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Grant Park
Sunday, July 26, 2026
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Show day weather:
(Will be added the morning of July 26) |
Navigation (This page, not your car. We'll get to that...)
Using this page
You’ve Planned Your Visit. Now Let’s Get You Here.
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This page is designed to work as your Shakespeare in the Park guide to Grant Park.
Use it on show day for things like....
We recommend bookmarking this page before heading to the park |
Companions = This Page + The Main SitP 2026 Page Work Together
The main SitP 2026 page contains a great deal of detailed information and is where you'll do your planning. This page focuses specifically on this location and might reference the more detailed info on the main page. |
Please register
We highly recommend that you register to receive the fastest updates. The person who typically maintains this website is at the park and wifi can be spotty. The person who sends updates to people who register is sitting at a desk with an excellent internet connection. You decide. No pressure. ----- Details are on the Main SitP page - Navigate to "Gather Your Party" ------ |
Getting to Grant Park
Arrival Lead Time
Grant Park is one of our more popular locations. Although this may shift from year to year, guests have shown up typically 30-45 minutes before performances. Happily there are a few amusements to enjoy before and after show times. See the entertainment schedule below for details.
Grant Park is one of our more popular locations. Although this may shift from year to year, guests have shown up typically 30-45 minutes before performances. Happily there are a few amusements to enjoy before and after show times. See the entertainment schedule below for details.
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Driving Directions
New in 2026 - Shakespeare in the Park moves to Picnic Area 6 Grant Park 100 Hawthorne Avenue South Milwaukee, WI 53172 From the Grant Park entrance on Lake Drive, follow the main park road south. Follow the signs to Picnic Area 6, a shady grove on the south end of the generously sized parking lot. |
Performance location within the park
Performances are very conveniently located In Picnic Area 6 near the center of the park near the Oak Leaf trail and Lake Michigan. If you've attended Shakespeare in the Park in Grant Park, this is a new location. It's no longer in the meadow near the tennis courts. Map Link
This map shows you performance locations, restrooms, where to park, helpful hints and more. Shakespeare in the Park at Park Grant Google map The full Shakespeare in the Park 2026 map |
Getting around at Grant Park
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Drop-off
Both for general use and ♿ mobility access, the best drop-off at the south end of the parking lot adjacent to Picnic Area 6. Parking Plentiful parking is available in the lot adjacent to Shakespeare in the Park |
Walking
Once parked, simply walk across the grass to Shakespeare in the Park. Pathways ♿ There is no sidewalk leading into the park from the lot. The ground is flat grass but not paved. |
Enjoy the Park
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Sun and Shade*
The performance area at Grant Park is a combination of sun and lots of dappled shade. Did you bring a chair* Just a reminder even though it's probably too late since you're already here. Check-In / Info Tent* At Grant Park, it's located between the parking lot and the performance area.
Seating Surface Audience seating is on grass. and is fairly flat Restrooms ♿ An accessible, portable restroom is available and located close to the event at the south end of the parking lot. This is a unit rented by Optimist Theatre and in use only for Shakespeare in the Park. |
Picnic Tables.
There are picnic tables near the performance space at Grant Park If you bring your own folding table, please set up outside of the audience seating area.
Concessions Light snacks will be available for a suggested donation starting at 1:00 PM Pets*
Well-behaved pets and service animals are welcome at Grant Park As a matter of fact, dogs seem to enjoy Shakespeare and SitP cast and crew definitely love dogs. *----- Details are on the Main SitP page -----
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Enjoying Shakespeare in the Park
It's all led up to this
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Daily Schedule
1:00 PM ... Games and activities open Available all afternoon, including....
1:40 PM ... All About Richard III The low-down, the gossip, the history, and oh, the drama. 2:00 PM ... Richard III (Puppet Edition) Approximately 55 minutes. About 3:30 PM ... Reset the stage reconfiguration and shift to follow the shade.
4:15 PM ... All About The Merry Wives of Windsor Our version, and what we’ve gotten ourselves into. 4:30 PM ... Early Music Now Approximately 25 minutes. 5:00 PM ... The Merry Wives of Windsor: Falstaff’s Tale With live musical accompaniment by Early Music Now. Approximately 40 minutes. |
Sun, Stages, Shade, Shift*
The Seating and Stage Configurations and the Stage Location Will Change Between Shows Sun... The audience seating area at Grant Park is a combination of sun and shade. In years past, we attempted to find a happy medium - seeking shade for both the 2:00 and 5:00 performances. That was less than successful. Stages... Richard III at 2:00 uses an intimate thrust-style stage where the audience sits on 3 sides of the action. After the show, the stage crew will reconfigure the stage by turning the thrust into more traditional proscenium set-up. Shade... Because we have to reconfigure the stage and seating area after the 2:00 show, we're going to shift to follow the shade. At Grant Park, that might mean it will end up behind you. Let's find out together. Shift... Just relax while we make the shift. Please re-join the fun after we're done. 
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Program & Show Info
- Explore the digital program and show details anytime:
Fun-Facts About Grant Park
- Milwaukee County’s oldest park: Grant Park was established in 1910, making it the first county park, and by 1926 it had grown to nearly 400 acres.
- Seven Bridges Trail: This scenic loop includes 10 bridges, despite its name, and has been praised by Midwest Living as one of Wisconsin’s best fall hikes.
- Diverse natural habitats: The park features varied ecosystems—lake shore, bluffs, forests, grasslands, and river corridors—making it a hotspot for wildlife and a BioBlitz find of numerous rare species.
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Optimist Theatre is very grateful to the Friends of Grant Park for their warm welcome and support. This active organization is hosting a very special event the weekend before Shakespeare in the Park. The Friends of Grant Park Art Fair on July 19 from 10 AM to 3 PM. More info on their website.
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Join Us Again
Did you have a good time? Only a few show days left to come again and bring new friends. Grant Park is the sixth stop on our 2026 tour with five more chances to join us. The grid near the top of the main SitP 2026 page shows the whole season.
Thank you for coming to Milwaukee's free Shakespeare in the Park, an annual summer tradition since 2010.
Did you have a good time? Only a few show days left to come again and bring new friends. Grant Park is the sixth stop on our 2026 tour with five more chances to join us. The grid near the top of the main SitP 2026 page shows the whole season.
Thank you for coming to Milwaukee's free Shakespeare in the Park, an annual summer tradition since 2010.