Stratford: Theatre, Parks and Culture

Stratford offers a range of ways to plan your trip: theatre and Shakespeare, waterfront parks, local history and seasonal events. If you’re looking for a hotel in Stratford, you can start by considering which of these themes matter most to you during your stay. This can help you tailor your choice of places to visit to your interests.

Theatre and Shakespeare in Stratford

The annual Stratford Festival is a worldwide celebration of Shakespeare. Two of its venues are distinguished by their architecture and stage history. Built in 1953, the Festival Theatre is considered an iconic example of modern architecture and features a revolutionary thrust stage. It is located within Stratford’s municipal park system.

Avon Theatre is located downtown and has been a Stratford landmark since 1900. It has the Festival’s only traditional proscenium stage. Family-friendly performances are also presented there; which productions are included varies by season. For those interested in theatre, the two stages offer different architectural and historical points of interest.

Park Trails and Lake Victoria

Stratford’s main park system includes more than 15 kilometres of trails for walking, jogging and cycling. This means that, alongside theatre visits, outdoor activities are also among the options described. In the context of the park, the city also refers to Lake Victoria as the “Avon River”; the lake offers opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, pedal boating and guided boat tours. Operations may be seasonal.

Upper Queen’s Park overlooks Lake Victoria. Its amenities include play equipment, a covered bandstand, shaded green spaces, picnic areas and on-site washrooms. Water activities and areas of the park offer different ways to plan a visit: you might be interested in a boat tour, for example, or choose to focus on the park’s green spaces and amenities.

Discover History on Foot

On the free, self-guided Stratford Audio Walking Tours, choose a theme and follow the audio stations from one location to the next. A connection to the internet may be required for the map and audio features. A self-guided tour of local history is also available in Stratford.

Individual attractions also reflect the history and culture of the area. Shakespearean Gardens is located beneath the Huron Street Bridge; herbs, flowers and shrubs mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays grow there. Stratford City Hall is a National Historic Site and a monumental brick building from the late 19th century. When planning, you can choose between a themed walking tour and individual garden or architectural attractions.

Events and Culinary Themes

The annual Stratford Summer Music Festival features musical genres ranging from jazz to Indigenous music; the program varies by edition. Art in the Park takes place during the summer months at Lake Victoria, on Lakeside Drive between North Street and Front Street. Specific dates may vary. In winter, the Stratford Festival of Lights takes place every year through the holiday season, though dates may also vary by edition. These offerings provide different seasonal highlights, from music and art in the summer to winter lights.

There are several self-guided trails for culinary experiences. The Stratford Chocolate Trail, described as available year-round, takes visitors to confectioners and bakers. The Stratford Bacon & Ale Trail is also available year-round and focuses on the history of pork and brewing. Participating businesses on both trails may change. The Stratford Savour & Sip Trail is available from May to October: it features locally made products offered in Stratford and surrounding communities. Check the dates for the relevant year before your trip. The trails therefore differ both in their themes and in the seasons when they are available.

Discover more destinations: Shakespeare, St Marys, Listowel.

For the broader travel overview: Perth County.