Key information
Date: Saturday 13 June 2026
Time: 4:00pm to 5:30pm
Venue: Trafalgar Square, Westminster, London, WC2N 5DN, GB
Cost: Free
About this event
BMW Classics, the London Symphony Orchestra’s free outdoor summer concert in Trafalgar Square, will next take place on Saturday 13 June 2026 – conducted by LSO Chief Conductor Sir Antonio Pappano.
LSO Chief Conductor Sir Antonio Pappano leads a programme of selected highlights celebrating the Orchestra’s long association with two great British masterworks: Gustav Holst’s The Planets and Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations
In 2026 and 2027, the LSO launches an ambitious multi-platform celebration of Holst’s The Planets, with BMW Classics serving as the project’s largest live-performance moment. Audiences in Trafalgar Square and online will get to hear five movements of the astrological-inspired suite — Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Uranus.
Watch the Dances
At the centre of this year’s concert, is the world premiere of Louise Drewett’s new work Four Dances, which has been specially commissioned for BMW Classics. Written for a mixed-ability orchestra, the piece brings together LSO musicians, Guildhall School students, and 55 young musicians from east London participating through the LSO Discovery programmes.
The Dances celebrate London itself and depict four striking public spaces, each with its own distinctive mood:
- the Queen’s Walk near London Bridge
- Columbia Wharf in Rotherhithe
- South Dock on the Isle of Dogs
- Greenwich Pier in Maritime Greenwich.
For the finale, the Orchestra performs excerpts from Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations. The LSO has held a profound connection with Elgar since its foundation in 1904, when the composer conducted the Orchestra during its inaugural season and went on to serve as its second Principal Conductor.
Join us for this concert in the heart of London for free. No ticket is required and gates will open from 2.45pm for a 4pm start.
For more details visit London Symphony Orchestra - BMW Classics 2026
Plan your visit
Trafalgar Square is easy to reach by public transport, including buses, the Tube, and national rail services.
The nearest Underground station with step-free access from platform to street level is Westminster Station, which is served by the Jubilee, District, and Circle lines. From Westminster Station, it’s about a 10-minute walk to Trafalgar Square.
Charing Cross Underground Station is the closest Tube station and is served by the Northern and Bakerloo lines. However, please note that this station does not have step-free access.
Bus routes that stop close to Trafalgar Square include:
Routes 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 15, 23, 87, 88, 91, 139, and 176, with most buses having wheelchair access.
For accessible travel options, including step-free routes and Dial-A-Ride services, you can visit the Transport for London (TfL) website for maps and to plan your journey: tfl.gov.uk.
National Rail
The nearest railway station is Charing Cross. It is 325 metres away, approximately 3 minutes’ walk. Charing Cross rail station offers step-free access and a step-free route to Trafalgar Square.
Accessible parking
The surrounding area on Trafalgar Square can get very busy on the day of the event, so we recommend you take public transport if you're visiting the event. If you’re unable to take public transport for accessibility reasons, accessible parking is available near Trafalgar Square.
There are Blue Badge parking spaces on St Martin’s Street, located next to the National Gallery. Please be aware that these spaces are around 250 metres from the National Gallery. There are three designated Blue Badge parking bays available here.
For more information on parking, you can contact the Westminster Parking Information Service on 020 7823 4567. The helpline is open Monday to Saturday, from 8am to 8pm. To find other blue badge parking bays nearby, you can find disabled Blue Badge bays on the City of Westminster’s website using the postcode WC2N 5DN.