Events & What's On 2026

An exceptional year for Stratford — Kenneth Branagh returns to the RSC for the first time in 30 years, Game of Thrones makes its world stage premiere, and the town's festivals and markets are back in full force.

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RSC 2026 Season — Now Booking

Kenneth Branagh · Helen Hunt · Mark Gatiss · Jonathan Groff · Alfred Enoch

Book at rsc.org.uk ↗

Spring 2026

Mar 14 2026

Henry V — RSC Opening

🎭 Royal Shakespeare Theatre · Runs to 25 April

Alfred Enoch (Harry Potter, How to Get Away with Murder) stars as the warrior king in the RSC's powerful season opener, directed by Co-Artistic Director Tamara Harvey. A fresh take on one of Shakespeare's most rousing history plays — booking strongly advised for this acclaimed production.

RSC · Royal Shakespeare Theatre

Apr 11 2026

The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui

🌿 Swan Theatre · Runs to 30 May

Double Olivier Award-winner Mark Gatiss makes his long-awaited RSC debut in Brecht's devastating political satire — a 1941 allegory for the rise of Hitler, set in the gangster underworld of 1930s Chicago. A production of rare urgency. Gatiss is expected to be electrifying in the role.

RSC · Swan Theatre RSC Debut

Apr 17 2026

Driftwood — World Premiere

🏛 The Other Place · Runs to 30 May, then Kiln Theatre London

The world premiere of an award-nominated debut play by Martina Laird, directed by Justin Audibert. Following its run in Stratford, the production transfers to the Kiln Theatre in London — catch it here first. A powerful new voice in British theatre.

RSC · The Other Place

Apr 25 2026

Shakespeare's Birthday Celebrations

🎉 Town Centre, Holy Trinity Church & Riverside — All day

The unmissable annual birthday weekend marks the 462nd anniversary of Shakespeare's birth. The iconic procession winds through the historic streets with Tudor-costumed participants from over 50 countries, flag ceremonies at Holy Trinity Church, live music in Bancroft Gardens, street theatre throughout the town, and a special RSC gala performance in the evening.

Free to attend

May 2 2026

Stratford Music Festival

🎵 Stratford Town Football Club, Masons Road

An outdoor music festival at the town's football ground, bringing together a mix of live bands, local acts, and headline performers for a full day of music. A relaxed, community atmosphere ideal for families — bring a picnic blanket and enjoy the Warwickshire sunshine.

Ticketed event

May 9 2026

Pursuits Festival 2026

🌳 Stratford Recreation Ground · 9–10 May, 10am–5pm

The popular free community festival returns to the recreation grounds for a vibrant two-day celebration produced by Kate Livingston of Slate Events. Activities, performances, food stalls, and entertainment for every member of the family — one of the most welcoming events in the town's calendar. Completely free to attend.

Free entry

May 13 2026

The Tempest — Kenneth Branagh as Prospero

🎭 Royal Shakespeare Theatre · Runs to 20 June · Press night 26 May

Kenneth Branagh returns to the RSC for the first time in over 30 years, playing Prospero in Shakespeare's final masterpiece directed by Sir Richard Eyre — his own debut in Stratford-upon-Avon. Branagh, who has worked on 35 Shakespeare productions, takes on Prospero for the very first time in what is expected to be one of the defining theatrical events of the decade. Book immediately.

RSC · Royal Shakespeare Theatre Sell-out expected

Summer 2026

Jun 19 2026

A Midsummer Night's Dream — Family Production

🏛 The Other Place · Runs to 30 August

A joyful, accessible co-production with the Unicorn Theatre (the UK's leading theatre for young audiences), directed by Rachel Bagshaw and edited by Robin Belfield. Perfect for families and younger audiences discovering Shakespeare for the first time, this production ran to great acclaim in London before arriving in Stratford for the summer.

RSC · The Other Place Family show

Jul 10 2026

The Cherry Orchard — Branagh & Helen Hunt

🌿 Swan Theatre · Runs to 29 August · Press night 21 July

Academy Award-winning Helen Hunt makes her RSC debut opposite Kenneth Branagh in Laura Wade's new version of Chekhov's final, heartbreaking play. Hunt plays Madame Ranyevskaya; Branagh, her complex foil Lopakhin. Directed by RSC Co-Artistic Director Tamara Harvey, this is the must-see theatrical pairing of the summer.

RSC · Swan Theatre RSC Debut — Hunt

Jul 15 2026

Game of Thrones: The Mad King — World Stage Premiere

🐉 Royal Shakespeare Theatre · Summer 2026 run

The world's first stage production set in George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones universe tells the story of Aerys II Targaryen — the Mad King — whose catastrophic reign precedes the events of the TV series. A landmark production for both the RSC and popular culture, this world premiere is certain to be one of the hottest tickets of the year.

RSC · World Premiere Book now

Aug 15 2026

The Cotswolds Classic Car Show

🏎 Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse

One of the most popular classic car events in the Midlands, drawing hundreds of pristine vehicles from across the country to the racecourse grounds. From vintage pre-war rarities to iconic 1970s and 80s machines, this spectacular gathering is a joy for motoring enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.

Ticketed event

Autumn 2026

Sep 26 2026

As You Like It — Jonathan Groff

🎭 Royal Shakespeare Theatre · Runs to 7 November

Broadway star Jonathan Groff (Hamilton, Mindhunter, Frozen) makes his RSC debut in Daniel Evans' all-male production of Shakespeare's most optimistic comedy. Set in the Forest of Arden, this bold reimagining is directed by RSC Co-Artistic Director Evans and promises to be one of the most talked-about productions of the autumn season.

RSC · Royal Shakespeare Theatre RSC Debut — Groff

Oct 1 2026

Middlemarch — Parts 1 & 2

🌿 Swan Theatre · Part 1 from 1 Oct, Part 2 from 10 Oct · Both run to 16 Jan 2027

Nina Raine's ambitious new two-part stage adaptation of George Eliot's magisterial novel, directed by Jeremy Herrin. Eliot was born close to Stratford-upon-Avon, making this adaptation feel especially resonant on this stage. Experience both parts in one epic day or on separate visits — a literary and theatrical landmark event.

RSC · Swan Theatre Two-part epic

Oct 15 2026

Stratford Literary Festival

📚 Various venues across the town centre

The Stratford Literary Festival returns for 2026 with a packed programme of author talks, Q&As, creative workshops, and panel discussions. Celebrating literature in the town that gave the world its greatest writer, this popular festival draws leading novelists, poets, historians, and thinkers. A highlight for book lovers of every kind.

Various ticket prices

Nov 5 2026

Julius Caesar — Harriet Walter

🏛 The Other Place · Runs to 28 November, then touring schools

Harriet Walter returns to her landmark, acclaimed performance as Brutus in Phyllida Lloyd's celebrated all-female production of First Encounters: Julius Caesar. A powerful, viscerally theatrical production that has won enormous praise for making Shakespeare feel immediate and indispensable. Also touring schools from September.

RSC · The Other Place

Winter 2026

Nov 28 2026

Stratford Christmas Markets 2026

🎄 Town Centre · 28–29 November, 10am–8pm (Sat) / 10am–5pm (Sun)

Stratford's Christmas Markets return to transform the historic streets into a festive wonderland. Dozens of stalls fill the town centre with handmade gifts, seasonal food, mulled wine, artisan crafts, and local produce. Live carol singing, street entertainment, and the warm glow of fairy lights through the Tudor buildings make this one of the most magical winter events in the Midlands.

Free to browse

Nov 28 2026

The Three Musketeers — RSC Christmas Season

🎭 Royal Shakespeare Theatre · Runs to 9 January 2027

Alexandre Dumas' swashbuckling 1844 adventure returns in a riotous new RSC co-production with Told by an Idiot — one of Britain's most inventive theatre companies. Large-scale theatrical spectacle, comedy, and derring-do make this the perfect festive season show for families and adults alike.

RSC · Royal Shakespeare Theatre Family friendly

🎭 RSC 2026 Season

An extraordinary year. Book early — Branagh's Tempest and the Game of Thrones premiere are expected to sell out within days of availability.

rsc.org.uk — book online
Box office: 01789 403493
Rush tickets from £5 on the day
Under-26 tickets from £5
RSC Members get priority booking
Concessions available for seniors

🌟 2026 Highlights

Kenneth Branagh — The Tempest & Cherry Orchard
Helen Hunt — RSC debut, Cherry Orchard
Mark Gatiss — RSC debut, Arturo Ui
Jonathan Groff — RSC debut, As You Like It
Game of Thrones — World stage premiere
Middlemarch — Epic two-part adaptation

Plan Around Events

Book accommodation well in advance for summer 2026 — the Branagh/Hunt season and Game of Thrones premiere will bring record visitor numbers to Stratford.

Where to Stay

📅 Year-Round

Daily Stratford Town Walk — 11am & 2pm from the Swan Fountain, Waterside
Ghost Walk — Sat evenings from 7:30pm
RSC Theatre tours — daily from £8
Holy Trinity Church — open daily

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players."

— Jacques, As You Like It · William Shakespeare · RSC, Autumn 2026