The 2026 West End Flea Market has broken its fundraising record, raising more than £134,000 for performance charity Acting for Others. The figure tops the previous record of £110,000, set at the 2025 event. Now in its sixth edition, the market is one of the most visible single-day fundraisers in the theatre calendar. What's On Stage

Acting for Others, the charity behind the event, distributes funds to theatre professionals facing hardship — performers, stage crew and front-of-house staff among them. The flea market invites West End shows to run their own stalls, selling memorabilia, costumes and signed programmes to fans. Entry cost £5 on the door, with all proceeds going to the charity.

The 2026 event had been due to take place on 16 May but was rescheduled to Saturday 25 July, with Acting for Others confirming the new date on 9 March. Stalls lined the grounds of St Paul's Church in Covent Garden, the venue that has hosted the market since its early editions.

Among the highlights, Les Misérables won the Best Dressed Stall competition, judged by actor Harriet Thorpe and presenter Tom Read Wilson. Su Pollard was among the performers who attended the day, greeting crowds and browsing the stalls.

The market's Golden Bucket Awards ceremony, hosted by Carl Mullaney, ran alongside the outdoor trading. The awards recognise the people and productions that raise the most money through theatre bucket collections and special events over the year.

The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre won the top Golden Bucket Award for raising the most during the 2025 theatre collections, with Tom Read Wilson presenting. The Importance of Being Earnest at the Noël Coward Theatre placed second, presented by Alice Fearn. Cabaret at The Kit Kat Club at The Playhouse took third, presented by Raj Ghatak.

A new award debuted this year. The Behind the Scenes Star, the first of its kind, went to Jason Carlyle-Mills, Deputy Company Manager at Hadestown, recognised for the Hadestown Live concert in the Delfont Room. Ben Stock presented the award. Nominees included stage managers and production staff Kate Watkins, Ali Wade, Sam Griesser and Max P Fowler.

Encore Gifts won the Fabulous Fundraising award, presented by Christopher Biggins and Su Pollard. The Harold Pinter Theatre took the Fantastic Front of House Award, presented by Kim Ismay. Restaurateur Jeremy King — whose restaurants include Simpson's on the Strand — received the Special Recognition Award for One Night Only's 10th anniversary event, presented by Samantha Spiro. Comedian Sooz Kempner closed the ceremony with a performance.

Billy Differ, co-chair and trustee of Acting for Others, oversees the charity's work alongside its volunteer network. The funds raised at the flea market and through the year-round bucket collections go directly to the charity's grant-giving, supporting individuals across the industry who hit a wall — illness, injury, unemployment — and need financial help to get through it.

The next West End Flea Market will mark the event's seventh year. No date has yet been announced.