Performing arts
On weekend theatre breaks, take a cushion and a bottle of something sparkly and enjoy an al-fresco evening in the company of world-class opera singers, Shakespearean actors or lithesome ballet dancers. Often, the setting will be as stunning as the performances. Make the most of theatre breaks by taking in a show of every type, from dramas to musicals to children’s plays. And theatre trips don’t need to be restricted to the city. Smaller towns and villages host touring arts companies and stage regular music and performing arts festivals of their own.
See a play under the stars
Experience theatre performed in the open air, amid the beautiful, green surroundings of Regent's Park.
Location: Regent's Park, Greater London
May events: The Norfolk & Norwich Festival
Norwich becomes a hotbed of international art and performance every May.
Location: Norwich, Norfolk
Rainy Day Activities: Catch a show at award-winning kids’ theatre, the egg
Looking for something to do when it rains that'll keep the kids entertained and adults smiling? Try a show or creative workshop at the egg.
Location: Bath, Somerset
Enjoy a romantic escape in Shakespeare’s England
Shakespeare’s England, home to Romeo and Juliet - the greatest love story of all time, is the perfect place for a romantic escape.
Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
Explore Brighton's Cultural Quarter
Find an exotic Royal palace, classical concerts, West End shows and fine art all within a moment’s walk of each other.
Location: Brighton & Hove, East Sussex
October events: Laugh out loud at Birmingham Comedy Festival
Watch stand-up performances from some of the world’s top comedians, then learn the tricks of the trade for yourself.
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands
Enjoy a show at the Bristol Hippodrome
Steeped in history and packed with West End tours and local community displays, the Bristol Hippodrome is ideal for theatre buffs and newbies alike.
Location: Bristol
Paint the town red with a London hotel and theatre break
Take in the bright lights of London’s prestigious West End and its many fantastic musicals on a short break in the capital.
Location: London
Experience an on-stage extravaganza at the Birmingham Hippodrome
Plan a theatre trip to Birmingham and enjoy classic performances by the famous Birmingham Royal Ballet, comedy, drama, opera and fun-filled musicals.
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands
Explore Brighton and Hove’s wartime heritage
Commemorate the First World War with a cultural holiday in Brighton and Hove, roaming around the city’s lively cultural quarter.
Location: Brighton & Hove, East Sussex
Have a VIP Royal Shakespeare Company experience
Get the full VIP experience at the Royal Shakespeare Theatres in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire