Art in the Park is Stratford's open-air art market, a juried show of contemporary visual art that sets up along the banks of the Avon River between the Festival Theatre and the Tom Patterson Theatre. Destination Stratford gives the days as Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 am to 5 pm, weather permitting, and the season has run from mid-May to the end of September. Admission is free. Because the artists are selected by a jury, the quality is higher than at a typical craft fair, and the work is made to be looked at rather than used: paintings, prints, drawings, photography and other pieces for the wall. You can talk to the people who made the work, which is half the pleasure, and you can buy straight from them if something catches your eye. The setting is as much of an attraction as the art. The stalls sit on the riverside parkland that visitors already walk between the theatres, with swans on the water, Lakeside Drive and the gardens nearby, so the market turns a stroll into a gallery visit and gives you something to do in the long gap between a matinee and an evening show. It is one of the easiest free activities in Stratford and a good reminder that the town's creative life is not limited to the stage.
What to do
Walk the whole row once, then go back to the pieces that stayed with you. Ask the artists about their process and their subjects, since many are glad to explain how a piece was made and where it was inspired. If you are thinking of buying, ask about framing, shipping and care, because most artists can advise on carrying a work home safely.
Small prints and cards are easy to pack and make good souvenirs, while larger originals may need a plan for transport. Photographs of the river setting are as rewarding as the art itself.
Seasons and planning
This is a seasonal market, so it is not available in the quiet months. It has run from mid-May to the end of September on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm, weather permitting, and the exact dates are set each year. Check Destination Stratford's event page before you travel, because the calendar shifts and rain can cancel a day.
Bring a hat in summer and a light layer for the breeze off the water, and carry some cash as a backup, although many artists accept cards. In the autumn and winter, Gallery Stratford is the natural indoor alternative.
Fitting it in
Allow 45 minutes to an hour, or longer if you are a keen buyer. The market is between the Festival Theatre and the Tom Patterson Theatre, so it fits perfectly before a matinee or in the gap before an evening show, and it combines well with the Shakespearean Gardens and the Avon River walk. Families can treat it as a short, free outing with a challenge for the children, such as choosing a favourite piece to describe.
Because everything is outdoors, wheelchair users and parents with strollers should check the ground conditions, which can be soft after rain. If the weather turns, move to Gallery Stratford or one of the cafes downtown and come back the next day.
What to expect
The experience
A free, juried open-air market of contemporary visual art along the Avon River, with the artists on hand.
Best time
Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from late spring to the end of September, from 10 am to 5 pm, weather permitting.
How long
Allow 45 minutes to an hour, longer if you plan to buy.
Tips
Check the season dates and weather before you go, ask artists about framing and shipping, and bring a layer for the river breeze.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Art lovers and theatre-goers who want a free, easy hour beside the river.
- Families
- It is free and outdoors, and children can pick a favourite piece to describe before the show.
- Couples
- Browse in the afternoon, then walk the river to dinner.
- Pair with
- The Shakespearean Gardens, the Avon River walk and the Festival and Tom Patterson Theatres are all beside it.
- Time needed
- About 45 minutes to an hour.
Good questions
When does Art in the Park run?+
It has run on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm, weather permitting, from mid-May to the end of September. Check Destination Stratford's event page for the current dates.
Is it free?+
Yes, admission is free. You pay only if you buy a piece.
Where is it?+
Along the Avon River, between the Festival Theatre and the Tom Patterson Theatre, on Front Street and Lakeside Drive.
What kind of art is sold?+
Contemporary visual art by artists chosen through a jury process. Ask each artist about their medium and how to transport a piece.
What if it rains?+
The market runs weather permitting, so a wet day may be cancelled or thin. Gallery Stratford is a good indoor alternative.
