Free Theatre Tickets for Kids During London Kids Week 2026

Kids Go Free at West End Shows This Summer. Here's How to Book.

Kids Week is back for 2026, and it's the perfect opportunity to take your children to see top West End and London theatre shows without breaking the bank. This year, the promotion runs throughout the summer holidays, giving families an extended window to enjoy live theatre at genuine savings. If you've been looking for affordable family entertainment during the school break, this is it.

What Is Kids Week?

Kids Week is the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) 's annual audience development initiative. It's one of the longest-running and biggest initiatives of its kind in the world, having introduced more than 2.5 million young people and their families to live theatre over the past 25 years.

Lovingly known as "the longest week in summer," Kids Week has evolved from a single week-long promotion into a multi-week campaign that now runs throughout the school summer holidays, giving families maximum flexibility to find shows and dates that work for them.

In 2026, Kids Week offers selections from some of the West End's biggest productions alongside smaller, specially curated shows designed for families. This means whether your children love musicals like Wicked and Mamma Mia, classics like The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, or interactive experiences, there's something for every age and interest.

Kids Week 2026: Key Dates and Details

When Does Kids Week 2026 Run?

Kids Week 2026 runs from Monday 20 July to Monday 31 August, covering the entire school summer holidays. This extended timeframe means you have a full six weeks to book tickets and plan your theatre visits without the pressure of tight deadlines.

When Do Tickets Go On Sale?

Tickets go on sale at 10am on Tuesday, 9 June , exclusively through the Official London Theatre website at OfficialLondonTheatre.com/Kids-Week.

It's important to keep in mind that Kids Week is enormously popular! Limited numbers of tickets are released for participating shows, and the most sought-after performances, particularly popular matinees and weekend performances, often sell out within hours.

You'll need to be quick when booking opens, have a backup show choice ready, and be prepared to be flexible with dates and times if your first preference isn't available.

How Many Shows Are Participating?

The full list of participating shows for 2026 will be announced closer to the launch date (likely in May or June). Based on previous years, over 50 West End shows typically participate, ranging from blockbuster musicals to drama, comedy, family-focused entertainment, and interactive experiences.

How Kids Week Works: The Offer Explained

The Free Child Ticket

A child aged 17 and under gets a completely free ticket when accompanied by an adult paying full price. This applies to one free child per paying adult.

Additional Children at Half Price

Each adult paying full price can also purchase up to two additional children's tickets at half price. This means you can take up to three children per paying adult: one free and two at half price.

No Booking Fees or Postage Costs

Unlike many theatre ticketing offers, Kids Week comes with no hidden booking fees or postage charges. The price you see is the price you pay.

How This Works in Practice

If you're planning to take two adults and three children, the cost would be: two full-price adult tickets, one free child ticket, and two half-price child tickets. You can also book up to 8 tickets per show, so larger family groups are accommodated.

Money-Saving Tips: How to Get the Best Deals on Kids Week Tickets

1. Use Theatre Tokens for Extra Savings

Theatre Tokens are gift cards that can be redeemed against Kids Week tickets, and this is where you unlock additional savings beyond the free and half-price offers.

You can purchase Theatre Tokens through gift card cashback apps like JamDoughnut, which typically offer between 5-10% cashback depending on current promotions. If you're buying tokens for multiple children's tickets, this cashback can quickly add up to a meaningful amount, potentially covering interval snacks or other theatre costs.

2. Time Your Purchase for Cashback Promotions

Monitor cashback apps for bonus promotions on Theatre Token purchases. Around the time Kids Week tickets go on sale (early June), these apps sometimes run higher cashback offers specifically targeting parents booking school holiday activities. Signing up for alerts from top cashback apps ensures you don't miss these bonuses.

3. Be Strategic About Show Selection

Not all shows have equal availability. Some shows have more Kids Week performances than others, which means they're less likely to sell out instantly. If you're flexible about which show you see, you're more likely to get your first preference. Alternatively, matinee performances sometimes have greater availability than evening shows, and weekday performances are less competitive than weekend performances.

4. Check for Restaurant Discounts

The Official London Theatre website includes information about local restaurant discounts available during Kids Week. These can make eating out before or after your show more affordable and turn the whole day into a fuller experience without breaking the bank.

5. Book Additional Children at Half Price Rather Than Full Price

The offer structure actively encourages you to take multiple children because additional children are significantly cheaper. If you're going with a friend's child or have a larger family, this discount structure is genuinely generous compared to regular theatre pricing.

How to Book Kids Week Tickets

Step 1: Visit the Official Website

All Kids Week tickets are sold exclusively through OfficialLondonTheatre.com/Kids-Week. You cannot book through individual theatre box offices or other ticketing websites.

Step 2: Check Participating Shows

Once tickets go on sale (10am on 9 June), the website will show all participating shows with availability calendars. You'll be able to see which performances have availability and select your preferred date, time, and seats.

Step 3: Select Your Seats

Use the interactive seating map to choose your seats. Consider seats that are accessible and suitable for your children's age and height. If you have any accessibility requirements, the website includes information about access seats and how to request them.

Step 4: Apply Theatre Tokens (if you have them)

During checkout, you can enter Theatre Token details to redeem them against your booking. This is when you benefit from any cashback you've earned on your token purchases.

Step 5: Complete Payment

Pay the remaining balance. Remember, there are no booking or postage fees added.

Step 6: Receive Your Confirmation

You'll receive an email confirmation with your booking details and ticket information. Keep this safe and follow the instructions for accessing your tickets (usually either printing them at home or using a mobile ticket). Kids Week Access Bookings: Priority Booking for Those with Access Needs

If you or someone in your group has access needs, Kids Week offers a dedicated booking process to ensure you get the best seats and support for your theatre visit.

What Are Access Bookings?

Access bookings are a priority booking system that allows people with disabilities, mobility issues, neurodivergence, sensory needs, or other access requirements to book theatre tickets with advance notice of their specific needs. This means theatres can prepare appropriate seating, arrange assistance, provide accessible facilities, and ensure the best possible experience for you or your family member.

Who Qualifies for Access Bookings?

Access bookings are available to anyone with access needs, including (but not limited to):

• Wheelchair users or those with mobility difficulties

• People with hearing loss or who are Deaf (captioned or BSL interpreted performances may be available)

• People who are blind or have sight loss (audio description services may be available)

• Neurodivergent individuals (autism, ADHD, dyslexia, etc.) who may benefit from advance notice or sensory-friendly arrangements

• People with chronic pain or fatigue conditions

• People requiring personal assistance or a support worker

• Anyone else who requires specific access accommodations to enjoy the theatre

You don't need a formal diagnosis or documentation to request access support, though theatres may ask you to describe your needs so they can provide appropriate arrangements

The Access Card: Communicating Your Needs Simply

If you have access needs but aren't sure how to explain them to venues, the Access Card can help. It's a simple tool that translates your disability or impairment into easy-to-understand symbols that venues and service providers instantly recognise.

The card acts as proof of your access requirements, eliminating the need to repeatedly explain your needs at different venues. This recognition encourages venues to be proactive in their accessibility efforts and contributes to a broader movement towards better accessibility for all.

The Access Card costs £15 for 3 years and can be used at theatres across the UK and beyond.

There's also a free Digital Access Pass available if you prefer a digital option instead of a physical card.

Example Of The Access Card Pricing Savings

To give you a genuine idea of how valuable access bookings can be, here's a real example. My daughter recently booked tickets for Beetlejuice at the Prince Edward Theatre for Saturday, 13 June 2026, via an access booking.

The standard ticket price for stalls seating (Row J, Seat 25) was £225.00, with fees bringing the total to £228.50.

Using her access booking, the same seat in the same section on the same performance cost £30.00, with fees bringing the total to £32.50.

That's a saving of £196 (over 85% off) for the exact same seat and performance. This demonstrates that access bookings aren't a discount you should overlook if you qualify; they can represent genuinely substantial savings, making West End theatre accessible to families who might otherwise find it completely unaffordable!

Kids Week Activities and Workshops

Beyond the shows themselves, many participating productions offer exciting workshops and behind-the-scenes activities for young theatre fans. These activities give children a chance to go behind the scenes, meet cast members, ask questions, and discover how the magic of theatre is made.

Activities vary by show and can include post-show Q&As, backstage tours, workshops led by cast members, and interactive experiences. All performances with attached activities have a star next to them on the calendar on the Official London Theatre website.

Important: These activities have limited capacity, and booking a Kids Week performance does not automatically guarantee a spot. Instead, after you've booked your tickets, you'll receive an email with details of how to book activities separately. Spaces tend to fill quickly, so check your email promptly and book activities as soon as the link becomes available.

What Shows Typically Participate?

Based on previous years and the nature of Kids Week, participating shows usually include a mix of family-friendly musicals, classic plays adapted for younger audiences, and specialist children's theatre.

These typically range from West End blockbusters like Wicked, Mamma Mia, and Hamilton to family-focused productions and smaller, more intimate shows designed specifically for children.

The full list for 2026 will be announced before tickets go on sale. You can sign up for the Official London Theatre newsletter on their Kids Week page to be notified as soon as participating shows are confirmed.

Who Can Attend and Age Suitability

Kids Week is designed for children aged 17 and under. However, not every show participating in Kids Week is suitable for every age group. Some are specifically designed for very young children (ages 3 or 4), while others are better suited to teenagers.

Before booking, always check the theatre's content guide for the show. Most theatres provide detailed age guidance, content warnings, and descriptions to help you decide whether a show is appropriate for your child's age, maturity level, and interests.

Is Kids Week Worth It?

The honest answer is yes, especially if you have more than one child. Even if you only take advantage of the free child ticket (without the additional children at half price), the saving is substantial compared to regular West End ticket prices.

Adult West End tickets typically range from £20 to £100+, depending on the show, seat location, and demand. If you have two children, a free child ticket is genuinely valuable. Add the half-price offer for a third or fourth child, and you're looking at meaningful savings for a family activity that would otherwise be quite expensive.

Combined with Theatre Token cashback and restaurant discounts, a family theatre trip during Kids Week can genuinely be one of the most affordable ways to experience the West End whilst still enjoying high-quality entertainment.

FAQ

Q: Can I book tickets as soon as they go on sale, or do I need to wait for a specific time?

A: Tickets go on sale at 10 am on Tuesday, 9th June. You can start booking immediately, but popular shows will sell out very quickly. Have your tickets pre-selected and payment details ready to book as soon as access opens.

Q: What if the shows I want have already sold out?

A: Popular performances often sell out within hours. Have backup show choices ready. Be flexible about dates (weekday performances are less competitive than weekends) and times (daytime matinees can be less popular than evening performances for some shows). You can also check back periodically throughout Kids Week, as additional performances are sometimes added.

Q: Can I return or exchange Kids Week tickets if my plans change?

A: Check the individual theatre's cancellation and exchange policy when you book. Most theatre tickets are non-refundable unless cancelled by the theatre, but some shows allow exchanges if you contact the theatre directly. Review the terms and conditions at the point of booking.

Q: Are there discounts for larger groups or schools?

A: Kids Week is a consumer promotion aimed at families. School group bookings are typically handled separately through individual theatres' group sales teams and are not part of the Kids Week offer.

Q: Do children need to pay for their own interval drinks and snacks?

A: Yes, interval refreshments are separate from ticket prices. Theatre snacks and drinks are typically more expensive than high-street prices, so you might want to budget for them separately. Some families bring their own snacks in (if the theatre allows).

Q: Is there any age verification needed to prove my child is 17 or under?

A: Most theatres don't request age verification at the point of booking or entry, but they do have the right to ask for proof of age. It's worth carrying ID or proof of birth just in case.

Q: Can I use my Theatre Token on other purchases besides Kids Week tickets?

A: Theatre Tokens can be used on regular ticket purchases at any of the West End shows that accept them, not just Kids Week performances. Check the Theatre Tokens website for the full list of participating theatres.