Guide to summer theatre in London

No matter the weather, rain or shine, you can enjoy London's West End with this guide that is full to the brim of top tips for seeing theatre this summer.

Summer in London is a special time for theatre. We get the joy of the outdoor theatre season led by open-air venues like Shakespeare’s Globe and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, and special outdoor events. Of course, there are still tons of great shows indoors as well since we can’t always count on the British weather!

Summer 2025 looks to be particularly good news for fans of musicals new and old, and for the opportunity to see a multitude of stars on stage in exciting plays. There’s also a plethora of family shows for all age groups.

In fact, the biggest challenge is probably figuring out where to start! So, dig into our handy guide to all things summer theatre in London – from family-friendly productions to outdoor shows, indoor air conditioning, and our picks for the best shows to book for this summer season.

Shows to see in London this summer

Musical theatre lovers are sure to rejoice as Jordan Fein’s triple Olivier-winning production of Fiddler on the Roof returns to London, this time at the Barbican, prior to touring. For another classic, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre presents the first London revival of Lerner and Loewe’s Brigadoon since the 1980s, with a revised book by Rona Munro. Rachel Zegler takes centre stage at the London Palladium in Jamie Lloyd’s production of Evita. Conor McPherson’s Bob Dylan-scored musical Girl from the North Country returns to the Old Vic, and powerful verbatim musical London Road will have a brief homecoming at the National Theatre - if you missed either of these the first time round, here's your chance!

There are plenty of new musicals on offer. Broadway hit Shucked enjoys a five-week run at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in early summer. Party the summer away with The Great Gatsby at the London Coliseum and learn some killer moves from Burlesque, based on the Christina Aguilera film. Disney’s Hercules is sure to be heroic fun for all the family. And Just for One Day, playing in the West End following a run at the Old Vic last year, is the perfect treat for ‘80s pop fans.

Five-time Tony-winning play-with-music Stereophonic, about a fictional ‘70s rock band on the edge, makes its West End premiere and Anoushka Lucas’s autobiographical, self-penned, one-woman play-with-music Elephant transfers to the Menier Chocolate Factory.

There’s an abundance of star turns in plays. John Lithgow reprises his Olivier-winning performance as Roald Dahl in Giant; real-life mother and daughter Imelda Staunton and Bessie Carter lead George Bernard Shaw’s Mrs Warren’s Profession; Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden play Alcoholics Anonymous buddies in The Fifth Step; Ewan McGregor and Elizabeth Debicki scintillate in Ibsen update My Master Builder, and Sean Hayes reprises his Tony-winning performance as real-life entertainer Oscar Levant in comedy-drama *Good Night, Oscar*. At the National Theatre, Michael Sheen returns to his role as pioneering MP Aneurin “Nye” Bevan in Nye and Rosamund Pike stars as a high-flying judge in Suzie Miller’s (Prima Facie) new play Inter Alia.

Shows to see in London with kids this summer

It’s never too early to start planning for the summer holidays! Theatre is a brilliant way to spark the imagination and to life-long form memories. It’s also a great way to fill those long school holiday weeks and keep everyone entertained!

There are plenty of shows to entertain children of all ages. For little ones, The Tiger Who Came to Tea and The Enormous Crocodile are a perfect introduction to live theatre. For slightly older children, 101 Dalmatians, My Neighbour Totoro, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe provide plenty of humour and brilliant puppetry. And, for teenagers, Noughts & Crosses, is a terrific (and heart-breaking) thriller.

Are London theatres air conditioned?

Not all London theatres have air conditioning, unfortunately, so it can get warm during summer, especially if a heatwave arises. Make sure you take plenty of water with you and get some fresh air in the interval.

However, quite a few venues do now have air con – so prepare for that too. It might mean bringing another layer, like a jumper or scarf, if you’ve come directly from the park in your shorts, T-shirt, and sandals.

A list of venues that have air conditioning can be found here.

Best outdoor venues in London

Shakespeare’s Globe

Globe is a historically faithful reconstruction of a 16th-century playing space, which means you can watch plays there in the conditions they were originally designed for – basically letting you feel like you’re in Shakespeare’s actual audience (albeit with modern concern for health and safety!).

This summer’s productions include romantic tragedies Romeo and Juliet (with a Wild West setting) and Troilus and Cressida, bittersweet comedy Twelfth Night, and the rip-roaring *The Merry Wives of Windsor*, as well as Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. And, for young audiences, there’s the Olivier-nominated Rough Magic.

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

This royal park is truly majestic, as is the outdoor theatre at its heart. Regent’s Park has a generous playing space nestled among verdant trees – and you get the odd stage invasion by resident birds. It also has a magical theatre bar with twinkling fairy lights.

The venue is known for its outstanding and inventive productions of musicals, including Fiddler on the Roof, La Cage aux Folles, and Legally Blonde. The 2025 season kicks off with hilarious Broadway import Shucked, and the classic Scottish-set musical fantasy Brigadoon emerges from the mist later on. Dance fans are sure to relish Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Dream Ballets: A Triple Bill. Children’s musical The Enormous Crocodile makes a snappy return and the stage adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s modern young adult classic Noughts & Crosses is bound to thrill teenagers and adults alike.

The Actors’ Church, Covent Garden

St Paul’s, Covent Garden is nestled in the heart of this busy shopping and entertainment district and has had close ties to the theatre industry since the 17th century, with the establishment of Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The church contains the ashes of Dame Ellen Terry and Dame Edith Evans, and there are memorial plaques to many notable theatrical figures, including Vivien Leigh, Charlie Chaplin, Ivor Novello, Gracie Fields, and more. The church hosts the regular event Musicals by Candlelight.

The gardens make for a gorgeous setting for al fresco performance. This summer’s flagship productions are an adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray’s Vanity Fair, with its fabulously wicked anti-heroine Becky Sharp, and a production of Shakespeare’s Henry V with a contemporary setting. Other highlights include Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and The Wind in the Willows.

How to plan a trip to see London theatre in the summer

The sheer number of shows, among other fantastic cultural offerings, makes London an incredibly attractive travel destination. If you’re thinking of visiting London during the summer holidays, here are some practical tips on what to pack and how best to manage your stay here – including your theatre trips.

Prepare for all weather eventualities

The one thing you can always expect with British weather is the unexpected. We sometimes have glorious summers here, but we just as often have rain. So, make sure you have sun cream and sunglasses, but also a portable, light waterproof jacket (or something like a poncho) and umbrella with you. Layers are your best friend!

Always stay hydrated during your theatre trip

London becomes very humid whenever it’s warm – especially in the centre of town. And, as we explained above, not all theatres have air conditioning. So, take a bottle of water with you wherever you go. You can get free tap water at all theatre bars if you need a top-up.

Get to know the best travel routes to your theatres

The quickest way to get around London is via public transport – primarily buses and the Tube (or underground train). That includes getting into the West End, where you’ll find most theatres. So, check out the stations near where you are staying to plan your routes ahead of time, and always include a Plan B in case of transport delays.

Leave time to explore the city in between shows

London is teeming with amazing historical sites and cutting-edge activities – there’s always something new to see or try. It can also be tiring travelling around town, especially if you’re doing something that requires concentration, like seeing a long play. So, ensure there is time between your activities – there are lots of beautiful parks in central London where you can enjoy the fresh air and a s. That way you can pace yourself or be open to stumbling upon something fun and unexpected. It might even be a last-minute ticket deal for a show.

Top image credit: Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. (Photo courtesy of theatre)