Shakespeare For Everyone!

Shakespeare Near YOU!

1. The California Shakespeare Theater (Cal Shakes) - Orinda

Location: Orinda, CA
What to Expect: Cal Shakes offers professional Shakespearean productions, usually in the summer, in their beautiful Bruns Amphitheater. Known for high-quality performances of both classic and contemporary works.
Annual Events: Summer Shakespeare Festival, where you can enjoy a variety of Shakespeare's plays in an outdoor setting.

2. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) - Ashland, OR (Close to Northern California)

Location: Ashland, OR (about a 6-hour drive from San Francisco)
What to Expect: One of the largest and most prestigious Shakespeare festivals in the country. Though based in Oregon, it’s easily accessible to Northern California residents and hosts productions of Shakespeare's plays each season.

3. Shakespeare in the Park – Los Angeles

Location: Various venues in Los Angeles
What to Expect: Shakespeare in the Park offers free performances of Shakespeare plays in local parks around Los Angeles. The event is a beloved annual tradition in the city, featuring both well-known and lesser-known works.
Annual Events: Free outdoor Shakespeare performances in local parks (usually during summer months).

4. Shakespeare Santa Monica – Santa Monica

Location: Santa Monica, CA
What to Expect: This theater company puts on free performances of Shakespeare's works in beautiful outdoor settings around Santa Monica, including Virginia Avenue Park and others.
Annual Events: Outdoor performances (typically in the summer) of Shakespeare’s plays, often with a modern twist.

5. The Utah Shakespeare Festival (Nearby in Southern Utah)

Location: Cedar City, Utah (about a 10-hour drive from Los Angeles)
What to Expect: While technically in Utah, this festival is highly popular with Californians. The festival includes performances of Shakespeare plays and runs from late June through October.

6. The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival - San Francisco

Location: San Francisco, CA (Golden Gate Park & Other Locations)
What to Expect: Free Shakespeare performances in Golden Gate Park, as well as other performances in and around the Bay Area. Their summer production is a favorite tradition in the Bay Area.
Annual Events: Free Shakespeare in the Park (usually runs in the summer months).

7. Shakespeare Orange County – Fullerton

Location: Fullerton, CA
What to Expect: Shakespeare Orange County offers Shakespeare productions at the Festival Amphitheatre in Fullerton. The festival is known for its family-friendly performances and its commitment to keeping Shakespeare's works accessible.
Annual Events: Summer productions of Shakespeare's plays, including both well-known and lesser-known works.

8. The Hollywood Bowl - Los Angeles

Location: Los Angeles, CA
What to Expect: Every summer, the Los Angeles Philharmonic often presents a Shakespeare-themed event at the Hollywood Bowl, combining classical music with some of Shakespeare’s works, sometimes with a modern spin.
Annual Events: Shakespeare-related performances (usually in the summer).

9. Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival – Lake Tahoe

Location: Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe, NV (about a 2-hour drive from Northern California)
What to Expect: This festival is set in a stunning lakeside location, featuring both Shakespeare plays and other classic works. It’s a beautiful venue, often with picnic-style seating and a relaxed, open-air atmosphere.
Annual Events: Summer Shakespeare performances, typically held in July and August.

10. Shakespeare Festival at the Great Park – Irvine

Location: Irvine, CA
What to Expect: The Shakespeare Festival at the Great Park features free performances of Shakespeare’s works in a modern, large outdoor venue. This is a family-friendly event that brings Shakespeare to the heart of Orange County.
Annual Events: Free outdoor performances, usually in the summer.

11. The Independent Shakespeare Co. – Los Angeles

Location: Los Angeles, CA
What to Expect: Known for its intimate and high-quality productions, the Independent Shakespeare Co. performs in parks and other venues throughout Los Angeles.
Annual Events: Free outdoor productions of Shakespeare's plays in Griffith Park and other venues during summer.

12. Shakespeare at the Bowl - Pasadena

Location: Pasadena, CA
What to Expect: Pasadena's annual Shakespeare at the Bowl event brings together a range of performances celebrating the Bard, often with live music and other entertainment.
Annual Events: Annual outdoor performances and festivals focusing on Shakespeare's works.

13. Shakespeare at St. Mary’s – Berkeley

Location: Berkeley, CA
What to Expect: This is a unique event hosted by St. Mary's College. It's a smaller, community-driven festival, often including performances and discussions about Shakespeare’s influence.
Annual Events: Usually in the spring or summer.

14. Shakespeare by the Sea – Los Angeles and Coastal Communities

Location: Various outdoor venues along the Southern California coast, including locations like Long Beach and Redondo Beach.
What to Expect: Shakespeare by the Sea is a free, touring theater company that performs across Southern California. They provide high-quality performances in various public spaces.
Annual Events: Outdoor summer performances of Shakespeare plays (usually in parks and beaches).

15. Shakespeare in the Vines – Temecula

Location: Temecula, CA (Southern California)
What to Expect: An elegant combination of wine-tasting and Shakespeare performances, usually held at the beautiful Bel Vino Winery.
Annual Events: Summer performances of Shakespeare’s works in a vineyard setting.