Mr Popper's Penguins (Pins and Needles musical with penguin puppets)
Waterside Arts, Sale · 15 min
Public shows weekends and 19–27 Dec, times vary; BSL and relaxed performance Sat 5 Dec 11am; 60 mins, age 3+Relaxed Sat 5 Dec£10–25
Christmas shows for kids near Timperley 2026
There are 53 Christmas shows within an hour of Timperley this Christmas, 2 of them free. The nearest is Mr Popper's Penguins at Waterside Arts (15 min, from Mon 30 Nov). 4 are selling fast or sold out. For pantomimes, see every panto, compared.
Updated . We look for new ones every week and add them as they're announced.
Nothing matches all of those.
On the doorstep 2
Snowstorm: A Frozen Adventure (ice show)
The Trafford Centre, Trafford Park · 15 min
Fri 4 Dec to Sun 3 Jan, several shows a day; the on-site box office opens Mon 30 Nov, daily 11am to 7pm; show times on the booking page£10–25
Under half an hour away 32
Matthew Bourne's Cinderella (New Adventures, 30th anniversary)
The Lowry, Salford Quays · 18 min
Tue–Sat; evening shows plus matinees (check times)£25+
The Jolly Christmas Postman
The Lowry, Salford Quays · 18 min
Fri 4 Dec - Sun 3 JanRelaxed Sun 27 Dec£10–25
Showstopper at Christmas! (improvised musical)
The Lowry, Salford Quays · 18 min
Thu 10 – Sun 20 Dec; the Lowry suggests ages 12+£10–25
A Christmas Carol (The Old Vic)
The Lowry, Salford Quays · 18 min
Fri 11 Dec – Sun 10 Jan; ages 8+, about 2 hours with an interval£25+
A Very Messy Christmas
The Lowry, Salford Quays · 18 min
Wed 23 Dec to Sun 3 Jan, matinee performances; a sensory show for ages 0 to 3, baby-friendly£10–25
A Very Merry Minifest
Z-arts, Hulme, Manchester · 20 min
Sat 5 Dec, 11am and 2pm; about 1 hour; ages 2 to 8£10–25
NCO Christmas Concert at Tatton Park
Tatton Park, Knutsford · 22 min
Fri 4 Dec, performances 3.30pm and 7pm£10–25
Crown Ballet presents The Nutcracker
Stockport Plaza · 25 min
Tue 7.30pm (performed to recorded music)£10–25
A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens plays 30 characters, ages 8+)
Stockport Plaza · 25 min
Wed 11 and Thu 12 Nov; times on the booking page£10–25
The Snowman: Live with Yorkshire Imperial Band
Stockport Plaza · 25 min
Fri 13 Nov, 7pm; Cert U£10–25
Believe! The Polar Express Experience
O2 Victoria Warehouse, Trafford Wharf, Manchester · 25 min
Date unconfirmed · 14 Nov-31 Dec; session times not listedRelaxed£25+
A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong
Opera House Manchester, Manchester city centre · 25 min
Tue 17 to Sat 21 Nov; times on ATG£25+
Christmas at the Movies (candlelit film-music concert, London Concertante)
Manchester Cathedral · 25 min
Date unconfirmed · Sun 22 Nov; start time on the booking page (the listing text is unclear)£25+
Everything Stops For Festive Tea (fundraising afternoon tea with entertainment)
Stockport Plaza · 25 min
Sun 29 Nov, 4pm; shared tables, served by the Plazarettes£10–25
The Puppet Folk Experience celebrates The Muppet Christmas Carol (live puppet tribute)
Manchester Central Library, Manchester city centre · 25 min
Thu 3 Dec 7pm–8.30pm£10–25
The Hallé: The Snowman and Friends
The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester · 25 min
Sun 6 Dec, 1pm and 4pm (hour-long concert)£25+
Shiny Christmas (show for babies and toddlers, ages 0–4)
Z-arts, Hulme · 25 min
Fri 11 to Wed 30 Dec; 10.15am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm on most days (not every day has all three); 50 minutes; ages 0 to 4£10–25
Hallé Christmas Family Concert: A Festive World Adventure
The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester city centre · 25 min
Sun 13 Dec, 3pm; presented by children's TV presenter Abby Cook, with sing-along moments and a possible visit from Santa£10–25
Stockport Symphony Orchestra Christmas family matinee
Stockport Town Hall · 25 min
Sun 13 Dec, 3pm-5.30pmUnder £10
The Hallé: Christmas Cracker (festive hits and The Nightmare Before Christmas film music)
The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester city centre · 25 min
Fri 18 Dec, 7.30pm£10–25
Stockport Multicultural Christmas Concert
Stockroom, Merseyway, Stockport · 25 min
Sat 19 Dec, 2pm-4pmFree
RNCM Christmas Family Day: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse with live orchestra
Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester (Oxford Road) · 25 min
Sun 20 Dec 2026; sessions 10am-12.30pm and 1.30-4pm£10–25
The Music of Zimmer vs Williams (Manchester Concert Orchestra)
The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester · 25 min
Sun 27 Dec, 3pm£25+
The Nutcracker - Varna International Ballet and Orchestra
The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester · 25 min
Sat 2 Jan, 5.30pm£25+
Snow White - Varna International Ballet and Orchestra
The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester · 25 min
Sat 2 and Sun 3 Jan, 2pm matinees£25+
Swan Lake - Varna International Ballet and Orchestra
The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester · 25 min
Sun 5.30pm (last day of the Christmas holidays)£25+
Frozen Jr (NK Theatre Arts junior cast)
Romiley Forum, Romiley, Stockport · 30 min
Thu 3 - Sat 5 Dec; Thu 7pm, other times on the Forum siteSelling fast£10–25
Christmas Crackers! family concert with Chetham's Symphony Orchestra
The Stoller Hall, Manchester · 30 min
Sat 12 Dec, two concerts: 10am (doors 9.30am) and 12pm (doors 11.30am); about an hour; BSL support signed by the presenter£10.50 a child, adults £10.50
Disney On Ice: Discover the Magic
AO Arena, Manchester · 30 min
Wed 16 - Sun 20 Dec; 5pm & 6.30pm midweek, earlier shows Fri-Sun£25+
A Christmas Carol performed by Gerald Charles Dickens (great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens)
The Stoller Hall, Manchester city centre · 30 min
Sun 20 Dec, 2.30pm matinee (doors 2pm) and 7.30pm£10–25
Christmas Musical Spectacular with Michael Ball
AO Arena, Manchester · 30 min
Tue 22 and Wed 23 Dec, event starts 4pm£25+
Under 45 minutes away 14
Cinderella: A Fairytale (Octagon Christmas show, ages 5+)
Octagon Theatre, Bolton · 35 min
Fri 20 Nov to Sat 9 Jan; evenings at 7pm, matinees mostly 2.15pm; Sun 20 Dec and Sun 3 Jan at 1pm and 5pm; Thu 24 Dec 11am and 4pm; Thu 31 Dec 1pm; weekday 10.15am shows are school-friendlyRelaxed Sun 3 Jan£10–25
A Christmas Carol (professional family production at The Grange)
The Grange Theatre, Hartford, Northwich · 35 min
Fri 4 Dec (preview, 7pm); Sat 5 Dec 1pm and 5pm; Fri 11 Dec 7pm; Sat 12 Dec 1pm and 5pm; Sun 13 Dec 11am and 3pm (relaxed); Sat 19 Dec 1pm and 5pm; Sun 20 Dec 11am and 3pm; Tue 22 Dec 2.30pmRelaxed Sun 13 Dec£10–25
Sammy the Snowman's Christmas Surprise (Octagon and The Big Tiny)
Octagon Theatre, Bolton · 35 min
Wed 9 to Thu 24 Dec (no shows 18 or 19 Dec); 11am and 1pm most days, also 3pm on 12, 14, 16, 21 and 23 Dec; Sun 20 Dec 12.30pm and 3.30pm; Thu 24 Dec 11.30am and 1.30pm; age 3+£10–25
Santa LIVE! (interactive show with a photo with Santa)
Albert Halls Bolton · 35 min
Shows on 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 Dec (none on Mon 14 or Fri 18 Dec); several a day, morning from about 10am, then 1pm and 3.30pm, one 6pm show; about an hour£13 a child, adults £13
Goofus Theatre: Stars and Stones (puppet show in the Space Dome)
Jodrell Bank, Goostrey, Macclesfield · 35 min
Sat 19 and Sun 20 Dec, showings 11.15am, 12.45pm and 2.30pmUnder £10
Brass Monkeys: Christmas brass bands in the town centre
Oldham town centre · 40 min
Sat 5 Dec, 11am–4pmFree
A Christmas Carol in the Great Hall at Smithills Hall
Smithills Hall, Bolton · 40 min
Sat and Sun 5pm and 7pm£10–25
A Christmas Carol (A Place For Us Theatre Company)
Norton Priory Museum & Gardens, Runcorn · 40 min
Wed 16 – Fri 18 Dec, 6pm or 7.45pm; 60 minutes£10–25
A Christmas Carol (Shakespeare North Playhouse family Christmas show)
Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot · 45 min
Fri 20 Nov to Sat 2 Jan; evenings at 6pm or 7pm, plus matinees at 10.30am, 1pm or 2pm on many days (11am and 3pm on Christmas Eve); age 7+£10–25
Nativity! The Musical (Show Ready Productions)
Lyceum Theatre, Crewe · 45 min
Date unconfirmed · Wed 25 to Sat 28 Nov, with a Saturday matinee; times on the booking pageSelling fast£10–25
The Pied Piper of Hamelin
Millgate Arts Centre, Delph, Saddleworth · 45 min
Sat 5 Dec-Sat 2 Jan; first show Sat 5 Dec 1pm; shows through Christmas and New Year, prices vary by date£10–25
The Princess & The Frog (interactive Christmas show, ages 3-8)
Buxton Opera House · 45 min
Sat 12 - Wed 23 Dec; 1 hour, no interval; showtimes on the venue siteRelaxed Sun 13 Dec£10–25
Christmas Underground: Brass & Voices
Poole's Cavern, Buxton · 45 min
Sun 13 Dec, 7pm; pre-booking required£10–25
Worth the drive 5
'Twas the Night Before Christmas (immersive Victorian Christmas Eve market in the Stable Yard, LJMU students)
Croxteth Hall, Croxteth, Liverpool · 50 min
Thu 10 and Fri 11 Dec 6pm; Sat 12 Dec 1pm and 4pm; outdoors, bring a torchSelling fastUnder £10
The Borrowers (New Vic 40th-anniversary Christmas show, in the round)
New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme · 55 min
Matinees and evenings; see the New Vic for times£10–25
Christmas concerts in the Great Hall (choirs, hand chimes, lute and flute)
Rufford Old Hall, Rufford, near Ormskirk · 55 min
Fri/Sat/Sun; mostly 11am–1pm (lute and flute Sundays 11am–3.30pm; Preston Orpheus Choir Sat 12 Dec 11.30 and 12.30); Great Hall holds 60 so arrive early£10–25
The Reindeer Who Saved Christmas
Storyhouse, Chester · 55 min
Mon 14 - Thu 24 Dec; approx 60 minutes; recommended 3+Selling fast£10–25
The Snowman family concert, hosted by Maddie Moate
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall · 55 min
Sat 19 - Sun 20 Dec 2026 (BSL-interpreted show Sat 2.30pm)£10–25
Free Christmas shows 2
- Stockport Multicultural Christmas Concert Stockport · Sat 19 Dec · 25 min · Free
- Brass Monkeys: Christmas brass bands in the town centre Oldham · Sat 5 Dec · 40 min · Free
By area 53
Nearest areas first.
In Trafford (Sale)
2
- Mr Popper's Penguins Sale · until Sun 27 Dec · 15 min
- Snowstorm: A Frozen Adventure Trafford Park · until Sun 3 Jan · 15 min
In Salford (Trafford Wharf)
6
- Matthew Bourne's Cinderella Salford Quays · until Sat 28 Nov · 18 min
- The Jolly Christmas Postman Salford Quays · until Sun 3 Jan · 18 min
- Showstopper at Christmas! Salford Quays · until Sun 20 Dec · 18 min
- A Christmas Carol Salford Quays · until Sun 10 Jan · 18 min
- A Very Messy Christmas Salford Quays · until Sun 3 Jan · 18 min
- Believe! The Polar Express Experience Trafford Wharf · until Thu 31 Dec · 25 min
In Manchester (Hulme)
18
- A Very Merry Minifest Hulme · Sat 5 Dec · 20 min
- A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong Manchester city centre · until Sat 21 Nov · 25 min
- Christmas at the Movies Manchester · Sun 22 Nov · 25 min
- The Sorcerer's Apprentice Manchester · until Sat 2 Jan · 25 min
- The Puppet Folk Experience celebrates The Muppet Christmas Carol Manchester city centre · Thu 3 Dec · 25 min
- The Hallé: The Snowman and Friends Manchester · Sun 6 Dec · 25 min
- Shiny Christmas Hulme · until Wed 30 Dec · 25 min
- Hallé Christmas Family Concert: A Festive World Adventure Manchester city centre · Sun 13 Dec · 25 min
- The Hallé: Christmas Cracker Manchester city centre · Fri 18 Dec · 25 min
- RNCM Christmas Family Day: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse with live orchestra Manchester (Oxford Road) · Sun 20 Dec · 25 min
- The Music of Zimmer vs Williams Manchester · Sun 27 Dec · 25 min
- The Nutcracker - Varna International Ballet and Orchestra Manchester · Sat 2 Jan · 25 min
- Snow White - Varna International Ballet and Orchestra Manchester · Sat 2 Jan · 25 min
- Swan Lake - Varna International Ballet and Orchestra Manchester · Sun 3 Jan · 25 min
- Christmas Crackers! family concert with Chetham's Symphony Orchestra Manchester · Sat 12 Dec · 30 min
- Disney On Ice: Discover the Magic Manchester · until Sun 20 Dec · 30 min
- A Christmas Carol performed by Gerald Charles Dickens Manchester city centre · Sun 20 Dec · 30 min
- Christmas Musical Spectacular with Michael Ball Manchester · Tue 22 Dec · 30 min
In Stockport (Romiley)
7
- Crown Ballet presents The Nutcracker Stockport · Tue 10 Nov · 25 min
- A Christmas Carol Stockport · Wed 11 Nov · 25 min
- The Snowman: Live with Yorkshire Imperial Band Stockport · Fri 13 Nov · 25 min
- Everything Stops For Festive Tea Stockport · Sun 29 Nov · 25 min
- Stockport Symphony Orchestra Christmas family matinee Stockport · Sun 13 Dec · 25 min
- Stockport Multicultural Christmas Concert Stockport · Sat 19 Dec · 25 min · Free
- Frozen Jr (NK Theatre Arts junior cast) Romiley · Thu 3 Dec · 30 min
In Cheshire East (Knutsford, Goostrey, Crewe)
3
- NCO Christmas Concert at Tatton Park Knutsford · Fri 4 Dec · 22 min
- Goofus Theatre: Stars and Stones Goostrey · Sat 19 Dec · 35 min
- Nativity! The Musical Crewe · Wed 25 Nov · 45 min
In Bolton
4
- Cinderella: A Fairytale Bolton · until Sat 9 Jan · 35 min
- Sammy the Snowman's Christmas Surprise Bolton · until Thu 24 Dec · 35 min
- Santa LIVE! (interactive show with a photo with Santa) Bolton · until Thu 24 Dec · 35 min
- A Christmas Carol in the Great Hall at Smithills Hall Bolton · Sat 5 Dec · 40 min
In Oldham (Delph)
2
- Brass Monkeys: Christmas brass bands in the town centre Oldham · Sat 5 Dec · 40 min · Free
- The Pied Piper of Hamelin Delph · until Sat 2 Jan · 45 min
In High Peak (Buxton)
2
- The Princess & The Frog Buxton · until Wed 23 Dec · 45 min
- Christmas Underground: Brass & Voices Buxton · Sun 13 Dec · 45 min
Further afield
9
- The Nutcracker Warrington · Wed 11 Nov · 35 min
- A Christmas Carol Hartford · until Tue 22 Dec · 35 min
- A Christmas Carol Runcorn · Wed 16 Dec · 40 min
- A Christmas Carol Prescot · until Sat 2 Jan · 45 min
- 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Croxteth · Thu 10 Dec · 50 min
- The Snowman family concert, hosted by Maddie Moate Liverpool · Sat 19 Dec · 55 min
- The Borrowers Newcastle-under-Lyme · until Sat 23 Jan · 55 min
- Christmas concerts in the Great Hall Rufford · until Sun 20 Dec · 55 min
- The Reindeer Who Saved Christmas Chester · until Thu 24 Dec · 55 min
Every one side by side
The same list as a table, nearest first. A dash means the organiser doesn't say.
| What | When | Price | Running time | Age guide | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Popper's PenguinsWaterside Arts · 15 min | 30 Nov – 27 Dec 2026 | £16.50–£21.50; £10 low-income tickets on 5, 6 and 27 Dec; 10% off for members | 1 hour | Age 3+ | On sale |
| Snowstorm: A Frozen AdventureThe Trafford Centre · 15 min | 4 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | From about £11.99 a ticket (listing); prices show at checkout | – | – | On sale |
| Matthew Bourne's CinderellaThe Lowry · 18 min | 24–28 Nov 2026 | £25+ | – | – | On sale |
| The Jolly Christmas PostmanThe Lowry · 18 min | 4 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | Prices on The Lowry site | – | – | On sale |
| Showstopper at Christmas!The Lowry · 18 min | 10–20 Dec 2026 | Prices on thelowry.com (site was behind a queue when checked) | – | – | – |
| A Christmas CarolThe Lowry · 18 min | 11 Dec 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 | £25+ | – | – | On sale |
| A Very Messy ChristmasThe Lowry · 18 min | 23 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | Prices and age guidance not readable - thelowry.com event pages were behind a queue system when checked | – | – | – |
| A Very Merry MinifestZ-arts · 20 min | Sat 5 Dec 2026 | £10 (20% off for Bright Sparks members) | 1 hour | Ages 2 – 8 | On sale |
| NCO Christmas Concert at Tatton ParkTatton Park · 22 min | Fri 4 Dec 2026 | Ticket price not shown on page | 2 hours, with an interval | – | On sale |
| Crown Ballet presents The NutcrackerStockport Plaza · 25 min | Tue 10 Nov 2026 | Price not shown on listing | – | – | On sale |
| A Christmas CarolStockport Plaza · 25 min | 11–12 Nov 2026 | £15 school-group rate shown; standard price on booking page | – | Recommended ages 8+ | On sale |
| The Snowman: Live with Yorkshire Imperial BandStockport Plaza · 25 min | Fri 13 Nov 2026 | Tickets via Quaytickets | – | Cert U; for audiences of all ages | On sale |
| Believe! The Polar Express ExperienceO2 Victoria Warehouse · 25 min | 14 Nov – 31 Dec 2026 | Prices not published in source; check Ticketmaster | 1 hour | – | On sale |
| A Christmas Carol Goes WrongOpera House Manchester · 25 min | 17–21 Nov 2026 | Ticket prices vary by seat; check ATG | – | – | On sale |
| Christmas at the MoviesManchester Cathedral · 25 min | Sun 22 Nov 2026 | About £36 to £70 depending on seat band (listing) | – | – | On sale |
| The Sorcerer's ApprenticeHOME · 25 min | 27 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 | Prices TBC on HOME site | – | – | On sale |
| Everything Stops For Festive TeaStockport Plaza · 25 min | Sun 29 Nov 2026 | Tickets via the Plaza box office; proceeds to the restoration appeal | – | – | On sale |
| The Puppet Folk Experience celebrates The Muppet Christmas CarolManchester Central Library · 25 min | Thu 3 Dec 2026 | £6–£20 | 1 hr 30 min | All ages | On sale |
| The Hallé: The Snowman and FriendsThe Bridgewater Hall · 25 min | Sun 6 Dec 2026 | Adult £29, child £18.75, family of 4 £73.25 (incl. booking fee) | 1 hour | – | On sale |
| Shiny ChristmasZ-arts · 25 min | 11–30 Dec 2026 | £10 a ticket; 20% off for Bright Sparks members and M15 residents | 50 minutes | 0 – 4 | On sale |
| Hallé Christmas Family Concert: A Festive World AdventureThe Bridgewater Hall · 25 min | Sun 13 Dec 2026 | Adult £29, child £18.75, family of four £73.25 | – | – | On sale |
| Stockport Symphony Orchestra Christmas family matineeStockport Town Hall · 25 min | Sun 13 Dec 2026 | Adults £16, concessions £14, students under 21 £5, accompanied under-16s £5 | – | – | On sale |
| The Hallé: Christmas CrackerThe Bridgewater Hall · 25 min | Fri 18 Dec 2026 | £30–£57.50 | – | – | On sale |
| Stockport Multicultural Christmas ConcertStockroom · 25 min | Sat 19 Dec 2026 | Free | – | – | No booking |
| RNCM Christmas Family Day: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse with live orchestraRoyal Northern College of Music · 25 min | Sun 20 Dec 2026 | £10-£16; under-2s on a lap free | – | Audiences of all ages | On sale |
| The Music of Zimmer vs WilliamsThe Bridgewater Hall · 25 min | Sun 27 Dec 2026 | £29.75-£53.25 | – | – | On sale |
| The Nutcracker - Varna International Ballet and OrchestraThe Bridgewater Hall · 25 min | Sat 2 Jan 2027 | £41.50-£58 incl. fee | – | A ballet for all the family | On sale |
| Snow White - Varna International Ballet and OrchestraThe Bridgewater Hall · 25 min | 2–3 Jan 2027 | £41.50-£58 incl. fee | – | A ballet for all ages | On sale |
| Swan Lake - Varna International Ballet and OrchestraThe Bridgewater Hall · 25 min | Sun 3 Jan 2027 | £41.50–£58 incl. booking fee | – | – | On sale |
| Frozen Jr (NK Theatre Arts junior cast)Romiley Forum · 30 min | 3–5 Dec 2026 | £12.50-£15 | – | For audiences of all ages | Selling fast |
| Christmas Crackers! family concert with Chetham's Symphony OrchestraThe Stoller Hall · 30 min | Sat 12 Dec 2026 | From £10.50 | 1 hour | Ideal for families with children aged 7+ | On sale |
| Disney On Ice: Discover the MagicAO Arena · 30 min | 16–20 Dec 2026 | Ticketmaster; prices vary by seat | – | – | On sale |
| A Christmas Carol performed by Gerald Charles DickensThe Stoller Hall · 30 min | Sun 20 Dec 2026 | £20.50–£31.50 | – | – | On sale |
| Christmas Musical Spectacular with Michael BallAO Arena · 30 min | 22–23 Dec 2026 | Tickets via Ticketmaster | – | – | On sale |
| The NutcrackerParr Hall · 35 min | Wed 11 Nov 2026 | £24 / £32 / £34 plus booking fee | – | – | On sale |
| Cinderella: A FairytaleOctagon Theatre · 35 min | 20 Nov 2026 – 9 Jan 2027 | From £15; children save up to £8 a ticket | – | Age 5+ but all are welcome (some scenes may be a little frightening for younger children) | On sale |
| A Christmas CarolThe Grange Theatre · 35 min | 4–22 Dec 2026 | From £10 (the preview on Fri 4 Dec is £10 for every seat) | – | – | On sale |
| Sammy the Snowman's Christmas SurpriseOctagon Theatre · 35 min | 9–24 Dec 2026 | Adult £14, child £12 | – | Age 3+ | On sale |
| Santa LIVE! (interactive show with a photo with Santa)Albert Halls Bolton · 35 min | 12–24 Dec 2026 | From £13 | 1 hour | – | On sale |
| Goofus Theatre: Stars and StonesJodrell Bank · 35 min | 19–20 Dec 2026 | £6 per person plus valid annual ticket | – | – | On sale |
| Brass Monkeys: Christmas brass bands in the town centreOldham town centre · 40 min | Sat 5 Dec 2026 | Free | – | – | No booking |
| A Christmas Carol in the Great Hall at Smithills HallSmithills Hall · 40 min | 5–6 Dec 2026 | Ticketed; ages 7+ | – | 7+ | – |
| A Christmas CarolNorton Priory Museum & Gardens · 40 min | 16–18 Dec 2026 | Adult £16, child £9 | 1 hour | – | On sale |
| A Christmas CarolShakespeare North Playhouse · 45 min | 20 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 | From £10; some pay-what-you-decide performances | – | 7+ | On sale |
| Nativity! The MusicalLyceum Theatre · 45 min | 25–28 Nov 2026 | From £20 on the booking listing | – | For audiences of all ages | Selling fast |
| The Pied Piper of HamelinMillgate Arts Centre · 45 min | 5 Dec 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 | Prices vary by date and seat; see TicketSource | – | Perfect for audiences of all ages | On sale |
| The Princess & The FrogBuxton Opera House · 45 min | 12–23 Dec 2026 | From £12, children £9 | 1 hour, no interval | 3+ (perfect for ages 3-8) | – |
| Christmas Underground: Brass & VoicesPoole's Cavern · 45 min | Sun 13 Dec 2026 | £10–25 | – | – | On sale |
| 'Twas the Night Before ChristmasCroxteth Hall · 50 min | 10–12 Dec 2026 | £8–£10 | – | – | Selling fast |
| The BorrowersNew Vic Theatre · 55 min | 13 Nov 2026 – 23 Jan 2027 | See the New Vic for prices | – | – | – |
| Christmas concerts in the Great HallRufford Old Hall · 55 min | 4–20 Dec 2026 | Free with normal admission; NT members free | – | – | No booking needed |
| The Reindeer Who Saved ChristmasStoryhouse · 55 min | 14–24 Dec 2026 | £15.50-£17.50 (non-members) | – | – | Selling fast |
| The Snowman family concert, hosted by Maddie MoateLiverpool Philharmonic Hall · 55 min | 19–20 Dec 2026 | £10–25 | – | – | On sale |
Questions parents ask
What Christmas shows are on for children near Timperley?
The nearest to Timperley are Mr Popper's Penguins (Sale, Mon 30 Nov, 15 min), Snowstorm: A Frozen Adventure (Trafford Park, Fri 4 Dec, 15 min) and Matthew Bourne's Cinderella (Salford Quays, Tue 24 Nov, 18 min). Each listing has its age guide and running time where the theatre gives them.
Are there relaxed Christmas performances?
Yes, at several theatres: each listing names its relaxed or sensory performance where there is one. For every relaxed session across the area, see SEN-friendly sessions.
Are there free Christmas shows?
Yes. 2 Christmas shows listed here are free (some ask for a donation). The nearest are Stockport Multicultural Christmas Concert (Stockport, Sat 19 Dec, 25 min) and Brass Monkeys: Christmas brass bands in the town centre (Oldham, Sat 5 Dec, 40 min).