Musical Con has unveiled its full programme for 2026, with a packed weekend of performances, reunions, workshops, masterclasses and exclusive panels planned as the convention celebrates its fifth anniversary.
Taking place at ExCeL London on 17 and 18 October 2026, the event will bring together musical theatre fans alongside some of the biggest names from the West End and Broadway.
Among the headline events is a special Beetlejuice Spotlight featuring West End stars David Hunter, Chelsea Halfpenny, Hannah Norberg and Tom Xander, joined by Tony Award nominee Kerry Butler, who originated the role of Barbara Maitland in the Broadway production.
Butler will also take part in a Main Stage Artist Spotlight reflecting on her acclaimed Broadway career, including originating roles in Mean Girls and Beetlejuice, as well as becoming the first Audrey in Broadway’s Little Shop of Horrors.
Olivier Award winner Layton Williams returns to Musical Con following his recent Broadway run in Titanique. His Artist Spotlight will explore a career spanning Billy Elliot to his celebrated performance as Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar.
Fans of RENT can look forward to a 30th anniversary celebration with original Broadway stars Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal. The pair will perform live on the Main Stage and share stories from Jonathan Larson’s landmark musical three decades after its Broadway debut.
The programme also includes a spotlight on Death Note The Musical, which returns to the Barbican next year, alongside previews of new musicals heading for the West End including Mona Loser, Ceilidh and a reimagined production of FAME!.
Returning favourites include the Cosplay Competition, Star of Musical Con and the Show Off Quiz, hosted by The Producers star Trevor Ashley, as well as a large-scale musical theatre singalong.
Special anniversary opening and closing events will feature performances from Shanay Holmes, Karis Anderson, Tobias Turley, Jess Folley, Tosh Wanogho-Maud, Joanna Woodward, Miriam-Teak Lee and Desmonda Cathabel among others.
Away from the Main Stage, attendees can take part in a range of workshops and masterclasses, including a vocal session with former Elphaba Nikki Bentley, dance workshops led by Heathers choreographer Gary Lloyd, and a panel on developing new musicals hosted by Henry Calvert.
Musical Con co-founders Shanay Holmes and Chris Steward said: “Five years ago, we created Musical Con to give musical theatre fans a place that was completely theirs, and this anniversary weekend celebrates everything we love about this community.
“Whether you want to meet your musical theatre heroes, watch unique performances, sing in a masterclass, dance in a workshop or simply spend the weekend surrounded by people who love musicals as much as you do, this is your weekend. We can’t wait to celebrate five years of Musical Con with you.”
Day passes are available from £49, while weekend passes are priced from £85.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
