2023 FREE SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK TICKETS

We are excited to announce our in-person distributions for free tickets this summer and the return of Today Tix as our official digital lottery provider for Public Works' THE TEMPEST and Free Shakespeare in the Park's HAMLET. 

Any official changes to our distribution policies will be shared here. For free ticket availability for each evening's performance, visit our  DAILY TICKET UPDATE.

Note: Borough Distributions are only available for HAMLET.

Updated 08.23.2023

Free tickets are distributed on each public performance day via the free ticket lines at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

• A Public Theater Patron ID is required to receive a free ticket, and we encourage you to create or confirm your ID before arrival by visiting publictheater.org/register.
• Free tickets are distributed at 12PM (Noon) every day a public performance is scheduled. Examples of non-public performances are Openings, Invitational Community Nights, and Galas. 
• Performance days may vary weekly, so check the performance calendar.
  • THE TEMPEST Website and Calendar
• Seat locations are randomly distributed, not based on the position of a person in the line, and you and your group are not guaranteed to be seated together. 
• People waiting for free tickets must line up along the paths designated by The Public Theater staff and The Parks Department.
• Each person (age 5+) may receive two (2) tickets while supplies last.
• Please remember that Central Park is officially closed until 6AM, and we encourage you not to form a line outside the Park overnight or before 6AM.
• Anyone who attempts to create a line inside the Park before 6AM is sent to the end of any line that has formed outside the Park.

There are three separate distribution lines at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park:

• General Distribution Line
• Senior 65+ Distribution Line
  • Ticket recipients must be 65 or older on the performance date to receive tickets on this line.
  • This line is hosted close to the theater with access to benches, shade, and restroom facilities.
  • Tickets distributed on this line are for seats in Section E of The Delacorte. Section E offers accessible seating, including:
    • Seating that is accessed with no stairs.
    • Seating accessible by ramp. 
    • Seating that is accessed with limited stairs.
    • Wheelchair accessible locations. 
    • Wheelchair transfer accessible locations.
    • Seating to support hearing or vision loss based on proximity to the stage.
• Access for People with Disabilities Line
  • Ticket recipients must attest to the need for accessible seating. Accessible seating options include:
    • Seating that is accessed with no stairs.
    • Seating accessible by ramp. 
    • Seating that is accessed with limited stairs.
    • Wheelchair accessible locations. 
    • Wheelchair transfer accessible locations.
    • Seating to support hearing or vision loss based on proximity to the stage.
    • Seating locations for select performances where American Sign Language, Open Captions, and Audio Descriptions will be offered. Visit the HAMLET website and calendar to confirm those dates before attending a distribution. 
    • Seating for guests who need extra space outside the measurements of The Delacorte seating.
  • This line is hosted outdoors and close to the theater with access to benches, shade, and restroom facilities.

On each public performance date, a limited number of ticket vouchers for that night's performance are distributed via an in-person lottery at:

425 Lafayette Street (at Astor Place) NY, NY 10003

• A Public Theater Patron ID is required to receive a free ticket voucher, and we encourage you to create or confirm your ID before arrival by visiting publictheater.org/register.
• We will begin taking entries for the lottery in The Ford Foundation Lobby of The Public starting at 11AM. The lottery will be drawn at 12PM (Noon) every day a public performance is scheduled. Examples of non-public performances are Openings, Invitational Community Nights, and Galas.
• Performance days may vary weekly, so check the performance calendar.
  • THE TEMPEST Website and Calendar
• Ticket vouchers are redeemable only for same-day performances.
• Seat locations are distributed randomly upon redemption, not based on a person's redemption time at The Delacorte Theater Box Office.
• All ticket vouchers must be exchanged for tickets at The Delacorte Theater Box Office in Central Park between 5:30PM and 7:30PM.
• Ticket vouchers are only valid until 7:30PM for the performance on the day they are issued.
• Each person (age 5+) may receive up to two (2) ticket vouchers upon winning while supplies last.
• Accessible seating is limited at The Delacorte. For assistance in acquiring accessible seating during our lottery distributions, please speak to a member of The Public Theater staff upon your arrival for the lottery.
  • This distribution is hosted indoors at The Public Theater with access to restrooms, seating, and climate-controlled spaces.

A limited number of free tickets are distributed via digital lottery on the TodayTix app on most public performance dates. Examples of non-public performances are Openings, Invitational Community Nights, and Galas. 

1. Download the  TodayTix app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Open the app and scroll down to find Free Shakespeare in the Park or search for Free Shakespeare in the Park. 
3. Enter the lottery for one or two free tickets. You may double or triple your odds on the confirmation screen by sharing your entry via Facebook and Twitter.
4. See If You Won! Monitor your phone or email at 12PM Noon to see if you have won and claim your tickets for that evening's performance. 

More things to know:

• Make sure your name and email address are correct and that TodayTix push notifications are turned on, so you can receive confirmation of lottery status.
• You will be notified if you have won between noon and 3PM on the day of the show. 
• You must confirm your winning tickets in the TodayTix app within 30 minutes of being notified.
• All tickets must be claimed at The Delacorte Theater Box Office in Central Park between 5:30PM and 7:30PM.
• Tickets are only valid until 7:30PM for the performance on the day they are issued.
• You can enter the lottery between 12:01AM and 12:00PM (Noon) on the day of each public performance. Each winner will get two (2) tickets to that night's performance.
• There are three digital lotteries General, Senior 65+, and Wheelchair Accessible Seating Entry.
• Duplicate entries will be voided.
• You can also mail your entry to TodayTix, 1501 Broadway, Suite 1313, New York, NY, 10036. All mailed entries must be received 24 hours in advance of your desired performance.
• For additional questions and support from TodayTix, please see FREE SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK LOTTERY.
• Learn about our Health & Safety Plan for Free Shakespeare in the Park. 

IN-PERSON STANDBY LINE IN CENTRAL PARK

After the final ticket is distributed for that day's performance, anyone who did not obtain a ticket may begin to form a standby line at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Our standby line can be closed anytime by management for any reason. 

• A Public Theater Patron ID is required to receive a free ticket, and we encourage you to create or confirm your ID before arrival by visiting publictheater.org/register.
• The Public Theater staff will begin to monitor this line, starting at 6PM.
• Tickets may begin to be distributed to this line any time after 6PM through the beginning of the performance or when The Public Theater staff dismisses the line. 
• Pending availability, free standby tickets will be distributed, 2 per person.
• Performance days may vary weekly, so check the performance calendar.
  • THE TEMPEST Website and Calendar
• Seat locations are randomly distributed, not based on the position of a person in the line.
• People waiting for free tickets must line up along the paths designated by The Public Theater staff and The Parks Department.
• We cannot offer separate standby lines for General, 65+, or people with disabilities since all tickets received on standby are the best available at their time of release. We will do our best to assist with requests for accommodation from people with disabilities, but again there are no guarantees on the standby line. 

OTHER TICKETING FAQ

• The Public Theater reserves the right to deny tickets. Including tickets to future performances this season and in future seasons, to anyone participating on a secondary market in the selling or obtaining of tickets that The Public Theater offers for free, and to revoke such tickets or to deny admission to anyone found in possession of such obtained tickets. Any known activity regarding the misuse of free tickets should be reported to The Public Theater staff. The Public Theater does not condone ticket scalping. It undermines the spirit of Free Shakespeare in the Park and is unfair to those who wait in line.
• The ticket distribution lines and the area surrounding The Delacorte Theater are monitored by video.

Return to INDEX