Your Guide To Securing Free “Twelfth Night” Shakespeare In The Park Tickets This Season — With An Option You Probably Didn’t Even Know Existed

One of the most highly-anticipated **summer** events in NYC? ***Twelfth Night***, Shakespeare in the Park’s new, star-studded production. After a two-year closure for upgrades — $85 million upgrades, to be exact — the **Delacorte Theater**is ready to welcome visitors beginning August 7th for the show, which will star Sandra Oh , Jesse Tyler Ferguson , Peter Dinklage , and Lupita Nyong’o . Talk about a triumphant return! Arguably as exciting as the cast is the chance to revel in one of NYC’s best traditions after a long hiatus. “The Delacorte experience starts before you’re in the theater,” Lupita Nyong’o told ***Vanity Fair***. “People are having picnics in their line. There’s music. There’s that community feeling.” That being said, everyone is anxious to partake in that community feeling. While yes, Shakespeare in The Park is one of the city’s most notable **free activities**, securing a spot is not terribly black and white. Allow us to break it all down for you. 5 ways to secure *Twelfth Night* Shakespeare In The Park tickets ---------------------------------------------------------------- There are multiple steps and important tidbits to know before getting a spot in Delacorte Theater. But fortunately, there are also multiple ways to get your hands on a ticket, too. Here’s where to start: ### In-person at Central Park On the day of each performance, which is subject to change, visitors can venture to Central Park to secure tickets, which are distributed at 12pm. (W 81st St & Central Park West or E 79th Street & Fifth Avenue.) Keep in mind, you will **\*need\* a [ Public Theater Patron ID](https://publictheater.org/login/) and can snag up to two tickets, but locations will be divided at random, so there’s no guarantee where you’ll end up — or if you’ll end up sitting with friends. From there, the queue is divided into three parts: the general admission line, the 65+ senior line, and the accessible line for people with disabilities. Though the tickets are distributed at noon, keep in mind that eager theater buffs will likely start arriving as early as 6am when the park opens. If you stroll in six hours later, there could very well be a sizable line. ### In-person standby line at Central Park Should your first attempt at the Central Park line not go as planned, there is a standby line...which can form as soon as the final ticket is given out on the main line. The same rules apply, like the Public Theater Patron ID and seat distribution. However, separate standby lines for General, 65+ and people with disabilities will not be available. Theater staff will start handing out the remaining slots around 6pm, so a word to the wise: you might be there awhile! ### In-person lottery at The Public Theater The Public Theater (425 Lafayette Street at Astor Place) holds an in-person lottery (indoors in the Ford Foundation Lobby) on the night of a performance, beginning at 11am when lottery entries are taken down; drawing takes place at noon. For this option, the same rules apply: you will also need a [ Public Theater Patron ID](https://publictheater.org/login/), seats will be randomly distributed, and each person may receive up to two tickets. Those who are lucky enough to secure vouchers will have from 5:30 to 7:30pm to redeem them in Central Park, and you only have the opportunity to get tickets for the day of. Don’t be late — vouchers are only good until 7:30pm. ### Digitally via the TodayTix lottery No need to wait in lines for this sucker. And no, you don’t need a Public Theater Patron ID. Download the [ TodayTix app](https://www.todaytix.com/us/static/download), make sure your contact information is up to date, and find Shakespeare in the Park. Consider sharing your entry screen via Facebook and Twitter — it’s said to increase your odds! This will be day-of, and winners will be notified around 12pm. For more on the process, be sure to visit [ The Public Theater website](https://info-faqpt.helpscoutdocs.com/article/475-free-shakespeare-in-the-park-tickets-2025). ### In-person in your borough Yes, there’s another line, but you don’t necessarily need to travel to Central Park or The Public Theater to get on ’em. Did you know you can pick up tix right in your nabe?! On the day of the performance, vouchers are distributed at 12pm across the city. You will need a [ Public Theater Patron ID](https://publictheater.org/login/), and the same rules as the other lines apply. You can secure up to two tickets, random seats are selected, and you must return to Central Park from 5:30 to 7:30pm to redeem the vouchers. This is only applicable for day-of events. Have a look at the borough distribution locations by date! After your visit to Delacorte Theater, be sure to explore all of the other [ live shows and performances in NYC](https://feverup.com/en/new-york/theater-comedy-shows) and try your luck at the [ *SNL* ticket lottery**](https://secretnyc.co/snl-ticket-lottery-2025-2026/)for the upcoming season. Source: https://secretnyc.co/twelfth-night-shakespeare-in-the-park-ticket-guide/