Access info

Welcome to West End LIVE. We aim to offer an accessible and inclusive event and provide the largest accessible viewing area of any event in Trafalgar Square, providing a full view of the stage, BSL interpreter and event screens.

Accessible viewing area free ticketing – New for 2025

We are pleased to be working with Nimbus Disability, using their www.accesscard.online to provide guests with a more consistent and better experience. It will provide clarity on the documentation required, guarantee space in the accessible viewing area for those with a wristband and reduce queuing time.

In response to feedback from previous events, the accessible viewing area at West End LIVE will be ticketed for the first time in 2025.

All attendees requiring use of the accessible viewing area and dedicated accessible entrance, must go via Nimbus to have their access requirements validated. This will help us to provide those reasonable adjustments and protect them from potential misuse.

You will need to complete a simple free application form and upload any validating evidence along with some narrative about your access requirements. If you already have a Nimbus Access Card, you don’t need to reapply.

You can then register for a free ticket to use the accessible viewing area.

Registration does not guarantee entry, which is subject to capacity. If more people apply than capacity, spaces will be allocated in a ballot.

Nimbus Access Card Scheme

Nimbus offers greater privacy without needing to carry supporting documents. Nimbus will help us to validate access requirements, highlight additional reasonable adjustments and protect against potential misuse.

The Nimbus Access Card is an award-winning scheme run by disabled people. It is free to register exclusively for West End LIVE and is valid for three years. You can choose to upgrade your card to be transferable to any other organisation at a cost of £15 for three years. This will mean your access requirements are pre-registered at 2,500 venues and events in the UK and beyond.

How to apply

STEP ONE

Please register for a free West End LIVE Digital Access Pass.

• You will need to provide some narrative and upload validating evidence about your access requirements.
• After submitting your application, you will receive confirmation and your West End LIVE Digital Access Pass ID Number.

Registering does not guarantee a ticket to the accessible viewing area, or entry to West End LIVE. You must now register for a ticket.

If you already have a Nimbus Access Card, you don’t need to apply again and can skip to step two.

STEP TWO

Free ticket ballot for the accessible viewing area.

When registering for a ticket to use the accessible viewing area, your West End LIVE Digital Access Pass or Nimbus Access Card will act as evidence of your requirements. Without this, we will be unable to accept your registration.

The accessible viewing area is open to guests with the following symbols:

• Level access
• Assistance Dogs
• Both the Standing and Queuing and Distance symbols together.

Registering does not guarantee a space.

Deadline

Registrations close on Monday 10 March 2025. If there are more applications than spaces, names will be picked in a ballot.

If you are successful, you will be sent a wristband/s to the address provided on your application form with additional information by Monday 2 June 2025. If you have the essential companion symbol on your card, you will be sent an additional wristband/s.

Accessible entrance only

The accessible entrance will not be ticketed but will require a Nimbus Access Card or free West End LIVE Digital Access Pass. Please bring your card or West End LIVE Digital Access Pass confirmation email from Nimbus.

If you already have an Access Card, you do not need to apply again.

Registering for a free West End LIVE Digital Access Pass does not guarantee entry to the event which is first come, first served. Once capacity is reached, entry will be on a one out, one in basis.

You will have access to the main event area only, and not the accessible viewing area. This entrance is for people who are unable to be in the general entrance queue.

Privacy

We will only retain your name and email address to contact you with information about the event and for the guest list on the day. We will never use your information for any other purposes (unless specifically stated). Your name only may be shared with our partners and or contractors managing entry on the day.

Contact

Email: WestEndLIVE@westminster.gov.uk

Tel: 020 7641 6000

Post: West End LIVE, 16th floor, Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QP.

We aim to respond to your query within five working days.

Access info – General

Site description

Trafalgar Square is an outdoor venue without shade from the sun or shelter from rain. Please check the weather forecast and bring sunscreen and a hat or waterproofs and an umbrella as required.

Please bring water with you and ensure you keep hydrated.

All pathways are concrete.

Performances take place from a single stage in front of Nelson’s Column. There is a free ticketed accessible viewing area.

Accessible viewing area

This area is for wristband holders only. Please see the top of the page for details of how to apply. The ticket ballot is open until Monday 10 March and you must have a Nimbus Access Card or free West End LIVE Digital Access Pass to enter.

There are 80 seats and 14 wheelchair spaces in this area, which is seated only.

The accessible viewing area will be located on the steps between the North Terrace the main Square, which is in a raised position with a direct view of the stage and BSL interpreters (stage left).

We also provide:

• A dedicated accessible entrance on the north east corner of the Square – documentation is required to use this entrance
• A small area for assistance dogs. There is no spending area
• A calm area
• Accessible toilets
• BSL interpreter stage left, and shown on big screens either side of the stage
• Viewing area on Pall Mall East where the event is available to watch on a big screen
• First Aid provision.

Accessible entrance information

There will be a dedicated accessible entrance for guests with a Nimbus Access Card or free West End LIVE Digital Access Pass. You can apply at app.accesscard.online/apply/west-end-live.

The entrance helps to minimise queuing time as much as possible, for people who are unable to be in the general entrance queue.

It will be located on the north east corner of Trafalgar Square. It is opposite Duncannon Street and St Martin-in-the-Fields, next to the sponsor entrance.

Entry is on a first come, first served basis subject to capacity and we cannot guarantee entry. You may need to queue and once the Square is full, entry will be on a one out, one in basis. Saturday is usually very busy and it is likely that you will need to queue.

There are steps from the entrance to the main Square. If you require step free entry to the main Square, please let us know. You will need a free West End LIVE Digital Access Pass with the Level Access Symbol to use step free entry.

There will be a small barriered area in the Square for wheelchair users who do not wish to use the accessible viewing area. It will have a restricted view to the side of the stage, away from the main crowds.

Both the accessible viewing area entrance and general entrance are due to open at approximately 10.15am on Saturday and 11.15am on Sunday.

Calm area

A 3 x 3m marquee will be located on the North terrace if you need space away from the crowds. It is not soundproof and does not have a view of the stage.

Toilets

An accessible toilet will be on the North Terrace (Nimbus Access Card or free West End LIVE Digital Access Pass required), behind the accessible viewing area.

Additional portaloos including an accessible toilet will be on the south east corner of Trafalgar Square. Public toilets are located at the bottom of the central steps including a disabled toilet and baby change facility.

Pall Mall East viewing area

The performances are shown on a big screen on Pall Mall East, away from the crowds. There is no view of the stage. The BSL interpreter will be shown on screen.

Travel

Charing Cross (train and tube) - 201m

Embankment (tube) - 400m

Leicester Square (tube) - 200m

Tottenham Court Road - 900m is the nearest tube station with step free access.

Parking – find Blue Badge parking bays at westminster.gov.uk.

Please check your journey before you travel at tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey.

Accessibility guides at tfl.gov.uk.

Download the TfL Go app to plan a step-free journey at tfl.gov.uk.

Folding chairs

Folding chairs are not permitted in the venue. If you are using a folding chair in the accessible entrance queue, it must be kept folded and with you once inside the venue. There is no storage for folding chairs.

Bag searches

Bag searches will be in operation and we ask you to keep bags to a minimum. You are welcome to bring your own food and drink, and there will be light refreshments available to buy at the venue. This will include coffee, ice cream and sandwiches. Alcohol is not permitted but will be available to buy once inside the venue.

FAQs

What is the difference between an Access Card and a free West End LIVE Digital Access Pass?

An Access Card is a universal way of conveying your access requirements with thousands of organisations, venues, events and ticketing systems in the UK and beyond.

You can purchase an Access Card for £15 for 3 years.

A West End LIVE Digital Access Pass is a free way of conveying your access requirements, just for West End LIVE. You still go through the same process but receive a digital number and no card.

Already got an Access Card or what do I do once I have a West End LIVE Digital Access Pass?

Once you have your free West End LIVE Digital Access Pass Number (found on your confirmation email) you can register for a space in the accessible viewing area.

Please visit form.jotform.com/250165251108346 to register by Monday 10 March. Registering does not guarantee space in the accessible viewing area, and tickets will be allocated by ballot if more people than capacity apply.

You can use your Nimbus Access Card or West End LIVE Digital Access Pass to use the dedicated accessible entrance. You do not need to enter the ballot, just bring your card or Nimbus digital access pass confirmation email to show to the stewards on the day.

Your card or pass does not guarantee entry to the event via the accessible entrance, which is subject to capacity. Entry is on a first come, first served basis and once capacity is reached entry will be on a one out, one in basis.

Why is the process changing and how does this benefit me?

We want to ensure the event is as accessible as possible and understand our customers' access requirements. This is a way to help meet guest requirements in a consistent way and provide clarity around the documentation required. By working with Nimbus we can use their recognised and award-winning scheme to enable us to provide a safe and accessible experience.

If you have any questions, please email westendlive@westminster.gov.uk.