I love musicals. I can sing along almost annoyingly verbatim to “The Sound of Music,” “Bye, Bye Birdie” and “Oklahoma.” Much to my husband’s dismay, I also have the soundtrack to “La La Land” constantly on repeat. When we recently received orders to the United Kingdom, my inner fan girl jumped for joy.

Home to some of the most spectacular stage shows in the world, London’s West End is a fantastic place to see musical theater. Tickets to popular shows can be difficult to come by, and when they are available, prices can be exorbitant. Imagine being able to see live performances from these shows … for FREE. Now in its 13th year, West End LIVE takes over Trafalgar Square in central London Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25.

This year, performances include excerpts from “42nd Street,” “Annie,” “Dreamgirls,” “The Lion King,” “Les Misérables,” “School of Rock,” “The Wedding Singer,” “Wicked” and many more. Performances are done in full costume to give audiences a taste of what to expect in the full-length show.

Know before you go

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Gates will open 30 minutes prior to show time. Admission is free — no tickets are issued or required. Be sure to arrive early, and be prepared for crowds, as this is a very popular event. If you’re planning to stay most of the day, wear plenty of sunscreen and stay hydrated. Food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted.

For more information, visit www.westendlive.co.uk.