Outdoor theatre events in Manchester this summer [2026]

Last Updated on 5 July 2026 by Colette

Let’s be fair, Manchester isn’t exactly known for it’s glorious weather so there is a certain amount of risk and hoping for the best involved in booking tickets for outdoor theatre performances – especially when you have to plan ahead and book tickets for shows way before the weather forecast can even be considered.

If the weather plays ball then there is something about an open air theatre experience that just hits different – and if the weather doesn’t play ball? Well then we’re used to that aren’t we? We’re British!

Manchester Open Air Theatre Events for Summer 2026

Whether you’re packing a champagne fuelled picnic or flasks of hot tea – you’ll find a range of alfresco theatre happening in and around Manchester this summer from open-air productions of Shakespeare classics to family-friendly productions!

These are events with limited tickets and short runs, often of only one night, so it pays to be organised and get your tickets booked sooner rather than later.

Because some of the events are touring theatre companies, you will notice that the same shows pop up through the list at different locations – I’ve included them in chronological order to make the list easy to navigate but it does mean that if you can’t make one of the dates, you might be able to find another performance taking place at an alternative outdoor venue in the North West!

Do check back as I’ll adding more events to this list as details become available – and if you know of any outdoor theatre events taking place in or near Greater Manchester this summer, bob me a message and I’ll add them in!

Romeo and Juliet at Walkden Gardens, Sale – Sunday 19th July 2026 | SOLD OUT

Blending dynamic staging, evocative sound, and the enduring power of Shakespeare’s verse, this retelling of Romeo and Juliet by The Duke’s Theatre Company illuminates the passion, peril, and youthful intensity at the play’s core, inviting audiences to rediscover the world’s most famous star-crossed lovers.

Book tickets for Romeo and Juliet priced from £16.26.

Outdoor theatre – King Arthur and the Holy Fail at Quarry Bank – Sunday 19th July 2026

In a land of daring quests, dashing knights, and endless jousting, there lived a would-be hero – waiting in the wings – who went by the name of Arthur. When Camelot is rocked to it’s core by a tragic – and frankly improbable – incident involving a large table of an undisclosed shape, Arthur is thrust into the quest of a lifetime. Will he bravely battle through blistering cold and scorching fire to save his beloved realm, or will he crumble as fate refuses to cooperate?

Destiny awaits, chivalry calls, and the quest to end all quests begins. Saddle up – things are about to get legendary.

Book tickets for King Arthur and the Holy Fail at Quarry Bank. Babies under 12 months go free. Essential companions are welcome free of charge. (Email quarrybank@nationaltrust.org.uk with your request for a carer or companion’s ticket, including your booking reference number). National Trust admission charge does not apply for this event.

Outdoor theatre – Romeo & Juliet and Hamlet Double Bill at Quarry Bank – Saturday 1st / Sunday 2nd August 2026

Experience the passion, intrigue, and urgency of Shakespeare in this bold, high-energy double bill: Romeo & Juliet and Hamlet.

Multi-award-winning A Place For Us Theatre presents unforgettable, abridged, and accessible versions of these chilling plays. Each production runs for 70 minutes, with a 40-minute interval between performances.

Make sure you take something to sit on and dress for the weather!

Book tickets for Romeo & Juliet and Hamlet Double Bill at Quarry Bank. Babies under 12 months go free. Essential companions are welcome free of charge. (Email quarrybank@nationaltrust.org.uk with your request for a carer or companion’s ticket, including your booking reference number). National Trust admission charge does not apply for this event.

 A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Walkden Gardens, Sale – Friday 28th August 2026

In the heart of an enchanted forest, four young lovers flee the constraints of society and stumble into a realm ruled by mischievous fairies, feuding royalty, and a troupe of would-be actors with more enthusiasm than talent. What follows is a wild night of mistaken identities, magical transformations, and love gone deliciously wrong — enjoy Shakespeare’s dazzling verse and Folksy’s twist of live music, audience interaction and impressive multi-rolling!

Pack a picnic, a folding chair and get together with friends and family, to enjoy this wonderful open-air performance.

Book tickets for A Midsummer Night’s Dream priced at £14.11 for children and £21.42 for adults.

The open air theatre events below took place last year and have yet to be updated for 2026 but do keep checking back!

Sense & Sensibility at Arley Hall & Gardens, Cheshire – Thursday 17th July 2025

Catch the much-loved Pantaloons Theatre Company at Arley Hall for a lively, laugh-out-loud and faithful take on Jane Austen’s Sense & Sensibility.

“Elinor Dashwood has a lot of good Sense. Her sister Marianne Dashwood has an excess of Sensibility. Together they make a snappy title for Jane Austen’s classic novel of scandals, scoundrels and severely sprained ankles.“

This is an outdoor production, so take a chair or blanket to sit on, a picnic to dig into, and dress for the weather because rain will not stop play.

Book your tickets for Sense & Sensibility priced at £16 for adults and £5 for children.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Walton Gardens – Wednesday 30th July 2025

The Three Inch Fools present Shakespeare’s most iconic comedy: A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Walton Gardens this summer.

“It’s midsummer’s eve and deep in an enchanted forest mischief is stirring. The Fairy King and Queen are feuding, four runaway lovers are tying themselves in knots and a troupe of quite appalling actors are preparing a theatrical extravaganza destined to impress.”

Do bear in mind that seating at Walton Gardens is unreserved and the event will go ahead whatever the weather so be prepared and don’t forget you’ll need a chair or blanket to sit on.

Book tickets for A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Sense & Sensibility at Ordsall Hall, Salford – Thursday 31st July 2025

Join the critically-acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company at Ordsall Hall for a funny, fast-paced and faithful new adaptation of Sense & Sensibility.

“Elinor Dashwood has a lot of good Sense. Her sister Marianne Dashwood has an excess of Sensibility. Together they make a snappy title for Jane Austen’s classic novel of scandals, scoundrels and severely sprained ankles.“

This is of course an outdoor production, so take a chair or blanket to sit on, a picnic to dig into, and dress for the weather – this is Manchester after all!

Book your tickets for Sense & Sensibility priced at £15 for adults and £9 for children.

Much Ado About Nothing at Ordsall Hall, Salford – Sunday 3rd August 2025

Join the HandleBards at Ordsall Hall for a bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ like you’ve never seen before. In usual HandleBards style, expect riotous amounts of energy, a fair old whack of chaos, and a great deal of laughter.

This is of course an outdoor production, so take a chair or blanket to sit on, a picnic to dig into, and dress for the weather – this is Manchester after all!

Book your tickets for “Much Ado About Nothing” priced at £20.50 for adults and £13.50 for children.

Outdoor Theatre: Breadcrumbs at Quarry Bank – Saturday 9th August 2025

If you are a regular reader, you’ll know we love Wrongsemble so I might have done a little squeak of excitement when I saw that they were bringing another production to Quarry Bank this summer.

“This brand-new family show, packed full of music, magic, and puppetry from Wrongsemble, celebrates how even the simplest story can become the wildest fairytale in the hands of the right storyteller! Hansel and Gretel are siblings who just can’t seem to get along. They argue about everything: who’s the loudest, who’s the fastest, who’s the smartest, who’s Mum’s favourite, and who gets the most Christmas presents?! So, when they wake up lost and confused in the heart of the enchanted forest one day, it’s no surprise they even disagree about how they got there!

But with only a trail of breadcrumbs to guide them home, they’ll have to put aside their differences once and for all to solve the mystery of how they ended up there and make it home in time for tea!”

The performance run time is 50 minutes with no interval and is recommended for children age 3+.

Book tickets for Breadcrumbs at Quarry Bank. National Trust admission charge does not apply for this event. Babies under 12 months go free.

Twelfth Night at Ordsall Hall, Salford – Wednesday 27nd August 2025

This summer, Folksy Theatre brings Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night to the gardens of Ordsall Hall – complete with live music, larger-than-life characters, plenty of laughs and a good dose of audience interaction.

“Shipwrecked and separated from her twin brother, Viola disguises herself as a man and becomes entwined in a hilarious love triangle. Serving Duke Orsino, who secretly loves Countess Olivia, Viola finds herself in a twist when Olivia falls for her in disguise!

 Amidst the comedic chaos of mistaken identities, meet the drunken Sir Toby Belch, the pompous Malvolio, and enjoy a lively atmosphere filled with Folksy’s touch of fun and live music. Bursting with romance and laughter, “Twelfth Night” is a whirlwind of mistaken identities and joyful endings!“

Pack a picnic, a folding chair and get together with friends and family, to enjoy this wonderful open-air, family musical!

The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare by Illyria at Bramall Hall, Stockport – 20th July 2025

This summer, Bramall Hall offer you the opportunity to catch Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor by Illyria in the open air for outdoor theatre at its best.

“Falstaff is skint. He attempts to seduce two merchants’ wives, hoping to relieve them of their money. But when Mistress Page and Mistress Ford receive identical love letters, they vow to teach him a lesson he’ll never forget! Delivered with Illyria’s signature energy, sharp wit, and award-winning charm, this timeless Shakespearean comedy guarantees a night of hilarity and hijinks.“

Book tickets for The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare at Bramall Hall – this performance is recommend for age 12+

The Unusual Adventures of Robin Hood at Longford Park, Stretford – Saturday 6th July 2024

Join the Hobgoblin Theatre Company for an unforgettable outdoor theatre experience at Longford Park as they transport you to the enchanted Sherwood Forest this summer.

A team of just three actors will bring to life the story of Robin Hood with a fast-paced multi-role style of storytelling to create a show that is both entertaining and accessible for all.

Book tickets for The Unusual Adventures of Robin Hood priced at £12 per person.

The Gangs of New York at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre – Friday 19th July to Saturday 31st August 2024

Ok so Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre is in Chester, not Manchester but having experienced a live theatre performance there a few summers ago, it wouldn’t feel right to miss them off the list! Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre is a magical outdoor “theatre-in-the-round” and they absolutely know how to put on a show or two!

This summer Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre transports you back to New York City bringing The Gangs of New York to Chester.

“A riveting exploration of love, betrayal, and power in a city in flux. This new adaptation by Kieran Lynn draws from a compelling non-fiction account, against a pulse-pounding original score, revealing the wicked lives of those who carved their destinies in New York’s most notorious neighbourhood. “

Book tickets for The Gangs of New York at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre

Jemima Puddle-Duck at Arley Hall & Gardens, Cheshire – Sunday 21st July 2024

Quantum Theatre present the story of Jemima Puddle-Duck at Arley Hall & Gardens this summer.

The performance lasts for around 2 hours – your ticket price includes garden entry and free parking.

Book tickets for Jemima Puddle Duck priced at £17 for adults and £9 for children..

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre – Saturday 27th July to Thursday 22nd August 2024

For something completely different this year, you’re invited to embark on a magical journey with Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz walkabout theatre experience!

There’s no need to worry about wriggly bottoms during this performance as your youngest audience members are treated show which parades through Grosvenor Park meeting a cast of characters along the way, concluding with a magical finale in the open-air theatre.  

Book tickets for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre priced from £6.75. (There are BSL and relaxed performances available on selected dates.)

Read about our previous trip to Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre here for tips:

The Borrowers at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre

The Importance of Being Earnest at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre – Friday 9th August to Sunday 1st September 2024

Enjoy an evening (or afternoon) of wit, charm, and mistaken identities this summer when Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre brings you Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest.  

“Join the hilarious escapades of Jack, an orphan with a penchant for partying in London under the guise of his fictional brother, Earnest. Alongside him is the irreverent Algernon, equally entangled in the web of playful deception. As the characters navigate a world of mistaken identities, societal expectations, and uproarious humour, Wilde’s brilliant satire comes to life under the stars.”

Book tickets for The Importance of Being Earnest at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre

Jemima Puddle Duck at Ordsall Hall – Sunday 25th August 2024

Quantum Theatre return this summer with a brand new adaptation of the much-loved Beatrix Potter Tale, The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck.

“Prevented from hatching her eggs at the farm, foolish Jemima goes in search of a nesting place in the forest and soon she meets a charming ‘whiskered gentleman’ who offers her the perfect nesting place in his wood-shed.

 But why is his wood-shed full of feathers and why is he asking her to collect the herbs for roast duck? Kip the farm dog fears the worst…”

Book tickets for Jemima Puddle Duck priced at £16 for adults and £11 for children. Family tickets are also available.

Outdoor theatre near Manchester

I’m still keeping an eye out for events at Fog Lane Park, Heaton Park and Dunham Massey as they have history for hosting outdoor theatre events but I can’t see anything listed at the moment!

As ever, if you do know of any events I’ve missed, let me know and I’ll add them in.

Let me know if you book any of these performances and what you think of them!

Please note, all the information in this article is correct to the best of my knowledge at the time of publishing, please do check with your chosen theatre space if you need to confirm any details!

Have a look at these posts next:

Check out our suggestions for a hot picnic here – just in case the weather isn’t kind!

The best picnic blanket for big families

Open air cinema screenings in Manchester

Our guide to theatre in Manchester

If you’re making plans for the summer holidays, then our list of cool things to do in Manchester this summer will be sure to help!

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