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

Storyhouse in the Park

Storyhouse in the Park at Grosvenor Park, Cheshire, 27 June–6 September 2026, Free entry - Find Out More

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.

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
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