Scarborough Open Air Theatre is poised for its most successful season to date, with 150,000 tickets already sold and an ambitious 28-show programme set to generate a significant £15m boost for the Yorkshire coast economy.
The Yorkshire coast is preparing for an influx of music fans as Scarborough Open Air Theatre smashes previous box office records. Promoters Cuffe and Taylor have confirmed that 150,000 tickets have already been snapped up for the 2026 series, surpassing the venue's previous record by 35,000, with the opening night still three months away.
Since the North Yorkshire Council-owned venue underwent refurbishment and reopened in 2010, it has reached a significant milestone, with total ticket sales now exceeding one million. This year’s programme features 28 headline shows—the largest series in the venue’s history—including performances from international stars such as Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette, and Nile Rodgers and CHIC.
Peter Taylor, co-founder of Cuffe and Taylor, who have managed the venue’s programming since 2016, expressed his excitement regarding the upcoming season.
This summer is going to be the biggest and best-ever at Scarborough Open Air Theatre. Many of the shows have already sold out and many others are close to being sell-outs. There is a real buzz about the venue, not just here in North Yorkshire but across the country and abroad. This is one of the hottest outdoor concert venues anywhere in Europe.
It has been an absolute honour for Cuffe and Taylor to promote shows here over the last decade. We have seen the programme expand and this summer we are delighted to be presenting more than 25 shows for the first time ever. Shows at Scarborough OAT draw music lovers from around the UK and overseas and we know how important the summer series is for the local economy and the thousands who work in visitor-related industries on the Yorkshire coast. Last year’s shows brought a multi-million pound boost locally and we are delighted to have expanded the series this summer so even more visitors will head to this beautiful town and venue.
The economic impact of these events is substantial. Following last year’s series, which generated an estimated £8.8m for the local area, the council expects this year’s expanded 28-show run to contribute approximately £15m. Data indicates that about 70% of attendees travel more than an hour to reach the North Bay site, providing a vital lift to the region’s hospitality and accommodation sectors.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for arts and culture, Cllr Simon Myers, highlighted the broader significance of the venue to the region.
Scarborough Open Air Theatre has become one of our best-loved venues in North Yorkshire since it reopened in 2010, attracting audiences from across the country and abroad.
The latest figures show just how important the Open Air Theatre is to those audiences, as well as the local economy.
Last year’s programme of concerts generated millions of pounds for the local economy, and helped support our important tourism sector. To have more than a million tickets sold over the past 16 years is a clear indication of just how popular the Open Air Theatre is, and the record number of concerts this summer will bring even more memorable performances and economic benefit to Scarborough and wider area.
According to an Economic Impact Assessment, concert-goers staying overnight contribute an average of £115 to the local economy outside of the venue itself, with an estimated 44,000 hotel bed nights booked throughout the season. Feedback remains overwhelmingly positive, with 98% of attendees from the previous year reporting satisfaction with their experience at the seaside landmark.
The 2026 series is scheduled to begin on Friday, 5 June, with Rick Astley and Lottery Winners, the full line up is....
| Date | Headline & Support Acts |
|---|---|
| JUN 5 | Rick Astley + Lottery Winners |
| JUN 6 | Madness + Hollie Cook + The Beat feat. Ranking Jnr |
| JUN 12 | Paul Weller + Miles Kane |
| JUN 18 | The Kooks |
| JUN 20 | Skunk Anansie + Garbage + Du Blonde |
| JUN 21 | Anastacia + Heather Small |
| JUN 26 | Pete Tong Ibiza Classics + Danny Rampling |
| JUN 27 | Richard Ashcroft + Tom Meighan + Apollo Junction |
| JUN 28 | Billy Ocean + Marti Pellow + Katie Owen |
| JUL 2 | Bowling For Soup + Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls |
| JUL 3 | James Arthur |
| JUL 4 | David Gray + The Divine Comedy |
| JUL 5 | Alanis Morissette |
| JUL 6 | Michael Bublé |
| JUL 10 | Deacon Blue + Lightning Seeds |
| JUL 11 | Bastille + Nectar Woode |
| JUL 17 | Alex James’ Britpop Classical |
| JUL 18 | CMAT + Katy J Pearson |
| JUL 22 | Teddy Swims + Jordan Rakei |
| JUL 23 | Teddy Swims + Jordan Rakei |
| JUL 25 | James Taylor + his All-Star Band |
| JUL 26 | Tom Jones + Stone Foundation |
| AUG 1 | The Streets + CASISDEAD |
| AUG 2 | Sex Pistols + The Stranglers + The Undertones |
| AUG 8 | Scissor Sisters + The Hidden Cameras |
| AUG 14 | Holly Johnson + ABC + Heaven 17 |
| AUG 15 | Hollywood Vampires + The Damned |
| AUG 22 | Nile Rodgers & CHIC + Brand New Heavies + James Emmanuel |
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