Olney Outdoors - Summer 2026
Olney Outdoors - Summer 2026 is Olney Theatre Center's annual outdoor summer festival, running from August 9 through September 12, 2026. This season promises another great summer of music, laughter, friends, and fun, featuring a diverse lineup of concerts, tribute bands, family programs, Lab Lounge cabarets, and special events across multiple stages on the Olney campus. The series kicks off with Summerfest, a free open house on August 9 with live performances, behind-the-scenes tours, and community activities. Subsequent weeks showcase tribute acts honoring artists like Carly Simon & James Taylor, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Frank Sinatra, David Bowie, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, and the Grateful Dead, alongside family-friendly shows, drag performances, and more. Patrons can also explore the Lab Lounge series featuring songs of iconic artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, and Jerry Herman. The festival offers a range of ticket prices depending on the event, and an All-Access Membership provides flexible entry to any performance across all stages in July, August, and September.
When: August 9 through September 12, 2026, with events scheduled throughout each week.
Summerfest: The season opens on Sunday, August 9, from 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM with a free open house featuring performances, demonstrations, behind-the-scenes tours of the new Bernard Family Theatre, Gana Dunlop Maker's Center, and Jim & Carol Trawick Education Center, plus a used costume sale, free classes, food trucks, vendors, and more. Full schedule for Summerfest is coming soon.
Weekly Schedule Highlights: Week One (August 13–16) includes Lab Lounge: Songs of Carly Simon & James Taylor ($50–$65) and KPOP Demon Hunters Sing-Along ($20). Week Two (August 20–23) offers Lab Lounge: Songs of Diana Ross & The Supremes ($50–$65), What the World Needs Now: An Evening of Burt Bacharach ($35), Princess Party ($15), and It Only Takes a Moment: The Songs of Jerry Herman ($45). Week Three (August 27–30) features The Chairman: Frank Sinatra ($50–$65), Space Oddity: The Ultimate David Bowie Experience ($55), Ingrid & Mollie’s Jennie the Cat: Jennie’s Beach Day ($15), and Glenn Leonard’s Temptations Revue ($50). Week Four (September 3–6) includes Lab Lounge: Ella Fitzgerald ($50–$65), Dragvaganza ($42–$52), and Almost Queen ($50). Week Five (September 10–12) offers Lab Lounge: Ray Charles ($50–$65), TUSK: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute ($50), Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC: I Am America ($30), and Better Off Dead ($45).
Performances and Lineup: The season features a rotating roster of tribute bands, cabaret-style Lab Lounge shows, family puppet and princess events, a drag evening, and guest choruses. Notable performers include Wendell Rakosky as Frank Sinatra, Anitra McKinney as Ella Fitzgerald, Quincy Vicks and Solomon Parker in Ray Charles tribute, Glenn Leonard's Temptations Revue, TUSK (Fleetwood Mac tribute), Almost Queen (Queen tribute), Space Oddity (David Bowie tribute), Better Off Dead (Grateful Dead tribute), and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC.
Pricing: Ticket prices vary by event, ranging from free (Summerfest) to $15 (family shows), $20, $30, $35, $42–$52, $45, $50, $50–$65. Lab Lounge shows are $50–$65. An All-Access Membership is available for unlimited entry to any performance in July, August, and September.
Venue: Events take place at Olney Theatre Center, with performances on the Root Family Stage at Omi’s Pavilion (outdoor) and in the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab (indoor, air-conditioned).
Note: For first-time attendees, the theatre encourages visiting the FAQs page on their website to learn about seating options and tips for making the most of the outdoor experience. The full schedule for Summerfest and additional event details are still to be announced.