Seasons and events

What's open

Theatres are dark. Lights On Stratford continues through January 10, 2027, Thursday to Sunday, 5–10 p.m.

Weather

January highs around −3°C and lows around −9°C.

Dated events

• Lights On Stratford: December 18, 2026 – January 10, 2027 · Thursday to Sunday, 5–10 p.m. · Stratford

What's open

A quiet month. The Chocolate Trail and the Bacon & Ale Trail run all year. No Festival performances.

Weather

Deep winter. Expect cold, and check the forecast before you pack.

What's open

Still between seasons. Year-round culinary trails continue. The swans are still in winter quarters.

Weather

Late winter into mud season. Pack a warm coat.

What's open

The 2027 season begins April 28 with Jacob Two-Two, and Mary Poppins on April 29. The swans return to the Avon in spring 2027; there's no public Swan Parade.

Weather

Changeable. Bring layers.

What's open

Mary Poppins opens May 31. Chicago begins May 24, Merchant of Venice May 8, Playing Shylock May 21. The Savour & Sip Trail runs May through October and returns in 2027. The 2026 Sunday Market ended October 18; it returns in 2027, and those dates are not confirmed here.

Weather

Spring. Evenings can still be cool after a warm afternoon.

What's open

A dense opening month: Merchant and Playing Shylock open June 1, Jacob Two-Two June 2, Almighty Voice June 25, Chicago June 26, Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies June 27. Hamlet begins performances June 20.

Weather

Early summer. Bring a layer for the air-conditioned theatre.

What's open

Hamlet opens July 13, the anniversary of the Festival's first performance in 1953. Most of the season is on.

Weather

July highs about 27°C and lows about 15°C. The theatres are cool inside.

What's open

The Taming of the Shrew runs from August 11 and opens August 26. All in the Telling runs from August 4 and opens August 25. Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies close August 21. Mary Poppins has a relaxed performance on August 11.

Weather

Warm days, cooler evenings toward the end of the month.

What's open

Anne of Green Gables runs September 2–25 and opens September 12, with a relaxed performance on September 17. Playing Shylock and Almighty Voice close September 25. All in the Telling closes September 26.

Weather

Often the wettest month. Evening chill sets in. Bring a coat for the walk back.

What's open

Late repertory. Present Laughter runs from October 9 and opens October 16. Many shows close at the end of the month. The swans are in winter quarters for the season. The 2026 Sunday Market ended October 18 and returns in 2027.

Weather

October highs about 14°C. Evening chill is the rule.

What's open

2026 final performances: Guys and Dolls through November 14 and Something Rotten! through November 15. After November 15 the playbill leads with 2027 (April 28–November 28). In 2027, Mary Poppins closes November 6, Chicago November 7, and Present Laughter runs through November 28. Public on-sale for 2027 tickets is November 16, 2026. Christmas Trail runs November 1–December 20. Christmas Market November 20–22, 2026. Winter Wanderland November 28–29, 2026.

Weather

Late autumn. Coat, hat, and a layer for the theatre.

Dated events

• 2027 tickets on sale to the public: November 16, 2026 · stratfordfestival.ca and the box office
• Christmas Market: November 20–22, 2026 · Friday 4–8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. · Stratford Makers Market, Rotary Complex, 353 McCarthy Road
• Winter Wanderland: November 28–29, 2026 · 11 a.m.–4 p.m. · Market Square and York Street

What's open

Present Laughter has closed by November 28, so the season is over. Lights On Stratford runs December 18, 2026 to January 10, 2027, Thursday to Sunday, 5–10 p.m. The 2026/27 theme is Canada: Northern Lights. No shuttle buses on December 24, 25 and 26, or January 1 and 2. The Christmas Trail ends December 20.

Weather

Winter. A warm coat for the walk, and a lighter layer inside.

Dated events

• Lights On Stratford: December 18, 2026 – January 10, 2027 · Thursday to Sunday, 5–10 p.m. · Stratford