West End Live issues heat alert ahead of this weekend’s event

West End Live has issued a special heat alert ahead of this weekend’s event in Trafalgar Square.

Thousands of fans are welcomed free-of-charge on a first-come, first-served basis for two days of musical theatre celebrating. The event will run from 11am to 5pm on the Saturday and from 12pm until 5pm on the Sunday.

Returning to its usual home in Trafalgar Square in central London, this year will also mark 20 years of the major moment for theatre in the capital. Those with disability needs should also sign up for a Nimbus Access Card or free West End Live Digital Access Pass.

The event has now put out a heat alert warning of above-30 degree temperatures. In an Instagram post (embedded below), the team warned that “there is no shade in the queue or Trafalgar Square, and that spectators should bring plenty of water” and “drink regularly throughout the day. Water will be available in the Square by First Aid, the water fountain and available to buy from the traders.”

Additional guidance includes wearing “a wide-brimmed hat and loose, light coloured clothing covering your arms” as well as sunblock, which should be reapplied frequently.

The show has also said: “Due to the high temperatures, we do not recommend bringing assistance animals to the event—the concrete environment and high temperatures may be unsuitable and dangerous for animals.”

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A special anniversary concert is also planned for the Sunday afternoon, curated by Westway Music. The line-up includes Madalena Alberto, Aimie Atkinson, Cassidy Janson, Jenna Lee-James, Kayleigh McKnight, Lee Mead, Johndeep More, Natalie Paris, Tobias Turley and Marisha Wallace.

The set will reflect on two decades of West End Live, with performances linked to past shows featured at the event such as Beautiful, Dreamgirls, Heathers, & Juliet, Frozen and We Will Rock You.

This year’s presenters are Divina De Campo and Hannah Lowther on Saturday, followed by Zoe Birkett and Oliver Tompsett on Sunday.

The 2025 line-up will include The Addams Family, Back to the Future The Musical, Bat Out of Hell, The Book of Mormon, Brigadoon, Burlesque The Musical, Cabaret, Calamity Jane, The Choir of Man, Clueless, Coven, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Devil Wears Prada, The Diana Mixtape, Disney’s Hercules, Disney’s The Lion King, Fiddler on the Roof, The Frogs, G4, The Great Gatsby, Hadestown, Hamilton, Just for One Day, Lovestuck, Magic Mike Live, Mamma Mia!, Westway Presents: Marisha Wallace, Matilda The Musical, Les Misérables, MJ The Musical, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, My Neighbour Totoro, Oliver!, Operation Mincemeat, Oscar at the Crown, Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby, The Phantom of the Opera, Pop Off, Michelangelo!, The Producers, Roles We’ll Never Play, Sabrage, Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, Sing Street, Six, Starlight Express, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, Titanique, Westway Presents, and Wicked.

The full schedule for the free-to-enter event has now been published below:

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