There’s perhaps nothing more magical than seeing a play or musical in the open air, and London is absolutely the city for it. In defiance of the weather gods, our outdoor theatre season now stretches from March to late October: we’re are just that tough. Or at least, optimistic about the weather.
Substantially it revolves around a few key theatres, notably Shakespeare’s Globe – open March to October and generally boasting a cheeky outdoor Christmas production – and the delightful Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, which is open late spring to the very end of summer. The former specialises in Shakespeare plays, while the latter has a musical theatre focus.
Although the start of the year open air theatre is largely absent for obvious reasons, the season does get underway relatively early, especially at the Globe, where a truncated Shakespeare play – this year Romeo & Juliet – plays for schools and brave civilians from early March.
Not sure what you'll need for an open-air theatre trip? Then don’t miss our guide to practical open-air theatre info.
If you’re interested in taking in some outdoor cinema this summer, head to our dedicated page.
What is it? Following an exceptionally bleak indoor production this winter, the Globe’s summer season is led by an altogether balmier Midsummer Night’s Dream. Defined by its sunny attitude and industrial quantities of audience interaction, it’s directed by Emily Lim, a veteran of joyous, large scale community theatre projects.
Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe.
What is it? Chelsea Walker’s loveable take on ultimate romcom Much Ado makes the mistake of blatantly cribbing a couple of moves from Jamie Lloyd’s superlative take of last year, but leads Pippa Nixon and Ken Nwosu are so delightful you’ll hardly notice a few bumps.
Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe.
What is it? Starting its run just in time for actual Midsummer, here comes Shakespeare’s ultimate crowd-pleaser, as directed by Atri Bannerjee. Though it’s another cheery take on the play, a confusing barrage of voguish but conflicting ideas stop it being nearly as enjoyable as the Globe’s concurrently running take.
Where is it? Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
What is it? Love’s Labour’s Lost belongs to that club of rarely peformed Shakespeare plays where the name is more famous than the actual story. This summer, though, it gets its biggest Globe – and indeed, London – production in over 20 years, with a lavish revival headed up by director Indiana Lown-Collins. We don’t know a lot about casting, but we do know that the cast is being put through a flamenco bootcamp, the better to take on this Spain-set drama about four lords who forswear women in order to better focus on their studies and general manliness.
Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe.
What is it? The manicured surrounds of Kew's botanical gardens will become the Wild Woods of Kenneth Grahame's beloved children's story, in this outdoor performance. Australian Shakespeare Company will stage the tale of four animal friends messing about in boats, and adventuring on the riverbank. Suitable for all ages.
Where is it? Kew Gardens.
What is it? This summer in London is fairly light on big splashy productions of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. But if you’re in the market, fear not: the Australian Shakespeare Company – summer relgulars at Kew Gardens – will be calling in with a streamlined two-hour production that would seem to push Sir Toby Belch as the driving force behind the story’s various plots and revelations. Obviousloy no setting is more picture perfect for all this than a darkening Kew.
Where is it? Kew Gardens.
What is it? It’s finally happened: human civilization has finally lasted long enough that there is a second British production of Cats. Audaciously bagged by the Open Air Theatre as its big 2026 summer musical, it’ll be directed and chreographed by OAT boss Drew McOnie. He’s a slick, commercial director with something of a dance focus, but he’s unlikely to do a Jamie Lloyd-style deconstruction of it, but any new take will probably feel inherently radical purely by dint of trying something different in any way.
Where is it? Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
What is it? The Orange Tree Theatre will be shutting its doors for a refurb this summer and autumn. But rather than going dark it’s going travelling, with a two-part outdoor Shakespeare rep season in the gardens of Thomas’ college on Richmond Hill. Tom Littler will direct Much Ado About Nothing as if it were the sequel to Love’s Labour’s Lost, with the two plays set in England on either side of the Second World War.
What is it? A return for this much loved children’s show based on the the legends of Anansi the trickster spider from West African folklore.
Where is it? Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
What is it? The Globe’s 2026 summer season is pretty heavy on rowd pleasers, but we’d put a small amount of money on this production of the beloved As You Like It being something a little weirder than the usual. Clue one: it’s not on for that long. Clue two: it’s directed by Globe deputy Sean Holmes and playwright Charlie Joseph, who also stars in the role of Orlando. Maybe not screeching avant-garde, but expect and arch and probably somewhat queer version from the long-term collaborators. Lola Shalam will co-star as Rosalind.
Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe.
What is it? London’s spectacular free Greenwich + Docklands International Festival is back for 2026, taking place over three weeks at the end of the summer as the skies darken and its huge outdoor shows look particularly impressive at night.
Where is it? Multiple venues.
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