Suggested visit
Day 1
Matinee at Festival Theatre
Day 2
Winery lunch · evening performance
Day 3
Niagara Falls · closing show
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Arts · Summer
Shaw Festival
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario April – December
Repertory theatre celebrating George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries in Ontario wine country.
Type
Arts
Family Friendly
Yes
Setting
Indoor
About This Event
The story of Shaw Festival
Repertory theatre celebrating George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries in Ontario wine country.
The Shaw Festival stages a dozen productions annually across three intimate theatres in picturesque Niagara-on-the-Lake, pairing world-class drama with the region's wineries and gardens.
Why travelers love it
Reasons to go
What makes Shaw Festival unforgettable.
01
10+ productions in rep
02
Three historic theatres
03
Wine-country setting
04
Chat with the artists
Best areas to stay
Where to stay
Curated accommodations across price tiers and neighbourhoods.
- Prince of Wales Hotel
- Pillar and Post
Explore beyond the event
Things to do nearby
Make Niagara-on-the-Lake the start of a wider Canadian adventure.
- Niagara Falls
- NOTL wineries
- Fort George
Make the most of your visit
Suggested itineraries
Plans for every length of stay — from a single day to an extended adventure.
Know before you go
Local insider tips
Editorial advice from on-the-ground travelers.
Weather
Pack for the season and check the forecast the week of.
Transit
Use public transportation where possible — venues fill quickly with festival traffic.
Arrive early
Marquee events draw crowds — give yourself 60 minutes of buffer.
Cash
A small amount of cash speeds up small-vendor and food lines.
Photography
The hour before sunset gives the best festival light.
Photo gallery
A visual taste
A glimpse of Shaw Festival and the surrounding destination.
Editorial photography curated by The Canadian Explorer.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Nearby
Extend your trip
Parks, campgrounds and road trips within reach of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
National Parks nearby
Provincial Parks nearby
Camp nearby
Explore more of Canada
Related destinations
Continue the journey from where the festival ends.
Trip planning assistance
Need help planning your visit?
Tell us about your trip and we'll send a tailored plan with recommendations for hotels, transport, itineraries and surrounding destinations. This is travel planning assistance — not a booking form.
Curated by Canadian travel editors