Roaring festive fun set for Warwick Arts Centre this Christmas

Coming to Coventry direct from the West End, the Olivier Award-nominated The Tiger Who Came To Tea (Sat 29 Nov to Sun 28 Dec 2025) is a delightful family show based on the book by writer/ illustrator Judith Kerr.

Just as Sophie and her mum sit down for tea, the doorbell rings. Who could it be?

Expect oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos as teatime descends into mayhem.

A firm fixture in the festive calendar are the Warwick Christmas Lectures. Ally Caldecote and boffins from the University Of Warwick leave their campus labs explore the worlds of astronomy and epidemiology (Wed 26 Nov 2025), and astrophysics and vacuums (Wed 10 Nov 2025), as well as Christmas. With on-stage experiments that will blow you way (rather than blow you up), each event is proceeded by Warwick Institute Of Engagement’s Live Labs (from 5.30pm), giving the eager a chance to get up close and personal with real-life science beforehand.

Back for the third consecutive year is the mirth-filled Live At Christmas (Thu 11 Dec 2025). A pristine selection of some of the UK's very best comedians, this year's line-up features BAFTA-nominated Lucy Beaumont, Tom Rosenthal (Plebs, Friday Night Dinner), star in the making Sharon Wanjohi, and all-round vibe magnet John Robins, all hosted by Edinburgh Comedy Award winner and Taskmaster champ, Sam Campbell.

Strictly Come Dancing legend Anton Du Beke is also back (Tue 16 Dec 2025) with a festive wonderland of music, dance and laughter, aided by vocalist Lance Ellington, while broadcaster Katie Derham and the fabulous BBC Concert Orchestra present a special cinematic Yuletide edition of the BBC’s ever-popular radio show Friday Night is Music Night. Their Christmas At The Movies concert (Fri 12 Dec 2025) is a selection box of melodies, from timeless classics to modern family faves, including White Christmas, Miracle On 34th Street, The Polar Express, Love Actually and Scrooge.

Or for something with a bit more zing, try The Down For The Count Swing Orchestra: Swing Into Christmas (Tue 9 Dec 2025), as the acclaimed 32-piece big band recreates the music of Nat 'King' Cole, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and more, including plenty of swingin' seasonal smashes.

Look out too for folk legends Eliza Carthy and Jon Boden's Wassail (Mon 1 & Tue 2 Dec 2025) and The Albion Christmas Band (Fri 12 Dec 2025), as well as The BIG Sing Choir, whose Carols At Christmas (Sun 23 Nov 2025) promises showstopping arrangements of such enduring tunes as Oh Holy Night and The First Noel. Plus lauded pianist Paul Lewis CBE joins the Concerto Budapest Symphony Orchestra (Tue 2 Dec 2025), University of Warwick Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (Sun 7 Dec 2025) reflect on John Rutter's Requiem and more, and ArmonicoConsort celebrate the genius of Handel (Thu 18 Dec 2025).

And if you're looking for that last minute Xmas prezzie, Warwick Arts Centre's annual Seasonal Market (Tue 9 Dec 2025) sees 30 of the very best independent traders and makers with an array of handcrafted and sustainably made items – soundtracked by seasonal live music from pianist Isaac Olusegun and performers from the University of Warwick's Music Centre.

Meanwhile, over in Warwick Arts Centre’s cinema, moviegoers can dig into blockbuster sequels Wicked: For Good, Avatar: Fire and Ash, and Zootopia 2, plus special screenings of The Muppet Christmas Carol (Sat 6 & Sun 7 Dec 2025), including pre-film carols from Warwick Brass Society (Sun 7 Dec 2025); chilling BBC adaptations of Charles Dickens and MR James’ tales for Ghost Stories For Christmas (Tue 16 Dec 2025); a bring-your-own-blanket airing of Billy Wilder’s The Apartment (Thu 18 Dec 2025), complete with free cuppa and biscuits - as part of the Cosy Classic strand; and Frank Capra’s heart-warming seasonal It’s A Wonderful Life (Sat 20 & Sun 21 Dec 2025).

Benugo Bar and Kitchen is serving a tempting Christmas Menu too, with two courses for £30 and three for £36 (from 1-23 Dec 2025), while buffet restaurant Panda Mami continues to serve dozens of authentic dishes.

For more information on Christmas events and activities at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, see: warwickartscentre.co.uk