Stratford combines theater history with park trails and waterfront activities. To plan your stay, you can choose from theaters and historic sites, self-guided explorations, and seasonal events. What takes center stage also depends on when you travel.

Theater and Shakespeare

The Stratford Festival is an annual celebration centered on Shakespeare. Its Festival Theatre was built in 1953, features a revolutionary thrust stage, and is an iconic example of modern architecture. The theater is located within Stratford’s urban park system.

In the city center, the Avon Theatre has been a landmark since 1900. It has the festival’s only traditional proscenium stage. Family-friendly performances are also offered there; individual productions vary by season. If you’re planning your visit around a particular performance, check the program for your travel dates.

Park Trails and Lake Victoria

Stratford’s main park system offers more than 15 kilometers of trails for walking, jogging, and cycling. This variety makes different activities possible without committing to just one way of exploring. Upper Queen’s Park overlooks Lake Victoria. There you’ll find play equipment, a covered bandstand, shaded green spaces, picnic areas, and restrooms.

Lake Victoria, also called the Avon River by the city in this park context, offers opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, pedal boating, and guided boat tours. Boat offerings may be seasonal. During the summer months, Art in the Park takes place at Lake Victoria on Lakeside Drive, between North Street and Front Street; seasonal dates may vary.

Gardens and Self-Guided Tours

The Shakespearean Gardens is located beneath the Huron Street Bridge. A variety of herbs, flowers, and shrubs mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays grow there. The garden thus connects the stage works to a specific place in the city.

On the free, self-guided Stratford Audio Walking Tours, choose a theme and follow audio stations from one location to the next. Map and audio features may require a connection. A self-guided tour of local history is also available in Stratford. Stratford City Hall complements these historical themes as a National Historic Site: the monumental brick building dates from the late 19th century.

Music, Winter Events, and Local Products

The annual Stratford Summer Music Festival includes music ranging from jazz to Indigenous music; the program varies with each edition. The Stratford Festival of Lights takes place every year in winter, through the holiday season. Future dates may vary, so it’s worth checking the dates for your travel year.

For a self-guided exploration of local specialties, there are several trails with different focuses. The year-round Stratford Chocolate Trail takes you to confectioners and bakers. The Stratford Bacon & Ale Trail explores the history of pork and brewing. Participating businesses on both trails may change. From May to October, the Stratford Savour & Sip Trail is a self-guided tour of locally made products available in Stratford and surrounding communities; confirm the dates for the year before traveling.

The time of year helps guide your choice: Art in the Park takes place in the summer months, while the Festival of Lights runs in winter through the holiday season. The trails also differ in their focus and season: Chocolate and Bacon & Ale run year-round, while Savour & Sip is listed for May to October. This lets you make culture, history, or local products the starting point for your plans.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: St Marys, Shakespeare, Listowel.

Return to the main travel overview: Perth County.