West End Live 2026 Date

Join us for a weekend of outstanding performances from top West End musicals, live and free in Trafalgar Square.

Theatre's biggest stars will perform London's leading musicals and must-see new shows.

Saturday 20 June, 11am - 5pm
Sunday 21 June, 12 midday - 4pm

Find out about accessibility and register for the accessible viewing area ballot on our access page.

Performers will be announced in May.

West End LIVE is presented by Westminster City Council and the Society of London Theatre with support from the Mayor of London and our partners and sponsors.

About

The event is free and very popular. General entry is on a first come, first served basis based on capacity and is not ticketed.

For guests who need guaranteed space ahead of the day, a free ticketed accessible viewing area will be available. Find out more and apply by Friday 10 April 2026.

If demand outweighs capacity, spaces will be allocated in a ballot. We will contact you to let you know the outcome within 7 days of the closing date.

Find out more on our Access page.

Entrances will open at approximately 10.15am on Saturday and 11.15am on Sunday. Once capacity is reached entry will be on a one out, one in basis.

There will be long queues on Saturday and we cannot guarantee entry. Sunday is generally quieter for guests who require a more relaxed experience.

There is no shade in Trafalgar Square, so please check in advance, dress for the weather and bring plenty of water with you. Folding chairs cannot be used in the Square.

A BSL interpreter will be on the Trafalgar Square stage and event screens.

Watch West End LIVE 2025 online at West End LIVE 2025 - YouTube.

If you're looking to book tickets to see a show after West End LIVE or any time in the year, visit OfficialLondonTheatre.com.

Nimbus access card

We are pleased to partner with Nimbus Disability using their Access Card to provide guests with a more consistent and better experience.

For those who are unable to engage in the Access Registration process, please email WestEndLive@westminster and we will endeavour to support you in participating in West End LIVE.

Accesible entrance

An accessible entrance is available for people who are unable to be in the general entrance queue. It offers entry to the main Square only, not the ticketed accessible viewing area.

Please show your Nimbus Access Card or free West End LIVE Digital Access Pass on the day.

Entry will be on a first come, first served basis subject to capacity and we cannot guarantee entry.

Find out more on our access info page.

Contact

If you have any questions about the event, please email WestEndLIVE@westminster.gov.uk or write to West End LIVE, City Promotions, Events & Filming, 13th floor, Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QP.

This email address will be monitored until 5pm on Friday 19th June. During the event weekend, please speak to a steward on the day or read our FAQs.

For media queries please email pressenquiries@soltukt.co.uk.

Sponsorship

The event is funded by sponsorship and a range of packages are available, including on-site branding and entry to the guest enclosure. Bespoke packages are also available. Please email WestEndLIVE@westminster.gov.uk to find out more.

Event information

The nearest stations are Charing Cross, Embankment and Leicester Square.

Queues will be very busy, especially on Saturday. Once we reach full capacity, the queue will be closed in Leicester Square. In previous years, capacity was reached at 11am on Saturday. Sunday is usually much quieter.

Entry is on a first come, first served basis and we cannot guarantee entry except for accessible viewing area ticket holders who are guaranteed space.

There is no shade or shelter in the queue or in the Square, so please wear a hat if it's hot or bring an umbrella and waterproofs if rain is forecast. Please follow the latest weather advice and take sensible precautions.

There will be two entrances to the event: A general entrance and dedicated accessible entrance. The site layout will be posted on this web page one week before the event.

Both entrances are due to open at approximately 10.15am on Saturday and 11.15am on Sunday.

  • 1. General entrance (Entrance A)

    Located on the north west corner of Trafalgar Square, close to the National Gallery.

    We advise arriving from the Haymarket end of Pall Mall East where stewards will direct you.


  • 2. Accessible entrance (Entrance B) for those with a Nimbus Card or West End LIVE Digital Access Pass

    Located on the north east corner of the Trafalgar Square, opposite St-Martin-in-the-Fields and Duncannon Street, next to the sponsor guest enclosure entrance.

    This entrance is for entry to the main Square but will have a shorter queue than the general entrance. It does not give access to seating or the accessible viewing area, which is for ticket holders only.

    This entrance is for guests with a Nimbus Access Card or free West End LIVE Digital Access Pass who are unable to be in the general entrance queue. You are invited to provide alternative documentation if required.

Bag searches will be in operation on entry. Please do not bring large cases or bags. Left luggage facilities are available at nearby Charing Cross station.

Please do bring your own food and soft drink. Alcohol is not permitted. Pimm's, water, coffee and ice cream will be available to buy at the event.

For safety reasons, folding or portable chairs, are not permitted in the Square.

A BSL interpreter will be on the Trafalgar Square stage. They will be located stage left (the right-hand side as you face the screen) and will be on the event screens, which will be fully visible from the accessible viewing area.

There is no photography pit at West End LIVE. We do offer a small number of press accreditation passes and applications open in late May when a link to the form will be posted here.

You do not need permission to film or photograph at West End LIVE and can bring cameras into the event via the general entrance. We no longer offer specific accreditation for content creators.

If you run press and social media on behalf of a show performing at the event, Society of London Theatre will send accreditation details on confirmation of your performance.

If you have a media query, please email pressenquiries@soltukt.co.uk.

The event will be filmed and photographed. By entering the event you are consenting to being filmed and photographed for use online, in print, on social media and in broadcast media. You are welcome to bring your camera into the venue and do not need permission.

Vendors will be confirmed closer to the event. You are welcome to bring your own food and drink.

Items handed in to the event team will be kept in the information tent on the North Terrace then handed to the police if they remain unclaimed at the end of the event.

West End LIVE merchandise will be for sale on the North Terrace close to the general entrance. An online shop will be available from the event date and a link will be posted on this website.

Pall Mall East provides a more relaxed viewing area for those who may not be comfortable in crowds. There will be a restricted view of the stage but no viewing screen. There will be some deckchairs in this area.

Entry to this area is via either the general entrance or accessible entrance.

Performers will be announced in May, and the schedule will follow around one week before the event on this website and our social channels.

The schedule is subject to change on the day.

Seating is available to ticket holders in the accessible viewing area only.

Limited deckchairs will be available on Pall Mall East, where the event can be seen on the stage screens. This area does not have a direct view of the stage but does provide a more relaxed space away from the crowds.

Folding chairs or any type of portable chairs must not be used inside the Square.

An accessible toilet will be located on the North Terrace, close to the accessible viewing area.

Free public toilets including a disabled toilet are available under the central steps from the North Terrace to the Square. Portable toilets will be available on the south of the Square by Nelson's Column.

A small number of event volunteers will be recruited through the council's Westminster Connects volunteering programme.

Volunteer roles are front of house, including dealing with guest queries in the information tent, updating people in the queue and wayfinding. There are no backstage, filming or photography or production volunteering roles.

Please bring your own water. Water will be available to buy from vendors inside the Square and a water fountain is also available for top ups, although expect queues particularly in hot weather.

If you're unable to join us in person, follow us on the West End LIVE Instagram, Facebook and Twitter channels, and keep an eye on our YouTube channel for highlights from the weekend.

Please share your photos, videos, posts and comments @WestEndLIVE.

What should I bring?

West End LIVE is an outdoor event without shelter or shade in the Square or entrance queues, so please check the forecast and be prepared. In hot weather, please bring water and drink plenty of fluids during the day, use sunscreen, wear a hat and loose, light-coloured clothing.

Find out more about staying safe in hot weather: the heat: staying safe in hot weather - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)


Can I bring my dog?

Dogs or any animals are not permitted in the event except for Assistance dogs. It is a very busy and loud event which is not generally suitable for animals.


Will there be food and drink?

Ice cream, water, coffee and Pimm's will be available to buy in the Square. You can bring your own food and drink with you but no alcohol please.

There is one water fountain in the Square for which there will be queues. Please bring your own water.


When will the schedule be announced?

The schedule will be announced in June, approximately one week before the event. The line-up will be confirmed in May.


Is seating available?

West End LIVE is a standing event and there is no seating for the public except in the accessible viewing area, which is ticketed. Fold up chairs cannot be used in the Square but there will be some deckchairs on the Pall Mall East viewing area.

We host a sponsor area with seating for sponsors, producers and theatres who perform free of charge. West End LIVE would not take place without the support of our sponsors. If you are interested in sponsoring the event, please email westendlive@westminster.gov.uk


Do I need a ticket?

The accessible viewing area will be ticketed and space will be allocated in a free ballot ahead of the event.

General entry is not ticketed and is on a first come, first served basis.


Will West End LIVE move to a bigger venue?

The event will remain in Trafalgar Square, the largest space in the West End that is available to Westminster City Council, the joint organisers of West End LIVE.

Trafalgar Square is in the heart of Theatreland, close to many West End theatres. This means shows and performers can get to us quickly and easily after their matinees and we can include performances from shows that wouldn't be able to get to us if West End LIVE was further away.

The aim of West End LIVE and many of our sponsors is to bring more people into the West End, showcase the area and generate business for the shops, restaurants, theatres and other cultural venues surrounding Trafalgar Square. We will therefore not move the event to venues outside of Westminster.


Can I bring a bag?

Yes, you can bring a bag, bag searches will be in operation.

Presented by

City of Westminster logo Official London Theatre logo
Partners