The best time to visit Stratford depends on what you want from it. If you want theatre, you must come in the Festival season, which runs roughly from April to the end of October, with some shows continuing into early November. If you prefer calm, lower prices and a town that belongs to its residents, the months from November to April have their own appeal. Stratford is small enough that a change of season changes the whole feel of a visit, so it helps to know what each one offers.
Spring (April to May): the season opens
The theatres reopen in late April, previews and the first plays begin, and the town wakes up after the winter. The swans return to the river, the gardens start to bloom and the weather is changeable, so pack layers and a waterproof jacket. Crowds are light, rooms are easier to find and prices are lower than in summer. Doors Open Stratford, an annual heritage weekend held in spring, opens public buildings such as City Hall and the courthouse for free visits. Some seasonal attractions, such as boat hire and Art in the Park, open in May, so a visit in early spring is better for theatre and walks than for river activities.
Summer (June to August): the busiest time
Summer is the peak, with the full playbill running across all four stages, the gardens at their best and every seasonal activity open. Art in the Park fills the riverbank on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, the farmers' market is at its most abundant, and the St. Marys quarry swimming pool, Wildwood Conservation Area and Pinery Provincial Park are all at their liveliest for day trips. It is also the most expensive and crowded time, so book tickets and hotels as soon as you know your dates, especially for weekends and the musicals. Evenings are warm but the river can be cool after dark, so bring a layer. If you dislike crowds, visit on a weekday or choose a show at the Studio Theatre or the Tom Patterson Theatre rather than the biggest stage.
Autumn (September to October): the connoisseur's choice
Many regular visitors consider September and early October the best time of all. The weather is mild, the crowds thin after the summer holidays, the trees in Upper Queen's Park and along the river turn gold. The Avon Theatre has often run latest in the year, into late November in some seasons. Rooms are easier to find on weekdays and rates start to ease. The T.J. Dolan Natural Area and Wildwood are at their most colourful, and the farmers' market overflows with apples, squash and preserves.
Winter (November to March): quiet, cheap and surprisingly full. When the Festival season ends, the theatres go dark, the swans are away for the winter, the gardens are dormant and the quarry is closed. What stays open is a good deal: both trails run year round, the Christmas Trail operates through the weeks before the holidays, Gallery Stratford and the Stratford Perth Museum are open, the farmers' market runs every Saturday morning and the downtown shops and restaurants carry on. Add a craft spirits tasting, a heritage walk and a long walk on the snowy T.J. Dolan trails, and a winter weekend is easy to fill. Hotel rates are at their lowest, and a boutique room, a pub dinner and a fire make a good romantic break. Check opening hours carefully, because some places reduce their days in winter.
Festival dates and tickets
The Festival announces its playbill and sale dates each year, so check the Stratford Festival's website for the season you plan to visit. Members usually get earlier access, and the public on-sale has typically opened in the months before the season. Book the musicals and the weekends first, and take a second look at midweek matinees if you want a quieter house and a better chance of good seats.
Choosing by interest
For theatre, come between May and October, with September the best balance of weather and crowds. For gardens and swans, choose late spring to early autumn. For chocolate, bacon and craft drinks, any month works, because the trails and the distillery run all year. For art and heritage, the gallery and the courthouse are open throughout, and spring is best for Doors Open. For outdoor adventures, summer is best for paddling and beaches, autumn for trails and winter for snowshoeing.
Weather and packing
Summer days are warm and sometimes hot, with thunderstorms possible, while spring and autumn are cool and changeable. Winters are cold with snow, and ice is common on paths and steps, so wear shoes with grip. A layered wardrobe, a waterproof jacket and comfortable walking shoes suit most of the year.
