Why We Love Shakespeare in the Park
Summer is Shakespeare season here in NYC, with The Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park holding court in Central Park. Here’s why we love it.
Free For All
When we say free for all, we mean it. While all shows are free, tickets aren’t easy to come by. Here are a few ways to get in on the action:
- Wait in line. Tickets are distributed in front of the Delacorte Theater on a first-come, first-served basis at 12PM on the day of the show. We recommend arriving by 10AM at the latest! Before you go, you’ll need to register for a Public Theater Patron ID. Click here to do that.
- The theater partners with TodayTix, which offers an exclusive mobile lottery for Free Shakespeare in the Park. Tickets are assigned by random draw on the TodayTix app on each date that there is a performance.. You can enter the lottery for one or two tickets between midnight to noon on the day of the show.
- Visit Shakespeare in the Park’s home base, the Public Theater, to enter the in-person lottery that is held on every show day. Sign-up starts at 11AM and the drawing is at noon.
- Ask the Knick Concierge team. We’re here to help!
Multiple Performances
Performances are Tuesday through Sunday at 8PM, from June until August, with very little exception. If possible, shoot for to see the show during one of the first weeks of performances—seats are always in greater supply early in the run of a show, before reviews and word of mouth have increased ticket demand.
Iconic Location and Scenery
The Delacorte Theater seats nearly 2,000, with the Belvedere Castle and Central Park greenery as its iconic back-drop. It’s truly a stunning scene, making for an unforgettable open-air experience. Arrive at the Theater by entering the park at 81st Street and Central Park West. Take the B or C train to 81st St-Museum of Natural History.
Beloved Plays
While Much Ado About Nothing wrapped up on June 24, you can still catch Coriolanus, one of William Shakespeare’s lesser-known plays until August 11. Coriolanus is a tragedy that follows the life of the legendary Roman leader, Caius Marcius Coriolanus
DISCOVER MORE OF NYC
Get even more recommendations on what to experience in Manhattan on our New York City travel guide, curated by The Knick.
Photo of Twelfth Night by Eric Vitale via @publictheaterny on Instagram.
