What's On in Stratford-upon-Avon
Things to do in and around Stratford-upon-Avon: events, days out and family activities, with the practical details.
Top story
Christmas Shopping in Stratford-upon-Avon: 12 Shops From Bears to Gin
We checked 12 Stratford-upon-Avon shops, from Curtis Brae's teddy bears to Vin Neuf's wines, for opening hours and Sunday trading. Updated November 2026.
Dates for the diary
- Fri 13 Nov Rother Street Market
- Fri 13 Nov Archaeological Secrets Tour: Hunter Gatherers, Romans and Anglo-Saxons
- Fri 13 Nov Caesar, Reimagined: Phyllida Lloyd and Harriet Walter in conversation
- Sat 14 Nov Stratford-upon-Avon parkrun
- Sat 14 Nov Stratford-upon-Avon Christmas Lights Switch-On
- 14 to 15 Nov Contemporary Arts Fair: Discover, Gather, Give
- Sun 15 Nov Waterside Upmarket
- Fri 20 Nov I've Lived a Bit
- Fri 20 Nov A Walk in the Park: Autumn Colours
- Fri 20 Nov In Conversation: Alan Powers
- Sat 21 Nov Stratford Town v Halesowen Town
- Mon 23 Nov Author Talk: Dr Lauren Working, A Golden World
More stories
Christmas
Christmas Trees Near Stratford-upon-Avon 2026 With Prices
We checked 4 Christmas tree sellers near Stratford-upon-Avon, from Stratford Garden Centre to Crocker's farm, for dates and prices. Updated November 2026.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford parkrun Christmas Day: Off, but On 1 January
Stratford-upon-Avon parkrun is not running on Christmas Day but is on for New Year's Day. Warwick Racecourse and Leamington, 8 and 11 miles away, run both days.
Food and drink
Christmas Dinner in Stratford-upon-Avon 2026, From £76.95 by the River
We checked 11 Stratford-upon-Avon pubs, restaurants and hotels for Christmas menus, with Christmas Day from £76.95 to £135 a head. Updated November 2026.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Ice Rinks Near Stratford-upon-Avon 2026: Dates and Prices
We checked seven ice rinks near Stratford, from Warwick Castle at 8 miles to Birmingham and Coventry, for 2026 dates and prices. Updated November 2026.
Christmas
Coughton Court Christmas: Meet Father Christmas From £25
Coughton Court Christmas 2026: Father Christmas visits from £25 a child, house and lit gardens £12.50, an £8 Evening with Santa, and the new booking rules.
This weekend
Stratford Weekend 10-12 Oct: Mop Fair Opens 3pm Sunday
The Mop Fair opens at 3pm on Sunday with nine streets closed until Tuesday, the Alcester 10K starts at 10am on Sunday, and NT Live's The Misanthrope screens tonight.
Christmas
Compton Verney Christmas: Gift Fair 4-6 Dec, Chapel Carols
Compton Verney's Gift Fair runs 4 to 6 December, £8 or free for children, with candlelit Chapel concerts on 12 and 18 December. Prices, early-bird deadlines.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford Literary Festival: Next Is 6-9 May 2027
The autumn festival ended on 1 November. Next: Si King on Thursday 26 November, £18, then the spring festival 6 to 9 May 2027, tickets out in February.
Events
What's On in Stratford: Lights 14 Nov, Market From 28 Nov
Christmas lights switch-on 14 November, Christmas Market from 28 November, panto from 12 December: 41 listings to 21 December, each checked with its organiser.
Christmas
Charlecote Park Christmas 2026: House Dressed From 16 Nov
Charlecote's Victorian Christmas house opens 16 November to 3 January, closed 24 and 25 December. Timed tickets on the day only, no booking. Prices and hours.
Christmas
Shakespeare's Birthplace Christmas Hours: 2pm on 24 Dec
Shakespeare's Birthplace and Anne Hathaway's Cottage open 10am to 4pm to 31 Dec, close at 2pm on Christmas Eve and shut 25-26 Dec. January hours TBC.
This weekend
Stratford Weekend 25-27 Sept: Groff Opens As You Like It
Jonathan Groff plays Rosalind in the RSC's all-male As You Like It at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre until 7 November. Cast, running time and £10 tickets.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford Remembrance Sunday 2026: Held 8 November
Stratford's 2026 service was held on Sunday 8 November at the Garden of Remembrance, with the march past in Church Street. Next year: Sunday 14 November 2027.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford Santa's Grotto: Only 21 Nov and 2 Dec Still Good
Magic Alley's Classic Grotto has good space only on 21 November and 2 December; 8, 18 December and all of Christmas week are now sold out. Prices and ages.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford Halloween 2026: Half Term Over, Christmas Next
Half term (26 to 30 October) and Halloween are over. Next: the Christmas lights switch-on on Saturday 14 November and the Christmas market from 28 November.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford Mop Fair 2026: Both Fairs Over, 2027 on 11-12 October
Both 2026 fairs are over: the Mop ran 11 and 12 October, the Runaway Mop 23 and 24 October. Its dates are fixed, so 2027 is Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 October.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford Fireworks 2026: Both Displays Over
Bonfire night 2026 is over: Stratford Rugby Club's display was on Sunday 1 November and Warmington's on Thursday 5 November. 2027 dates are not yet out.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford Christmas Lights 14 Nov: Roads Shut 4am to 10pm
Stratford's switch-on is Saturday 14 November: six streets shut 4am to 10pm, market 10am to 7pm. Plus Henley on 28 November and Bidford on 29 November.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford Christmas Market 28 Nov: Six Streets Shut Fri 6pm
Stratford Christmas Market is 28-29 November and 5-6 December, Saturdays to 8pm, Sundays 10am to 5pm. Signed orders shut six streets from 6pm on each Friday.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford Panto: Robin Hood, 22 Shows from 12 December
Tread the Boards plays Robin Hood at Rother Street Arts House from 12 December, £17.50, with an 18+ Jack and the Beanstalk at the Attic. Full performance list.