Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2026 summer breaks records

Sales figures show that 150,000 tickets have already been sold for this summer’s TK Maxx presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre series – beating the previous record by 35,000 tickets.

More than one million tickets have now been sold for shows at the North Yorkshire Council-owned venue since it was refurbished and re-opened to the public in 2010.

Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2026 summer breaks records. Photo Cuffe & Taylor

This year’s sales come as the council revealed that last summer’s run of 18 shows – with headliners including Will Smith, Gary Barlow and The Smashing Pumpkins – boosted the local economy by £8.8m.

With 10 extra shows in 2026, including major international artists as Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, Hollywood Vampires, Teddy Swims and Nile Rodgers and CHIC, organisers are predicting that this summer’s series will bring a £15m economic boost to the Yorkshire coast.

Alanis Morissette is one of the headline acts at Scarborough Open Air Theatre. Photo: Cuffe & Taylor

Rick Astley and Lottery Winners kick off the 2026 series on Friday, June 5.

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Peter Taylor, co-founder of venue promoters Cuffe and Taylor who have programmed the summer series since 2016, said: “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.

“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.”

Will Smith at Scarborough Open Air Theatre. Photo: Cuffe & Taylor

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for arts and culture, Cllr Simon Myers, said: “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.”

With around 70 per cent of gig goers attending shows travelling more than an hour to the North Bay venue, local hospitality businesses are among those who benefit.

Scarborough Open Air Theatre. Photo: Cuffe & Taylor

An Economic Impact Assessment carried out by North Yorkshire Council showed the summer shows in 2025 generated an estimated £8.8m boost for the local economy, excluding ticket sales revenue and spend within the venue.

The shows attracted 110,495 attendees, of whom 77,444 travelled more than one hour to the venue.

It is estimated concert-goers staying overnight spend around £115 outside the venue while those returning home after shows spent around £50 locally. It is also estimated more than 44,000 hotel bed nights were booked locally over the Open Air Theatre season.