A sensational summer of live music at Scarborough Open Air Theatre has smashed box office records – three months before the first show.
Venue promoters Cuffe and Taylor have revealed 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.
This year’s record-breaking sales come as the council revealed 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.
And with 10 extra shows at Scarborough OAT in 2026 – from such major international artists as Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, Hollywood Vampires, Teddy Swims and Nile Rodgers and CHIC – it is predicted this summer’s series will bring a £15m economic boost to the Yorkshire coast.
The 2026 series launches on Friday June 5 with Rick Astley and Lottery Winners.
Peter Taylor, co-founder of 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.
“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.”
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for arts and culture, Cllr Simon Myers, said: “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.”
With around 70% of gig goers attending shows at Scarborough OAT travelling more than an hour to the North Bay venue, local hotels and hospitality businesses are among those who massively benefit from the summer series.
An Economic Impact Assessment carried out by North Yorkshire Council showed the 2025 TK Maxx presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2025generated an estimated £8.8m in direct economic benefit for the local economy, excluding ticket sales revenue and spend within the venue.
The shows attracted 110,495 attendees – 77,444 travelled more than one hour to the venue. Using postcode analysis and stay over assumptions supported by the Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor (STEAM) it shows the venue continues to operate as one of the region’s biggest seasonal economic drivers.
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.
A survey of those who attended shows last year, carried out by Cuffe and Taylor, found:
98% of gig goers were satisfied or very satisfied with their experience
76% say the venue exceeded their expectations
80% intend to return to a show at Scarborough OAT
Of those who stayed in local hotels 53% stayed one night; 31% stayed two nights; 16% stayed for three or more nights
£128 average spend per night on accommodation
For more information about TK Maxx presents Scarborough Open Air 2026 go to scarboroughopenairtheatre.com
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