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Free Shakespeare in the Park

The Winter's Tale

July 25, 2026 - August 23, 2026

Venue The Revitalized Delacorte Theater

Written by William Shakespeare
Choreography by Mimi Lieber
Directed by Daniel Sullivan

Tony Award-winning director Daniel Sullivan returns to Free Shakespeare in the Park with a spellbinding new production of THE WINTER’S TALE. When the King of Sicilia becomes convinced his pregnant wife has been unfaithful, the royal baby is smuggled to the coast of Bohemia where an old shepherd finds her and renames her Perdita. Sixteen years later, Perdita falls in love with another young shepherd, Doricles, who turns out to be a prince in disguise. Honesty is a fool and true love the only answer in this mysterious, romantic tale of defiance and destiny. 

Free Shakespeare in the Park is part of The Public’s annual summer celebration of Shakespeare for the City. Free. For All. Forever.

Citizens Presenting Partner

HOW TO GET TICKETS

Public Theater members looking to reserve seats, please log in to reserve your seat before selecting your performance date.

NOTE: The calendar below shows the performance schedule. The word “UNAVAILABLE” is associated with each performance only because booking advanced reserved seating is only for Public Theater members.

If you are not a member, there are FIVE ways to access free tickets on the day of each performance. Learn more.

Free Day-Of Ticket Distributions

Ways to Get Tickets

There are multiple in-person distribution points for free day-of tickets, as well as the return of TodayTix as the official digital lottery partner.

Additionally, Nordstrom NYC will host two ticket lotteries at their flagship store during THE WINTER'S TALE on July 28 and August 18. 

Learn more here

Borough Distribution Schedule

Throughout the summer, a limited number of vouchers for that night’s performance will be distributed at a location in one of the five boroughs beginning at 12PM. Vouchers will be redeemed at The Delacorte Theater for tickets. 

Navigate your way there with our Borough Distribution 2026 Google map here. For detailed directions to each location, read through the instructions here.

  • July 26: New York Hall of Science (Queens) 
  • July 28: Citizens, Bulls Head (Staten Island)
  • July 29: Clason’s Point Library (Bronx) 
  • July 30: Citizens, Tribeca (Manhattan) 
  • July 31: Macomb’s Bridge Library (Manhattan) 
  • August 1: Clinton Hill Library (Brooklyn) 
  • August 2: Brooklyn Children’s Museum (Brooklyn) 
  • August 4: Citizens, 3rd and 92nd (Brooklyn) 
  • August 5: St. George Library Center (Staten Island) 
  • August 6: Citizens, Woodside (Queens) 
  • August 7: Kings Highway Library (Brooklyn) 
  • August 8: DreamYard (Bronx) 
  • August 9: Brownsville Recreation Center (Brooklyn)
  • August 12: Citizens, Park Slope (Brooklyn) 
  • August 13: Bay Ridge Library (Brooklyn) 
  • August 14: Stapleton Library (Staten Island) 
  • August 15: Flushing Library (Queens) 
  • August 16: Bronx Community College (Bronx) 
  • August 18: Citizens, Riverdale (Bronx)
  • August 19: Long Island City Library (Queens) 
  • August 20: Citizens, Williamsburg (Brooklyn) 
  • August 21: Elmhurst Library (Queens) 
  • August 22: Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden (Staten Island) 

Dates and locations are subject to change.

Promo Code

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Sign in to access your benefits, or join in today. Make sure you're signed up for Team Public emails to stay informed about what's on at The Public.

Summer Fridays @ The Delacorte

Spend your Summer Friday @ The Delacorte. On August 7, 14 & 21, we're opening up the gates for you! Join us from 12-4PM to take a peek inside the theater. From 6-8PM, join us on Turtle Pond Lawn, just East of The Delacorte for a pre-show picnic with live music. Bring a blanket, a snack, and enjoy.


Make a Gift & Reserve a Seat

Reserved seats are a benefit included with membership at the Supporter Plus, Young Partner, and Partner levels.

Consider becoming a member to enjoy access to reserved seats for our 2026 Season of Free Shakespeare in the Park, expanded ticket access to our current and upcoming Astor Place Season, and a wide range of year‑round benefits.

To learn more, please contact [email protected] or 212.967.7555.


Accessibility

Learn more about Accessibility Services for People with Disabilities. If you have additional questions, need assistance, or an accommodation, please feel free to speak to a member of our staff at any point during your visit or contact us at [email protected].

Calendar

Saturday Jul 25 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM

Sunday Jul 26 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM

Tuesday Jul 28 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM

Wednesday Jul 29 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM

Thursday Jul 30 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM

Friday Jul 31 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM

Saturday Aug 1 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM

Sunday Aug 2 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM

Tuesday Aug 4 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM

Wednesday Aug 5 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM

Thursday Aug 6 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM

Friday Aug 7 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM

Summer Friday

Saturday Aug 8 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM

Sunday Aug 9 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM

Tuesday Aug 11 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM
Opening Night

Wednesday Aug 12 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM

Thursday Aug 13 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM

Friday Aug 14 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM

Summer Friday

Saturday Aug 15 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM
Audio Described

Sunday Aug 16 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM

Tuesday Aug 18 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM

Wednesday Aug 19 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM
Open Caption

Thursday Aug 20 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM
Open Caption

Friday Aug 21 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM

Summer Friday

Saturday Aug 22 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM

Sunday Aug 23 | 8:00 PM

8:00 PM

Closing Night Benefit. Details to come.

  • Available
  • Not Available