Best Outdoor Theaters Near Sacramento
Within a comfortable drive, you can satisfy your musical and theatrical needs in the outdoors. There is something special about comfortably resting on the green grass while you fill your head with music or feast your eyes on a play. Stay in the Valley or head to Lake Tahoe to find these bell-ringing performances. Bring your blanket, your own great expectations and simply enjoy your time under the clear blue skies.
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival
Theater at Sand Harbor Park
2005 Highway 28
Incline, NV 89451
(775) 832-1616
www.laketahoeshakespeare.com
If "Wherefore art thou" is on your list for the summer, the best place to find where thou art is is at Lake Tahoe's Sand Harbor. Each summer, the bard's work is performed at this beautiful park on the shore of the lake stage. Under the cool summer night skies, filled with stars, relax and watch as the magic takes place in an equally magical setting. It is well worth the two-hour drive from Sacramento to see Shakespeare on the Lake.
East Sacramento is the spot for Saturday evenings in June. Rotating throughout three parks, music and art will fill the evening skies. From Glenn Hall Park on June 8th, moving to Bertha Henschel Park on June 15th and finishing at McKinley Park on June 22d, it's a robust schedule of wonderment and good community times. Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates will be there offering free valet bike parking. Food and drinks are available or bring your own picnic. Just be prepared for a exuberantly good time.
A short 50-minute drive from Sacramento finds a stunning outdoor stage, surrounded by farmland. With a capacity for 18,500, this is a big one. There are 10,500 on-the-lawn spots for watching the music and plays that grace this stage. Want a reserved spot? There are 8,000 available. Bring your sunscreen, small snacks and your smile. Food vendors can take care of the big appetites. The concert series will run throughout the summer. Take your pick of style from the formidable choices. Relax on the lawn to the sounds of music all around.
Related: Best Outdoor Concerts To Look Forward To This Summer In Sacramento
Date: July 12 through 28
State Fair time means outdoor music and play time. From June 12th to June 28th, enjoy a day wandering through the fair, then enjoy the evening listening to music at the Golden1 Stage. Music for all tastes and ages will light up the stage. Special performances for children will make everyone dance in the aisles. Cal Expo is closed in, with tons of parking and more than you can do in a day.
Related: Best Concerts To Look Forward To In Sacramento In 2013
Charles Ferris is a freelance writer who has lived in the Sierra, halfway between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, for the last 37 years. In 2010 he retired from teaching after 36 years . He and his wife hike, kayak, cross country ski, snow shoe, ride mountain bikes and road bikes, year round. His work can be found at Examiner.com.
