ListingsUpdated Sat 5 Sep
Covent Garden: what's on and things to do
What is on in Covent Garden: the Royal Opera House, the theatres around Seven Dials, the piazza at Christmas and the street performers all year. Busy at six, quieter and better at nine.
Saturday
5 September-
Gigs Free
Free lunchtime concert at St Martin-in-the-Fields
Until 25 Sep
Free classical recitals most weekday lunchtimes, no booking, retiring collection. Forty-five minutes and the best-value hour in central London.
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Theatre From £25
Official London Theatre Week
Until 13 Sep
Fixed price seats across most West End houses for the fortnight, booked through the official site with no fee. The cheapest bands go first and the best seats are usually midweek.
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Theatre From £15
Day seats and returns in the West End
Until 13 Sep
Most houses hold a few seats back for the morning of the show at the box office. Turn up at ten, expect a queue for anything popular, and take cash for the smaller theatres.
Monday
7 September-
Gigs Free
Free lunchtime concert at St Martin-in-the-Fields
A free lunchtime concert on Trafalgar Square with a retiring collection. No booking, no ticket, and frequently excellent.
Tuesday
8 September-
Gigs Free
Free lunchtime concert at St Martin-in-the-Fields
A free lunchtime concert on Trafalgar Square with a retiring collection. No booking, no ticket, and frequently excellent.
Thursday
10 September-
Theatre
Don Giovanni at the Royal Opera House
Until 15 Oct
Mozart at Covent Garden through to the middle of October. Day seats and standing places go on sale online in the morning and are a fraction of the stalls price.
Friday
11 September-
Gigs Free
Free lunchtime concert at St Martin-in-the-Fields
A free lunchtime concert on Trafalgar Square with a retiring collection. No booking, no ticket, and frequently excellent.
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Exhibitions Free
Late opening: National Gallery on Friday
The National Gallery stays open to nine every Friday and the rooms are close to empty after seven. Free, and the best way to see the collection.
Saturday
12 September-
Exhibitions Free
The Pangolin Shield on the Strand
Until 20 Sep
The festival's landmark installation, outdoors on the Strand for nine days and free to walk round at any hour. Best after dark when the crowds have gone.
Monday
14 September-
Gigs Free
Free lunchtime concert at St Martin-in-the-Fields
A free lunchtime concert on Trafalgar Square with a retiring collection. No booking, no ticket, and frequently excellent.
Tuesday
15 September-
Gigs Free
Free lunchtime concert at St Martin-in-the-Fields
A free lunchtime concert on Trafalgar Square with a retiring collection. No booking, no ticket, and frequently excellent.
Friday
18 September-
Gigs Free
Free lunchtime concert at St Martin-in-the-Fields
A free lunchtime concert on Trafalgar Square with a retiring collection. No booking, no ticket, and frequently excellent.
