Mark your calendars and pack your picnic blankets - a summer of theatre, laughter and live performance is heading to the Isles of Scilly, as the new Museum and Cultural Centre unveils its 2026 arts programme.
Bringing together bold storytelling, open-air performance and family-friendly favourites, this year’s season promises something for everyone, whether you live on the islands or visiting for a summer holiday.
From swashbuckling adventure to Shakespearean comedy, the headline theatre programme features four unmissable productions touring across the islands:
- The Scarlet Pimpernel (9–12 July)
Ha Hum Ah return with a witty, fast-paced tale of daring disguises and dramatic rescues, packed with intrigue, humour and high-energy storytelling. Find Out More
- Peer Gynt – A Comedy of Terrors (30 July – 1 August)
Miracle Theatre present a wildly inventive and darkly comic reimagining of Ibsen’s classic, brought to life with theatrical flair and irreverent humour. Find Out More
- The Comedy of Errors (8–10 August)
Welcoming The Festival Players with Shakespeare’s most chaotic comedy — a joyful whirlwind of mistaken identities, physical comedy and musical mischief. Find Out More
- The Wizard of Oz (24–27 August)
A magical, family-friendly adventure down the yellow brick road, full of imagination, laughter and larger-than-life characters presented by Ian Kennedy Productions. Find Out More
Set against the extraordinary backdrop of the islands, performances will once again take place in a range of unique outdoor locations across our inhabited islands - from gardens and greens to beaches and community spaces - offering audiences a chance to experience theatre in some of the UK’s most memorable settings.
This island-wide programme forms part of a wider vision for the Isles of Scilly Museum and Cultural Centre, which will open in spring 2027 following the renovation of the Grade II listed Town Hall in Hugh Town, St. Mary’s. Until then, performances and events are being staged across the islands, giving audiences a flavour of the vibrant, year-round cultural offer the new venue will bring.
Image: A view of the front of the Museum & Cultural Centre set to launch in 2027
Alongside the theatre programme, audiences can also enjoy a lively supporting line-up of comedy, history walks and live classical music and brilliant bands, adding to the festival atmosphere across the summer months.
Duo Ekeš, compromising of violinist Ezo Sarici and pianist Deniz Cengiz, has just been added to the programme, having established themselves as a distinctive voice in the contemporary chamber music scene. And with regular comedy nights throughout the season, and opportunities to enjoy heritage walks and tours too, there’s certain to be something for everyone.
Lydia Bassett, Director of the Isles of Scilly Museum and Cultural Centre, said: “There’s something really special about watching live performance on Scilly. It’s relaxed, it’s welcoming, and it brings people together in a way that feels quite unique to the islands. While the Town Hall is being transformed into our new home, this programme gives a real taste of what’s to come, taking brilliant theatre, music and comedy out across the islands and sharing it with our communities and visitors. We’re really looking forward to welcoming people to be part of it.”
The summer season announcement followed news of the line-up for May’s much-loved Folk Festival. The Museum and Cultural Centre worked with the Scilly Folk Festival, which ran from Thursday 21 May to Tuesday 26 May with events across the islands. Highlights included a barnstorming night at the Old Town Inn with the Dartmoor Pixie Band, timeless storytelling from the trio Windjammer, Dartmoor traditions from Moor Music and folk legend Seth Lakeman performing live in the parish church on St Mary’s.
With more events still to be announced, the 2026 arts season continues to build momentum towards the opening of the new Cultural Centre - a year-round home for exhibitions, performances and community activity on St. Mary’s.
Tickets are expected to be popular for many shows and audiences are encouraged to book early.
Full listings and booking information can be found can be found here.
