HOPKINSVILLE, KY – The Pennyroyal Arts Council (PACI), in partnership with the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library, invites the community to pack a picnic and dress in their favorite Elizabethan attire for Shakespeare in the Park on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026.

This free, family-friendly event will take place at the Greenway Amphitheatre (1101 Bethel St., Hopkinsville, KY 42240—adjacent to the library and Little River Park). Made possible in part by a $5,000 Performing Arts Touring Grant from the Kentucky Arts Council, the evening brings high-caliber, professional theater directly to Christian County.

Pre-show festivities kick off at 5 p.m. with local food trucks, interactive youth activities, and community fun. Attendees are strongly encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnic dinners, and even themed costumes. The main stage event begins at 6 p.m., featuring a live, professional performance of the Shakespeare classic, Much Ado About Nothing, by the celebrated touring troupe Kentucky Shakespeare.

“We are thrilled to partner with Kentucky Shakespeare and our local public library to offer this rich cultural experience to Hopkinsville free of charge,” said Bri Smith, Education Coordinator for the Pennyroyal Arts Council. “Grab a blanket, pack your favorite picnic spread, and don’t be afraid to dress up in costume!”

Event details:

  • Date: Monday, September 28, 2026
  • Location: Greenway Amphitheatre, 1101 Bethel St., Hopkinsville, KY 42240 (Adjacent to the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library and Little River Park)
  • Schedule:
    • 5:00 PM: Food Trucks, Community Festivities & Pre-Show Fun
    • 6:00 PM: Kentucky Shakespeare Live Performance
  • Admission: Free & open to the public
  • What to Bring: Lawn chairs, blankets, picnics, and costumes!

In the event of severe weather, the performance will move indoors to the nearby Historic
Alhambra Theatre.

For more information, visit https://www.pennyroyalarts.org/events/shakespeare-in-the-park or follow the Pennyroyal Arts Council & the Alhambra Theatre on Facebook for event updates and food truck announcements.