Passion Plays getting ready for 2026!
Every year free performances of the Easter story are taking place around the UK. Passion Plays give an experience of the Gospel that is unlike any other. Audiences can see and hear the story happening around them in the market square, the city streets or the local park. Whether in traditional costume or modern dress, the story is brought to life for all to see with fresh eyes. Where are they taking place in 2026?
Derry
The Walled City Passion is a modern re-imagining of the Easter Passion story, from Jesus arrest through to his crucifixion set on the famous City Walls. This 75 minute promenade performance, commencing at St Columbs Cathedral and concluding in Guildhall Square, looks at the themes and events of this most famous story and interprets them for a 21st century audience. Visit their Facebook page here.
Edinburgh
Join the Passion Play in Edinburgh on Easter Saturday in Princes Street Gardens. This Passion Play is unique in that the script is re-written every year! This year’s production is a NEW play exploring Jesus and disability – how did he respond to disabled people then and what can we learn from him today? Find out how the new play brings new understanding to the Easter story this year. The 2026 play is titled “Unbroken” and will take place on Saturday April 4th, 2026 in West Princes Street Gardens at 2pm. Visit their website here.
Gorton, Manchester
Watch a Passion Play with live music, acting and story telling inside the historic Manchester Monastery in Gorton. Wander amongst individual artesian art and craft stalls and taste homemade snacks in an experience that celebrates unity, creativity, and shared humanity. The heartbeat of Passion for Gorton is its volunteers – members of the community who step forward to help shape the story, share their voices, and make this event a reality.
Hereford
This Passion Play brings the story of Jesus’ final days to life for Lent. The production will use words, music, action to tell the events of that fateful week against the stunning architecture of the cathedral nave.
Hornchurch
The Hornchurch Passion Play is a community-based charity that spreads the Christian message in Havering. With an army of volunteers, they perform a ‘Passion Play’ every five years in Hornchurch. If you want to see the Easter story you will join up to 10,000 people over three nights. From the first performance in 1995, they have grown steadily since then and are now preparing for our seventh performance, scheduled for Easter 2026. Visit their website here.
Oxford
The Oxford Passion Play will take place in Bonn Square, opposite the large Westgate shopping centre. This is the third Passion Play in Oxford with the last play taking place in Hinksey Park. You will see key moments from the Easter story brought to life, starting with a lively scene from ‘the wedding in Cana’. You can read an interview with the actor who played Jesus in last year’s Passion Play here.
Reading
Reading’s brand new, original, open-air Passion play will take place in Forbury Gardens. This unique location is in the town centre and the Passion Play is part of the Easter Arts Festival organised by The Gate Church.
You can watch the Reading Passion play to see the key moments in the Passion of Christ and inspirational Gospel moments. It is performed by a cast of four professional actors with one actor playing the part of Jesus and the other three playing multiple characters. RISE Theatre will bring their unique style to create an emotionally impacting performance. Visit their website here.
Trafalgar Square
Last but not least! The Passion Play taking place in Trafalgar Square is the largest and most professional of them all. Taking place in the heart of London, it is free for all and for those who can’t travel to London, it is also live-streamed on The Wintershall Player’s Facebook Page.
The 90-minute performances are completely free of charge! It is a gift to Londoners and visitors and all are welcome. This event is very popular – please arrive 40 minutes before your chosen performance.
Supported by the Mayor of London, one hundred Wintershall players bring their electric and moving portrayal of the final days of Jesus to this iconic location in the capital. The production is open air with visibility maximised using a large screen. There is a realistic interpretation of the crucifixion so parental guidance is advised. British sign language interpretation is provided.
