One of Central Park's most treasured summer traditions is back.
Free Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theater is returning, starting July 5.
Performances will continue through August 29.
The Public Theater announced the return in a tweet.
"For this to be coming back is a great harbinger of better things to come in New York City," Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a press conference announcing the return of Shakespeare in the Park. "I have to tell you for a lot of people there were many, many painful difficult realities last year but the absence of arts and culture, the sense that the thing that gave us the most hope and spirit was gone, that was in many ways one of the most painful realities."
Productions were suspended last year due to the pandemic.
According to the Public Theater, the company coordinated this return with city officials, health experts and theatre unions.
The company plans to announce more details about free tickets, performances and protocols in the coming weeks.
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story said performances would begin on July 6. They will begin on July 5.