Stratford Festival fans can choose from many all-time favourites, as tickets for the 2026 season go on sale this weekend.
Publicity Director Ann Swerdfager said the final season under Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino promises a mix of Shakespeare, Broadway musicals, contemporary plays, and exciting world premières.
"He's been with us here at the festival for almost 40 years, working in every area, beginning as an actor, and he played Romeo with Megan Follows as Juliet. He's played other important roles," Swerdfager added. "A beloved director, his shows have been among the top-selling productions ever at Stratford Festival. And for the last 13 years, he's been our Artistic Director, which means he plans all of the shows that we're going to see each and every year."
Cimolino has put together a season of his favourite shows, as 2026 brings a mix of Shakespeare, musicals, and contemporary theatre to four stages.
Swerdfager said it will be hard for audience members to choose, with offerings like Death of a Salesman and The Importance of Being Earnest.
"Something Rotten, my favourite musical of all time. Guys and Dolls is my other favourite musical of all time. I can't believe they're scheduling them together. Got to see it. Got to see it," she pointed out. "Waiting for Godot, starring Paul Gross, fantastic! Got to see it. So that is the sort of season that we have ahead of us. All of those greatest hits titles."
There is a special family production of The Hobbit, Tolkien’s epic adventure for all ages, adapted for the stage by Kim Selody. Swerdfager added that three really popular Shakespeare productions are also being offered.
"The Tempest, which Antoni Cimolino, the Artistic Director, is directing himself. His shows are always just sensational. That'll be here at the Festival Theatre. So on that wonderful stage, it's going to be quite something," Swerdfager continued. "Then we also have A Midsummer Night's Dream, and we have Othello. So that is just fantastic."
"New work also takes the spotlight this year with the debut of a new English translation of Eduardo De Filippo’s Saturday, Sunday, Monday by Donato Santeramo and Antoni Cimolino, as well as two compelling world premières: Jovanni Sy’s razor-sharp restoration comedy mashup The Tao of the World and Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman’s thought-provoking The King James Bible Play," noted a media release from the festival.
Swerdfager expects the festival to build on last year's growth.
"We had a terrific year last year, and 2025 people were flocking back to the festival and loving their time here, coming from, of course, all around Canada, particularly from around Southwestern Ontario," she shared. "Our numbers from the U.S. were up. It was certainly reflected in all of the busyness downtown in Stratford. You know, we have such a gorgeous downtown with fabulous restaurants and wonderful stores and great accommodations."
The festival runs from April 21 to November 1.
Audiences can further elevate their visit with a dynamic lineup of engaging events at the Meighen Forum, featuring concerts, special presentations and acclaimed guest speakers. Standout offerings include the Brian Barlow Big Band’s lively homage to Duke Ellington, the powerful, immersive storytelling of Tales of an Urban Indian, and a nearly sold-out homecoming performance by Stratford native Ron Sexsmith, paying tribute to the music of Gordon Lightfoot. Collectively, these events provide memorable opportunities to enrich and extend the Festival experience.
People can visit stratfordfestival.ca or call 1-800-567-1600 for tickets.
