FREE TICKETS IN CENTRAL PARK

Free tickets are distributed on each performance day via the free lines at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. We recognize that ticket lines can sometimes be long, and we appreciate your time and dedication. People waiting for free tickets must line up along the path designated by The Public Theater staff and The Parks Department.

Free tickets are distributed at 12PM (noon) every day that there is a public performance. Performance days will vary from week to week, so be sure to check the performance calendar. Please remember that Central Park does not officially open until 6AM. Seat locations are distributed randomly, not based on a person's position in the line.

Each person (age 5+) may receive up to two (2) tickets, while supplies last.

There are separate lines for Senior Accessibility for senior citizens (65+) who require accessible seating and ADA Accessibility for patrons with disabilities (attestation to the need for accessible seating will be required). For ASL interpreter seats (seating is limited), please join the ADA line. To confirm accessible performance dates, please visit our accessibility calendars. In caring for ADA patrons, the ADA ticket distribution is handled on a rolling basis starting at 10am until all available accessible tickets have been distributed. 

FOR TWELFTH NIGHT OPENING NIGHT (Tuesday, July 31, 2018):
There will not be a ticket distribution. A standby line will be available at the Delacorte.

Standby Line: If you do not receive tickets you may join the standby line after the final ticket is distributed for that day's performance. The Public Theater staff will begin to monitor the line starting at 6:00pm. Free standby tickets will be distributed if and when they become available, two (2) per person.

A Public Theater Patron ID is required to receive a free ticket. You can follow this link to create a Patron ID in advance. Not sure if you have a Patron ID? Visit this page to find out before you arrive.

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Support The Public and reserve your seat! With a donation of $500 or more, you can reserve your seats for this summer’s Free Shakespeare in the Park season. It’s our way of thanking you for helping us provide thousands of free tickets to our audiences each summer. Click here to become a supporter today.

On each public performance date, a limited number of tickets for that night's performance will be distributed via mobile lottery through our digital partner, TodayTix.

FREE TICKETS VIA DIGITAL LOTTERY

Step 1: Download the TodayTix app in the App Store or Google Play Store.
Open the app and scroll down to find Free Shakespeare in the Park. 

OR

Don't have a Smart Phone? The TodayTix lottery can now be entered on your desktop or tablet device here.

Step 2: Enter the lottery for two free tickets.
On the confirmation screen, you may double or triple your odds by sharing your entry via Facebook and Twitter.

Step 3: See If You Won!
Make sure your name and e-mail address are correct and that TodayTix push notifications are turned on, so you can receive confirmation of lottery status. You will be notified if you've won between noon and 2:30pm on the day of the show.  You must confirm your winning tickets in the TodayTix app within 30 minutes of being notified. Winners may begin to pick up their tickets at 5:00 pm at the Delacorte Theater Box Office, but tickets that are not claimed by 7:30pm will be redistributed to the standby line.

You can enter the lottery between 12:00AM and 12:00PM (noon) on the day of each public performance. Each winner will get two (2) tickets to that night’s performance.

Senior and ADA digital lotteries can be entered through the TodayTix app and website. Duplicate entries and entries made via both TodayTix app and website will be voided.

Standby Line: If you do not receive tickets through the online lottery, you may join the standby line in Central Park. The Public Theater staff will begin to monitor the line starting at 6:00pm. Free standby tickets will be distributed if and when they become available, two (2) per person. 

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FREE TICKETS AT THE PUBLIC THEATER

On each public performance date, a limited number of vouchers for that night’s performance will be distributed via an in-person lottery downtown at The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street at Astor Place.

Sign-up for the lottery will begin in The Ford Foundation Lobby of The Public at 11AM. The lottery will be drawn at 12PM (noon).

Those selected may redeem the voucher(s) for ticket(s) between 5PM and 7:30PM at the Delacorte Theater Box Office. Vouchers are only valid until 7:30PM for performances on the day they are issued. 

All vouchers must be exchanged for tickets at the Delacorte Theater Box Office in Central Park between 5PM and 7:30PM. Vouchers are only valid until 7:30PM for performances on the day they are issued. Seat locations are distributed randomly upon redemption, not based on a person's redemption time at the Delacorte Box office.

Each person (age 5+) may receive up to two (2) tickets upon winning, while supplies last.

ADA accessibility seating is limited. For assistance, in acquiring accessible seating during our lottery, please speak to a member of The Public Theater staff. ADA accessibility seating is limited. For ASL interpreter seats (seating is limited), please ask a member of The Public Theater staff. To confirm accessible performance dates, visit our accessibility calendars.

FOR TWELFTH NIGHT OPENING NIGHT (Tuesday, July 31, 2018):
There will not be a ticket lottery. A standby line will be available at the Delacorte.

Standby Line: If you do not receive vouchers in the lottery, you may join the standby line in Central Park that evening. The Public Theater staff will begin to monitor the line starting at 6:00pm. Free standby tickets will be distributed if and when they become available, two (2) per person. 

A Public Theater Patron ID is required to receive a free ticket. You can follow this link to create a Patron ID in advance. Not sure if you have a Patron ID? Visit this page to find out before you arrive.

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Support The Public and reserve your seat! With a donation of $500 or more, you can reserve your seats for this summer’s Free Shakespeare in the Park season. It’s our way of thanking you for helping us provide thousands of free tickets to our audiences each summer. Click here to become a supporter today.

FREE TICKETS IN THE BOROUGHS

To make it easier for all New Yorkers to enjoy Free Shakespeare in the Park, a limited number of vouchers for specific performances will be distributed at locations in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx.

Click here for Summer 2018 Borough Distribution Dates & Locations

Ticket vouchers are redeemable only for same-day performances. They will be distributed beginning at 12pm (noon) and ending at 2pm, or when all vouchers have been distributed, whichever occurs first. Borough distribution dates vary, so be sure to check the borough distribution calendar link above. 

Seat locations are distributed randomly upon redemption; not based on a person’s redemption time at the Delacorte Box Office. All vouchers must be exchanged for tickets at the Delacorte Theater Box Office in Central Park between 5:30pm and 7:30pm. Vouchers are only valid until 7:30pm for performances on the day they are issued.

Each person (age 5+) may receive up to two (2) tickets, while supplies last.

ADA accessibility seating is limited. For assistance in acquiring accessible seating during our borough distributions please speak to a member of The Public Theater staff. For ASL interpreter seats (seating is limited), please ask a member of The Public Theater staff. To confirm accessible performance dates, please visit our accessibility calendars.

Standby Line: If you do not receive tickets at the borough location, you may join the standby line in Central Park. The Public Theater staff will begin to monitor the line starting at 6:00pm. Free standby tickets will be distributed if and when they become available, two (2) per person. 

A Public Theater Patron ID is required to receive a free ticket. You can follow this link to create a Patron ID in advance. Not sure if you have a Patron ID? Visit this page to find out before you arrive.

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Support The Public and reserve your seat! With a donation of $500 or more, you can reserve your seats for this summer’s Free Shakespeare in the Park season. It’s our way of thanking you for helping us provide thousands of free tickets to our audiences each summer. Click here to become a supporter today.