SHAKESPEARE FOR THE CITY
FREE. FOR ALL. FOREVER.
Join us from May 22 - September 8 for a summer-long festival of free theater lighting up all of New York City!
SHAKESPEARE FOR THE CITY, presented by Citizens, includes Free Shakespeare in the Park's ROMEO & JULIET, Mobile Unit's touring production of AS YOU LIKE IT, bringing the magic of Shakespeare to all five boroughs, Free Shakespeare in the Park's THE WINTER'S TALE, as well as Public Works' PUBLIC RECORD to bookend the summer.
The Delacorte will be welcoming more audiences than ever with Monday evenings hosting the revival of the Public Forum series, which blends performance, conversation, and culture, as well as a Summer Kickoff Celebration on May 30 and Open Houses and Summer Friday Picnics on select Fridays throughout the summer.
Every performance and event is completely free and open to all! Join us in celebrating the joy, power, and human connection of live theater all summer long! Citizens joins lead sponsor, the Jerome L. Greene Foundation, in support of Free Shakespeare in the Park.
SUMMER KICKOFF CELEBRATION
Join us for the SUMMER KICKOFF CELEBRATION on Saturday, May 30 to mark the start of SHAKESPEARE FOR THE CITY as we reopen The Delacorte Theater in Central Park for another vibrant season.
From meet-and-greets with Romeo the Raccoon to giveaways and concessions, nothing says summer in the city quite like this. Free and open to all — see you there!
Free Shakespeare in the Park's ROMEO & JULIET
By William Shakespeare
Spanish Translations by Alfredo Michel Modenessi
Choreography by Mayte Natalio
Directed by Saheem Ali
The Delacorte Theater
May 22, 2026 - June 28, 2026
The Public’s Associate Artistic Director/Resident Director Saheem Ali brings Shakespeare’s legendary star-crossed lovers to Central Park. Never was there a story of more woe, or romance, than the Bard’s tale of two lovers from warring families. In rapture at first sight, Romeo and Juliet defy their families’ bitter hatred and the bloodshed on the streets of Verona, determined to consecrate their passion with a secret marriage. Don’t miss this ravishing new production, essential viewing for any lover of Shakespeare, theater, and love itself.
Mobile Unit's AS YOU LIKE IT
By William Shakespeare
Choreographed by Kelsey Burns
Directed by Emma Rosa Went
Free tour across all five boroughs
June 4 - June 28
Bringing free Shakespeare to parks and correctional facilities across the city, The Public’s acclaimed Mobile Unit will tour in 2026 with a joyful new production of AS YOU LIKE IT. When Duke Frederick exiles her father, Rosalind and her cousin Celia flee to the forest. Disguised as a young man, Rosalind encounters the heart-sick Orlando, who is desperately seeking none other than Rosalind. While the two young lovers role-play their way back into each other's arms, the forest of Arden is abuzz with lovelorn shepherds, pining jesters, and battling brothers. True lovers, strange capers, and fools in the forest go heart-in-heart in Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy, directed by Emma Rosa Went.
FAMILY AFTERNOON
Join us on Sunday, June 14 from 12–4:30PM for the FAMILY AFTERNOON in front of The Delacorte Theater in Central Park for a free afternoon of family fun with live performances and activities as The Public celebrates the launch of Shakespeare for the City and Free Shakespeare in the Park! No ticket required.
Free Shakespeare in the Park's THE WINTER'S TALE
Written by William Shakespeare
Choreography by Mimi Lieber
Directed by Daniel Sullivan
The Delacorte Theater
July 25, 2026 - August 23, 2026
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.
Public Works' PUBLIC RECORD
Written by Lisa Sanaye Dring
Based on the Concept and Creative Direction by Emily Lim and Dan Canham, Musical Supervision and Songs by Ross Millard, and Words by Stewart Pringle
Music Supervision by Michael Thurber
Co-Directed and Choreographed by Dan Canham
Directed by Emily Lim
The Delacorte Theater
September 4-8, 2026
New Yorkers from all five boroughs are coming together to create a live album—on stage, in real time. PUBLIC RECORD, based on a concept by Dan Canham and Emily Lim, brings Public Works community members, musicians, and dancers into a cast of over 100 to capture how our city sings, moves, and tells its story in this moment. Written by Lisa Sanaye Dring, with music by Michael Thurber, direction by Emily Lim, and co-direction and choreography by Dan Canham, this electrifying new production stands as an act of collective hope, joy, and resistance. The album will be preserved by the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts forever, ensuring that long after summer fades, it will remain a powerful reminder that the true record of a city isn’t just its headlines—it’s the sound of neighbors standing side by side.