ICA London
📅 Upcoming Shows & Schedule
Across October 2026, ICA London hosts 3 scheduled performances, spanning live music, touring theatre, and comedy. Featured headliners include Alabaster DePlume and Alabaster DePlume London. Ticket prices currently range from £155 for entry-level access up to £393 for premium seating depending on the production.
📍 Area & Accommodation
Upcoming Events at ICA London
Alabaster DePlume
18:00
Alabaster DePlume London
20:00
Alabaster DePlume
20:00
About ICA London: Layout, History & Architecture
The Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) occupies a significant portion of Nash House, a Grade I listed building designed by John Nash in the early 19th century. This prime example of Regency architecture, with its stately facade facing The Mall, provides a distinctive setting for the contemporary arts. The ICA, founded in 1947, relocated to its present site in 1968, undertaking thoughtful adaptations to integrate modern exhibition and performance spaces within the historic structure.
The primary performance space, the Theatre, is an intimate, tiered auditorium designed for both seated and flexible standing configurations. With a capacity of approximately 185 seats when fully configured, its raked seating ensures generally clear sightlines throughout. While the architecture of such a historic building occasionally frames views, it rarely presents direct obstructions, offering a close proximity to the stage for all attendees.
Acoustically, the Theatre’s smaller dimensions are well-suited to spoken word, film screenings, and amplified music that benefits from direct sound. For louder amplified events, the space relies on its installed sound reinforcement system to effectively shape the audio within the period architecture, providing a functional rather than acoustically tailored environment for diverse contemporary performances.
The Live Experience & Current Schedule
Ingress to the hall is through the main entrance on The Mall, leading into a refined foyer area. Patrons can utilise the venue's well-appointed café-bar, conveniently located near the performance spaces, for refreshments before or after events. The atmosphere within the performance spaces, particularly the Theatre, is typically one of focused engagement, characteristic of a leading contemporary arts institution. When reconfigured for standing, the density remains intimate, fostering a direct connection with the performers.
With 3 live performances scheduled, upcoming entry prices start from £155. The next confirmed event on the calendar is Alabaster DePlume on 16th October 2026.
Travel & Arrival Logistics
Rail & Mainline Connections
The nearest mainline station is Charing Cross, approximately a 7-minute walk south-west along The Mall. For Underground services, Charing Cross station (Bakerloo and Northern lines) is equally convenient. Alternatively, Green Park station (Victoria, Piccadilly, and Jubilee lines) is a 12-minute walk south-east through St James's Park or along Pall Mall.
Bus & Local Transit
Numerous Transport for London bus routes serve the Trafalgar Square and Whitehall areas, both within a 5-minute walk of the venue. Key stops for routes such as the 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 23, 24, 88, 139, and 453 are located along Cockspur Street and Whitehall, providing extensive links across London.
Parking & Vehicle Access
Public parking is limited and costly in central London. The closest car parks are Q-Park Trafalgar (Spring Gardens, SW1A 2TS) and Q-Park Chinatown (Denman Street, W1D 7DL), both approximately a 10-minute walk. Expect significant fees; the venue is within the Congestion Charge and ULEZ zones. Advance online booking is highly recommended to secure a space and understand associated costs.
Entry, Queues & Security
The primary entrance is situated on The Mall, with queueing typically managed on the pavement outside. Standard security protocols, including bag searches, are in place upon entry. It is advisable to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time for ticket collection and to allow for security checks, particularly for popular events.