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Open Air Theatre in Manchester and the North

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

Balmy summer evenings and pre-show picnics. The pop of a cork, the clink of glasses. High-quality performance, good company, and nature’s finest ventilation system – open-air theatre really is one of our favourite things.

We’re pleased to see theatre companies and venues across the UK gearing up for another exciting season of outdoor performance.

Veterans of the scene, Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre always deliver, while Lancaster’s Williamson Park is rolling out the yellow brick road for a magical new production of The Wizard of Oz.

Here’s our round-up of outdoor theatre happening in Manchester and across the North this season. Check back soon – we’ll be adding more shows as they’re announced.

Our top picks

Zee and the City at City Park

Zee and the City at City Park, Bradford, 26 July 2025, Free entry - Find Out More

Giant puppet Zee parades into Bradford for a free family spectacular this July, as part of Bradford’s BD:Festival.

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Zee and the City at City Park
Courtesy Bradford 2025 - UK City of Culture. Image credit: Jack Parker.

Open Air Theatre at Grosvenor Park

Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre 2025 at Grosvenor Park, Cheshire, Until 31 August 2025, From £10.80 - Book now

Expect another fabulous season of open-air theatre when Pride and Prejudice, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Alice in Wonderland play Grosvenor Park this summer.

Find out more
Open Air Theatre at Grosvenor Park
Image courtesy of Mark McNulty.

Pride and Prejudice at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre

Pride and Prejudice at Grosvenor Park, Cheshire, Until 31 August 2025, From £20.25 - Book now

On the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, her most famous love story is brought to vibrant life once again in the open air.

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Pride and Prejudice at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre
Pride and Prejudice at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre

The Railway Children at Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

The Railway Children at Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, Bradford, Until 7 September 2025, From £10.00 - Book now

Steam-powered storytelling at its very best and perfectly staged for Bradford 2025, this much-loved classic is pulling into the station in spectacular style this summer.

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The Railway Children at Keighley and Worth Valley Railway
Courtesy Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. Image credit: James Glossop.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes at Grosvenor Park, Cheshire, Until 31 August 2025, From £20.25 - Book now

Somewhere in modern-day Chester, renowned detectives Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson find themselves drawn into their most intriguing, and personal, mystery yet.

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The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Image courtesy of Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre/ Storyhouse

Refract 25 at Waterside

Refract Festival 2025 at Waterside, Manchester, Until 27 July 2025 - Book now

Head to Waterside for vibrant family-friendly outdoor performance. Be wowed by aerial circus, Brazilian beats and large-scale puppetry – best of all, it’s free.

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Hikapee's Everywhere's a Beach. Image courtesy of Matthew Kaltenborn.

Alice in Wonderland at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre

Alice in Wonderland at Grosvenor Park, Cheshire, 25 July–30 August 2025, From £10.80 - Book now

Set out on a magical adventure through Grosvenor Park with this joyous walkabout show designed for under 10s and their families.

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Alice in Wonderland at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre
Image courtesy of Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre/ Storyhouse

Breadcrumbs: Outdoor Theatre at Sunny Bank Mills

Breadcrumbs - Outdoor Theatre Performance at Sunny Bank Mills Gallery, Leeds, 28 August 2025, From £7.00 - Book now

Wrongsemble bring a witty twist on Hansel and Gretel, packed with puppetry, music and sibling squabbles. Fun for everyone.

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Breadcrumbs: Outdoor Theatre at Sunny Bank Mills
Image courtesy of Sunny Bank Mills.

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