Stratford and Shaw Festival 2027: Cheaper Tickets and Planning a Theatre Trip

The cheapest way to see the 2027 Stratford Festival or Shaw Festival in Ontario is to book early in a discount you qualify for, such as Stratford's Play On tickets for ages 16 to 29 (from $25 plus tax) or Shaw's preview, under-35 and youth prices, and to choose midweek performances, as of 1 October 2026. Stratford's 75th season runs from 28 April to 28 November 2027, and public sales open on 15 November 2026 after a members' advance period, according to the festival. Shaw announced its 2027 playbill on 25 August 2026. For many visitors, travel, a hotel night and meals in Stratford or Niagara-on-the-Lake cost more than the tickets, so plan the whole trip, not only the seats.

The 2027 seasons

Stratford's 2027 season marks the festival's 75th year. It includes 13 productions: Hamlet, Mary Poppins, Chicago, Wolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies, Present Laughter (with Eric McCormack, from 9 October to 28 November 2027), Anne of Green Gables, Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang, The Taming of the Shrew, The Merchant of Venice, Playing Shylock, All in the Telling and Almighty Voice and His Wife. Hamlet opens on 13 July 2027. Matinees are generally at 1:30 p.m. and evening shows at 7:30 p.m. Mary Poppins has a presale registration for people who want early notice.

The Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake announced its 2027 season on 25 August 2026. Productions include South Pacific, The Color Purple, Arsenic and Old Lace, Jumpers, Deathtrap, Arms and the Man, Grimm Tales, What Every Woman Knows, Intimate Apparel and Goblin:Pygmalion. Holiday programming had not been announced as of 1 October 2026.

Stratford discounts

Stratford's Play On program is the best value for anyone aged 16 to 29. Tickets cost $25 in the Bravo zone, $34 in B, $45 in A and $55 in A+, plus tax. Rush tickets offer same-day savings for anyone: up to four tickets, released from two hours before the performance, with 10% off A+ seats, 20% off A seats and 50% off B seats, subject to availability. Student groups can attend selected midweek matinees from $19. Members, who make a donation to the festival, get access to tickets before the public on-sale, which helps for the most popular shows.

Shaw discounts

Shaw had not published its full 2027 pricing as of 1 October 2026. Its 2026 ways to save give an idea of the offers to look for: early booking prices until 31 January, preview performances up to 30% off and from $30, $35 Blue seats for people 35 and under, $25 tickets for youth 18 and under with an adult ticket, senior prices from $44 and student prices of $25 at selected performances, and regular tickets from $40. A Season's Pass was offered at $625 or $750. Check Shaw's website for the 2027 versions of these offers before you book; prices and rules can change.

Timing your booking

• Popular musicals and star-led shows sell the best seats first; book early for those.
• Previews, early in each production's run, are often cheaper.
• Midweek matinees usually have more choice and lower demand.
• Rush tickets suit flexible locals or visitors already in town.
• Fall performances after the summer peak can be easier to book, and lodging can cost less.

The rest of the trip: travel, lodging and food

For a day trip, the main extra costs are fuel or transit and a meal. For an overnight, a hotel or bed and breakfast is usually the largest single cost, often more than two tickets. Stratford and Niagara-on-the-Lake both have peak summer and weekend pricing. Booking lodging when you book tickets, choosing a midweek night, or staying in a nearby town can reduce the cost. Accommodation taxes and fees vary by municipality; the hotel and short-term rental taxes guide explains what to expect on the bill.

• Pick a matinee to make a day trip possible and skip the hotel.
• Pack a picnic; both towns have parks near the theatres.
• Check parking costs and whether the theatre has nearby free street parking.
• Share driving and lodging with friends to split costs.

Example with made-up inputs: a day trip versus an overnight for two

These numbers are an example with made-up inputs. They are not real ticket, hotel or restaurant prices. Two adults, one aged 27 and one 45, plan a Stratford visit.

The tickets are the same in both plans. The overnight costs about $370 more, almost all from lodging and restaurant meals. If the 27-year-old qualifies for Play On and the other adult tries rush tickets on the day, the ticket cost could fall further, though rush seats are not guaranteed.

A plan for 2027

1. Choose the productions you most want to see and note their run dates.
2. Check whether anyone in your group qualifies for Play On, under-35, youth, senior or student prices.
3. Decide whether a members' advance booking is worth it for a popular show.
4. Book on or soon after the public on-sale (15 Nov 2026 for Stratford) for the shows most likely to sell out.
5. Book lodging at the same time, or plan a matinee day trip.
6. Keep a flexible date in mind for rush tickets.

Theatre tickets can also be a good gift. The experience gifts guide covers gift certificates and memberships, and the holiday shows guide covers cheaper seats for this December.

Common mistakes

• Paying full price when someone in the group qualifies for Play On or an under-35 offer.
• Waiting too long for popular musicals.
• Booking a weekend evening show and paying peak lodging when a matinee day trip would work.
• Assuming 2026 Shaw prices will be the same in 2027.
• Buying from an unofficial resale site instead of the festival box office. See avoiding resale ticket scams.