Shakespeare in the Park Opening Run

The Public Theater opened its 2026 Free Shakespeare in the Park season on May 22 with “Romeo & Juliet” at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, starting the company’s 63rd season of free summer performances. The production runs through June 28 and marks the return of the play to the Delacorte for the first time in nearly 20 years, according to The Public Theater. The season is part of a broader citywide program, “Shakespeare for the City,” which the company says runs from May 22 through September 8 and includes additional performances, forums and free public events across New York City. ### When do performances start, and what is opening the season? “Romeo & Juliet” began performances on Friday, May 22, at the revitalized Delacorte Theater, The Public Theater says. Saheem Ali, The Public’s associate artistic director and resident director, is directing the production. The company lists the run as May 22 to June 28, with a runtime of three hours including one intermission. (publictheater.org) The Public Theater says the production presents Shakespeare’s story of the Montagues and Capulets in a staging where the play is performed in English, while Romeo and Juliet speak to each other in Spanish. The company says that approach is part of this year’s new production at the Delacorte. ### What is returning to the Delacorte this summer? (publictheater.org) The Delacorte Theater is hosting a full summer slate again as part of what The Public calls “Shakespeare for the City.” The company’s program page says the season includes “Romeo & Juliet,” a later Delacorte run of “The Winter’s Tale,” the Mobile Unit’s touring production of “As You Like It,” and the return of the Public Forum series on Monday evenings. (publictheater.org) November 19, 2025, was the date of the Public Theater press announcement describing the 2026 season as taking place at the “newly revitalized Delacorte Theater.” In that release, Executive Director Patrick Willingham said more than 80,000 New Yorkers across all five boroughs took part in the company’s free programs the previous summer, and Artistic Director Oskar Eustis said the 2026 season would bring “Romeo and Juliet” back to the Delacorte for the first time in 19 years. (publictheater.org) ### How do free tickets work this year? The Public Theater says nonmembers can still get free tickets on the day of each performance through multiple distribution methods. The “Romeo & Juliet” page says those options include in-person day-of ticket distributions and a digital lottery run by TodayTix, which it identifies as the official digital lottery partner. (publictheater.org) Time Out reported on April 22 that the 2026 season expands the distribution system to 50 locations across all five boroughs, including 12 Citizens branches. The Public Theater’s ticket page lists borough distribution dates that began on May 23 at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden on Staten Island and continue at other locations including Brooklyn College, Jamaica Center for the Arts and Learning, and THE POINT Community Development Center in the Bronx. (publictheater.org) ### What else is happening around the opening run? May 30 is the date of the Public Theater’s free Summer Kickoff Celebration at the Delacorte, according to the company’s event page. The event runs from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., is free and open to all, and does not require a ticket or reservation, though the theater says attendees can RSVP online for reminders and instructions. (timeout.com) Time Out also reported that Delacorte Open Houses are scheduled for June 5, June 19, August 7, August 14 and August 21, with afternoon tours and evening picnics. The same report said the broader “Shakespeare for the City” initiative extends through Sept. 8 with performances and events in parks and plazas across the five boroughs. (publictheater.org) ### What comes after “Romeo & Juliet”? June 4 is the start date for the Mobile Unit’s free tour of “As You Like It” across all five boroughs, according to The Public Theater. The company also says “The Winter’s Tale,” directed by Daniel Sullivan, is part of the Delacorte season later this summer. The Public Theater directs audiences to its online calendar and ticketing pages for performance dates, day-of voucher locations and event details as the opening run continues through June 28. (timeout.com) (publictheater.org) (publictheater.org)