The Best Open-Air Operas And How To Dress For Them

The 2025 outdoor opera season is in full swing, showcasing world-class singers and performers on stunning UK stages. We’ve curated four of the best operatic festivals to attend this summer, complete with style tips for dressing elegantly while staying prepared for the British weather. Pack a warm wrap, a waterproof, and your finest eveningwear for these unforgettable events!

1. Glyndebourne Festival: A Pinnacle of Outdoor Opera

Location: East Sussex Downs, an hour from London

Why Visit: Glyndebourne is the UK’s premier destination for outdoor opera, renowned globally for its exceptional performances and picturesque grounds.

Nestled in the rolling hills of East Sussex, Glyndebourne’s 2025 summer programme features new productions of Wagner’s Parsifal and Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, alongside revivals of Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia, Handel’s Saul, Verdi’s Falstaff and Janáček’s Káťa Kabanová. This season promises a cultural feast, making it the perfect occasion to don refined eveningwear. Founder John Christie championed formal dress to honour performers, a tradition that endures. As Glyndebourne’s website notes, “the opportunity to look gorgeous never goes out of style.”

What to Wear: Glyndebourne is perhaps the biggest ticket for the summer and it encourages its opera goers to dress for the occasion. Black tie is typical, with gents donning tuxedos and ladies complementing in elegant dresses and even gowns for evening performances. Our silk shantung dresses are a beautiful option for both day and night performances, perfectly paired with a tailored summer coat to stay warm during the evening.

Florence Dress Sapphire Plain Silk Douppion

£750

2. The Grange Festival: Opera in a Neoclassical Gem

Location: Hampshire, seven miles from Winchester

Why Visit: The Grange, a Grade I-listed neoclassical mansion, is one of the UK’s most breath-taking opera venues, attracting top international talent. This year, it runs from June 4 until July 6.

Owned by the Baring family and preserved by English Heritage, The Grange hosts a stellar line-up in July 2025, including Verdi’s masterpiece of heartbreak, La traviata; the greatest operetta of all time, Die Fledermaus; an epic hip-hop-meets-Baroque collaboration with internationally acclaimed artists in Rameau’s Les Indes galantes; the return of Ballet Black; and four varied concert programmes - Summertime Swing, Bernstein on Broadway, Queen at the Opera and a star-studded opera gala in aid of The Meath Epilepsy Charity. Gates open two hours early, inviting guests to stroll the grounds or sip English sparkling wine at the Portico Bar. A 100-minute interval allows time for a gourmet picnic or dining in the house.

What to Wear: Much like Glyndebourne, a visit to The Grange Festival means one should embrace occasion-ready outfits like a summer dress layered with a silk or linen coat for warmth.

3. Garsington Opera: A Chiltern Hills Highlight

Location: Wormsley Estate, Chiltern Hills

Why Visit: Garsington Opera is a social and theatrical gem, rivalling Glyndebourne with its world-class performances and architectural marvel of a pavilion.

Founded in 1989 by Leonard and Rosalind Ingrams, Garsington moved to the Getty family’s Wormsley Estate in 2011. Its 2025 season is a must-see, with standout performances like Orfeo, where audiences are encouraged to wear white or cream to match the production’s design. The stunning grounds and innovative pavilion demand elegant attire.

What to Wear: The Westminster or Eton coat, featuring tailored details and French border embroidery, adds sophistication. Pack a silk wrap or cardigan for chilly evenings, and opt for flat shoes to navigate soft ground. On cooler days, a jumpsuit is an excellent alternative, offering a contemporary edge that can be layered over with a delicate silk coat.

Tailored Jumpsuit Moss Saona Crepe Satin

£750

Belgravia Coat Chestnut Dafydd Silk Organza

£1,450

Tailored Jumpsuit Khaki Tokyo Sandwashed Crepe De Chine

£750

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Tailored Jumpsuit Navy Heavy Crepe

£750

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4. Opera Holland Park: London’s Open-Air Gem

Location: West London

Why Visit: Opera Holland Park brings world-class opera to the capital with a vibrant mix of performances, ballet, and talks.

Londoners don’t need to leave the city for exceptional outdoor opera. Opera Holland Park’s 2025 season, from late May to August, presents a vibrant mix of operas including Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman, Jonathan Dove’s Itch, Lehár’s The Merry Widow, and a double bill of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Trial by Jury with A Matter of Misconduct!. Alongside these main stage productions, the season features recitals, family events, and community performances, showcasing both established and emerging talent with the City of London Sinfonia and guest orchestras.

What to Wear: A splendid evening in west London calls for a sophisticated look that's versatile enough for a swanky dinner post-performance! Summer dresses or tailored suits work well, paired with a lightweight coat for cooler nights. Our dinner jackets and lounge pants are a chic option, but for those balmy evenings opt for an elegant waistcoat.