Cardiff Open Air Theatre: Shows, schedule, times and how to get tickets for the festival in Sophia Gardens

A sign that summer has surely arrived in Cardiff is when the popular Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival pops back up in Sophia Gardens. Bringing a range of plays and performances there is something for everyone at the brilliant open-air theatre.

Ran by the Everyman Theatre Company the Cardiff Open Air Theatre began on Thursday, June 20 and is running until Saturday, July 27. The Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival is a celebration of community, live performing arts and the magic and excitement of open-air theatre in a beautiful setting.

Better yet, given Wales’s often unpredictable summer weather, the festival show goes on come rain or shine, thanks to undercover audience seating meaning you will remain dry while enjoying the show. This summer the festival is showing The Tempest, One Man, Guvnors, Guys & Dolls, Romeo & Juliet, Shrek, The Musical Jr, Frankie's Guys, Amnesty International Stand Up In The Park and Terry Walton in a live question and answer.

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The Tempest is running until Friday, June 28, One Man, Two Guvnors running from Thursday, July 4 to Saturday, July 13 and Guys & Dolls from Thursday, July 18 to Saturday, July 27.

Romeo & Juliet will be showing on Sunday, July 7 and Sunday, July 21. Find out about the latest events in Wales by signing up to our What's On newsletter here.

Shrek, the Musical is showing from Saturday, July 20 to Saturday, July 27 in perfect time for the summer holidays. One-off show Frankie's Guys take to the stage on Saturday, June 29 and on Sunday, June 30 is the Amnesty International Stand Up In The Park. Want less ads? Download WalesOnline’s Premium app on Apple or Android.

Rhondda gardening expert Terry Walton, who often shares his advice on Jeremy Vine's Radio2 show and This Morning, hosts his question and answer on Friday, July 12. Tickets are priced at £25 for most shows with family musical Shrek, the Musical Jr priced at £15 or a family ticket is available for £52 admitting four people. You can buy your tickets here.

Speaking about the outdoor theatre, festival chairman Paul Williams said: “We are thrilled to launch our 2024 line up which has been carefully curated to appeal to as wide a range of tastes as possible so that everyone can have the chance to experience the unique magic of Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival. Our diverse programme of plays, family musicals, comedy, live music and even gardening Q&A offers something for everyone."

"And thanks to our incredibly dedicated and generous team of volunteers who help stage this unique festival each year, we are offering tickets at very accessible price points to ensure that during this cost of living crisis, price is not a barrier to entry – we want our Festival to be as inclusive as possible, enabling people regardless of background to experience the intimate and memorable joy of live, open-air theatre.”