Basil & The Ice Witch – A Magical Musical Adventure
Christmas is in trouble!
A live Christmas adventure filled with music, comedy and magical characters, inside Cardiff’s heated Spiegeltent.
Tickets from £20.00
Date: 3–24 December 2026
Approx. 90 minutes, including an interval
Recommended for ages 3+ (Fun for everyone from 3 to 103)
Heated indoor venue
Reserved seating
Genre: Family Musical
About Basil & The Ice Witch
Basil & The Ice Witch is a magical family Christmas show in Cardiff, bringing festive adventure, music and laughter to the Spiegeltent this December.
As the people of Tickledom prepare for Christmas, the wicked Ice Witch Fluella casts a powerful spell that steals the joy from the land. Laughter fades, hope begins to disappear and her fearsome Snap-Dragon guards the entrance to her icy palace.
With Christmas in danger, Basil and the Prince set out with their courageous friends Violet and Marigold to break the spell and restore what has been lost. Along the way, they meet a host of magical characters who offer clues, courage and a little unexpected help.
Together, they must face Snap-Dragon, overcome Fluella’s growing power and hold onto their belief in Christmas when all seems lost.
Featuring toe-tapping original songs, comedy, colourful characters and plenty of festive magic, this musical adventure from John Manders and Matt Brind continues the Spiegeltent tradition of West End-quality entertainment in a truly magical setting.
Can Basil and his friends defeat the Ice Witch and save Christmas?
Book now for a fun-filled adventure for the whole family.
Frequently asked questions
The show is recommended for children aged 3+ and is designed to be enjoyed by the whole family.
Basil & The Ice Witch lasts approximately 90 minutes, including an interval.
Fluella is a wicked storybook villain and there are moments of excitement and suspense, but the production is designed as a fun, family-friendly Christmas adventure filled with music, comedy and colourful characters.
Yes. The Spiegeltent is a fully indoor, heated venue, so families can enjoy the show comfortably whatever the December weather brings.
Yes. All performances are fully seated, and you will choose your reserved seats during the booking process.
Yes. Buggies can be left in a designated area inside the Spiegeltent foyer during the performance. Please note that this area is not locked or supervised, so buggies and any belongings left with them remain the responsibility of their owners.
Sophia Gardens Pay and Display Car Park is located next to the festival site. Parking charges and availability are managed separately from Cardiff Christmas Festival, so we recommend allowing extra time before your performance.
The festival site offers step-free access, accessible toilets and designated accessible seating. Please contact us before booking if you have any specific access requirements so we can help make your visit as comfortable as possible.
Yes. A selection of food and drinks will be available at the festival. We recommend arriving early so you have time to enjoy the venue before the performance begins.
We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before the advertised start time. This gives you time to enter the festival, find your seats and purchase any food or drinks before the show begins.
What families say about our Christmas shows
Families have joined us for magical musical adventures inside the Spiegeltent for many years. Here are a few comments shared following previous family productions.
★★★★★
“The singing was West End standard and the characters were fantastic. It was funny, high energy and a Christmas story that left you with a warm glow! They interacted with the audience and kept us all entertained from start to finish. We all loved it — even our 3 year old sat mesmerised.”
— Lucy Hailes
★★★★★
“My two sons, aged 7 and 10, really enjoyed the show. They enjoyed how the show was interactive and high-fiving the characters as they ran around the set. The venue is a great set-up, with a good view from all angles. Overall, an amazing experience and an engaging and entertaining show!”
— Jessica Perks
★★★★★
“The venue is beautiful, warm and cosy, and the views were good throughout the theatre, even for our smallest children. The show was funny, the characters were lovable and the music and sound effects were great.”
— G Morgan
★★★★★
“Took my 2 year old to see Jack Frost with my husband, friends and their 6 year old. Gorgeous, different venue and the cast were ace. The aerial work was super professional and kept my little one entertained. A quiet piece of Christmas entertainment in the city without it feeling crazy busy.”
— Natalee Brown
★★★★★
“Fabulous experience! We absolutely loved the tent — it’s so magical at Christmas. The cast were amazing and my daughter didn’t want it to end.”
— Kirstie Hewitt
Reviews relate to previous family productions presented by Cardiff Christmas Festival.
