What’s On at 60 Great Queen Street

Events at 60 Great Queen Street span concerts, opera, fashion, conferences and seasonal celebrations inside one of London’s finest Art Deco venues.

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Fri, 8 Dec - Sun, 10 Dec 2017

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Events and Programming

Current venue branding identifies “60” as 60 Great Queen Street, the events operation within Freemasons’ Hall in Covent Garden. It is not a conventional theatre with performances every night. Its calendar mixes public concerts and cultural events with Masonic meetings, conferences, fashion shows, film premieres, award ceremonies, exhibitions, gala dinners, weddings, brand launches and private parties. The live listing should therefore be checked carefully: some dates are public and ticketed, whilst others are invitation-only or private hire.

The verified 2021–2026 programme shows how unusually broad the booking policy is. Classical programming included a 2021–22 partnership with the Belmont Ensemble and Trafalgar Sinfonia, presenting candlelit Mozart, Beethoven and related programmes. A substantial collaboration with Regents Opera began with Das Rheingold in 2022, continued with Die Walküre in 2023 and brought a fully staged Siegfried, with 21-piece orchestra and organ, into the centre of the Grand Temple in 2024.

The restored Willis organ remains central to the public music programme. Recent recitalists have included Katherine Dienes-Williams in 2024, David Briggs in 2025 and Daniel Moult in 2026. Programmes have ranged from Bach and Mozart to orchestral transcriptions, audience-supplied improvisation themes and familiar music by Elgar, Bizet, Debussy and Tchaikovsky. A verified 2026 recital cost £15, with free admission for full-time students and under-18s showing suitable identification.

Other recent activity has included Open House weekends with architectural tours, live music, family activities and First World War interpretation; a major international conference marking the tercentenary of the 1723 Constitutions; charity and community events; NHS blood-donor sessions; anniversary ceremonies; business summits; and large corporate conferences. The building has also been used for London Fashion Week shows, including three Spring/Summer 2026 presentations, and for wrap parties associated with major television and West End productions.

Seasonal programming places particular emphasis on Christmas. The Grand Temple and Gallery can be transformed for shared or exclusive themed parties, with dining, bars, DJs, live entertainment and extensive lighting. As of 24 August 2026, the venue continues to advertise conferences, screenings, product launches, weddings, filming and festive celebrations, but no complete public 2027 performance season has been confirmed.

Tickets and Booking

Public tickets are normally released by the organisation producing each concert, opera, tour or special event rather than through a permanent venue box office. This means onsale dates, concessions, refunds, reserved seating and door sales differ. Advance booking is the safest approach for Grand Temple concerts and one-off architectural events, particularly when a reduced-capacity layout is being used.

Verified recent prices range from free admission for the Museum and some public-access programmes to approximately £15 for an organ recital. Commercial concerts, opera, dinners and seasonal parties may use several tiers or bundled hospitality packages, so they should not be compared directly with recital prices. For public tours, refunds are generally restricted close to the visit date, and late arrivals may not be admitted.

There is no universal venue presale. Popular events may be announced months ahead, whilst conferences and private celebrations may never appear in a public listing. When buying, confirm whether the ticket covers the Grand Temple, Gallery, a guided tour or a private function elsewhere in the building. Mobile or printed ticket requirements, age rules and named-attendee checks are set by the individual organiser.

About 60 Great Queen Street

60 Great Queen Street is both a working headquarters and a Grade II* listed London landmark. The United Grand Lodge of England occupies the building, which also contains the Museum of Freemasonry, meeting rooms, offices, public facilities and a substantial collection of adaptable event spaces. More than 200,000 people visit annually, demonstrating that it operates as much more than a private ceremonial building.

The present hall is the third Masonic building on a site used for meetings since 1775. Thomas Sandby’s first hall was dedicated in 1776 and became a recognised setting for concerts, balls, literary evenings and learned societies. Sir John Soane remodelled parts of the complex in the 1820s, and Frederick Pepys Cockerell enlarged it between 1862 and 1869.

Following the First World War, the Masonic Million Memorial Fund was established in memory of approximately 3,000 members killed on active service. An international architectural competition selected H. V. Ashley and Winton Newman’s design. Construction ran from 1927 to 1933, and the new Masonic Peace Memorial Building was dedicated on 19 July 1933. It was later renamed Freemasons’ Hall.

The hall reopened more fully to non-Masonic visitors and events in 1985, after which it became an increasingly prominent filming location. Lower-ground storage was converted into offices in 2007. The organ was extensively cleaned, repaired and re-voiced in 2014, and recent work has improved disabled access and released additional heritage rooms for events. The Egyptian Room and expanded Vestibules offer were formally promoted as newly available spaces in 2025.

Seating and Layout

The Grand Temple is the principal auditorium. It provides 548 square metres of usable floor space, reducing to 417 square metres when a full stage arrangement is installed. Published capacities include 900 theatre-style, 400 theatre-style with an expanded stage, 350 for dinner, 245 cabaret-style and up to 1,350 standing. The final permitted figure depends on staging, production equipment and the event’s operating plan.

For presentations and screenings, the room uses tiered, sloping seating with strong views towards the permanent stage. Central positions usually provide the most balanced view of the stage, screen and organ, whilst wheelchair spaces are incorporated into gaps in the fixed seating. Temporary flooring can create alternative flat-floor arrangements, catwalks, dance floors or more intimate audience zones. Always use the seating plan issued for the specific event, because the Grand Temple is regularly reconfigured.

The adjoining Vestibules cover 430 square metres and can be divided by ornate doors into three zones. They hold up to 500 for receptions or 300 seated. The Gallery and Anteroom provide 455 square metres combined, with room for 220 seated or 350 at a reception. Smaller choices include the 120-capacity Long Room, 60-capacity Old Boardroom, 150-standing South Gallery and Egyptian Room, which can accommodate up to 150 theatre-style or for a ceremony.

Getting There and Parking

The address is 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ, between Covent Garden and Holborn. Holborn and Covent Garden Underground stations are each approximately four minutes away on foot; Leicester Square is roughly eight minutes away. From either nearest station, walk towards Kingsway and Great Queen Street, looking for the monumental Portland-stone façade and bronze Tower Doors.

Bus routes 1, 59, 68, 91, 168, 171, 188, 243 and 521 serve Kingsway, around five minutes from the entrance. Euston, St Pancras and King’s Cross are the principal mainline stations identified in the official visitor information. Bike stands are positioned near the Great Queen Street and Wild Street corner, with cycle-hire docking points on Newton Street and Drury Lane.

There is no visitor car park at the venue and no coach parking. Commercial car parks operate around Covent Garden, Holborn and Bloomsbury, but prices and closing hours vary considerably. Public transport is usually faster than driving through the West End. Taxis and private-hire vehicles should use Great Queen Street for setting down, subject to temporary traffic restrictions and the event’s designated entrance.

Inside the Venue

Public visitors normally enter from Great Queen Street through automatic doors, where staff can provide directions. Major private events may instead create a formal arrival through the monumental bronze Tower Doors. The ground-floor Foyer can accommodate registration, press areas, branding and merchandise, and includes the original cloakroom. Guests then ascend the sweeping marble staircase to the Vestibules and Grand Temple.

The Grand Temple has a 60-foot ceiling, multiple overhead rigging points, blackout capability and sound operation up to 110 decibels. Its permanent stage can be extended, and screens, LED walls, catwalks, temporary flooring and immersive lighting can be installed. The Gallery’s standard conference package can include a large screen, projector, PA, lectern, handheld microphones and architectural uplighting. Reliable Wi-Fi and on-site technical support are available through accredited production teams.

Food and drink depend on the event. Conference and private-hire catering can range from coffee and pastries to bowl food, formal dinners and cocktail service. A ground-floor café and bar also serves museum visitors and the public when operating. The first floor contains a shop, whilst suitable areas can be allocated for event merchandise. Restrooms, accessible toilets, lifts and cloakroom availability are signposted by staff.

Nearby Amenities

Allow 60–90 minutes for a meal before a major evening event. Great Queen Street, Drury Lane, Long Acre, Seven Dials and Covent Garden Piazza contain restaurants ranging from quick pre-theatre dining to formal tasting menus. The venue’s own café and bar may be useful for daytime visits, but should not be assumed to replace a full restaurant service at every evening performance.

Hotels promoted within walking distance include NoMad London, One Aldwych, The Waldorf Hilton, L’Oscar and The Savoy. Covent Garden and Holborn also have a broad choice of smaller hotels. After a late event, Holborn offers useful Underground connections, although guests attending celebrations operating towards the venue’s 2am licence should plan a night bus, taxi or private-hire journey.

What Makes This Venue Special

Historic England describes a steel-framed building faced in Portland stone, arranged on a difficult polygonal site and expressed in a massive stripped-Classical style. Inside, the diagonal processional route leads through marble-lined halls and staircases to the double-height Grand Temple. Ashburton and Botticino marble, mosaics, hardwood panelling, stained glass, bronze and wrought iron create an unusually complete 1930s ceremonial interior.

The neo-Egyptian bronze doors were designed by Walter and Donald Gilbert. Above the Grand Temple, the coffered mosaic ceiling supplies the room’s defining visual moment, whilst the Memorial Shrine, Roll of Honour and stained-glass window preserve the building’s original purpose. The Willis organ contains 2,220 operating pipes and 43 stops, supplemented by a decorative east-wall case containing approximately 400 pipes.

Its cultural importance lies in this combination of memorial, working institution and public venue. Films have used its corridors and halls as locations ranging from government interiors to fantasy architecture; major opera has been staged within arm’s reach of the audience; and fashion, conferences and community programmes bring contemporary activity into spaces that retain their 1930s character.

The wider community impact includes free museum admission, guided architectural interpretation, Open House participation, blood-donation sessions and charity events. Annual visitor numbers support surrounding restaurants, hotels and transport services, whilst large conferences and seasonal celebrations generate regular work for production, hospitality, security and event staff. Recent visitor comments consistently praise the Grand Temple’s sense of scale, the knowledgeable tours and helpful staff; the main caveat is that this remains a working building, so rooms can become unavailable at short notice.

Visitor Tips and Information

The building has automatic entrance doors, an accessible lift, accessible toilets and wheelchairs available to borrow. Wheelchair positions can be incorporated into Grand Temple seating, including locations with favourable stage views. This is UK accessibility provision rather than American ADA certification. Guests with particular transfer, seating, hearing or mobility requirements should provide those needs when booking so the event layout can be planned accordingly.

There is no single published bag, photography, dress or age policy covering every event. Public museum visits, opera, corporate parties and formal Masonic meetings operate very differently. Follow the conditions printed with the ticket; bring photo identification where alcohol or age concessions are involved; and expect larger bags, professional cameras or recording equipment to require prior approval.

Arrive about 30 minutes before a ticketed performance and earlier if collecting accreditation, using the cloakroom or attending a reception. Tour participants should wear comfortable footwear because visits can involve up to an hour of walking and standing. Do not assume every advertised room will be open during a general visit: operational and ceremonial use can require substitutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 60 the same venue as Freemasons’ Hall?

Yes. The current event-space brand is 60 Great Queen Street, located inside the building universally known as Freemasons’ Hall. Public concert announcements may use either name, so check the postcode WC2B 5AZ. The Museum of Freemasonry, Grand Temple and commercial event rooms all form part of the same large complex.

Is 60 Great Queen Street still open?

Yes. As of 24 August 2026, the building remains an active headquarters, visitor attraction and events venue. It opens to general visitors on selected daytime hours from Tuesday to Saturday, subject to closure dates and working-building requirements. Private meetings, evening performances and hired events may operate outside normal public visiting times.

What is the capacity of 60 Great Queen Street?

The Grand Temple’s published commercial capacities reach 900 theatre-style or 1,350 standing. Dinner capacity is approximately 350 and cabaret capacity 245. Other rooms hold between 50 and 500 people. Fire, seating and production plans vary, so the capacity printed for your specific event takes precedence over the building’s maximum figures.

Does the venue have a permanent public box office?

Public events are usually ticketed by their individual promoter or organising body, rather than through a daily walk-up box office. Door sales should never be assumed. Buy before travelling where possible and retain the confirmation supplied by the organiser. Free museum admission and free-entry events may use separate reception or timed-admission arrangements.

How much do tickets usually cost?

Prices depend more on the event than the room. Museum entry and some architectural programmes are free, whilst a verified 2026 Grand Temple organ recital was £15 and free for eligible students and under-18s. Opera, conferences, dinners and Christmas parties may be considerably more expensive because they include larger productions, catering or hospitality.

Which Underground station is best?

Covent Garden and Holborn are both convenient and approximately four minutes away on foot. Covent Garden is useful from the Piccadilly line, whilst Holborn also provides Central line connections. Leicester Square is around eight minutes away. Holborn can be the easier choice when Covent Garden’s lifts and surrounding streets are especially busy.

Is there parking at the venue?

No public parking is provided on site. Paid commercial car parks are available around Covent Garden, Holborn and Bloomsbury, but charges, vehicle-height restrictions and overnight access vary. There are no coach spaces. Unless a disability or production requirement makes driving necessary, the venue recommends using London Underground, bus, rail or bicycle connections.

Is 60 Great Queen Street wheelchair accessible?

The main entrance has automatic doors, and the building provides an accessible lift, accessible toilets and wheelchairs for visitor use. Grand Temple layouts can include wheelchair positions with direct views of the stage. Because individual event builds may alter routes and seating, state your requirements during booking rather than waiting until arrival.

Where are the best seats in the Grand Temple?

For concerts, speeches and screenings, central places in the tiered seating usually provide the most balanced sightline and sound. Positions aligned with the stage also give a strong view of the mosaics and organ. Temporary flooring, screens or extended stages can change the ideal location, so consult the event-specific seating layout before choosing.

Does the venue have a cloakroom?

Yes. An original cloakroom forms part of the downstairs arrival sequence near the Foyer and is regularly included for Grand Temple screenings and conferences. Operation, charges and accepted item sizes depend on the event. Avoid bringing large luggage, as the cloakroom is designed for coats and normal personal bags rather than travel storage.

Can I buy food and drinks inside?

A public café and bar operates on the ground floor during relevant visiting hours. Ticketed events may add bars, coffee stations, bowl food, canapés or formal dining through the venue’s catering operation. Service varies substantially, so eat beforehand if the ticket does not mention refreshments. Outside food and drink should not be assumed to be permitted.

Are children allowed at events?

There is no building-wide adult-only rule. Children can attend suitable museum activities, tours and family programmes, and under-18s received free admission to a verified 2026 organ concert. Opera, parties, alcohol-led events and private functions may apply their own age restrictions. Every ticket holder should check the conditions attached to that particular programme.

Is there a dress code?

Public concerts, tours and museum visits do not share the ceremonial dress requirements used for formal Masonic meetings. Smart casual clothing is suitable for most cultural events, whilst gala dinners, weddings and themed Christmas parties may request formal or costume dress. Comfortable shoes are particularly useful for tours because of the building’s size and marble floors.

Can visitors take photographs?

Photography rules are determined by the activity taking place. Personal photographs may be possible during ordinary visits, but performances, private meetings, exhibitions and filming days can prohibit photography or recording. Flash, tripods and professional equipment are more likely to be restricted. Follow staff instructions, particularly inside ceremonial rooms or when copyrighted material is being presented.

How early should I arrive?

For a performance, allow roughly 30 minutes for ticket checks, finding the correct entrance, using the cloakroom and reaching your seat. Conferences with registration or receptions may require earlier arrival. Guided-tour guests should be present at least five minutes before the start because late entry and refunds are not normally available once a tour has departed.

Can I visit without attending a ticketed event?

Yes. The Museum of Freemasonry offers free public admission during its advertised opening periods, and guided tours explore parts of the building. Open House activities provide occasional access to additional rooms. As Freemasons’ Hall remains operational, the Grand Temple or Vestibules can be removed from a tour at short notice and replaced with another space.

Why was the present building constructed?

The present hall was built between 1927 and 1933 as the Masonic Peace Memorial, commemorating Freemasons who died on active service during the First World War. Donations funded the project, and memorial symbolism remains embedded in its Roll of Honour, stained glass, inscriptions and ceremonial architecture. That purpose distinguishes it from an ordinary commercial events building.

What is unusual about the organ?

The Grand Temple’s Henry Willis instrument is a major part of the room rather than portable concert equipment. Its restored mechanism includes 2,220 speaking pipes and 43 stops, with an additional east-wall case containing around 400 display pipes. Organ recitals exploit the Grand Temple’s height, reflective marble surfaces and ceremonial scale.

What’s On at 60 Great Queen Street

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