Last Updated on August 12, 2025
Outdoor arts events in London, summer 2025 roundup
Although the idea of spending more time outside right now might seem the opposite of a ‘good time’, the truth is that summer is right around the corner. These days, it is also true that planning ahead has become a necessary part of living in London. To help us all out for the summer months, below is a list of the best outdoor arts activities to make the best of the sun.
Contents
Plays
Romeo and Juliet – Shakespeare’s Globe
The Globe is certainly leaning into its ‘wilder’ side with its upcoming season, and it is kicking off the summer with a gun-slinging Romeo and Juliet, directed by the Globe’s associate director Sean Holmes. Starring Abdul Sessay and Lola Shalam as Romeo and Juliet, this production will lean into the lawless Wild West, setting this familiar tale of star-crossed lovers against a historic family blood feud. Needless to say, hold on to your cowboy hats folks! Standing tickets start at £5, and seated at £25.
Dates: 25th April – 2nd August 2025
The Crucible – Shakespeare’s Globe
Although London never seems to be short on productions of The Crucible, Arthur Miller’s classic text has rarely seemed so relevant. The play is nominally about the Salem witch trials, but there can be no mistaking that Miller wrote it with McCarthy’s America in mind. Undoubtedly, this production at the Globe, directed by Ola Ince, will bring this story of fear and hysteria an even more modern edge. Standing tickets start at £5, and seated at £25.
Dates: 8th May – 12th July 2025
Noughts & Crosses – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is set to bring Malorie Blackman’s best-selling book, Noughts and Crosses, to its stage in June. Blackman’s novel follows the star-crossed lovers Sephy and Callum, who live in a world separated into noughts and crosses, a strict racial hierarchy that keeps them apart. This heart-breaking story, originally adapted by Dominic Cooke for the RSC in 2007, is now in the hands of Tinuke Craig, the associate artistic director of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. With tickets from just £15, there is no reason not to experience the show for yourself.
Dates: 28th June – 26th July 2025
The Merry Wives of Windsor – Shakespeare’s Globe
On a much lighter note, a new production of The Merry Wives of Windsor has also been scheduled at the Globe this summer. This is another one from the Globe’s associate director Sean Holmes, and promises to explore the play’s ‘wild, mythic and daring underbelly’. Following the sage wisdom of one of the play’s principal characters, Sir John Falstaff, this is probably best enjoyed with a large glass of wine in hand.
Dates: 4th July – 20th September 2025
Twelfth Night or What You Will – Shakespeare’s Globe
Easily one of Shakespeare’s most beloved texts, Twelfth Night is a giddy tragi-comedy with a love triangle at its heart. Filled with disguises, longing and mistaken identity, this production at the Globe will be directed by Robin Belfield, who brought us the raucous Princess Essex last year. Expect midsummer madness.
Dates: 8th August – 25th October 2025
For One Night Only: A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Shakespeare’s Globe
Following the success of last year’s ‘cue scripts’ experiment, the Globe are staging a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream for one night only. The experiment is simple, there is no rehearsal and all of the actors will be meeting for the first time on the day of the performance. According to the globe, this is meant to emulate how actors in Shakespeare’s day used to only have access to their role, rather than the entire script. The lack of rehearsal makes this production an intriguing one, but in the safe hands of director Blanche McIntyre, who directed the previous one night only production, this could certainly be a night to remember.
Date: 14th September
Troilus and Cressida – Shakespeare’s Globe
To round off their summer season, the Globe is finishing with a production of Troilus and Cressida, one of Shakespeare’s lesser-known satires. Set during the Trojan War, Troilus does indeed fall for Cressida, as the play’s title suggests, but much of the play isn’t actually about them. Instead, it follows the leaders of the Greek and Trojan forces, Agamemnon and Priam, as the war reaches a wretched conclusion. Troilus and Cressida will be directed by Owen Horsley, making this production his Globe debut.
Dates: 26th September – 26th October 2025
The Lord Chamberlains Men: Twelfth Night – Chiswick House
Clearly, audiences in London will have their pick of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night this year, as the Lord Chamberlain’s Men will be performing it at Chiswick Gardens in July. With an all-male cast and Elizabethan costumes, this production is set to be a blast from the past. Tickets are available from £20, with children’s tickets from £10.
Date: 1st July 2025
Live Music
Kew The Music – Kew Gardens
The annual week-long picnic concert is back at Kew Gardens for the summer of 2025. In the landscape of London’s music festivals, Kew The Music is special for two reasons. The first of course is the venue, Kew Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is phenomenally beautiful all year round, but especially in the height of summer. The second is that, unlike many city music festivals, you’re allowed to bring your own food and drink to the event, pitch up and picnic. This year, the main lineup includes Craig David, DJ Spoony and The Human League.
Dates: 8th July – 13th July 2025
BST – Hyde Park
British Summer Time has been a fixture in London since 2013, and is easily one of the most popular music festivals in London over the summer. In the past, the festival has seen the likes of The Rolling Stones and Taylor Swift perform, and this year will be no different, as Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo and Noah Kahan are set to bring their hits to its stages.
Dates: 27th June – 13th July 2025
Brockwell Live – Brockwell Park
Over the past few years, the festivals that comprise Brockwell Live have soared in popularity, and practically take over a good chunk of South London. This year, Cross the Tracks, Mighty Hoopla, Wide Awake, City Splash and the recently relocated Field Day are all set to bring world-leading artists to the humble South London park. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the free and un-ticketed Lambeth Country Show will also be taking place at Brockwell Park over the 7th and 8th of June.
Dates: 23rd May – 8th June 2025
Tickets for all festivals available here.
Musicals
Shucked – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Following an acclaimed run on Broadway and a US Tour, the Tony-Award-winning musical Shucked is making its UK Premiere at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Following the story of Maizy and Beau, a pair of free-range lovebirds, whose plans to wed are derailed when the corn in their neighbourhood suddenly starts to die. Promising both music and comedy, this production kicks off Drew McOnie’s artistic direction at Regent’s Park.
Dates: 10 May – 14 June 2025
Brigadoon – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Also coming to Regents Park Open Air Theatre this summer is a major reinvention of Lerner & Loewe’s musical classic, Brigadoon, from director Rona Munro. The musical is set in the Scottish Highlands, in the mystical town of Brigadoon. After crash landing there, World War Two fighter pilots Tommy and Jeff find themselves falling for local maidens, but not all is as it seems in Brigadoon. Despite the musical featuring a number of classic songs, including ‘Almost Like Being in Love’, this will be the musical’s first London staging in over 35 years. Check our review of Brigadoon and grab tickets while you still can.
Dates: 2nd August – 20th September 2025
Dance
The Royal Ballet School – Opera Holland Park
Every year the Royal Ballet School pitch up at Opera Holland Park for a week to perform an exciting array of classical and contemporary dance. This is a rare opportunity to witness the hard work of young performers at the Royal Ballet School and to watch the rising stars out in the open air. This year, the programme will be curated by Iain Mackay in his first season as Artistic Director of the Royal Ballet School.
Dates: 2nd July – 5th July 2025
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Dream Ballets: A Triple Bill – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
This triple bill of dream ballets from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musical repertoire is certainly an exciting addition to the summer shows at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Each of the three ballets will be created by a different world leading choreographer. The rarely performed dream ballet from Allegro will be choreographed by Julia Cheng, with Shelley Maxwell choreographing Oklahoma! and Kate Prince rounding the triptych off with Carousel. The performances will be accompanied live on stage by the 26-piece orchestra of the Sinfonia Smith Square. This is only set to run for three performances, so grab your tickets while you still can.
Dates: 19th June – 22nd June 2025
Kids
The Enormous Crocodile – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Following a hit summer season at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre last year The Enormous Crocodile is set to return to the theatre this summer. Based on the fiction of Roald Dahl, with music from Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab and lyrics from Suhayla El-Bushra, this musical features singing, dancing and puppetry. Coming in at just under an hour, The Enormous Crocodile will no doubt be fun for all the family.
Dates: 15th August – 7th September 2025
Itch – Opera Holland Park
Commissioned by Opera Holland Park, Itch first graced its stage in 2023 and is now back for a short run in June of 2025. Based on the children’s books from Simon Mayo, this production was created by the reliable pairing of librettist Alasdair Middleton and composer Jonathan Dove. Acclaimed for its Tetris-like set designed by Frankie Bradshaw, this production is full of science, high-jinx and high pursuit.
Dates: 3rd June – 13th June 2025
Playing Shakespeare – Shakespeare’s Globe
This March, a 90-minute adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth will premiere on the Globe’s mainstage. Designed for young audiences, the production calls itself the ‘perfect introduction to Shakespeare for all.’ Seated tickets are available at half price for those under 18.
Dates: 13th March – 20th April 2025
Opera
The Flying Dutchman – Opera Holland Park
Directed by Julia Burbach, this production of Richard Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman is a brand-new staging from Opera Holland Park. This production will star Paul Carey Jones as the lonely Dutchman and Eleanor Dennis as Senta, the woman who becomes a fixation of the Dutchman’s desires and his only possible hope to escape the curse. Conducted by Peter Selwyn, this production reunites the team behind the acclaimed Hackney Ring Cycle. It is certainly one to keep your eye on.
Dates: 27th May – 14th June 2025
The Merry Widow – Opera Holland Park
Staged by operetta’s favourite leading man, John Savournin, this production of Franz Lehar’s The Merry Widow is the first of two co-productions at Opera Holland Park with Scottish Opera and D’Oyly Carte Opera. Conducted by Stuart Stratford, this will be the Scottish Opera’s Orchestra’s first time at Opera Holland Park. With Paula Sides and Alex Otterburn starring in the lead roles, this is certainly set up to be a good time in the summer sunshine.
Dates: 19th June – 18th June 2025
Trial by Jury / A Matter of Misconduct! – Opera Holland Park
Brought to you, once again, by John Savournin, Scottish Opera and D’Oyly Carte Opera, the Gilbert and Sullivan courtroom drama operetta, Trial by Jury, is taking the stage at Opera Holland Park this summer. It will then be followed by the London premiere of Emma Jenkins and Toby Hession’s new political satire, A Matter of Misconduct! Full of scandal, wit, and repartee, this double bill looks like the perfect comedy for modern woes.
Dates: 24th June – 16th June 2025
Lucia di Lammermoor – Opera Holland Park
The beloved Gaetano Donizetti opera Lucia di Lammermoor is coming to Opera Holland Park this summer for a brand-new production. The opera is based on the novel by Scottish writer Walter Scott’s The Bride of Lammermoor, which traces the story of an increasingly fragile Lucia against the backdrop of a vicious family feud. This haunting and yet electrifying opera will be directed by Cecilia Stinton and designed by Neil Irish, with coloratura soprano Jennifer France making her debut in the lead role.
Dates: 18th July – 1st August 2025
La Traviata – Opera Holland Park
Rodula Gaitanou’s 2018 production of Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata is set to return to Opera Holland Park this summer. This classic story of the French demimonde Violetta, and the love between her and the more respectable Alfredo, leans into a late 19th century aesthetic in this production. Look out for nods to the paintings of Gustave Courbet and John Singer Sargent. The full casting is still yet to be announced, but soprano Alison Langer is set to reprise her role as Violetta, alongside Matteo Desole as Alfredo.
Dates: 19th July – 2nd August 2025
Fine Art
Serpentine Pavilion – Kensington Garden
Every year, the Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Gardens unveils a brand-new structure designed by an international architect. On the 6th of June, the Bangladeshi architect and educator Marina Tabassum is set to unveil her piece ‘A Capsule in Time’. Tabassum’s structure is inspired by the long-held tradition of park-going, the feeling of soft light through foliage and arched garden canopies. This year marks the 25th anniversary of this historic commission, making the pavilion a must-visit over the summer.
Dates: from the 6th of June
No need to book, but more information can be found here.
Summary
Here’s hoping for sunshine and fine weather this year. If you find yourself spending summer in the city, there’s no reason to despair, you’ll find a plethora of fabulous events on hand to keep you amused. And, what could be better than watching your favourite opera, play or musical against a backdrop of the setting sun? We’ll be updating this feature as we find out more about outdoor arts events in London this year.
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