Matinee Shows in London
Published on 15 July 2026
Summary
- Find tickets to the best matinee shows in London
- How to find matinee theatre shows in the West End
- Everything you need to know about matinee theatre in London
There are so many reasons for you to opt for tickets to matinee shows in London. Whether it’s a relaxed day off, a theatre trip that won’t disturb your strict 9pm bedtime, a sneaky trip to the theatre before the kids get out of after-school club, or because you can often find last-minute deals on theatre tickets, matinees are an awesome way to get your dramatic fill at a time that’s convenient for you.
Matinee shows in London are a West End tradition, and most musicals and plays have at least one scheduled during the performance week. Most shows will have one matinee mid-week and one at the weekend, but this varies from show to show, so it’s important to check when your chosen show has its matinee performance before booking tickets.
But before that, maybe we should go into what matinee theatre is and how it came about.
What is matinee theatre?
A matinee showing is an early performance. They usually start in the mid-afternoon (between 1.30pm and 3pm) and finish by approximately 5.30pm.
What are the benefits of seeing matinee shows in London?
Generally, matinees have a more relaxed atmosphere. They’re great for families, in part because of the atmosphere, but mostly due to the early finish time, making it easier for younger kids to sit through. Matinee theatre shows are also popular with older audience members.
Due to the earlier finish time, travelling home is less daunting. Late-night trains in London can be quite chaotic, so an early evening commute is not to be sniffed at.
As matinee showings are generally a no-go for 9-5 workers, the demand is lower, resulting in cheaper tickets. Though this isn’t a guarantee, it is worth exploring matinee theatre showings if you’re looking for cheap theatre tickets in London.
What you need to know about matinee shows in London
There are so many benefits to seeing a matinee theatre show; however, there are a few things to bear in mind.
Matinee performances are popular with schools. Shows like The Lion King, Matilda The Musical, Les Miserables, and Wicked all frequently welcome school trips and London tourists too.
On matinee days, actors will be performing twice in quite close succession. Though they are professionals and the quality of their performances will remain top-notch, they do feed off the atmosphere within the theatre, so if you’re not exuding excitement, they may not either.
Sometimes, though rarely, cast members will be replaced by understudies for matinees. So if you want to see a show for a specific actor, it’s important to check they’ll be performing the matinee that day.
Why do matinees exist?
Historically, matinees exist because theatres were struggling to fill seats for evening performances. So in 1843, one producer decided to put on both evening and afternoon shows to draw in the crowds! It worked so well, more theatres adopted the practice, and it’s still going strong today.
Matinee theatre provides a convenient performance for those who may not be able to attend an evening performance, or those looking for quieter, more relaxed environments.
Where do I find matinee shows in London?
You can find all the theatre shows that have matinee performances right here with us! Whether you’re looking for the best musicals in London or the best plays in the West End, we can help you find the perfect ticket at the perfect time. Simply check the calendar dates on each show page and all the times will be displayed.
