King’s Cross Summer Sounds brings 11 days of free open-air music to Coal Drops Yard from Thursday 13 to Sunday 23 August 2026. The programme covers jazz, folk, soul, classical music and queer artists, with longer family sessions on both Sundays.

Reserve a free place on Eventbrite →

Full day-by-day programme

Thursday 13 August: Bowie Nights

  • 6.30pm: Jack Kaye
  • 7pm: Ashaine White
  • A surprise headline performance completes the opening night

Friday 14 August: contemporary music

  • 6.30pm: Len Blake
  • 7.30pm: Little Grandad

Saturday 15 August: Songs of Love and Ecstasy

  • 6.30pm: An evening of opera, song and musical theatre with Seán Boylan, Egor Zhuravskii, Ava Dodd and Niamh O’Sullivan

Sunday 16 August: Tomorrow’s Warriors family Sunday

  • 12 noon: Tomorrow’s Warriors Junior Band with Camilla George
  • 1pm: Ankora
  • 1.50pm and 4.30pm: CAGED
  • 2.15pm: Tomorrow’s Warriors Youth Ensemble with Denys Baptiste
  • 3.25pm: Nu Civilisation Orchestra’s The Nu Establishment with Gary Crosby and Zara McFarlane
  • 5pm: Tomorrow’s Warriors Big Band with ESKA

Monday 17 August: music from East and Central Asia

  • 6.30pm: Musical Dialogues of the East, presented with the Aga Khan Music Programme

Tuesday 18 August: Voices Radio

  • 6.30pm: JAWARI
  • 7.30pm: The Scorpios

Wednesday 19 August: Queer Britain and Sounds Queer

Yshee Black hosts an evening of LGBTQIA+ artists:

  • 6.30pm: Toby Corton
  • 6.40pm: Bessi
  • 7.05pm: Arno Sacco
  • 7.30pm: Thandi Phoenix
  • 7.55pm: Kimmy Beatbox
  • 8.05pm: Dyan Tai

Thursday 20 August: big-band jazz

  • 6.30pm: Swing into Summer with the Kings Place Jazz Orchestra

Friday 21 August: jazz-pop and folk

  • 1pm to 2pm: Fonda
  • 6.30pm: Mishra, presented with the English Folk Dance and Song Society
  • 7.30pm: Pons Aelius, presented with the English Folk Dance and Song Society

Saturday 22 August: Motown

  • 6.30pm: Motown Gospel Choir with Arts Trust

Sunday 23 August: family choir day

  • 12 noon: Chaps Choir
  • 12.45pm: Soul Choir
  • 1.30pm and 4.20pm: Parade Giant Wheel
  • 1.30pm and 4pm: União da Mocidade
  • 2.20pm: West End Musical Choir
  • 3.10pm: London City Voices
  • 5.15pm: Rock Choir

The organiser may adjust timings, so check the official King’s Cross programme before making a special journey.

What is free and what costs extra?

Every listed performance is free. Registering through Eventbrite does not cost anything, but food, drinks and shopping around Coal Drops Yard are optional extras. Bring your own water and snack if you want a completely free visit.

Getting to Coal Drops Yard

King’s Cross St Pancras is the nearest station. From the station, walk north through King’s Boulevard and Granary Square towards Coal Drops Yard. Allow roughly 10 minutes, or a little longer at busy times.

The performances are outside, so check the forecast and bring a light layer for evening sessions. Arriving before your chosen act gives you a better chance of finding a comfortable spot.

Useful questions

Do I need to book?
The festival is free and the organiser invites visitors to register through Eventbrite. Booking is recommended, particularly for a popular evening, but check the official listing for the latest entry arrangements.
Can I come for only one act?
Yes. Each performance has its own start time, so you can plan around a particular artist. Arrive early because the programme is outdoors and space may be busier for headline sets.
Is the festival suitable for children?
The Sunday programmes on 16 and 23 August are specifically presented as family days. Families can attend other sessions too, but later evening performances may be less convenient for younger children.
What happens if it rains?
Summer Sounds is an open-air festival. Check the official programme and weather forecast before travelling, especially if poor weather is expected.

Source and last check

Details checked on 28 July 2026 using the official King’s Cross Summer Sounds programme and the official Eventbrite registration page.