Shaw Festival to begin performances at Toronto Harbourfront Centre in 2026

Starting in the fall of 2026, the Shaw Festival will have shows at the Toronto Harbourfront Centre.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake based company announced the three-year residency in Toronto Sunday evening ahead of a performance of “A Christmas Carol,” at the Royal George Theatre.

Sunday night’s performance was a last bow for the historical downtown theatre which is set to be rebuilt with the financial support of the province.

Shows will continue at the festival’s three other theatres in Niagara-on-the-Lake when expanded performances begin in October 2026.

The festival’s artistic director says about a third of its audience comes are locals from the Niagara Region, a third cross the bridge from the United States and a third from Toronto, a nearly two-hour drive away.

READ MORE: Ontario to spend $35M to help rebuild Shaw Festival’s Royal George Theatre

The Royal King George Theatre was constructed during the First World War for soldiers from Niagara who were training and was always meant to be a temporary space.

Now, with it being more than a century old, the clay foundation is deteriorating.

Its rebuild is expected to take 30 months and cost $75 million, to which the province contributed $35 million.

The 2026 performance of “A Christmas Carol” is set to be performed in Toronto with additional show titles and ticket information to come out in March.

READ MORE: Niagara-area festival looks to expand and impress as it raises 70 per cent of $150M goal

With files from The Canadian Press.