Brighton Open Air Theatre
BEST FOR
Ages 0+
ENTRY
from £12
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Brighton
What it’s like
Outdoor performances under the sky, from theatre and comedy to music, with picnics welcome on the grass.
This is an open-air spot for watching live shows, theatre, comedy, music, all of it under the sky rather than a roof. There's no allocated seating, so you pick your spot when you arrive, and the site reckons every seat gets a decent view, which takes the stress out of turning up a bit late.
Bring a picnic if you fancy, they're genuinely fine with it, just take your rubbish home and watch out for seagulls eyeing up your sandwiches. What they're less relaxed about is the weather. Shows go ahead rain or shine and they only cancel if it's actually dangerous, so a raincoat matters more than you'd think for a summer evening out. Chalk seating markings can rub off on clothes too, worth knowing before you sit down in your good trousers.
It's a cashless venue, card only, though you can drop cash in the donation buckets if that's your preference. There's no free parking at the venue itself, it's pay and display on Dyke Road and nearby streets, or it's a walkable 15 to 20 minutes from Brighton station, Preston Park station or the town centre.
Access is no-step throughout, with some steep slopes, and there are wheelchair spaces plus free carer tickets going for those who need one. Dogs aren't allowed on site except guide dogs, and pushchairs can come in but not into the seating area itself.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Pay and display street parking on Dyke Road and surrounding streets, no free parking at venue
- Picnics
- Allowed. Bring your own food and drink, take litter home
- Pushchairs
- Can be brought on site but not into seating area
- Wheelchairs
- 8 wheelchair spaces per performance, free carer tickets
- Dogs
- No dogs allowed except guide dogs
- Getting there by bus or train
- Brighton station 20-minute walk, Preston Park station 15-minute walk, 20 minutes walk from Brighton centre
- It's cashless, card only, though donation buckets take coins and notes
- No allocated seating, so arrive early if you want your pick of spot
- Latecomers still get squeezed in rather than turned away
- Chalk marking on the seats can rub off onto clothing
Plan your visit
How much are tickets?
£20 for adults, £18 concession, and £12 for young adults aged 16 to 25. Some shows, like Dracula, run at slightly lower prices around £16 to £17.
Do we need to book?
Booking isn't required but there is a booking link available if you want to secure your spot, especially for popular shows.
What happens if it rains?
The show goes on. They only cancel if conditions turn genuinely dangerous, so bring a raincoat or umbrella just in case.
Can we bring a picnic?
Bring whatever food and drink you like, just take your litter home and keep an eye on the seagulls.
Is there parking?
No free parking at the venue itself. It's pay and display on Dyke Road and the surrounding streets.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs?
-step access throughout, though some slopes are steep. There are wheelchair spaces at every performance and free carer tickets for anyone who needs support.
Can we bring a pushchair?
Pushchairs are allowed on site but not into the seating area itself, there's secure storage for them instead.
What counts as a concession ticket?
Over 65s, under 16s, students, Blue Light card holders, Carers Card holders, Equity members, disabled visitors and the unemployed all qualify. ID may be asked for on entry.
Can dogs come along?
Only guide dogs are allowed on site.
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