Access info
Hot weather alert
Hot weather is forecast during West End LIVE. Please bring water and drink plenty of fluids during the day, use sunscreen, wear a hat and loose, light-coloured clothing.
Please be aware there is no shade in Trafalgar Square or the entrance queues.
Find out more about staying safe in hot weather: Beat the heat: staying safe in hot weather - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
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 – ticket holders only
Registration for the accessible viewing area is now closed.
If you registered for space in the accessible viewing area, we will be in touch to update you. You will be sent a wristband in June. Please also bring your Nimbus Access Card or West End LIVE Digital Pass confirmation email on the day.
As we received more registrations than capacity, space was allocated via a ballot.
If you do not have a confirmed space in the accessible viewing area and require seating, there will be some chairs on the steps between the North Terrace and Trafalgar Square. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis for guests with a Nimbus Card and West End LIVE Digital Access Pass. This is subject to capacity on the day.
Background
We have introduced a new process for the accessible viewing area. In response to feedback, the accessible viewing area at West End LIVE is ticketed for the first time in 2025. Registration was available to Nimbus Access Card or West End LIVE Digital Pass holders.
Registration is now closed.
Accessible entrance only
To use the accessible entrance, 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. Please bring your card or West End LIVE Digital Access Pass confirmation email from Nimbus to show to the stewards on the day.
Registering does not guarantee entry to West End LIVE, which is managed on a first come, first served basis subject to capacity.
Once Trafalgar Square is full, 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.
If you already have a Nimbus Access Card, you don’t need to apply again.
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.
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 ticket holders only. It will be located on the North Terrace, with a direct view of the stage and BSL interpreters.
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 on stage, and shown on big screens either side of the stage
- 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. Please bring it with you on the day to use this entrance.
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.
This entrance does not give entry to the accessible viewing area which is pre-ticketed.
There are steps from the entrance to the main Square.
Step free entry to Trafalgar Square
If you require step free entry to the main Square, please join the accessible entrance queue on the north east corner. Once you reach the front of the queue, stewards will direct you to the south east step free entrance.
In a change to previous years, there will be no direct entrance from the south east corner and you must join the accessible entrance queue. You will need a free West End LIVE Digital Access Pass with the Level Access Symbol.
Accessible entrance opening times
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 portable toilets including an accessible toilet will be on the south side of the Square. Public toilets are located at the bottom of the central steps including a disabled toilet and baby change facility.
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?
You can use your Nimbus Access Card or West End LIVE Digital Access Pass to use the dedicated accessible entrance. Just bring your card or 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.
Event information
This event is free and very popular. Entry is first come, first served except for the accessible viewing area which will be ticketed. Find out more on our Access info page.
You will need to queue and entrances will open at approximately 10.15am.
Once capacity has been reached, entry will be on a one out, one in basis.
West End LIVE is an extremely popular event and unfortunately we cannot guarantee entry.
A BSL interpreter will be on the Trafalgar Square stage and event screens.
Enjoy all the highlights from 2024 at West End LIVE 2024 – YouTube.
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The event will take place on: Saturday 21 June, 11am – 5pm Sunday 22 June, 12 midday – 5pm West End LIVE is a free event. Entry to the accessible viewing area will be ticketed for the first time – registration closes on Monday 10 March 2025. Find out more. Entry to the main Square is managed on a first come, first served basis and you will need to queue. Gates will open at approximately 10.15am. Once capacity has been reached, entry will be on a one out, one in basis. West End LIVE is a very popular event and we cannot guarantee entry. |
There will be two entrances to the event:
In 2024, we reached capacity at 11am on Saturday and the queue was capped in Leicester Square. Sunday is quieter. Both entrances are due to open at approximately 10.15am on Saturday and 11.15am on Sunday. 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. Alcohol is not permitted. Please do bring your own food and soft drink, including water particularly if the weather forecast shows hot weather. Pimm’s, water, coffee, ice cream, pastries and sandwiches will be available to buy at the event. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. |
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The nearest stations are Charing Cross, Embankment and Leicester Square. |
A BSL interpreter will be on the Trafalgar Square stage, and shown on the big screens either side of the stage. |
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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 own camera to the event and do not need permission. |
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West End LIVE is a popular event, and you will need to queue. Each day a long queue forms for entry to the event. Entry is on a first come, first served basis. We cannot guarantee entry. Once you are in Trafalgar Square, there is no re-entry without queueing. 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. |
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. Additional portable toilets including an accessible toilet will be on the south side of the Square. |
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The West End LIVE schedule will be announced around one week before the event on westendlive.co.uk and social media. The schedule is subject to change on the day. |
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, tweets and comments @WestEndLIVE |
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West End LIVE 2025 marks 20 years of show stopping performances from top London shows, and sponsorship opportunities are available. Email westendlive@westminster.gov.uk for details. |
Folding chairs cannot be used in Trafalgar Square during West End LIVE due to safety. There is no storage for chairs. |
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If you have any questions about the event or for press enquiries, please email westendlive@westminster.gov.uk. This email address will not be monitored during the event weekend when we will be busy at the event. Please speak to a steward on the day or read our FAQs. |
Will West End LIVE move to a bigger venue? The event will remain in Trafalgar Square, the largest space owned by and 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. What should I bring? West End LIVE is an outdoor event without shelter or shade, so please check the forecast and be prepared. We suggest layers and a raincoat if the forecast is cold and wet or sun cream and a hat if it’s sunny. Please bring your own food and soft drinks and drink plenty of water in the queue and during the event if it’s hot. Do I need a ticket? You do not need a ticket for West End LIVE. The event is free, and general entry is on a first come, first served basis. Spaces in the accessible viewing area will be allocated in a free ballot ahead of the event. Is seating available? West End LIVE is a standing event and there is no seating for the public except on the accessible viewing area, which is ticketed. Fold up chairs will not be allowed into the event. 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 West End LIVE, please email westendlive@westminster.gov.uk. Can I bring my dog? Dogs or any animals are not permitted in the event except for Assistance Dogs in the accessible viewing area. It is a very busy and loud event which is not 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. Programme The event programme will be available for sale in the merchandise tent. The schedule will also be available at westendlive.co.uk and on social media. Can I volunteer? Volunteers are recruited via the council’s Westminster Connects volunteering programme. All our volunteering spaces are now filled. Volunteers are front of house, dealing with guest queries, updating people in the queue and helping in the accessible viewing area and information tent. There are no backstage or production volunteering roles. Lost property 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. 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. |
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