Outdoor theatre Liverpool 2026
There are quite a few outdoor theatre Liverpool shows to choose from this summer. There are some great shows for families as well as some that are better suited to adults and teens. This post is part of a series of posts on Outdoor theatre North West.
As with any events post, I have done my best to make sure this post is up to date but events do get cancelled at the last minute so please check with the theatre company or venue. All events require pre-booking.
This post will be updated so if you know an outdoor theatre show that I need to add, please send me an email at info@northwestforkids.co.uk
King Arthur and the Holy Fail, Speke Hall
When – 19th June 2026.
In a land of daring quests, dashing knights, and endless jousting, there lived a would-be hero – waiting in the wings – who went by the name of Arthur. But when Camelot is rocked to its core by a tragic – and frankly improbable – incident involving a large table of an undisclosed shape, Arthur is thrust into the quest of a lifetime. Will he bravely battle through blistering cold and scorching fire to save his beloved realm, or will he crumble as fate refuses to cooperate? Destiny awaits, chivalry calls, and the quest to end all quests begins. Saddle up – things are about to get legendary.
Book here – King Arthur and the Holy Fail
Adults £21, children £12, under 5s free
Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles, Speke Hall
When – 1st July 2026.
How can one show possibly contain so much action and adventure? Elementary, my dear! The critically-acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company present a brand-new riff on the fiendishly famous case. Will detective duo Holmes and Watson discover the deadly secret of the Baskerville family curse before it strikes again? Or are they barking up the wrong tree? Find out in this delightfully inventive show that will have you yelping with excitement and howling with laugher. Features live music, audience interaction and more mystery than you can shake a magnifying glass at.
Book here – Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles
Adults £21, children £12, under 5s free
The (Almost) Complete History of Britain, Speke Hall
When – 17th July 2026
Mud, blood and stiff upper-lips! Join the critically-acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company on a breathless race through the centuries in this delightfully inventive show that tells the entire story of Britain in under 2 hours. Have you ever wanted to see the life of Henry VIII told as a romantic comedy or the tale of the Spanish Armada reimagined as a light operetta? Probably not. But that won’t stop The Pantaloons retelling great moments from the country’s past in a variety of surprising genres! Featuring live music, audience interaction and wild historical inaccuracy.
Book here – The (Almost) Complete History of Britain
Adults £21, children £12, under 5s free
Twelfth Night, Speke Hall
When – 16th August 2026
Get in a fight. Cross-dress. Throw on some yellow stockings. Love can make you do the funniest things…! The critically-acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company present their own brand of Shakespearean mayhem in the Bard’s comedy of fools, duels and dual identities. Family-friendly fun with live music and audience participation.
Book here – Twelfth Night
Adults £21, children £12, under 5s free
The Three Musketeers, The Reader, Calderstone park
When – 6th August 2026
Performed by regulars at The Reader -Illyria in the great outdoors, follow Young D’Artagnan who is desperate to join Athos,Porthos and Aramis as an elite Musketeer of the King’s Guard. But are his swashbuckling credentials sufficient? Find out as the fearless four survive the schemes of Cardinal Richelieu and cross swords with the deadly Milady de Winter.
Illyria’s mission is simple.to create outstandingly enjoyable theatre and make it available for everyone. Illyria has been pursuing this mission for over thirty years, performed for more than a million people, and intend to entertain families across the country for many seasons to come.
Book here – The Three Musketeers
Adults £19, under 16s £11.50
Macbeth, The Reader at Calderstone park
When – 23rd August 2026
The HandleBards return to the Mansion House Garden for a hilariously high-octane production of Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ like you’ve never seen before. Forget the tears and tragedy, our Macbeth is chock full of mishaps, mayhem and mirth.
We all know the story. Mysterious spirits appear,Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plot to kill the king, and things get rapidly out of hand from there…
The HandleBards are anintrepid three-strong troupes pending the summer bringing environmentally sustainable Shakespeare to venues across the UK.
Book here – Macbeth
Adults £19, under 16s £11.50
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Port Sunlight
When – 20th August 2026
In the heart of an enchanted forest, four young lovers flee the constraints of society and stumble into a realm ruled by mischievous fairies, feuding royalty, and a troupe of would-be actors with more enthusiasm than talent. What follows is a wild night of mistaken identities, magical transformations, and love gone deliciously wrong, enjoy Shakespeare’s dazzling verse and Folksy Theatre’s twist of live music, audience interaction and impressive multi-rolling.
Book here – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Pinocchio, Claremont farm
When – 31st May 2026
Childless toymaker Geppetto makes a wooden puppet – little realising the chaos he is about to unleash. The puppet yearns for adventure and runs away, but instead of excitement only finds glorious attractions containing hidden dangers. He returns home hoping to be showered with sympathy and learns his tribulations are just beginning. Running away hasn’t worked; lying won’t work; he must become a real boy to achieve the belonging he craves. Collodi’s classic has been translated into no fewer than 260 languages since it was first published in 1883. Illyria celebrates this magical coming-of-age tale in a thrilling musical outdoor show.
Book here – Pinocchio
Tickets from £12.45
The Three Musketeers, Claremont farm
When – 24th June 2026
Book here – The Three Musketeers
Tickets from £12.45
As you like it, Claremont Farm
When – 5th August 2026
Four pairs of soulmates meet in the Forest of Arden. One pair leap straight into bed. Another pair are dumbstruck by each other’s beauty. The third pair torment each other. The fourth pair go further still, playfully blurring their roles and identities to such an extent that flirting becomes more pain than pleasure, and Love itself is pushed to the limit of endurance and beyond.
International award-winning Illyria has an unmatched reputation for excellence, forged over three decades, that dominates the outdoor touring theatre sector. Join them this summer for a memorable night of laughter and romance under the stars.
Book here – As you like it
Tickets from £12.45
As you like it, Crosby Hall
When – 18th July 2026
Join us for Shakespeare’s iconic comedy performed where its action is set – in the great outdoors, by multi international award-winning Illyria’s 5-strong cast of classically trained professional actors.
Book here – As you like it, Crosby Hall
Adults £20, children £10
Othello, Knowsley Hall
When – 8th July 2026
Performed by the acclaimed Lord Chamberlain’s Men in the exquisite gardens of Knowsley Hall, prepare to be transported into a world of jealousy, betrayal and manipulation in an unforgettable setting, followed by a luxury overnight stay in the private rooms of Knowsley Hall. See it performed how William Shakespeare first saw it, as The Lord Chamberlain’s Men – with a history stretching back to Shakespeare’s original company – present this play in the open air, with an all male cast and Elizabethan costumes, music and dance.
“The best authentic Shakespearean experience” Yorkshire Post
Tickets for this wonderous experience and luxury overnight stay are priced at £425 per couple.
Book here – Othello – Knowsley Hall
Sir Ken Dodd Performance Garden, Shakespeare North Playhouse
There’s so much on at this outdoor theatre that is part of Shakespeare North Playhouse.
The comedy of errors – 17th – 18th June 2026
Afternoon Opera: Classic Aria – 24th June 2026
Hamlet – 16th – 18th July 2026
Reynard the fox – 22nd July 2026
Tosca – 1st August 2026
Summer of love: Love’s Labour’s Lost – 6th – 8th August 2026
The (almost) complete history of Britain – 14th – 15th August 2026
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – 27th August 2026
Full details and booking links here – Sir Ken Dodd Performance Garden | Shakespeare North Playhouse
More ideas for things to do this summer
As well as outdoor theatre, you can watch your favourite films outdoors this summer. Find out where here – Outdoor cinema North West
Fancy cooling down in a paddling pool or splash park? Find the locations across our region here – Outdoor paddling pools and splash parks in the North West
Find loads of ideas for places to go strawberry picking near Liverpool.
Why not get lost in a maze this summer? Find all the ones across our region here – Maize maze North West.
