10 brand-new festive trails for guests to complete. Last year's Christmas season saw storylines including Father Platmus trying to escape imprisonment, the evil Dr Winter being visited by the ghosts of Past, Present and Future, and Leadbelly - the town's Health and Safety Officer attempting to crack down on unauthorised gift-giving. This year, there's an add-on experience where guests can visit Father Platmus in their Wintermas Grotto, which we're sure will be a great addition to what is already a jam-packed event. Guests will also be able to compete for the Sleigh Queen crown, join Hogwood's Holiday Film-a-thon, attend the Snow Ball, and those looking to sharpen their wits can test their skills in The Wintermas Games. To finish all the trails, you'll need at least two visits, but a one-off trip is still a great experience, with the various storylines you complete throughout the 4-hour long experience being wrapped up neatly during the closing ceremony. This Christmas, experience Phantom Peak’s very own alternative festive celebration, Wintermas! Step into a town brimming with Wintermas joy as the townsfolk prepare for the arrival of their very own seasonal being, Father Platmus! The town is in lockdown, with all your favourite characters gathered together to make sure the town is set for the big arrival. Imagine entering a vintage Victorian postcard from a parallel world, complete with an odd and slightly old-school Father Christmas figure, festive platypuses knitted by Serbian grandmothers, and a huge tree festooned with all kinds of whimsical Phantom Peak frippery! 📍 Canada Water 💰 From £39.99 🕒 24th November - 30th December 2023 🎟️ Book via phantompeak.com Wishmas: A Fantastical Christmas Adventure Secret Cinema return to London after an excursion up to Birmingham earlier in the year to mount a brand new, original show called Wishmas. The hour-long walk-through experience (which may be the new norm for the company..) will have guests journey alongside new wishes on their way to Father Christmas' workshop. The experience includes a ride on the Wishmas train, encounters with Wishkeepers and Robin, and, of course, a face-to-face with Father Christmas himself. There are various ticket types on offer, with upgrades including a private audience with Father Christmas and the chance to make your own memento in a crafts workshop. Wishmas is a captivating 60+ minute walkthrough experience that seamlessly blends the best of theatrical entertainment with the immersive wonder from Secret Cinema and Punchdrunk alums. Here, you'll encounter beloved and festive characters as you journey through the story of your Christmas wish. Wishmas is a breathtaking new standard of Christmas adventure, promising an unforgettable journey, teeming with incredible characters and mesmerising sights. 📍 Waterloo 💰 From £29.00 🕒 14th November 2023 - 7th January 2024 🎟️ Book via wishmas.co.uk Humbug: The Immersive Christmas Dive Bar The co-founder of Backyard Cinema and one of Immersive Everywhere's executive producers are bringing a new immersive experience to London this Christmas. Humbug - an immersive Christmas dive-bar is opening in Waterloo this November and will welcome guests into a 4-hour-long party with the big man himself. Split into two halves, with live music, festive DJ and sing-alongs following the 2-hour main show, this adults-only experience will see guests try to help Santa regain his Christmas spirit in his favourite watering hole alongside a cast of characters including the disgruntled dive bar waitress and a mailman who's lost all their letters to Santa. A mix of immersive storytelling, Christmas cabaret and festive cocktails, it promises to be a fun-filled party with something for everyone. Cocktails on offer will include 'The Grinch' and the 'Bah F****ing Humbug', which comes with a mince pie on top! Humbug is a brand-new Christmas adventure, set in a never-before-seen venue, hidden under Waterloo station. After uncovering the secret entrance, travel down a magical tunnel of Christmas lights to discover an unbelievable world of games and festivities. Here you will enjoy a 2-hour interactive show, where you meet Santa and his friends for a fun-filled evening of live performance and Christmas shenanigans. After the show the festivities continue into the night with live music, DJs, and sing-alongs. 📍 Waterloo 💰 From £29.50 🕒 15th November 2023 - 6th January 2024 🎟️ Book via humbugchristmas.co.uk The Great Christmas Feast - An Immersive Dining Experience The Great Christmas Feast is one of London's immersive dining mainstays. Now entering its sixth year, the show has quickly become many people's annual tradition - and for good reason. It's Christmas Eve 1894, and Charles Dickens is opening the doors to his home to guests - this immersive production of A Christmas Carol is famed for its world-class storytelling and excellent menu. Guests will tuck into a three-course meal designed by Ashley Clarke that's described as a 'love letter to Christmas in Victorian London'. From Smithfield Ham Hock Press or Covent Garden Pease Pudding for starters, and Michaelmas Duck or Tourte au Magi for your main, the meal is rounded off with Epiphany Tart - a black treacle and sweet ginger tart with Chantilly cream and mulled winter berry coulis. Additionally, there's a selection of Victorian-inspired cocktails on offer, including the legendary Smoking Bishop, the mysterious Rumfustian and the urbane Marley & Rye. With the backing of live music performed by violinist Guy Button, cellist Charlotte Kaslin and percussionist Beth Higham-Edwards, Alex Phelps (Shakespeare’s Globe) stars as Charles Dickens in the immersive show that's seen critical acclaim and sold out performances for the last five years. You'll see Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the Ghosts of Christmas come to life around you through the course of the 3-hour show. Travel back in time to Christmas Eve 1843 and step inside the enchanted home of Charles Dickens. As night draws in, Charles leads you and your fellow guests through a critically acclaimed immersive production of A Christmas Carol, accompanied by cinematic live music and a three-course Victorian feasting menu. Sold-out for five years and now in its sixth year, every Great Christmas Feast is a special occasion, and the experience continues to evolve. Bigger and better than ever before, a legendary night of feasting, drinking and fantasy awaits. Just remember – Marley was dead to begin with... 📍 West Kensington 💰 From £149.50 🕒 14th November - January 14th 2024 🎟️ Book via christmasfeast.thelostestate.com Velvet Pines - Immersive Christmas Party Swamp Motel has long been a shape-shifter when it comes to immersive experiences. With every new production, they seem to reinvent themselves. From the excellent Zoom-based escape experience Isklander, to The Drop - one of the most innovative and meta pieces of immersive entertainment we've ever experienced and more recently Saint Jude, the AI-infused audio experience that debuted earlier this year, no two Swamp Motel shows are the same. They return for Christmas with a brand-new experience - Velvet Pines. A mix of fine dining, immersive cabaret performances and meticulous set design, this immersive Christmas party is their most ambitious show to date. With a menu designed by Omar Foster (Masterchef 2023 Finalist), their retro-inspired but wholly inventive three-course menu includes Roasted Jerusalem artichoke, duck miso bourguignon and an iconic Bombe Alaska. By way of entertainment, there's a troupe of artists including aerial performer Angeliki Nikolakaki, performer Ash Weir (But I'm a Cheerleader - Turbine Theatre) and Ginger Johnson (currently on Series 5 of RuPaul's Drag Race UK) on select dates. Oh, did we also mention there's a yeti on the loose?! Welcome to the alpine town of Velvet Pines. The storm of the century is rolling in, and we’re cut off from rescue. You’ll need to brave the blizzard and take shelter at the hotel, populated by a cast of charming characters devoted to keeping your festive spirits up, even if the power in the town is down. Fortunately, this plucky ensemble has everything you need for an unforgettable Christmas party. Enjoy a drinks reception in the hotel... reception, then take your seat in the grand lodge, dripping in 70’s inspired design. The staff will be working hard to keep the emergency generator humming along as the dining hall plays host to a troupe of daring cabaret acts, a charismatic host and a truly sumptuous menu of incredible Christmas food and cocktails. 📍 London Bridge 💰 From £149.95 🕒 9th November - December 23rd 2023 🎟️ Book via velvetpines.co.uk For the latest news and updates on all things immersive in London, follow us on Twitter or Instagram 🎅

From boozy immersive dive bars, to fantastical Christmas adventures and festive three-course meals, here are our recommendations for the best immersive experiences in London this side of New Year's... With the nights drawing in and the temperature beginning to drop, Christmas is fast approaching. While London has no shortage of festive activities, you might be on the lookout for something a bit more interactive and immersive. We've made a list, checked it twice, and these are our picks of London's best immersive experiences this Christmas. From family-friend festive adventures to immersive three-course meals and adults-only parties with Santa, these are the top immersive offerings this Christmas... HUMBUG! Immersive Christmas Dive Bar Photo: Grant Walker Returning for 2024 following a sold-out season on Leake Street beneath Waterloo Station, HUMBUG is an immersive adults-only Christmas dive bar experience. Split into two halves, with live music, festive DJs and singalongs following the 2-hour main show, guests need to try and help Santa regain their Christmas spirit in his favourite watering hole alongside a cast of characters including Daphne, the disgruntled dive bar waitress, Rudy, the bar's overworked owner, and Howard the mailman, who's misplaced all of the letters addressed to Santa after one too many cocktails. This year, the experience is bigger than ever, taking over The Truman Brewery in Brick Lane, and includes brand-new rooms and spaces including a hectic mailroom, Santa’s ‘Grotto’, a shrine dedicated to the Queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey, and a festive themed beer can bowling alley. Throughout the night, guests can sip on festive tipples from HUMBUG’s ‘Naughty or Nice’ cocktail menu including the ‘Bah F*****g Humbug’, which comes with a mince pie on top, before refuelling in the spacious outdoor courtyard where they can tuck into a full menu of festive-themed street food from Bang Bang Burger. Photo: Grant Walker Santa’s been working overtime for centuries and he’s hit breaking point so, of course, he’s back at his favourite dive bar where Christmas cheer (and booze) is available on tap. Along with some of Santa’s closest friends, guests will be tasked with bringing their Christmas A-game, ready to help the big man get his groove back and, as long as they do, everyone will be rewarded with an epic party complete with confetti canons, merriment and festive surprises.  Photos: Grant Walker 📍 Brick Lane 💰 From £25.00 🕒 14th November - 31st December 2024 🎟️ Book via humbugchristmas.co.uk PHantom Peak's Wintermas Photo: Alistair Veryard Hot on the heels of its excellent Halloween season , the town of Phantom Peak will once again be getting a festive makeover for its Christmas offering, Wintermas. Continuing the show's ongoing story, this festive version of the platypus-obsessed mining town will have 10 brand-new festive trails for guests to complete. Last year's Wintermas saw the return of demigod Father Platmas, who vowed to take down JONACO following their imprisonment in a make-shift jail during Phantom Peak's first Wintermas. Mayor Pocket, who had just been re-elected, cordoned off a large part of town around Father Platmas' Grotto and a Defence Centre was erected to try and keep them at bay - a plan that ultimately failed. The specifics of what's in store this Wintermas are still under wraps, but it's safe to assume that the town will be on high alert for the return of the man in purple. To finish all the trails on offer at Phantom Peak you'll need at least two visits, but a one-off trip is still a great experience, with the various storylines you complete throughout the 4-hour long experience all getting wrapped up neatly during the closing ceremony. Photos: Alistair Veryard Step into Phantom Peak's one-of-a-kind Wintermas celebrations, where festive fun meets the usual adventures and mystery of town. Join Mayor Pocket, Dr Winter, and all of your favourite townsfolk as we present a season full of surprises, schemes, shivers, and secrets - a season where the town itself faces the biggest challenge yet. Phantom Peak is a family-friendly experience, and the free-roaming, experience-at-your-own-pace design of the show means you can take a break from the storylines at any time and pick them back up without missing anything. There's a string of additional activities on offer beside the trails, including carnival games, Afternoon Tea, Father Platmas Grotto visits and the Wintermas Puzzle Hunt for those looking to pack their visit full of extra festive cheer. 📍 Canada Water 💰 From £42.00 🕒 21st November 2024 - 19th January 2025 🎟️ Book via phantompeak.com The Great Christmas Feast - An Immersive Dining Experience Photo: The Lost Estate The Great Christmas Feast is one of London's immersive dining mainstays. Now entering its seventh year, the show is quickly become many people's annual tradition - and for good reason. It's Christmas Eve 1894, and Charles Dickens is opening the doors to his home to guests - this immersive production of A Christmas Carol is famed for its world-class storytelling and excellent menu. Guests will tuck into a three-course meal designed by Ashley Clarke that's described as a 'love letter to Christmas in Victorian London'. From Smithfield Pressing or Spiced Beets Terrine for starters and Confit Gressingham Duck or Devon Tart for your main, the meal is rounded off with Twelfth Night Cake. Additionally, there's a selection of Victorian-inspired cocktails on offer including the legendary Smoking Bishop, Pear Tree Cup, and the House Punch. Alex Phelps (Shakespeare’s Globe) stars as Charles Dickens in the immersive show that's seen critical-acclaim and sold-out performances for the last five years. You'll see Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the Ghosts of Christmas come to life around you through the course of the 3-hour show. Christmas Eve. Charles Dickens – writer, performer, occasional magician – is preparing his famous annual feast at his home near Regents Park. This year is very different. Charles has spent months stalking the City at midnight ; locked in his study, weeping and gaffawing at who knows what ; ushering vast theatrical machines into his home amid the pre-dawn light. Tonight, you, and his other guests, will discover why. T onight, ‘ A Christmas Carol’, the greatest festive tale ever told, will be born. 📍 West Kensington 💰 From £135.00 🕒 1st November 2024 - 12th January 2025 🎟️ Book via christmasfeast.thelostestate.com Dead Hard - Immersive Christmas Drag Panto Photo: Yippee Theatre Brand new immersive theatre company, Yippee Theatre, will debut their first production this festive season at COLAB Tower on South Bank. Dead Hard is an immersive drag pantomime, which will lovingly send up the long-debated Christmas classic, Die Hard (which is 100% a Christmas film by the way!). The show will see Hands Grubber and John McClean facing off against each other over the course of 150 minutes. Expect plenty of lip-sync battles, thrilling heist scenes, and unexpected romantic moments, all set to a soundtrack that will have you singing along. Photos: Yippee Theatre Audiences will follow fabulous drag queen Hands Grubber and the daring John McClean. Join John as they journey from being a gym bro to exploring their sexuality through a series of explosive encounters and comedic twists. All set against the backdrop of a Christmas party gone wrong, this production pushes the boundaries of traditional pantomime through a completely immersive environment. Taking on the role of the antagonist, Hands Grubber is Toby Osmond (Game of Thrones, Summerland) who will perform alongside their counterpart, Alex Dowding (NewsRevue, Jack and the Beanstalk) as John McClean. Calum Robshaw (East 15 Acting School, Boomtown Festival) is multi-rolling as Theo/Neo when siding with Grubber and as Holly, McClean’s wife. Jacqui Bardelang (The Nevers, BATSU!) appears as Towel in this riotous parody of a Christmas tale! 📍 London Bridge 💰 From £32.00 🕒 10th December 2024 - 12th January 2025 🎟️ Book via colabtheatre.co.uk Viola’s Room – A Christmas Tale While Punchdrunk's latest show, Viola's Room, may have been running since May at the company's Woolwich headquarters, it's had a festive re-theme ahead of its final performances on 23rd December. Based on Barry Pain's gothic short story, The Moon Slave, Viola's Room invites guests to explore a maze of rooms and passageways barefoot, while listening to Helena Bonham Carter’s narration through headphones. Over the course of 45 minutes, visitors follow the story of Princess Viola, a teenage girl who finds herself drawn to the centre of a hedge maze one evening and compulsively dances for hours on end after surrendering her free will to the Moon. It's a wonderfully moody and atmospheric experience which is unlike anything else on offer in London. From 20 November through to the end of the run, Viola’s Room will undergo a festive transformation with the launch of Viola’s Room: A Christmas Tale. Featuring Christmas music alongside other seasonal twists, visitors will be able to experience a different version of Punchdrunk’s intimate, linear immersive tale.  An audio-driven journey through a moonlit fever dream. Barefoot and wearing headphones, audiences feel their way through a labyrinthine installation as an unseen narrator reveals a story of innocence lost and obsession unleashed. Written by Booker Prize-shortlisted Daisy Johnson, Viola’s Room reimagines a classic gothic mystery for a new audience. It distils two decades of Punchdrunk’s immersive practice into an intimate sensory adventure that promises to infuse the dreams of anyone who dares to follow the light. Photo: Julian Abrams/Punchdrunk 📍 Woolwich 💰 From £28.50 🕒 20th November - 23rd December 2024 🎟️ Book via punchdrunk.com Jury Games: Death at the Office Christmas Party Photo: Jury Games Jury Games were born in the midst of the 2020 lockdowns. The brainchild of Tom Black, Joe Ball, Edward Andrews and Ellie Russo, the Zoom-based immersive experience invited attendees to become jury members, who were asked to look over the evidence, talk to suspects and deliberate over their final verdict. With the show becoming a runaway success that ran throughout the pandemic, it later transferred to Theatre Deli near Aldgate for a real-life version. Throughout December on select dates, players can take on Death at the Office Christmas Party, a slightly sillier, festive version of a typical Jury Games show. Over the course of 90 minutes, you'll be reviewing physical evidence, sworn statements, and CCTV footage, as well as interrogating a couple of hungover suspects, to try and get to the bottom of what happened at the office Christmas party in which the company's CEO was found dead. The high-flying CEO of a ride-sharing app dropped dead at his office Christmas party last night. Police suspect foul play but have little to go on. The room was full of witnesses, but can you distinguish the useless gossip from the crucial leads? By comparing CCTV evidence and witness statements with information you can get by questioning two very hungover eyewitnesses, you have a chance of putting together the pieces of last night. Was the boss's sudden death an accident? And if it wasn't, who's to blame? Photo: Jury Games 📍 Aldgate 💰 From £41.65 🕒 6th - 21st December 2024 🎟️ Book via jurygames.com Once Upon a Kingswood Christmas Returning for its second year at Kingswood Arts in Sydenham Hill, Once Upon A Kingswood Christmas is an immersive promenade show designed with families in mind. Running between 45-50 minutes long, the experience takes visitors through several beautiful sets, as characters welcome them into a bespoke Christmas Tale in which they need to help Bella find the Fairtyale Alliance, rescue Father Christmas from the clutches of the Snow Queen and save the festive season. The show has been created by Cerebrum Entertainment, who have previously created immersive experiences for the likes of Warner Bros, New Line Cinema, Amazon Prime and Paramount+. Photo: Cerebrum Entertainment Delve into the magical world of 'Once Upon a Kingswood Christmas' and embark on a journey that will spark wonder and joy in the hearts of both young and old. Our show is a celebration of love, family, and the true spirit of Christmas. Immerse yourself in a captivating tale that will transport you to a winter wonderland like no other. Let your imagination soar as you discover the origins, traditions, and joyous inspirations behind this new and exciting Christmas Fairytale. With every moment you spend, you'll be captivated, amazed, and filled with the warmth of the holiday season. Photos: Cerebrum Entertainment 📍 Kingswood Arts, Sydenham Hill 💰 From £20.00 (Group of 4 for £60.00) 🕒 14th - 24th December 2024 🎟️ Book via onceuponachristmas.uk For the latest news and updates on all things immersive in London, follow us on Instagram  🎅