Tickets for Matinee Shows in London
Enjoy top-class theatre while keeping your evenings free by booking matinee shows in London. This is great for families with children, for whom the late finish of an evening performance might not be ideal. Midweek matinees can even save you money, as they’re often a little bit cheaper than afternoon and evening weekend performances. You can save even more by checking our Last Minute theatre tickets page for offers, which shows the latest availability and discounts for shows in London over the next 7 days - including matinee's!
Most plays and musicals in London have daytime performances 2-3 times per week, so almost any show can be seen in the afternoon. Below, we have an up-to-date list of matinee performance times for the most popular shows in London, so you can plan your perfect afternoon of theatre at a top West End show.
1. The Lion King
Schedule: Wednesday - 2.30pm | Saturday - 2.30pm | Sunday - 2.30pm
2. Matilda the Musical
Schedule: Wednesday - 2pm | Thursday - 2pm | Saturday - 2.30pm | Sunday - 3pm
3. Wicked
Schedule: Wednesday - 2.30pm | Thursday - 2.30pm | Saturday, - 2.30pm | Sunday - 2.30pm
4. Les Misérables
Schedule: Thursday - 2.30pm | Saturday - 2.30pm
5. The Phantom of the Opera
Schedule: Wednesday - 2.30pm | Saturday - 2.30pm
6. Hamilton
Schedule: Thursday - 2.30pm | Saturday - 2.30pm
7. Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Schedule: Wednesday - 2.30pm | Saturday - 2.30pm
8. Back to the Future
Schedule: Thursday - 2.30pm | Saturday - 2.30pm | Sunday - 3pm
9. Tina! The Tina Turner Musical
Schedule: Thursday - 2.30pm | Saturday - 2.30pm | Sunday - 3pm
What are the most popular days for West End matinees?
Saturdays are the most popular matinees because more people are free on Saturday afternoons, so almost every West End show includes Saturday afternoon performances. These tend to sell out quickly, especially if you are watching a family-friendly show, so it is always best to book well in advance.
Monday, Tuesday and Friday matinees are usually less common, so you should plan your theatre trip on a Wednesday or Thursday. Midweek matinees are often cheaper than weekends, and sometimes even cheaper than evening performances in the week, so well worth checking if you're able to attend.
See all matinees by day of week:
Matinees by Show Genre
Find a matinee by show genre (Matinee musicals, Matinee plays, Kids matinees or Opera matinees) or cheap matinee tickets on our cheap London theatre page.
What time are matinee shows in London?
Most daytime performances begin between 2pm and 3pm, and 2.30pm is a very common start time. This can also vary depending on what day you are attending, so always double-check performance times in advance.
Some productions for younger children such as The Tiger Who Came To Tea do not have evening shows at all. They instead have morning and afternoon performances, with start times ranging from 10am to 4pm.
What time do matinees finish?
Most will finish between 4pm and 5pm. For more information on specific shows, running times are listed on our production pages when they become available.
What London theatres are open on Sundays?
The majority of West End theatres are open on Sundays and for many it is the only day they host matinees. Sunday afternoon can be an excellent choice for children's theatre in London such as The Lion King or Frozen the Musical.
What should I wear to a London theatre matinee?
There is no formal dress code for any London theatre performances. Some theatregoers like to dress up whether they are seeing a show at 2pm or 7pm, but you should wear whatever you feel most comfortable in.
