Shakespeare famously wrote ‘all the world’s a stage’ – and this certainly rings true in Gloucestershire, with open air theatre events taking place at some of the most picturesque locations across the county this summer.
Boasting outdoor drama, the bard under the stars and fun family entertainment, SoGlos selects some of the best places to enjoy an alfresco theatre performance in the county.
Outdoor theatre at Berkeley Castle near Stroud
The imposing Berkley Castle provides a spectacular backdrop for a trio of outdoor theatre performances this summer.
The Duke's Theatre Company perform Romeo and Juliet on Wednesday 29, Thursday 30 and Friday 31 July; Paperback Theatre present their reimagining of The Railway Children on Sunday 2 August; and rounding off the season, Gloucestershire's own Jenny Wren Productions bring Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Governor's Nose to the castle on Tuesday 25 August 2026.
For more information, see Outdoor theatre at Berkeley Castle.
Outdoor theatre at Painswick Rococo Garden
Providing a colourful and quirky summer setting for outdoor theatre, Painswick Rococo Garden hosts the Three Inch Fools and their comedy caper King Arthur and the Holy Fail this summer.
Promising an evening of 'Arthurian adventure and medieval mayhem', the performance takes place on Thursday 27 August 2026. The garden is also offering cheese and charcuterie boxes, packed with tasty local produce to enjoy during the performance, which can be pre-ordered along with tickets.
Outdoor theatre at Longborough Festival Opera in the Cotswolds
Longborough Festival Opera provides an utterly unique setting to experience opera – and while the performances themselves are inside its purpose-built opera house, audiences spend the extended 90-minute interval out in its spectacular grounds enjoying picnics, drinks, or even fine dining.
After getting off to a flying start with rave reviews for Orlando, audiences have Verdi's Macbeth, Wagner's Tristan und Isolde, and Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel still to look forward to.
To check out this year's programme, see Longborough Festival Opera in the Cotswolds.
Outdoor theatre at Gloucester Cathedral
Gloucester Cathedral offers a dramatic setting for a performance of The Pirates of Penzance on Friday 18 September 2026.
This Gilbert and Sullivan classic is being brought to life by Illyria, with a cast of six talented actors and singers. Audiences can pick up Ploughman's or cream tea boxes to enjoy during the show, and try out Gloucester Brewery's Cathedr-ALE from the pop-up bar, too.
Outdoor theatre at Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe
Sudeley Castle's Tudor gardens provide the perfect setting for open-air shows this summer 2026 – with two performances to look forward to.
Wild Arts bring 'Royal Opera House standard' live music to the castle on Monday 13 July, with scenes and arias from operas by Handel, Mozart, Puccini and Rossini transformed into a fresh narrative; while on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August 2026, the 'most romantic castle in England' becomes the stage for The Duke's Theatre's performance of Romeo and Juliet.
For more information, see Step back in time this summer at Sudeley Castle and Gardens.
Outdoor theatre at Llanthony Secunda Priory in Gloucester
Touring company Quantum Theatre is back at Gloucester’s historic Llanthony Secunda Priory for a performance of two beloved Beatrix Potter stories on Saturday 15 August 2026.
Its charming adaptations of The Tale of Peter Rabbit and The Tale of Benjamin Bunny are set to enchant children and grown-ups, especially in this unique and historic setting.
Outdoor theatre at Tuckwell Amphitheatre in Cheltenham
The magical Tuckwell Amphitheatre in Cheltenham stages the Bacon Theatre’s annual Open Air Theatre Festival every August, with a packed programme of shows lined up for 2026.
This year's programme features Romeo and Juliet, Jeeves and Wooster, The Film Orchestra, Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Twelfth Night, Around the World in 80 Days, Kaspar: Prince of Cats, Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Governor's Nose, and the fascinating story of Cornwall's Minack Theatre, Theatre of Dreams.
Outdoor theatre at Museum in the Park in Stroud
Theatre-goers can enjoy intimate performances within the walled garden at Stroud's Museum in the Park this summer.
Jenny Wren Productions perform Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Governor's Nose on Saturday 25 July; critically-acclaimed troupe The Festival Players — which boasts Dame Judi Dench as a patron — bring Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors to the garden on Friday 31 July; and while IKP Productions transports audiences to Oz for a performance of The Wizard of Oz on Saturday 8 August 2026.
Outdoor theatre at Newark Park in Wotton-under-Edge
The Pantaloons bring two outdoor performances to Newark Park this summer. Holmes and Watson try to discover the deadly secret of a family curse in The Hound of the Baskervilles on Saturday 1 August.
And promising 'their own brand of Shakespearean mayhem' with fights, cross-dressing and plenty more chaos, fans of the Bard won't want to miss this critically acclaimed troupe's take on Twelfth Night on Thursday 6 August 2026.
Outdoor theatre at Woodchester Mansion near Stroud
Woodchester Mansion is dramatic enough by itself, with its mysterious history sparking plenty of imaginations – so it makes for a magical setting for outdoor theatre this summer.
Quantum Theatre bring two family-friendly shows to Tinkley Gate, with The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny on Sunday 19 July, and Treasure Island on Friday 7 August; while The Festival Players perform The Comedy of Errors in this striking setting on Thursday 13 August 2026.
Outdoor theatre at Cheltenham Lido
Providing a dreamy poolside setting for outdoor theatre, Cheltenham Lido is a great spot to enjoy a show this summer.
Taking place in its luscious grounds, families can enjoy Illyria's performance of The Three Musketeers on Tuesday 30 June, while Quantum Theatre transports audiences to Treasure Island on Tuesday 28 July 2026.
Outdoor theatre at Victoria Gardens in Tewkesbury
The Roses Theatre is hosting its first outdoor festival at Tewkesbury's Victoria Gardens from Thursday 30 July until Sunday 2 August 2026.
This charming riverside setting plays host to daily theatre performances, live music, street food and a pop-up bar, with shows including The Pickwick Papers, Sherlock Holmes, The Railway Children, and Bin Rat!
To find out more, see The Roses Garden Festival in Tewkesbury.
Outdoor theatre at Scarr Bandstand in the Forest of Dean
Set amongst the idyllic woodlands of Sling near Coleford in the Forest of Dean, community-run amphitheatre Scarr Bandstand is a truly unique place to enjoy outdoor theatre this summer.
On Sunday 2 August, Pantaloons are performing Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles, followed by Rain or Shine Theatre Company's production of The Pickwick Papers on Sunday 23 August 2026.
Outdoor theatre at Cotswold Sculpture Park
A unique venue for theatre, outdoor art gallery Cotswold Sculpture Park also boasts its very own amphitheatre, where it's hosting a trio of performances this summer 2026.
See Paperback Theatre perform The Railway Children on Saturday 11 July, Jenny Wren Productions perform Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Governor's Nose on Saturday 1 August, and The Festival Players perform The Comedy of Errors on Thursday 20 August 2026, in this surprising setting.
