Enjoy open air theatre and cinema across the Winchester district and beyond this spring and summer.
Winchester district is playing host to a fantastic array of outdoor performances you won’t want to miss, all set against a stunning heritage backdrop or within the surrounds of Hampshire’s rolling green countryside. So grab a picnic blanket, pick up some local food and drink, and book tickets for an alfresco performance coming to Winchester this spring and summer...
26 May 2025, The Hospital of St Cross
The Most Perilous Comedie of Elizabeth I
The Hospital of St Cross is proud to host this outdoor theatre performance by The Three Inch Fools. The Most Perilous Comedie of Elizabeth I is a largely historical, totally hysterical, brand new Tudor comedie!
Elizabethan theatre is flourishing. But will a brand-new Tudor musical romp, in which Good Queen Bess takes to the stage herself, be the making of this heroine or spell the beginning of her downfall? The stage is set for regicidal rivalries, devious dramatics, and plotting playwrights. Beset by misunderstandings and a script that, let’s just say, needs some work... thy show must go-eth on!
Bring your blankets, garden chairs and picnics to enjoy this alfresco performance in the glorious gardens of The Hospital of St Cross. The show will continue come rain or shine!
31 May 2025, Chawton House
Much Ado About Nothing
Pedalling from venue to venue with all of their set, props and costumes on the back of their bikes, the HandleBards are a four-strong troupe of actors who are spending the summer bringing environmentally sustainable Shakespeare to venues across the UK.
Join the troupe at Chawton House for a bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ like you’ve never seen before. In usual HandleBards style, expect riotous amounts of energy, a fair old whack of chaos, and a great deal of laughter.
A group of soldiers return from the war to a household in Messina, kindling new love interests and re-kindling old rivalries. The parallel love stories of Beatrice, Benedick, Claudio and Hero quickly become entangled with scheming, frivolity and melodrama in Shakespeare’s famous comedy.
Doors open at 6pm, so you have time to set up your blankets and camp chairs, dig into a picnic and bask in the in the beautiful grounds of Chawton House before the performance begins at 7pm.
21 June 2025, The Hospital of St Cross
The Pirates of Penzance
As part of The Winchester Garden Festival 2025, The Hospital of Saint Cross invites you to a spectacular outdoor performance of Gilbert & Sullivan’s much-loved operetta, ‘The Pirates of Penzance’, presented by one of the UK’s leading G&S touring companies, Opera Anywhere.
With ingenious characters, sublime lyrics and some of the best-known songs in opera, The Pirates of Penzance has become one of the most popular and enduring works of musical theatre to date
Set in the stunning gardens of The Hospital of Saint Cross, this open-air performance promises to be a truly memorable experience. To make the most of this unique setting, please come prepared for the British weather—be it sunshine or showers!
You are welcome to bring a picnic, your own garden chairs, and even a gazebo to enjoy the performance in comfort. For a touch of fun, there will be a prize for the best floral-themed gazebo.
5 July 2025, Winchester
Hat Fair
Play to the Crowd is thrilled to announce that Hat Fair – the UK’s longest running festival of Outdoor Arts – is back for another summer on Saturday 5 July 2025.
Last year saw the festival celebrate its 50th birthday in style, and this year it will return to its roots with a focus on our Hatters (buskers) and their brilliant street performances. After all, it’s where the festival takes its name from – putting a hat out after a performance to collect donations from the audience.
The 2025 festival will reminisce on its beginnings in 1974 as a hatter’s event and the programme will feature a line-up of street theatre, experts in clowning, magic, physical comedy, acrobatics and audience participation.
This year’s event will also celebrate the charity’s year-round engagement work with diverse local communities, providing a platform for groups and individuals to showcase their talent.
12 July 2025, Chawton House
Twelfth Night
With a history stretching back to William Shakespeare’s original company, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men present this joyous play as he first saw it – in the open air, with an all male cast and Elizabethan costumes, music and dance.
Orsino, Duke of Illyria, is desperately in love with Countess Olivia. But she, in mourning for her brother, has sworn off all men. Suddenly Viola, separated from her twin brother in a shipwreck and now disguised as a man, enters Orsino’s court as his servant and turns everyone’s world upside down. Sent to woo Olivia on Orsino’s behalf, Viola is stunned to find herself the object of Olivia’s affections and, as Olivia falls in love with Viola, so Viola falls in love with Orsino.
Romantic confusion, mistaken identity, practical jokes and riotous disorder abounds in Shakespeare’s hilarious and lyrical romantic comedy about love, its many and glorious facets, and the mess it can make of us all.
Set with the breath-taking backdrop of Chawton House, enjoy this outdoor performance with your camp chairs, picnics, sun hats, sun cream, sunglasses, raincoats and rain hats in tow! Doors open at 6pm for the performance to begin at 7pm.
23 July 2025, Winchester College
Pride and Prejudice
Join Winchester College this summer to celebrate the 250th anniversary year of Jane Austen's birth, with an outdoor performance of Pride and Prejudice by the Chapterhouse Theatre Company. With stunning period costume, an original score, and Austen's timeless wit, Chapterhouse’s Pride and Prejudice is a faithful telling of Austen’s most well-known work.
Chapterhouse Theatre Company produces critically acclaimed UK and international tours, specialising in Shakespeare, classic literature adaptations, and family shows.
The performance will be in the College's tranquil Warden's Garden, with its Regency border, wild woodland, and private section of one of the most famous chalk streams in the world, providing an idyllic setting for a magical evening of theatre.
This performance is recommended for ages 8+ and the running time is approximately 120 minutes, including an interval. To enjoy the show in comfort, please bring your own picnic blankets or low-back seating.
31 July 2025, Chawton House
Emma
Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of Jane Austen’s Birth with This Is My Theatre this Summer with another classic tale of romance, packed with rivalries, regrets and lessons in love, Jane Austen’s Emma.
Ever the matchmaker and never the match? So seems to be the case for Emma Woodhouse… And yet Emma remains more than content to help see that those around her are paired off into advantageous alliances for all concerned. In fact, she fancies herself rather good in the role of matchmaker. But, after an ill-advised union leads to heartbreak and bitterness, can Emma learn the greatest lesson in love? That romance is not something that can be forced and the most propitious matches always make themselves…
Doors open at 6pm, so you have time to set up your blankets and camp chairs, dig into a picnic and bask in the in the beautiful grounds of Chawton House before the performance begins at 7pm.
9 August 2025, Chawton House
Pride & Prejudice
At least one of the Bennet sisters must marry well in order for the family to avoid destitution upon the death of Mr Bennet and so the task of finding suitable matches begins. But, as is always the case, matrimony is easier for some than for others. For Elizabeth Bennet in particular, not all judgements quickly made are correct, in particular when the dashing Mr Darcy is involved…
This Summer, critically acclaimed theatre company This Is My Theatre brings Jane Austen’s classic tale to life in a stunning one-act adaptation to celebrate the author’s 250th anniversary year.
Set with the breath-taking backdrop of Chawton House, enjoy this outdoor performance with your camp chairs, picnics, sun hats, sun cream, sunglasses, raincoats and rain hats in tow! Doors open at 6pm for the performance to begin at 7pm.
August - September 2025, Winchester Royal Hotel
Outdoor Cinema Experiences
Be entertained under the stars with a screening of your favourite films at the beautiful Winchester Royal Hotel gardens. Watch Wicked on 1 August, Elvis on 22 August, Back to the Future on 12 September, and Grease on 26 September.
Your ticket includes a burger (or vegetation burger) and fries, popcorn as the movie starts, a blanket to borrow if it gets chilly and a seat or deckchair in the fabulous hotel garden. Alcohol, soft drinks and hot chocolates with marshmallows will also be available to purchase from the bar before and during the event.
Grab your friends, family or colleagues and join this central Winchester hotel for a wonderful evening of movie magic. And why not tie it in with an overnight stay? Check hotel availability here.
