One of the summer highlights in London for opera fans is an evening at Holland Park Theatre.  Enjoy spectacular open air performances against the backdrop of Holland House, in the heart of Holland Park.

Listen to music soar above the tree-tops on a still summer evening. Performances take place in a canopied open-sided marquee so you can enjoy the music without worrying about the weather.

In 2024, the programme (28 May – 10 August) opens with productions of Puccini’s Tosca, Rossini’s The Barber of Seville and Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Yeomen of the Guard.

Why not make an evening of it by choosing your own favourite picnic ingredients and pre-ordering a picnic hamper? Try one of the excellent delis in Holland Park or Notting Hill.

Getting there: Holland Park, Notting Hill and High Street Kensington stations.

Further information and tickets from Opera Holland Park.

More fresh air and a glimpse of Elizabethan England is on hand at Shakespeare’s Globe theatre in Southwark. This is undoubtedly one of the most atmospheric places to watch a Shakespeare production and a brilliant introduction to Britain’s greatest playwright for children. If you’re not sure about the weather, there are covered seats (from £25). However, the 700 uncovered standing tickets (from £5.00) in the ‘Yard’ do offer some of the best views of the stage.

Getting there: Blackfriars, Mansion House, London Bridge, Southwark and St Paul’s stations.

Tickets and more information from Shakespeare’s Globe.