A Guide to Stratford Festival Season 2026
Stratford, Ontario, is not only renowned for its picturesque landscapes but also for its vibrant cultural scene, and 2025 promises to be an extraordinary year for festivals and events. From world-class theater productions to lively celebrations of arts and music, Stratford Festival is set to captivate visitors and locals alike.
The crown jewel of Stratford's cultural calendar, the Stratford Festival, is a celebration of world-class theater. Running from April to October, the festival showcases a diverse repertoire of plays and musicals performed by some of the finest talents in the industry. From Shakespearean classics to contemporary masterpieces, the festival promises an immersive and unforgettable theatrical experience.
Website: Stratford Festival
Season: April-October
Walking Time from Henry House:
Tom Patterson Theatre: 1 min
Studio Theatre: 4 min
Avon Theatre: 5 min
Festival Theatre: 11 min
The Festival’s 2026 Season Ticket Information
Download Early Ticket Order Guide
Member On Sale Dates
Membership Level
Playwrights' Circle Members November 9
Sustainer/Prospero Society Members November 10
Associate Members November 11
Benefactor Members November 12
Ambassador Members November 13
Friend Members November 14
Tom Patterson Theatre
The Tom Patterson Theatre is an architecturally stunning and intimate venue located along the Avon River. With state-of-the-art technical capabilities, the theatre showcases exceptional performances and fosters a profound connection between the audience and the artists.
Walking Time from Henry House:
Tom Patterson Theatre: 1 min
From May 1 to September 26 - Opens May 27
2026 Schedule for this Play
Graham Abbey, a seasoned Stratford Festival actor, directs Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This beloved comedy follows lovers who escape the city into a magical forest filled with fairies, confusion, and enchantment. Abbey’s production celebrates imagination, romance, and the transformative power of theatre, where dreams and reality joyfully intertwine.|
From May 22 to September 27 - Opens June 19
2026 Schedule for this Play
Directed by Haysam Kadri, Othello explores the lethal tension between perception and truth. The Moorish general’s triumphs on the battlefield are undone by jealousy and manipulation, as deception poisons his love and honor. This gripping tragedy reveals how mistrust can destroy even the most powerful hearts and minds.
From Aug 2 to September 26 - Opens Aug 20
2026 Schedule for this Play
Playwright-director Jovanni Sy unveils The Tao of the World, a bold world premiere blending Congreve’s The Way of the World with the glamour of Crazy Rich Asians. This inventive fusion reimagines Restoration comedy amid today’s elite, where wealth, ambition, and desire collide in a dazzling portrait of modern excess and wit.
Studio Theatre
With its cozy ambiance and flexible seating arrangement, the Studio Theatre creates an intimate connection between performers and spectators
Walking Time from Henry House:
Studio Theatre: 4 min
From Aug 6 to September 26 - Opens Aug 21
2026 Schedule for this Play
Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman’s The King James Bible Play, directed by Nina Lee Aquino, is the Studio Theatre’s singular 2026 production. Blending history and modern insight, it traces the 17th-century translators of the English Bible before moving to the present, where a group of women boldly reclaim and reinterpret its enduring legacy.
Avon Theatre
The theater boasts a unique character, with its intimate atmosphere and expertly designed stage, captivating audiences with every performance.
Walking Time from Henry House:
Avon Theatre: 5 min
From May 5 to October 24 - Opens May 28
2026 Schedule for this Play
Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman returns to Stratford after nearly 30 years, inspired by last season’s Salesman in China. Directed by Antoni Cimolino, the revival reexamines Miller’s classic through a modern lens, exposing the illusions of success and the enduring struggles of ambition, disillusionment, and societal pressure in today’s world.
From April 21 to October 23 - Opens May 30
2026 Schedule for this Play
The 2026 Schulich Children’s Play, The Hobbit, is Kim Selody’s lively adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic, directed by Pablo Felices-Luna. Bilbo Baggins’s quest from the Shire to the dragon Smaug’s lair unfolds as a thrilling, family-friendly adventure, brought to life through imaginative staging and inventive theatrical storytelling.
The Importance of Being Earnest
From May 19 to October 23 - Opens June 18
2026 Schedule for this Play
Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, the ultimate romantic farce of wit and mistaken identity, returns under Krista Jackson’s direction. This sparkling revival of Wilde’s classic comedy blends razor-sharp dialogue, clever deceptions, and timeless satire, reaffirming its place as one of theatre’s most delightful and enduring masterpieces.
From Aug 4 to October 24 - Opens August 22
2026 Schedule for this Play
Antoni Cimolino concludes his artistic directorship with Saturday, Sunday, Monday by Eduardo De Filippo, adapted with Donato Santeramo. Set in a lively Neapolitan kitchen, this warm comedy of love, jealousy, and family marks Cimolino’s fourth De Filippo production, affirming his lasting legacy as a leading interpreter of the playwright’s work.
Festival Theatre
As the flagship venue of the esteemed Stratford Festival, the Festival Theatre showcases a diverse range of performances, including Shakespearean classics and contemporary works.
Walking Time from Henry House:
Festival Theatre: 11 min
From April 28 to October 24 - Opens May 25
2026 Schedule for this Play
At the Festival Theatre, Antoni Cimolino will direct The Tempest, Shakespeare’s profound reflection on magic, forgiveness, and legacy. Serving as Cimolino’s final Shakespearean production at Stratford, this staging promises a moving farewell that intertwines personal reflection with the play’s timeless themes of reconciliation, transformation, and the art of letting go.
From May 11 to October 31 - Opens May 29
2026 Schedule for this Play
The smash-hit comedy Something Rotten! returns by popular demand after delighting audiences during the Festival’s 2024 season.
From April 22 to November 1 - Opens May 26
2026 Schedule for this Play
Set in 1950s New York, Guys and Dolls follows gambler Nathan Detroit and his efforts to run a high-stakes crap game, while betting fellow gambler Sky Masterson that he can’t woo the uptight missionary Sarah Brown. Love, luck, and lively show tunes drive this classic romantic comedy musical
From May 14 to July 31 - Opens May 30
2026 Schedule for this Play
Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot returns to Stratford for the first time since Antoni Cimolino’s inaugural season as artistic director, now on the Festival Theatre stage. Directed by Molly Atkinson, this landmark of absurdist theatre continues to challenge and captivate with its haunting humor and timeless exploration of human endurance.
Next Steps? Book a Stay with Henry House.We hope you found this information helpful in planning you next stay in our enchanting city of Stratford, Ontario.
If you want to be located within a 6 min stroll of most of the attractions, please consider staying with us at the Henry House.
