What pairs perfectly with a New Hampshire summer day? Fresh air, scenic views, and a memorable live performance. This season, theatres across the state take the stage outdoors and blend the magic of live entertainment with the beauty of summer in New Hampshire.
From laugh-out-loud comedies in the park to whimsical productions set against mountain backdrops, outdoor theatre offers a one-of-a-kind way to spend a summer evening.
Check out these four outdoor venues and grab your ticket to summer fun!
Prescott Park Arts Festival, Portsmouth
June 19 - August 9, 2026
Summer nights shine bright at the Prescott Park Arts Festival where waterfront views and live entertainment come together all season long. From outdoor movies and concerts to special community events, the festival transforms Prescott Park into one of New Hampshire’s favorite summertime gathering spots. Taking center stage this season is Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, a fresh and contemporary take on the beloved classic. Audiences can enjoy iconic songs like “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible,” and “Ten Minutes Ago” while taking in the magic of live theatre under the stars. The production opens Friday, June 19 and runs most Thursdays through Sundays throughout the summer.
The Patchwork Players, Whitefield and Columbia
July 1 – August 21, 2026
Family-friendly fun takes the outdoor stage this summer as the Patchwork Players bring four lively productions to the Weathervane Theatre and venues throughout northern New Hampshire. Filled with music, movement, and imagination, these performances are designed to delight audiences of all ages. The season opens with The Quest (July 1–11), an adventurous story inspired by Leo Tolstoy’s The Three Questions, followed by Beauty and the Beast (July 15–24), a fresh take on the beloved classic. Next comes the playful and quirky Snow White and the Magic Go Go Boots (July 29–August 7), before the season wraps with Broadway Bound 2: Big Roles, Bigger Dreams (August 12–21), a high-energy celebration of music, dance, and chasing your dreams.
Advice to the Players, Sandwich
June 26 – August 9, 2026
Classic theatre meets beautiful outdoor settings this summer with Advice to the Players, Sandwich’s Shakespeare company. Known for imaginative productions and engaging performances, the company brings timeless stories to life at venues across the Lakes Region.
The season begins with Viragos at Sandwich Town Hall (June 26–27), following a group of young Englishwomen studying theatre in France during Shakespeare’s era as they navigate art, ambition, love, and politics. Later in the summer, audiences can experience Romeo & Juliet at Quimby Park and Castle in the Clouds (July 31–August 9), a fresh take on Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy that explores the hope, awkwardness, and intensity of young love against stunning outdoor backdrops.
Opera North, Cornish
June 26 – July 26, 2026
Set against the scenic backdrop of the historic Blow-Me-Down Farm in Cornish, Opera North’s summer season combines world-class performances with the beauty of the Upper Valley countryside. This year’s lineup opens with Rossini’s La Cenerentola (June 26–July 1), a playful and comedic twist on the classic Cinderella story. Next is The Ballad of Baby Doe (July 12–17), an American opera set during the Colorado mining boom of the Gilded Age. Closing the season is the beloved Broadway classic Fiddler on the Roof (July 23–26), a heartfelt story of family, tradition, and community brought to life under the summer sky.
Photo credit top of page: Lars Blackmore
