Storyhouse In The Park 2026: Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre Season Brings Theatre, Music, Family Fun And More To Chester This Summer

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, Storyhouse in the Park returns to Chester’s Grosvenor Park this summer with four fabulous open-air shows, plus Moonlight Flicks, comedy, street food, yoga and more for two months of unforgettable theatre, music and family fun under the stars.

Storyhouse is set to transform Chester’s historic Grosvenor Park into a vibrant cultural hub once again for the 2026 summer season. Running from 27 June to 6 September, the popular Storyhouse in the Park programme offers two months of open-air entertainment, featuring four major theatrical productions alongside cinema nights, comedy, family activities, food, and wellness sessions.

This award-winning open-air theatre experience, presented by Storyhouse, turns the park into an immersive venue with theatre-in-the-round staging.

Four Captivating Productions for All Ages

The season highlights four distinctive shows designed to entertain audiences of every generation.

Outlaws: A Robin Hood Story

Kieran Lynn, known for previous hits at the venue, returns with this fresh, feel-good reimagining of the classic Robin Hood legend. Running from 3 July to 23 August, the production follows Robin, Maid Marian, the Merry Men, and the Sheriff of Nottingham in an Ocean’s Eleven-style heist to steal the King’s jewels. Set in Sherwood Forest, it blends humour, romance, political edge, thrilling fight scenes, rewritten folk songs, and plenty of audience interaction for a lively, party-like atmosphere. Directed by Hannah Noone, this show celebrates misfits outsmarting the powerful.

Let The Sun Shine!

Helen Redcliffe’s uplifting new drama brings a wave of 1960s energy to the park from 10 July to 23 August. Set in a conservative UK town on the cusp of cultural shift, the story follows teenager Harry Bottomley and local residents as a Woodstock-inspired festival arrives, gradually replacing fear and resistance with connection, joy, and self-expression. Directed by Rob Green and Lucy Thatcher, the production features live amplified music throughout, turning the audience into active participants in a communal celebration of youth, freedom, and change. Suitable for ages 12 and above.

Peter Pan Walkabout Family Show

Younger children and their families can enjoy an interactive daylight adventure with Peter Pan, running from 28 July to 13 August (or up to 15 August in some listings). This vibrant production stays true to the beloved Disney-style tale, featuring Peter Pan, Wendy, John, Michael, Tinker Bell, and Captain Hook. Audiences join the action—forming the crocodile, engaging in water pistol fights, pirate antics, Lost Boys versus Pirates battles, and walking the plank—while journeying through Neverland in a high-energy, participatory experience recommended for ages 2–10.

Nell Gwynn

The season concludes with a bold, bawdy feminist comedy from 21 August to 6 September. This co-production with Shakespeare North Playhouse and Theatre by the Lake tells the rags-to-riches story of orange seller turned actress and royal mistress Nell Gwynn during the Restoration era in 1660s London. Packed with wit, irreverence, music, dancing, and heart, the show (with generous historical embellishment) celebrates a woman who defied boundaries and claimed her place on stage. Aimed at adult audiences, it offers a rip-roaring, grown-up theatrical treat.

Beyond the Stage: A Full Festival Experience

Storyhouse in the Park delivers far more than theatre alone. The park becomes a lively cultural playground with:

• Moonlight Flicks — atmospheric open-air cinema screenings under the stars.
• Live comedy evenings for laughter-filled nights.
• Thrilling murder mystery events.
• Outdoor yoga sessions in the peaceful park setting.
• Family-friendly Rhyme Time and Library Craft sessions.

Food and drink play a starring role too. The popular tepee bar returns with an expanded range of options, including craft beers and frozen cocktails. The season launches with a free-entry Street Food Weekend on 27–28 June, featuring live music and a variety of street food choices.

GROSVENOR PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE LISTINGS 

Outlaws: A Robin Hood Story
Date: Friday, 3 July – Sunday, 23 August
Time: Various

Let The Sun Shine!
Date: Friday, 10 July – Sunday, 23 August
Time: Various

Peter Pan
Date: Tuesday, 28 July – Thursday, 13 August
Time: Various

Nell Gwynn
Date: Friday, 21 August – Sunday, 6 September#
Time: Various

TICKET PRICES

From £20.25 for Storyhouse Members / £22.50 non-members

ADDITONAL STORYHOUSE IN THE PARK LISTINGS

Street Food Festival

Date: 27 – 28 June 2026
Time: 11am-6pm

Comedy
Date: 12 July 2026
Time: 8pm

Murder Mystery
Date: 21 July 2026
Time: 7.30pm

Yoga
Date: 26 July 2026
Time: 9.45am

Comedy
Date: 26 July 2026
Time: 9pm

Rhyme Time
Date: 28 and 30 July 2026
Time: 10.30/12noon

Crafts
Date: 30 July 2026
Time: 2-4pm

Rhyme Time
Date: 4 and 6 August 2026
Time: 10.30/12noon

Crafts
Date: 4 August 2026
Time: 2-4pm

Moonlight Flicks
Date: 9, 13, 16, 23, 30 and 31 August 2026
Time: 9pm/23 and 30 August 8.30pm/31 August 8pm

Rhyme Time
Date: 11 and 13 August 2026
Time: 10.30/12noon

Crafts
Date: 11 August 2026
Time: 2-4pm

Yoga
Date: 22 August 2026
Time: 9.45am

Rhyme Time
Date: 25 August 2026
Time: 10.30/12noon

Crafts
Date: 28 August 2026
Time: 2-4pm

Murder Mystery
Date: 1 September 2026
Time: 7.30pm

A Celebration of Community and Creativity

Storyhouse, a charity and independent arts centre in Chester, dedicates all profits to keeping its spaces free, open, and accessible. Home to a library, theatres, restaurant, and cinema, the organisation runs thousands of sessions each year, supports marginalised groups, and creates welcoming programming co-developed with local communities.

The Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, founded by Storyhouse in 2010, stands as the only full-time, site-specific professional open-air theatre company outside London. Its unique theatre-in-the-round design, built annually in the public park, fosters an intimate and engaging connection between performers and audiences.

Whether visitors seek adventurous storytelling, musical transformation, family magic, historical comedy, or simply a relaxing evening with friends, food, and entertainment, the 2026 season promises something for everyone. This summer-long event strengthens community bonds and showcases the best of outdoor cultural experiences in Chester.

Book early to secure seats for this unmissable summer highlight in Grosvenor Park. For full details and tickets, visit the Storyhouse website.

Find Storyhouse In The Park now:

www.storyhouse.com | 01244 409113

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Address: Hunter Street, Chester CH1 2AR

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