180,000 visitors and £18m boost as Scarborough Open Air Theatre has best year ever
Scarborough Open Air Theatre has enjoyed the most successful season in its history, attracting more than 180,000 visitors and generating an estimated £16m to £18m for the economy.
The figures mark a dramatic turnaround for a venue that attracted just 15,068 people when it reopened in 2010 after more than two decades standing derelict.
Annual attendance has now grown to more than 10 times that figure, with this year’s crowds comfortably surpassing the previous record seasons achieved after the venue’s restoration.
Cllr Simon Myers, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for culture, arts and housing, welcomed the record-breaking year for the venue.
In a report to councillors, he said: “Scarborough Open Air Theatre has completed another record-breaking season, welcoming over 180,000 visitors, with over 70 per cent of those travelling more than one hour to get to the venue and generating an estimated £16-18million economic impact for the local economy.”
The theatre originally opened in 1932 and became famous for large-scale productions and concerts before closing in 1986.
And it has announced huge names for 2027, with A-listers Mariah Carey, Shania Twain and Slash among the artists due to headline.
After years of dereliction, it was restored by Scarborough Borough Council and reopened in 2010 following a £3.5m refurbishment.
Attendance figures remained modest in the early years after reopening.
The venue attracted 12,264 visitors in 2011 and 16,894 in 2012 before gradually building its reputation and securing larger acts.
By 2018, then considered a record year, annual attendance had reached 91,431.
The success of recent seasons has reinforced the venue’s position as one of the UK’s leading outdoor music arenas and one of Scarborough’s biggest visitor attractions.
Council chiefs said momentum was already building for next year, with several concerts selling out within hours of being released.
Cllr Myers also highlighted strong performances across the council’s other coastal venues.
Scarborough Spa recorded increased attendance and hosted major conferences, weddings, comedy performances, festivals and community events, while Whitby Pavilion continued to attract sold-out shows.
Elsewhere, the Filey Food Festival returned in October, Filey Brigg Caravan Site reported increased occupancy and strong bookings for 2027, and the popular Naval Warfare attraction is preparing to celebrate its centenary next year.
However, not every event escaped disruption.
The council confirmed that the popular Moonlight on the Lake programme at Peasholm Park had to be cancelled because of recent storms.