The 2026 season features the world premiere of Sherlock Holmes, a new production of CATS, and the return of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with group discounts available for bookings of ten or more.
The world premiere of Sherlock Holmes sees a new mystery by Joel Horwood grace the stage of the open air theatre. It is directed by Sean Holmes with Joshua James (Cyrano) as Sherlock Holmes and opens on 2nd May, running until 6th June.
Then in A Life in Four Seasons, Vivaldi’s masterpiece is reimagined in an electric new contemporary dance work (11th – 14th June), which is followed by the return of an Open Air Theatre favourite in William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (20th June – 18th July).
The season continues with a new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS (25th July – 12th September), which will see the iconic musical leap into the magical outdoor setting of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. CATS will embark on a major UK tour through to May 2027, opening in Plymouth following its run at the Open Air Theatre.
In August, Anansi the Spider by Justin Audibert will play on the Theatre Lawn for ages 4+ and their families, in a Unicorn Theatre and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production.
The 2026 season also sees the return of the Live Music Week presented in partnership with Communion ONE and Family Takeover Day, as well as a series of one-off Sunday night events.
This year, as part of the theatre’s adaptation plans to help improve its long-term resilience in response to the impact of climate change, midweek and Saturday matinee performances in June and July, for A Life in Four Seasons and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, will move from 2pm to the earlier start time of 12.30pm. The theatre’s hope is that this trial will help reduce exposure to peak afternoon temperatures for the comfort of audiences, performers and staff alike.
Drew McOnie, artistic director said: “I’m hugely excited to announce the full 2026 season and to share the brilliant shows that will be joining our new production of CATS this summer. I can’t wait to work with these talented creative teams and see their visions come to life on our beautiful open air theatre stage.”
A famous park, a theatre experience
Established in 1932, the multi-award-winning Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is one of the largest theatres in London (at a capacity of 1,304). It offers an atmospheric outdoor setting which last year welcomed just under 177,000 people to its 20-week summer season.
Group bookings and discounts
Groups of ten or more people can save £5 on Price Bands A, B and C. Available on select performances, excluding Monday and Saturday evening. Discounts can be applied on top of the preview discount.
Groups of 10-19 can be purchased online with no booking fee, or alternatively, over the telephone where a one-off £4.50 telephone transaction fee applies. Groups of 20+ can only be purchased on the telephone. With groups of 20+ the group organiser goes free.
For more information about the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre visit openairtheatre.com.
