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Ontario · Canada
The city that hosts the largest classical theatre festival in North America, with Shakespeare, musicals, the Avon River, swans and a centre of Victorian buildings.
In the photo: Avon River, in Stratford, Ontario.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Stratford is a town in southwestern Ontario, about 150 km from Toronto, surrounded by farmland. Like its English namesake, it is crossed by an Avon River, and that coincidence is what inspired its theatre festival.
The Stratford Festival began in 1953 in a large riverside tent with a production of Richard III. It grew to become the largest repertory classical theatre festival in North America, with four theatres and a season from April to October that mixes Shakespeare, classic and contemporary plays, and musicals.
The centre has Victorian brick buildings, a town hall with a tower, and shops, cafés and restaurants that cater to theatre audiences. The Avon River forms a lake with parks and gardens along its banks, and white swans swim there from early spring until late fall.
Many visitors come from Toronto to see two or three shows over a weekend.
This destination brings together 1 city: Stratford.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Boundaries: Statistics Canada (Statistics Canada Open Licence) / geoBoundaries. Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
✈ Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), in Toronto · 130 km to Stratford
The nearest international airport is Toronto Pearson (YYZ), about 130 km away. By car, Stratford is roughly 150 km from downtown Toronto. There are trains and buses from Toronto to the town station.
The local experience
A repertory theatre festival founded in 1953, with four theatres, a season from April to October, and productions of Shakespeare, classics and musicals.
Banks of the Avon River in Stratford, with Victoria Lake, lawns, trails, swans and a garden featuring plants mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
From May to October, during the festival season, when the riverside parks are green and the swans are on the water. In April, a parade marks the swans’ return to the river. Winter is cold and quieter.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Two or three days, to see two or three shows and walk along the river and through the centre.
The centre and the streets near the river have guesthouses in Victorian houses and small hotels within walking distance of the theatres. During the season, book lodging together with tickets.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Generally from April to October, with some productions extending into early November.
Plays are performed in English. Musicals are usually easier to follow for people with limited English.
No. The centre, the theatres and the river are walkable, and there are trains and buses from Toronto.
Two or three days for two or three shows and a walk along the river.
The same as Toronto: UTC−5, and UTC−4 from March to November.
