Watching summer theater in the park or an outdoor play of any kind in Seattle is a fine way to introduce kids to the theater – it’s free (donations encouraged) and restless kids can get up and move around. Many of the plays are Shakespeare and while much of Shakespeare’s prose will go over the heads of young kids, they will grasp that it’s about playground drama they experience regularly – power, loyalty, plotting, battles.
These performances are intimate; no walls separate actors from the audience crowding in close to catch the action. They are affordable; the cost is whatever you want to pay when they pass the hat. And the skill and imagination on display here are impressive. With very limited props, actors have to create worlds on the park lawn or minimal stage. They may need to switch between roles within a second, with the aid of a hat, a swagger, or a change in voice. And they often have to improvise, keeping the play going no matter what comes at them: be it rain, airplane noise overhead, stray frisbees, or excitable dogs.
Seattle Outdoor Theater in the Park Tips:
- Bring a blanket, bug spray, sunscreen, layers of clothing, water, some cash to put in the hat, and, if you like, a picnic.
- Don’t bring packaging or toys that make noise. (You never realize how much noise a bag of chips makes until you try and open one quietly!).
- Outdoor theater in the park is designed for a human audience, so best not to bring a dog unless they are fine sitting still for at least an hour and won’t be tempted to inspect nearby picnics.
- Camp chairs are a good idea for some, but avoid blocking anyone’s view: the taller the chair, the farther back in the audience you need to sit.
Wooden O Shakespeare in the Park
Multiple Park Locations
Seattle Shakespeare Company’s FREE Wooden O production for the summer will be William Shakespeare’s much-loved comedy, As You Like It. Grab a picnic, bring your family, and join for some Shakespeare in the parks!
- Thurday, July 10 | 7 pm | Luther Burbank Park, Mercer Island
- Friday, July 11 | 7 pm | Columbia City Park, Seattle
- Saturday, July 12 | 7 pm | Columbia City Park, Seattle
- Sunday, July 13 | 7 pm | Volunteer Park, Seattle
- Wednesday, July 16 | 7 pm | Luther Burbank Park, Mercer Island
- Thursday, July 17 | 7 pm | Lynndale Park, Lynnwood
- Friday, July 18 | 7 pm |Riverton Heights Park, Tukwila
- Saturday, July 19 | 7 pm | Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville
- Sunday, July 20 | 7 pm | Luther Burbank Park, Mercer Island
- Wednesday, July 23 | 7 pm | Luther Burbank Park, Mercer Island
- Thursday, July 24 | 7 pm | Luther Burbank Park, Mercer Island
- Friday, July 25 | 7 pm | Klahanie Park, Sammamish
- Saturday, July 26 | 7 pm | Luther Burbank Park, Mercer Island
- Sunday, July 27 | 5 pm | Marvista Park, Normandy Park
- Wednesday, July 30 | 7 pm | Richmond Beach Community Park, Shoreline
- Thursday, July 31 | 7 pm | Issaquah Community Center
- Friday, August 1 | 7 pm | Luther Burbank Park, Mercer Island
- Sunday, August 3 | 7 pm | Luther Burbank Park, Mercer Island
- Wednesday, August 6 | 7 pm | Luther Burbank Park, Mercer Island
- Thursday, August 7 | 7 pm | Luther Burbank Park, Mercer Island
- Friday, August 8 | 7 pm | Luther Burbank Park, Mercer Island
- Saturday, August 9 | 6 pm | Wiggum’s Hollow, North Everett’
- Sunday, August 10 | 6 pm | Des Moines Beach Park, Des Moines
- Wednesday, August 13 | 6 pm | Luther Burbank Park, Mercer Island
- Thursday, August 14 | 6 pm | Luther Burbank Park, Mercer Island
- Friday, August 15 | 6 pm | Luther Burbank Park, Mercer Island
- Sunday, August 17 | 6 pm | Luther Burbank Park, Mercer Island
Seattle Outdoor Festival
Volunteer Park, 1247 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112
The best showcase of outdoor theater in Seattle parks is the annual Seattle Outdoor Theater Festival in Volunteer Park on July 12 and 13, 2025. For two days you’ll get to see multiple theaters performing in several locations in the grand park, including in the Conservatory, on the lawn, and best of all, in the beautiful Amphitheater. There will be several other opportunities to watch those shows performed at the Outdoor Festival at other Seattle-area parks in July and August as well as more shows performed by additional theaters. The festival is FREE to attend.
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GreenStage Theater
Check out these free Shakespeare in the Park this summer to see when and where they will be performing theater in the park around Seattle. The 2025 mainstage tour they will be presenting one of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies and fan favorite Much Ado About Nothing directed by Daniel Wood. They are closing out Shakespeare’s 8 part history epic that we began all the way back in 2017 with “Richard III” directed by Ken Holmes.
Backyard Bard will be touring abbreviated productions of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “The Taming of the Shrew” directed by Nicole Vernon. Performances will run from July 11 – August 16. The Backyard Bard shows, shortened versions of Shakespeare’s plays (one hour each) are sometimes shown back-to-back with a generous break in between. If you’re uncertain how much Shakespeare your kids will take, this is a great option. Also, since the cast is just a few versatile actors, it is fun to see the performers switch characters, or, at times enlarge the cast by calling up audience members.
Mucho Ado | July 11 – August 16, 2025 | Various hours | Multiple parks | Free | The fiery Beatrice and the stubborn Benedick are hilariously duped into falling for each other, while young lovers Hero and Claudio are torn apart by a villain’s cruel deception. July and August line up below.
- Friday, July 11 | 7:00 p.m. | Seward Park Amphitheater
- Saturday, July 12 | 7:00 pm | Volunteer Park – SOTF
- Sunday, July 13 | 7:00 pm | Seward Park Amphitheater
- Friday, July 18 | 7:00 pm | Fall City Park
- Saturday, July 19 | 7:00 pm | Lincoln Park
- Sunday, July 20 | 3:00 pm | Lincoln Park
- Thursday, July 24 | 7:00 pm | Lynndale Park, Lynnwood
- Friday, July 25 | 7:00 pm | Lower Woodland Park
- Saturday, July 26 | 7:00 pm | Lower Woodland Park
- Sunday, July 27 | 3:00 pm | Lower Woodland Park
- Friday, August 1 | 7:00 pm | Discovery Park
- Saturday, August 2 | 7:00 pm | Magnuson Park Amphitheater
- Sunday, August 3 | 5:00 pm | Ober Park – Vashon
- Friday, August 8 | 7:00 pm | Camp Long – West Seattle
- Saturday, August 9 | 7:00 pm | Volunteer Park
- Sunday, August 10 | 3:00 pm | Volunteer Park
- Friday, August 15 | 7:00 pm | Lake Burien School Memorial Park
- Saturday, August 16 | 7:00 pm | Lower Woodland Park
“Richard III” | July 11 – August 16, 2025 | Hours vary | Multiple parks | Free | “Richard III” is the last installment of GreenStage’s productions of Shakespeare’s eight history plays that began in 2017 with Richard II, and included both Henry IV plays, Henry V, and all three Henry VI plays. July and August line up:
- Friday, July 11 | 7:00 pm | Volunteer Park
- Saturday, July 12 | 7:00 pm | Seward Park Amphitheater
- Sunday, July 13 | 2:00 pm | Volunteer Park – SOTF
- Friday, July 18 | 7:00 pm | Lincoln Park
- Saturday, July 19 | 3:00 pm | Lincoln Park
- Sunday, July 20 | 7:00 pm | Lincoln Park
- Friday, July 25 | 7:00 pm | Fall City Park
- Saturday, July 26 | 3:00 pm | Lower Woodland Park
- Sunday, July 27 | 7:00 pm | Lower Woodland Park
- Thursday, July 31 | 7:00 pm | Lynndale Park, Lynnwood
- Friday, August 1 | 7:00 pm | Magnuson Park Amphitheater
- Saturday, August 2 | 7:00 pm | Discovery Park
- Sunday, August 3 | 7:00 pm | Magnuson Park Amphitheater
- Friday, August 8 | 7:00 pm | Volunteer Park
- Saturday, August 9 | 3:00 pm | Volunteer Park
- Sunday, August 10 | 7:00 pm | Volunteer Park
- Friday, August 15 | 7:00 pm | Lower Woodland Park
- Saturday, August 16 | 4:00 pm | Lower Woodland Park
Backyard Bard: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” | July 11 – August 16, 2025 | Multiple parks | Free | Backyard Bard presents a stripped down production of Shakespeare’s plays, one hour long and performed by a small ensemble of versatile actors. Read more about the play here.
- Friday July 11 | 7:00 pm | High Point Commons
- Sunday July 13 | 4:00 pm | Volunteer Park – SOTF
- Saturday July 19 | 7:00 pm | Wallingford Playfield
- Sunday, July 20 | 3:00 pm | Salmon Bay Park
- Friday, July 25 | 7:00 pm | Othello Park
- Sunday, July 27 | 3:00 pm | David Rodgers Park
- Saturday, August 2 | 7:00 pm | Cowen Park
- Sunday, August 3 | 3:00 pm | Sandel Park
- Friday, August 8 | 7:00 pm | Delridge Playfield
- Sunday, August 10 | 3:00 pm | View Ridge Playfield
- Friday, August 15 | 7:00 pm | Pratt Park
- Saturday, August 16 | 1:00 pm | Lower Woodland Park
Backyard Bard: “The Taming of the Shrew” | July 12 – August 16, 2025 | Hours vary | Multiple parks | Free | Backyard Bard presents a stripped down production of Shakespeare’s plays, one hour long and performed by a small ensemble of versatile actors. Read more about the play here.
- Saturday, July 12 | 7:00 pm | High Point Commons
- Sunday, July 13 | 5:15 pm | Volunteer Park – SOTF
- Friday, July 18 | 7:00 pm | Wallingford Playfield
- Sunday, July 20 | 4:00 pm | Salmon Bay Park
- Sunday, July 27 | 4:00 pm | David Rodgers Park
- Friday, August 1 | 7:00 pm | Cowen Park
- Sunday, August 3 | 4:00 pm | Sandel Park
- Saturday, August 9 | 7:00 pm | Delridge Playfield
- Sunday, August 10 | 4:00 pm | View Ridge Playfield
- Saturday, August 16 | 2:00 pm | Lower Woodland Park
Island Shakespeare Festival outdoor theatre performance ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’ (Photo courtesy: Island Shakespeare Festival).
Island Shakespeare Festival
5476 Maxwelton Rd, Langley, WA 98260
Head to Langley for a free (pay what you can) performing arts festival featuring “Mucho Ado About Nothing” (July 18-August 31 during the summer of 2025. They will also be performing “Anima”, directed by Emily Lyon and will play from July 24 – August 31, 2025 on select dates and times (see “Anima” schedule here). Check out the website HERE to reserve tickets.
Mucho Ado About Nothing 2025 line up:
- July 18,19,20 | 6 to 8:30 p.m. | Langley
- Friday, July 25 | 6 to 8:30 p.m.. | Langley
- Sunday, July 27 | 6 to 8:30 p.m. | Langley
- Wednesday, July 30 | 6 to 8:30 p.m. | Langley
- Friday, August 1 | 6 to 8:30 p.m. | Langley
- Sunday, August 3 | 6 to 8:30 p.m. | Langley
- Thursday, August 7 | 6 to 8:30 p.m. | Langley
- Saturday, August 9 | 6 to 8:30 p.m. | Langley
- Sunday, August 10 | 1 to 3:30 p.m. | Langley
- Wednesday, August 13 | 6 to 8:30 p.m. | Langley
- Friday, August 15 | 6 to 8:30 p.m. | Langley
- Sunday, August 17 | 6 to 8:30 p.m. | Langley
- Thursday, August 21 | 6 to 8:30 p.m. | Langley
- Saturday, August 23 | 6 to 8:30 p.m. | Langley
- Sunday, August 24 | 1 to 3:30 p.m. | Langley
- Wednesday, August 27 | 6 to 8:30 p.m. | Langley
- Friday, August 29 | 6 to 8:30 p.m. | Langley
- Sunday, August 31 | 6 to 8:30 p.m. | Langley
Theatre in the Park from the past, ‘play’s the thing’. (Photo courtesy: Burien Actors Theatre).
Burien Actors Theatre
Multiple locations in Seattle area
Don’t miss free family friendly theater in the park shows south of Seattle, in South King County parks. Burien Actors Theatre (BAT) is bringing “The Guardsman” by Ferenc Molar, adapted by Rachel Rene for 2025 theater in the park. They will have multiple showings from July 18 through August 17 during summer 2025 in multiple locations in the Seattle area. This show presents a story about a popular actor who suspects his actress wife is getting restless, so he takes his most daring role and disguises himself as a dashing guardsman – to test his wife and win her love. The actor sweeps his wife off her feet, creates romance and drama and nearly torpedoes their marriage in the process. Performances run approximately 90 minutes, be sure to bring your own low chair and blanket.
The 2025 schedule:
- Friday, July 25 | 7 p.m. | Riverton Heights Park, SeaTac
- Sunday, August 3 | 5 p.m. | Town Square Park, Burien
- Sunday, August 10 | 5 p.m. | Hilltop Park, Burien
- Friday, August 15 | 7 p.m. | Normandy Park
- Sunday, August 17 | 5 p.m. | Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden
- Additional South King County locations being finalized, check here for updates
Kitsap Forest Theater
3000 Seabeck Hwy NW, Bremerton, WA 98312
For a fantastical outdoor summer theater in the park experience, see “Big Fish”, a heartfelt and powerful Broadway musical about fathers, sons, and the stories that people use to define their identities. With a beautiful score by Andrew Lippa, and a witty book by John August, “Big Fish” is a magnificent “big fish” of a tale, itself – spectacular, fantastical, and overflowing with love. $23 adults, $20 students and seniors, $10 kids 6-12/Click here for all the information to plan your visit.
Here is the 2025 schedule: It runs Saturday and Sunday for four weekends 2:00 pm.
- Saturday, July 26 | 2 p.m.
- Sunday, July 27 | 2 p.m.
- Saturday August 2 | 2 p.m.
- Sunday, August 3 | 2 p.m.
- Saturday, August 9 | 2 p.m.
- Sunday, August 10 | 2 p.m.
- Saturday, August 16 | 2 p.m.
- Sunday, August 17 | 2 p.m.
Whim W’Him Pop Ups
Multiple locations
Whim W’Him returns this summer, 2025, bringing world-class contemporary dance to communities all across Seattle. Join this series of free outdoor theater in the park that will take place at several parks throughout Seattle, including, Jefferson Park in Beacon Hill, Martha Washington Park in Rainier Valley, Westlake Park, and AIDS Memorial Pathway in Capitol Hill. 2025 dates and locations below.
- Thursday, August 21 | 5 p.m. | Westlake Park
- Wednesday, August 27 | 6:30 p.m. | Martha Washington Park
- Wednesday, August 27 | 7:45 p.m. | Jefferson Park
- Friday, August 29 | 6:30 p.m. | TBC
- Friday, August 29 | 7:45 p.m. | AIDS Memorial Pathway
