A Weekend of West End Magic: Musical Con Returns to London. Preview post

Photo credit Mark Senior

There’s something rather wonderful about walking into ExCeL and hearing the hum of musical theatre fans — the laughter, the sequins, the faint echo of “Defying Gravity” from somewhere down the hall. This October, that energy returns in full force as Musical Con 2025 takes over ExCeL London for its fourth year, promising two days of all-singing, all-dancing joy.

Running from Saturday 18 to Sunday 19 October, the convention has become a fixture in the calendar for anyone who knows their Sondheim from their Schwartz. This year’s line-up is properly stacked, with Eva Noblezada, Reeve Carney, and Kerry Ellis headlining the Main Stage. Add in a closing ceremony featuring Layton Williams and Andy Nyman, and you can expect plenty of goosebumps.

If it’s sneak peeks you’re after, there’s a lot to get excited about. Fans will get first looks at new musicals including Jo: The Little Women Musical and Wild About You, plus a celebration of 15 years of Paul Taylor-Mills productions — complete with a “very special announcement” (I’m intrigued already).

Of course, it wouldn’t be Musical Con without the extras: cosplay competitions, lip sync battles, and the now-traditional “Star of Musical Con” talent contest. Elsewhere, the Backstage Theatre will host deep dives into everything from Mean Girls to Hadestown, with lively discussions about representation and accessibility in theatre.

Aspiring performers can even get their jazz hands dirty with workshops and masterclasses led by West End heavyweights including Gary Lloyd and Layton Williams, as well as a Disney’s Hercules session that teaches choreography straight from the show.

Between all that, there’s time to browse the Theatreland Exhibition, complete with a huge Disney display, Matilda photo ops, and enough merch to make your wallet tremble.

Tickets start at £45 for a day pass or £75 for the weekend, which feels fair for the amount of sparkle on offer. Whether you’re there to meet your favourite stars, discover a new show, or simply soak up the atmosphere, Musical Con 2025 looks set to be another hit.

Full details, schedule, and tickets are available at musicalcon.co.uk.