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The best musicals in London in 2026

November sees the musical season in full swing, with an exciting line-up of new openings, long-awaited revivals and West End classics showing no signs of slowing down. This sets the tone for the many new productions premiering in the West End this month, much to the delight of theatregoers. Take a look at the best musicals around at the moment and buy your tickets today!
Carole Rocton
Written by Carole Rocton 30 October 2026

Whether you’re looking for inspiring stories, uplifting songs or laugh-out-loud moments, our round-up of the best London musicals in November is guaranteed to keep you in high spirits. Alongside popular long-running West End favourites, the city is also buzzing with exciting new productions that are delighting theatregoers.

And while Christmas has yet to take over the West End, there are plenty of new shows arriving in London this month, ready to dazzle audiences. One of the highlights is the long-awaited London transfer of Pride The Musical to the Bridge Theatre, featuring many of the original cast from its first run at the National Theatre. Taking audiences back to the summer of 1984, the show tells the inspiring true story of Welsh miners on strike and the LGBTQ+ activists who rally behind them, in a heartwarming tale of friendship, solidarity and hope.

For theatregoers looking for a play that will keep you on the edge of your seat, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has also returned to the West End in a single-part format. Step back into the wizarding world as Harry, Ron and Hermione reunite to face new forces of darkness, in a spellbinding adventure that brings the next generation of wizards into the spotlight.

Why trust our list? We update our list monthly based on top-selling shows and our readers’ popular picks – so you’re always in the know! See all London musicals currently showing.

Jump to your favourite show from on our top 10 musicals in London:

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The top 10 best musicals in London

The Lion King musical © Deen van Meer / See Tickets.

Award-winning family show

 

The award-winning musical adaptation of Disney’s The Lion King continues to dazzle the West End after 26 spectacular years at the Lyceum Theatre – making it one of the longest-running shows in London. A true feast for the eyes, the show’s jaw-dropping costume design and puppetry steal the spotlight, with towering giraffes (standing at 18 feet) brought to life by actors on stilts.

 

Featuring more than 25 animal species and 232 puppets, the production’s most show-stopping moment comes when a life-sized elephant makes its way down the stalls, joined by the creatures of the Pride Lands – all set to the emotional power of the iconic song Circle of Life.

 

Book The Lion King tickets now to see this breathtaking scene that continues to captivate audiences of all ages – no surprise for a show that won an Olivier Award for Best Costume Design. Want to know everything there is to know about this iconic London musical? Make sure you check out our London review of The Lion King.

Where:

21 Wellington Street, London, WC2E 7RQ

Price:

From £43.75

Rating:
4.8 4.8
Based on 14,531 reviews
Harold Zidler, the owner of the cabaret Moulin Rouge stands on the stage of the Piccadilly Theatre in London. Image courtesy of Dewynters/ photo credit: Matt Crockett.

Cabaret extravaganza and French Can Can

 

Why go to Paris when you can experience all the dazzle and jaw-dropping choreography of the London West End? Moulin Rouge! The London Musical, a staple of the capital’s theatre scene, first premiered on Broadway in 2019, 18 years after the cult film hit the box office.

 

Today, Moulin Rouge! has taken over the Piccadilly Theatre, transforming it into a French cabaret complete with red velvet drapes, an iconic windmill, and even an elephant.


Book Moulin Rouge tickets and prepare for a costume extravaganza as the show transports you to bohemian Paris and the world of show-stopping cabaret.

Where:

16 Denman Street, London, W1D 7DY

Price:

From £30.50

Rating:
4.8 4.8
Based on 4,303 reviews
See MAMMA MIA! in London and rediscover a story where friendship comes before all else, set to your favourite ABBA songs. Image courtesy of London Theatre Direct/ photo credit: Brinkhoff & Mögenburg.

Disco energy and immaculate Greek vibes

 

Another long-running smash hit in the West End, MAMMA MIA! continues to light up London theatreland with pure feel-good energy. Expect dazzling, multicoloured costumes that sparkle across the stage, taking you right back to the disco era. 

 

Think flared trousers and glitter galore in inspiring iconic Super Trouper outfits – which take a whopping 400 metres of Lycra to make! Don’t leave before the curtain call, as the cast returns to belt out ABBA classics inviting everyone to sing along as the show finishes on a high. 

 

Want to know all about the top glitzy moments to look out for? Make sure you read our recent review of MAMMA MIA! The Musical on the Visit London blog.

 

Book MAMMA MIA! tickets now to secure a front-row seat to this feel-good musical extravaganza.

 

Where:

Aldwych, London, WC2B 4LD

Price:

From £22.00

Rating:
4.8 4.8
Based on 9,829 reviews
See Andrew Lloyd Webber's award-winning musical, The Phantom of the Opera, at His Majesty's Theatre. Image credit: Johan Persson. Image courtesy of Johan Persson.

Showstopping costume design and staging

 

Celebrating an incredible 40 years in the West End in 2026, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera – the second longest-running musical in London – shows no sign of slowing down, continuing to captivate audiences night after night. Costume design plays a huge role, with more than 230 costumes, 111 wigs, and an entire behind-the-scenes team making the magic happen. 

 

It takes a full two hours to transform the Phantom each evening – from prosthetics and makeup to wig fitting and the custom-made mask. Don’t miss your chance to see this remarkable transformation live by booking Phantom of the Opera tickets.


One of the most mesmerising moments?
Christine and the Phantom gliding across the fog-filled lake, surrounded by a sea of glowing candles – pure theatrical magic.

 

Where:

Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4QL

Price:

From £31.25

Rating:
4.8 4.8
Based on 8,702 reviews
See Les Misérables, the longest running musical in the West End, currently at the Sondheim Theatre, still entertaining theatre lovers. Image courtesy of Raw PR/ Photo credit: Deen Van Meer.

Immersive staging into 19th-Century France

 

See London’s longest-running West End musical at the Sondheim Theatre, a spellbinding production that continues to captivate audiences. Follow ex-convict Jean Valjean on his lifelong struggle for freedom while being relentlessly pursued by Inspector Javert, from Fantine’s heartbreak to the defiance of the barricades.

 

The stage production of Les Misérables is more than a classic – it’s a vivid reimagining of a tale of redemption that still resonates today. Ideal for a first West End experience, it immerses audiences in revolutionary France with a mesmerising score and dramatic staging.


Get tickets for Les Misérables
and see a show that remains one of the very best musical in London, a must-see for first-time visitors and those returning for another dose of West End magic.

 

Where:

Shaftesbury Avenue, St James, London, W1D 6BA

Price:

From £31.25

Rating:
4.8 4.8
Based on 7,026 reviews
Don't miss the musical adaptation of Disney's High School Musical, which has been reimagined for the stage at the immersive Troubadour Theatre in Wembley Park. Photo credit: Matt Crockett.

High-energy revival of a childhood classic


The Disney musical adaptation of the beloved High School Musical has finally landed in London, bringing audiences back to East High following a short run in Manchester.


Bringing one of Disney's most popular films of the 2000s to the stage is no small feat. Expect all the high-energy moments that made the original such a hit, from basketball matches and cheerleaders courtside to Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez's whirlwind romance, as they juggle classes, training sessions and auditions.


Showing at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, the production makes full use of the venue's versatile staging to immerse audiences in the world of East High. The space is transformed into a school gymnasium, complete with Wildcat banners hanging overhead, video screens, voiceovers and scoreboards that recreate the atmosphere of a high school basketball game.


Make sure to book your tickets for High School Musical in advance
, as the London production is only here for a strictly limited run, ending on 3 January.

 
Where:

1 Fulton Road, Wembley Park, HA9 8TS

Price:

From £35.00

Rating:
4.9 4.9
Based on 62 reviews
Follow the journey of Elder Price and Elder Cunningham on stage in The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre. Image courtesy of London Theatre Direct.

A laugh-out loud West End success story

 

Get ready to enter a church like no other with the four-time Olivier Award-winning The Book of Mormon – a musical that will have you laughing to the end. This outrageous satire, created by none other than South Park’s Matt Stone and Trey Parker, follows two newly appointed Mormon missionaries as they hop on a plane… destination: Uganda.


Opening number Hello – sung by all the Mormons – will have you chuckling straight away and might just get stuck in your head. Watch out for pop culture references scattered throughout the show. This musical is nothing like you’d expect – from the founder’s absurd conversations with a golden Jesus Christ, to laugh-out-loud choreography featuring Mormon elders tap dancing.


Secure your tickets for The Book of Mormon and experience the ultimate musical comedy on the London West End.


Want to delve deeper into The Elders' whirlwind of an adventure? Read our Visit London review.

Where:

Coventry Street, London, W1D 6AS

Price:

From £25.00

Rating:
4.8 4.8
Based on 8,063 reviews
The London Sinatra Musical is brought to life on stage by a stellar team of performers and creatives. Credit: Birgit and Ralf Brinkhoff. Image courtesy of London Theatre Direct.

An extraordinary and lavish production featuring the crooner's best hits

 

Sinatra The Musical is lighting up the London West End with nostalgia and sing-along hits, bringing a celebration of Frank Sinatra’s legacy and most beloved music to the stage. Created by an award-winning team, the show transports audiences to 1942, when a young Italian-American singer took to the stage in a performance that would change the course of music history. Sinatra was not only the voice that captured the nation’s heart, but also an artist grappling with family life and temptations that led to scandal. This ultimately caused the press to turn against him, setting the stage for one of the greatest comebacks in showbiz.

 

The production is brought to life by two-time Tony Award-winning writer Joe DiPietro (What's New, Pussycat?, Memphis) and Olivier and three-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes, Top Hat). It features more than 20 of Sinatra's greatest songs, including "For My Baby", "The Best Is Yet to Come" and "I've Got the World on a String".

 

Get your tickets now for Sinatra: The Musical and discover the man behind the iconic entertainer.

Where:

Aldwych Theatre, 49 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4DF

Price:

From £25.00

Rating:
4.4 4.4
Based on 255 reviews
Travel to the world of Oz and discover the story of the unlikely friendship between two witches, Glinda and Elphaba, in Wicked the Musical. Photo credit: Mark Senior.

A family hit: magical extravaganza

 

As cinema-goers' excitement lingers from the second part of the blockbuster adaptation last autumn, the original West End phenomenon Wicked the musical continues to defy gravity at the Apollo Victoria, whisking audiences away on a spellbinding journey with the Wicked Witch of the West.

 

One of the show’s biggest surprises? A giant, roaring dragon that looms over the stage and comes to life throughout the performance. The costumes are just as spectacular: from all shades of green in the Emerald City’s Victorian-inspired looks, to Glinda’s pastel ballgowns and sparkly school uniforms, to Elphaba’s iconic witch hat and feathered dark dresses. Her full green transformation takes a whole 30 minutes with a makeup artist – all leading to that signature emerald look. 


Get Wicked tickets
to make sure to witness this spellbinding transformation. Want to fully immerse yourself in the world of the Wicked Witch of the West? Make sure you read our Wicked-themed London itinerary!

 

Where:

17 Wilton Road, Pimlico, London, SW1V 1LG

Price:

From £31.25

Rating:
4.6 4.6
Based on 7,629 reviews
See the musical comedy and adaptation of the legendary film The Devil Wears Prada, currently playing at the Dominion Theatre in London. Photo credit: Matt Crockett.

High-stakes fashion extravaganza complete with show-stopping musical score

 

Prepare for plenty of glamour with the exclusive West End musical adaptation of the hit film The Devil Wears Prada, at the Dominion Theatre. Set to original music composed by Sir Elton John, this production immerses you in the ruthless world of fashion.

 

Relive the most memorable scenes from the film, featuring the formidable Miranda Priestley (played by Teri Hatcher from 20 October 2026) and Andy, who is trying to find her place in the demanding world of fashion. Make sure you secure your tickets for The Devil Wears Prada to experience this spectacular West End production.

 

Want to know how the first year of The Devil Wears Prada went in the West End? Read our Visit London review.

Where:

268-269 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7AQ

Price:

From £25.00

Rating:
4.6 4.6
Based on 2,236 reviews

Experience the vibrant energy of the West End theatre scene and secure your tickets to some of the best musicals in London, including Hamilton, The Lion King and Wicked.

Book theatre tickets in advance for the best choice of seats and to make sure you don't miss out on the best musicals in London right now, including long-running favourites The Phantom of the Opera, MAMMA MIA! and Les Misérables. If musicals aren't your thing, find a play instead of a musical, or explore even more London theatre.

Rising Stars in the West End: See Gaten Matarazzo in the revival of the rock musical RENT

The cast of RENT in London are dancing on stage. Gaten Matarazzo is standing on top of a table, surrounded by the ensemble.


Jonathan Larson's groundbreaking rock musical RENT has returned to the London stage, 30 years after its original Broadway premiere, much to theatregoers' delight. This electric revival has received praise from critics for its adrenaline-fuelled performances and immersive, intimate staging, with director Luke Sheppard bringing a fresh energy to the production while retaining the emotional punch of the original.

Leading the high-energy cast is Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo , who steps into the role of Mark, an aspiring filmmaker finding his feet among a community of artists and musicians in New York's East Village. Together, they navigate the ups and downs of life, from friendship and love to making ends meet, while daring to follow their dreams and pursue their passions against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis.

Set to a powerful rock-punk score, Matarazzo is joined by an exceptional ensemble, including Jeevan Braich (Starlight Express) as the drag queen Angel and Billy Nevers (Hamilton, Groundhog Day) as the kind-hearted professor Collins. Both deliver standout vocal performances, helping bring some of the musical's most memorable songs to life.

Make sure to book your tickets to see RENT, currently showing at the Tom Stoppard Theatre.

Editor's pick: Watch Pride The Musical as it transfers to the Bridge Theatre

The cast of Pride the Musical portrays Welsh miners protesting in the 1980s. They hold large banners, one of which spells out the words 'They shall not starve'.


Following a sold-out run at the National Theatre, Pride The Musical is transferring to the Bridge Theatre this November, much to the delight of London theatregoers, with several members of the original cast returning to the stage. Adapted from the award-winning 2014 film by the same creative duo, Matthew Warchus and Stephen Beresford, the musical brings a remarkable moment in British social history to life in a deeply moving story of solidarity, courage and community.

Set against the backdrop of the 1984 miners' strike, Pride tells the true story of Welsh miners fighting for their livelihoods amid a period of political and social unrest. LGBTQ+ activist Mark Ashton steps forward to build an unlikely alliance between gay activists and striking miners, as the two communities come together in the face of prejudice and opposition. What follows is an uplifting story of friendship, collective action and the power of standing together.

The Bridge Theatre transfer welcomes back several familiar faces, including Samuel Barnett as leading activist Jonathan. His performance has been praised by critics, with standout moments ranging from a disco-infused number to a lively cabaret-style solo, adding plenty of energy to this moving production.

Make sure to secure your tickets for Pride The Musical, arriving at the Bridge Theatre from 12 November.

How far in advance should I book West End musical tickets?

It really depends on the show you’re planning to see during your visit to London. Whether it’s one of the West End’s long-running hits such as Phantom of the Opera or Wicked, which tend to have more availability ahead of time, or one of the latest productions making a splash, which often have shorter runs and sell out faster, especially if there's a hit cast involved.

That said, the West End is buzzing with theatre lovers all year round, so we’d recommend booking your tickets as soon as you’ve picked your show – especially if you want a good view.

Which London musicals sell out quickly?

New productions landing on the West End are usually the talk of the town, often featuring star-studded casts and bold, fresh takes on classic stories or brand-new work, usually as short runs. Shows such as Hamilton tend to top the list of best-sellers, along with Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, known for its immersive staging and big-name leads.

Top hits, including the effervescent and hilarious musical comedy Titanique, and the joyous revival of Oliver! The Musical, are making waves in Theatreland – so it’s worth snapping up tickets while you can.

With the highly anticipated revival of the musical Avenue Q landing on the West End on 31 March, now is the perfect time to start planning your next theatre outing. Make sure you book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment as this puppet-filled musical featuring all the top songs from the original production is sure to be a crowd favourite!

 
Tip: You can often find last-minute seats for midweek matinees, definitely worth checking if you’re after the latest hot ticket in town.

Which London musicals are good for first-time visitors?

London is bursting with captivating theatre productions, from long-standing classics to bold new musicals and revivals featuring unforgettable scores.

First-timers are spoilt for choice, with shows that have been wowing theatre lovers for years. From the acclaimed adaptation of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece Les Misérables, to the haunting gothic world of The Phantom of the Opera, and the infectious, feel-good energy of MAMMA MIA!, lighting up the West End since 1999.

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