Stratford Festival

One of Ontario’s most notable cultural events is Stratford Festival, a series of live theatre performances set in multiple theatres and stages throughout the town of Stratford.

Both Shakespearean classics — Hamlet, King John and The Taming of the Shrew, for example — and modern tales grace stages and delight over one million annual tourists. The festival also hosts numerous workshops, camps, educational courses and forums.

Besides theatrical performances, kids and adults can enjoy behind-the-scenes programmes, day camps, summer camps and artist training. Visitors can spend all day on the festival grounds, as there are several on-site eateries. You’ll find three cafes, a bar and a take-out picnic menu. In between shows, browse the Stratford Festival Shop.

Stratford Festival’s main stage is just off Highway 8 near Lake Victoria in the downtown area of Stratford. It’s about 107 km west of the city of Hamilton and 150 km from Toronto.

For up-to-date information and details about Stratford Festival, we recommend visiting their website. For more information about the festival’s performances and other places of interest to explore nearby, keep scrolling to see what Destination Ontario recommends.

A group of red flowers in front of a building

Accessibility Features

Assistive listening devices available

Assistive listening devices are available  for rent or free of charge. 

Wheelchair accessible

Unobstructed path through public  hallways that are wide enough to allow  people using wheelchairs and other  mobility devices to move easily through  the building. 

Universal washroom

Separate, individual washroom with  adequate manoeuvring room for mobility  devices. Includes grab bars, transfer  space, accessible door latch, accessible  sink with knee clearance, easy-to-use  faucets and adult change table. 

Support persons welcome

Support persons are welcome to provide  services or assistance with  communication, mobility, personal care,  medical needs or access to facilities.  Please check with the organization about  entry fees, if applicable.

Service animals welcome

Service animal can be identified by visual  indicators (guide dog or other animal  wearing a vest/harness); or  documentation available from a  regulated health professional to confirm  the animal is required due to a disability. 

Information available in alternative format

Accessible formats (e.g. for menus,  brochures, etc) and communication  supports are provided in a timely manner  upon request at no extra charge in  consultation with the person making the  request.

Elevator access

Elevator access to all public floors with  adequate manoeuvring room to enter  and exit the elevator.

Easy access electrical outlets

At least one electrical outlet within easy  reach has clear floor space in front for  charging an electric mobility device.

Accessible washroom

An accessible washroom stall has  adequate manoeuvring room for mobility  devices. Includes grab bars, transfer  space, accessible door latch, sink with  knee clearance, and lever handles or  automatic sensor faucets. 

Accessible drop-off location

Passenger drop-off is available by an  accessible entrance. 

Accessible transportation

Accessible public transportation and/or  accessible shuttle buses serve the site. 

Accessible seating

Reserved space with a clear view of the  event/activity for someone who is seated,  good sound quality, and adequate  manoeuvring room for a mobility device.

Accessible restaurant

Accessible entrance; adequate  manoeuvring room; accessible washroom  nearby. Tables with removable chairs and  adequate knee clearance.  Cafeteria/buffet counters reachable for  mobility device users. 

Accessible parking

At least one identified, reserved parking  space with a safe, clearly marked  accessible route from the designated  parking area to an accessible building  entrance.

Accessible entrances/exits

A sufficiently wide, hard surfaced,  unobstructed path, no steps or equipped  with ramp connecting to a public  entrance or exit and identified by signage.  Automatic door openers, adequate  manoeuvring room in front of door.

More about Stratford Festival

Although Stratford is a small, rural town, it still draws a significant number of tourists to Stratford Festival each year. Nearly one million visitors annually enjoy the festival, its performances and the many educational programmes. Over time, the event has developed a reputation as the area’s premier classical theatre destination. 

In the 1950s, the town of Stratford suffered a blow when the railway industry left the area. But that hardship allowed local journalist Tom Patterson (who has a theatre named after him) to brainstorm a new role for the town: a Shakespearean theatre festival. The first season opened in the summer of 1953 with a performance of Richard III that received great praise.

The festival’s signature appeal is its collection of Shakespearean classics. If you’re a fan, Stratford Festival showcases popular titles such as King Lear, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, The Tempest, Othello, Antony and Cleopatra and more. Aside from old favourites, the festival also highlights a few modern pieces. In previous years, they’ve performed titles like The Rocky Horror Show, Little Shop of Horrors, Billy Elliot the Musical, To Kill A Mockingbird and The Music Man.

The festival runs annually at four main theatres: Festival Theatre, Tom Patterson Theatre, Studio Theatre and Avon Theatre. There are also other performance venues, including at the organization’s Normal School, outdoor stages in the summer months and virtual events. Because of its expansive size, Stratford Festival has become the continent’s largest classical repertory theatre company. People from across the world travel to Stratford to watch the classics, contemporary dramas and musicals. 

Each year, across several stages and theatres throughout Stratford, the festival shows at least a dozen or more performances. The organization’s artistic director helps guide the choices based on past productions and what’s popular in the current year. Whether you’re looking for drama, a good laugh or a chance to tap your toes, the Stratford Festival offers shows for all audiences. For kids, the festival provides Shakespeare, musical theatre and playwriting programmes.

Adults can also partake in educational events and workshops. The festival offers dance workshops and behind-the-scenes programming that lifts the curtain and allows a glimpse of show production. You can learn about puppetry, props, distressing furniture, sculpting toys and more. Teachers can take advantage of study guides for their classes or professional development materials for themselves.

Students of all ages from any school — primary, secondary or university — can schedule a Stratford Festival visit. University students can take for-credit courses in subjects like Shakespeare performances and acting and voice techniques. All ages can enjoy theatre arts day camps and summer camps. For the professionals, they can take part in immersive artist workshops and training.

Although you can purchase tickets individually, many membership programmes offer a few perks. Some benefits include ticket discounts up to 50%, priority booking, free tickets, waitlists, lounges with complimentary drinks, free tour passes and exclusive events. You can also rent the venue or costumes. If travelling to the festival, you’ll find paid parking lots throughout the town.

While in the vicinity of Stratford, you may want to explore the area. The main festival theatre is in Upper Queen's Park, bordering Lake Victoria near Arthur Meighen Gardens. You’ll find several other green spaces and walking paths along the waterfront, including North Shore Park, Lower Queen’s Park, Arboretum Park and the tourist favourite, Shakespearean Gardens. 

If you like to play golf, Stratford Country Club is just across the way from the festival. Other nearby activities include browsing Gallery Stratford, a public art gallery and sculpture park featuring contemporary works from local and regional Canadians. You can also rent boats or enjoy a river cruise on Lake Victoria.

The downtown core of Stratford highlights charming brick buildings from the 19th century. The most famous structure is probably Stratford City Hall, with its red tones and decorated facade. You’ll also find plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars to enjoy, plus shopping the town’s boutiques and shops. And on the edge of town, you’ll find the Stratford Perth Museum with exhibits about the area’s history, including the most famous former resident of Stratford, Justin Bieber.

Last updated: August 18, 2023

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