Top talent from some of London’s most prestigious music schools will perform in London Transport Museum’s main gallery during opening hours throughout 2026, providing an unexpected addition to the visitor experience that should surprise and delight.
Starting on 20 March, young classical and jazz undergraduate and postgrad musicians from the Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music and Trinity Laban will give solo or duo ensemble performances on term-time Fridays against the unique backdrop of the Museum’s collection of historic London buses, Tube trains and trams.
The performers, who each auditioned to earn their spot in the programme, represent a range of styles and instruments and include a harpist, violinist, pianist, double bassist, soprano, saxophonist, accordionist, cellist, and guitarist. Each will perform three times over the course of the year.
The ‘Music in the Museum’ daytime recital series, now in its second year but with a brand-new cohort of young musicians at its helm, is part of the Museum’s ‘Transported by Culture’ initiative that aims to celebrate and support the arts in London by bringing more art, music and theatre programming to its visitors.
Alongside musical performances in the galleries, in recent years the programme has included the debut of two popular theatre productions and a partnership with TfL to commission a new series of London Underground posters from contemporary graphic artists.
Inspired by the Museum’s unique location in the heart of Covent Garden and the West End, the music programme has been designed to offer visitors a joyful and unexpected cultural experience while supporting talented young musicians at the start of their careers with paid performance opportunities.
An evening of music in the Museum
For one night only on 21 April 2026, all the musicians from the programme will perform at an evening recital after-hours in the Museum galleries. This seated concert experience will offer the only chance to see performances from all the musicians in the programme on the same date.
Tickets on sale now at ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/lates/evening-music-museum
Elizabeth McKay, Director and CEO, London Transport Museum, said:
‘I can’t wait to see the reactions when the wonderful sounds of these exceptionally talented young musicians start to ring through our galleries. It’s so exciting to be able to offer our visitors this unique musical experience.
‘London Transport Museum is more than the world’s leading museum of urban transport, it’s a cultural cornerstone of Covent Garden Piazza that tells the stories of London and its people – past and present. Through our ‘Transported by Culture’ programme we want to help shape the stories of London’s future too. This is the second year that we will provide young musicians with paid performance opportunities in our galleries as part of our ongoing mission to support young Londoners at the start of their careers and ensure London’s vibrant arts and culture scene continues to thrive for years to come.’
Performances will be on Friday afternoons during term-time at 2pm from 20 March to 13 November 2026. Included as part of admission.
Adult tickets to London Transport Museum include free return daytime entry for a whole year, and kids go free! Book tickets in advance at ltmuseum.co.uk
London Transport Museum thanks The Radcliffe Trust for their support of the ‘Transported by Culture: Music’ programme.
