The Best UK Outdoor Music, Theatre & Cinema Events for Summer 2024
Looking for the best outdoor entertainment happening near you this summer? Our heritage homes are putting on a fantastic array of outdoor cinema, open-air theatre and live music events across the UK in beautiful historical settings. From Shakespeare plays in stunning surroundings to opera on the lawn to blockbuster screenings under the stars, there’s so much to choose from all over the country, so read on to discover the best outdoor events in your area.
Open Air Cinema, Boughton House
The Adventure Cinema is coming to Boughton House in Northamptonshire, putting on back-to-back showings of Silver Screen classics in the great outdoors. The outdoor cinema extravaganza will kick off with a sing-along to The Greatest Showman on Friday, a boogie to Dirty Dancing on Saturday, and finish with a flashback to the '80s with Top Gun on Sunday, so grab your popcorn and get ready for a mega movie marathon!
Where? Boughton House, Northamptonshire
When? Friday 12th – Sunday 14th July
What to bring? Your own seating, snacks, plus waterproofs and plenty of layers to keep you warm!
Opera on the Lawn, Doddington Hall & Gardens
Wild Arts opera group returns to Doddington Hall in Lincolnshire for two nights of musical magic on Doddington’s croquet lawn. Lose yourself in some of the most epic stories of all time written by operatic greats such as Rossini, Handel, Viardot, Bernstein, and Gershwin, all performed by the rising opera stars of tomorrow.
Where? Doddington Hall & Gardens, Lincolnshire
When? Wednesday 17th July – Thursday 18th July
What to bring? Your own seating, picnic, and plenty of layers. Picnics are also available to pre-order through their website.
The Secret Diary of Henry VIII, Carlton Towers
The Three Inch Fools theatre company presents a hilarious outdoor theatre performance, following the journey of young Henry as he ascends to the throne and navigates the raucous, rambunctious, and raving-mad world of his royal kingdom!
Where? Carlton Towers, Yorkshire
When? Sunday 21st July
What to bring? Your own seating, layers, and picnic. Drinks, pizza, and BBQ are also available on-site.
Opera on the Lawn, Sudeley Castle
If you couldn’t catch the performance at Doddington, then grab a ticket for the second Wild Arts opera performance at Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire for an evening of musical magic at one of the UK's most historically significant houses.
Where? Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire
When? Wednesday 24th July
What to bring? Chairs and rugs, layers, and your own picnic to enjoy before the performance. Light refreshments will also be available on-site.
Outdoor Cinema, Carlton Towers
Another great day of outdoor cinema, this time at Carlton Towers in Yorkshire. Grab your seat for family favourite Frozen at lunchtime, then sing your heart out to The Greatest Showman in the evening!
Where? Carlton Towers, Yorkshire
When? Friday 26th July
What to bring? Your own seating, plenty of layers, and snacks. Alcoholic and soft beverages, pizzas, and BBQ are also available to purchase on-site.
Diva Opera La Traviata, Holkham Hall
Britain’s foremost chamber opera presents a stellar performance of Verdi’s La Traviata at Holkham Hall in Norfolk. Let yourself be transported by the melodies of Verdi’s masterpiece whilst you marvel at the architectural splendour of Holkham’s marble hall.
Where? Holkham Hall, Norfolk
When? Friday 26th July
What to bring? Seating is provided, but please bring your own picnic to enjoy on the West Terrace during the interval. Please also note that the dress code is smart, and Black Tie is also optional.
Outdoor Cinema, Lamport Hall
Lamport Hall in Northamptonshire is partnering with LunaFlix to bring you an outdoor screening of '90s classic Pretty Woman. Grab your chair or picnic blanket and get ready to relax in Lamport’s stunning gardens whilst you enjoy this iconic love story brought to life on the big screen.
Where? Lamport Hall, Northamptonshire
When? Saturday 3rd August
What to bring? Your own seating, plenty of layers, and lots of snacks! Popcorn and drinks will also be available to buy on-site.
Songs From the West End, Layer Marney Tower
Love to sing along to your favourite musicals? Then head on over to Layer Marney Tower in Essex where you can catch an all-star performance of iconic West End classics! Join Al Fresco’s outstanding company of West End actors as they perform hits from shows such as Les Misérables, Mamma Mia, Matilda and so much more, all set against the historic backdrop of England’s oldest Tudor gatehouse.
Where? Layer Marney Tower, Essex
When? Thursday 15th August
What to bring? Your own seating plus plenty of layers and snacks to keep you going!
Hamlet, Newby Hal
To be or New-by is the question as the magnificent Newby Hall in Yorkshire is putting on an outdoor performance of Shakespeare’s most iconic play! Follow the epic tale of Shakespeare’s tragic hero performed by the talented Lord Chamberlain’s Men whilst taking in the beautiful surroundings of Newby’s award-winning gardens.
Where? Newby Hall, Yorkshire
When? Friday 16th August
What to bring? Your own picnic, chairs, and plenty of layers!
Proms Under the Stars, Stansted Park
Enjoy an evening with the best of British music at the Proms Under the Stars performance at Stansted Park in West Sussex. Break out your bunting and bubbly in Stansted’s stunning gardens and listen to iconic songs from stage and screen and a classical repertoire performed by the British Sinfonietta, accompanied by a sky-high performance from WW2 Spitfire planes.
Where? Stansted Park, West Sussex
When? Saturday 17th August
What to bring? Your own seating, picnic, and plenty of layers. Food and drink will also be available to purchase on-site.
Outdoor Cinema, Carlton Towers
Another day of smash-hit cinema at Carlton Towers in Yorkshire! Make your way into the mighty jungle with The Lion King at lunchtime then jump into the cockpit for a wild ride with Top Gun: Maverick later that night!
Where? Carlton Towers, Yorkshire
When? Sunday 18th August
What to bring? Your own seating, snacks, and plenty of layers. Alcoholic and soft drinks, plus pizzas and BBQ will be available to purchase on-site.
As You Like It, Sudeley Castle
All the world’s a stage at Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire, where the wonderful Duke’s Theatre company will be returning for an open-air performance of Shakespeare’s As You Like It. Let yourself be transported into the forest of this beloved pastoral comedy and enjoy an evening of mayhem and merriment in Sudeley’s glorious grounds.
Where? Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire
When? Sunday 18th August
What to bring? Your own seating, snacks, plus plenty of layers!
Little Women, Grimsthorpe Castle
Join the March sisters Meg, Amy, Beth, and Jo at Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire for an open-air performance of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. The beloved novel will be brought to life by Chapterhouse Theatre Company, following the story of the sisters’ journey to adulthood in the beautiful surroundings of Grimsthorpe’s spectacular gardens.
Where? Grimsthorpe Castle, Lincolnshire
When? Thursday 22nd August
What to bring? Your own chair, picnic, and plenty of layers to wrap up warm!
Hamlet, Doddington Hall & Gardens
If you missed the performance at Newby Hall, then grab a ticket to Doddington Hall in Lincolnshire where the Lord Chamberlain’s Men will be returning for another rendition of Hamlet. Experience an unforgettable performance of this extraordinary play, elevated by the beautiful backdrop of Doddington’s Tudor gardens.
Where? Doddington Hall & Gardens
When? Tuesday 27th – Wednesday 28th August
What to bring? Your own chair, plenty of layers, and a picnic. Picnics are also available to pre-order through Doddington’s website.
The Taming of the Shrew, Lamport Hall
The walled garden at Lamport Hall in Northamptonshire will be transforming into the courtyards of Padua for a performance of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. Watch the Oxford University Dramatic Society bring this tale of fiery passion to life whilst making the most of those late summer nights by spending an evening under the stars.
Where? Lamport Hall, Northamptonshire
When? Friday 13th September
What to bring? Your own chair, plenty of layers, and snacks to keep you going. Please note your own alcohol is not permitted on-site.
