A Look Ahead at Calgary’s 2025/26 Performance Arts Season

From Calgary Philharmonic’s orchestral masterpieces to theatre festivals like One Yellow Rabbit’s High Performance Rodeo and the mysterious and intriguing plays of Vertigo Theatre, Calgary’s performing arts companies put on hundreds of shows every year. The sheer number of performances may be overwhelming for the uninitiated, but don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Here is a look at the upcoming 2025/26 Calgary arts season.

Alberta Theatre Projects

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

October 22 to November 9, 2025

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, produced in association with Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and featuring The Old Trout Puppet Workshop, tells the haunting tale of the Headless Horseman.

The Wizard of Oz

November 25, 2025 to January 4, 2026

ATP brings back holiday programming for the first time in 10 years with the nostalgic story of Dorothy’s adventures along the Yellow Brick Road.

Casey and Diana

February 24 to March 15, 2026

This show tells the story of Princess Diana and her 1991 visit to Casey House, Canada’s first AIDS hospice.

WILDWOMAN

April 21 to May 10, 2026

Based on the true story that inspired Beauty and the Beast, WILDWOMAN tells the story of three women in the House of Medici, and how the court’s “pet wild man,” Pete, impacted their lives.

albertatheatreprojects.com

Broadway Across Canada

MJ: The Musical

November 18 to 23, 2025

This Tony Award-winning musical is packed full of Michael Jackson’s greatest hits. The show follows the making of Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

January 6 to 11, 2026

Based on the hit Baz Luhrmann film, this 10-time Tony Award-winning musical tells the love story of poet Christian and cabaret performer, Satine.

Les Misérables

March 4 to 8, 2026

Les Misérables, the longest running musical in London’s West End, tells a story of unrequited love, sacrifice and redemption, set in 19th century France.

Mamma Mia!

May 19 to 24, 2026

Mamma Mia! uses ABBA’s greatest hits to tell the story of a bride-to-be who finds her father’s identity by inviting three men from her mother’s past to her wedding.

Clue

July 21 to 26, 2026

Based on the board game and the 1985 film of the same name, Clue is a hilarious whodunnit that’ll have you wondering: Was it Colonel Mustard in the parlour with the candlestick?

calgary.broadway.com

Calgary Opera

Madama Butterfly

November 1, 2 and 7, 2025

Madama Butterfly tells the story of a young Japanese woman who falls in love with an older American naval officer.

Hansel and Gretel

January 31, February 1 and 6, 2026

Though originally a German opera, this production of the story of two kids encountering a witch whose house is made of candy is sung entirely in English.

The Barber of Seville

April 18, 19 and 24, 2026

In this comedy, barber Figaro plays matchmaker for two young lovers — Count Almaviva and Rosina.

Little Red Riding Hood

November 28 to 30, and December 4 to 7, 2026

This classic fairy tale about a young girl and a wolf is sure to charm the whole family, especially with a one-hour run time. There’s also a special sensory-friendly performance on December 6.

calgaryopera.com

Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra

The Calgary Phil is ringing in its 70th anniversary with 70 productions across seven venues in the city. Some highlights from the season include:

Synthony: EDM Meets Orchestra

September 5, 2025

The Calgary Phil takes on electronic music at Big Four Roadhouse. The orchestra will perform alongside DJs and vocalists, and play dance anthems from artists including Swedish House Mafia and Calvin Harris.

Phil in the Park

September 7, 2025

Pack up your picnic blankets for an afternoon of orchestral classics, show tunes, and pops, right on Prince’s Island Park. This event is free to attend, but be sure to reserve your spot ahead of time.

The Princess Bride in Concert

October 10 and 11, 2025

Watch this beloved film filled with fencing, revenge, monsters and romance with its soundtrack played by a live orchestra.

calgaryphil.com

Cirque du Soleil

Echo

August 30 to October 19, 2025

Cirque du Soleil is coming to Calgary with Echo. Experience the amazing acrobatic performances Cirque is known for in a story that shows the connection between humans and the animal kingdom.

cirquedusoleil.com

One Yellow Rabbit

High Performance Rodeo

January 12 to February 2, 2026

The High Performance Rodeo returns for its 40th year in January. Keep an eye on oyr.org for the list of shows at this festival of bold and cutting-edge live art.

oyr.org

The Shakespeare Company

Romeo and Juliet

October 17 to November 1, 2025

This Shakespearean romance, produced with Calgary Young People’s Theatre, is a rare production where the actors’ ages reflect the age of the character they portray.

Shakespeare’s R&J

February 19 to 28, 2026

Another rendition of Romeo and Juliet, created with Sage Theatre, follows four college-age boys who read and act out the play, and make connections to their place in the world.

Tartuffe

May 21 to June 6, 2026

The Shakespeare Company takes a break from the Bard with a comedy by Molière. The story follows Tartuffe, whose false piety nearly destroys his wealthy family.

shakespearecompany.com

Theatre Calgary

Made in Italy

August 26 to Sept. 21, 2025

By audience demand, Made In Italy is back for an encore performance run. If you missed it last time, now’s your chance to see this hilarious one-man show about family, tradition and food.

Dial M for Murder

September 30 to October 26, 2025

In this adaptation of the classic Alfred Hitchcock thriller, Tony is looking to get his hands on his wealthy wife’s inheritance, with deadly consequences.

A Christmas Carol

November 28 to December 31, 2025

It’s Calgary’s beloved holiday tradition, back again for another year. Enjoy this classic play in which old Scrooge learns the true meaning of Christmas.

A Tale of the Gifted Prince

February 14 to March 15, 2026

In the world premiere of this new musical, Prince Ren goes on an adventure in an attempt to save his kingdom from the brink of rebellion, and discovers magic powers along the way.

A Doll’s House

April 7 to May 3, 2026

Amy Herzog’s adaptation of the Henrik Ibsen classic tells the story of a 19th-century woman in an unfulfilling marriage breaking social boundaries, with a contemporary twist.

Come From Away

May 26 to June 21, 2026

Theatre Calgary closes its season with this hit musical, with all-new choreography and cast. It tells the story of a Newfoundland town taking in stranded travellers after the 9/11 disaster.

theatrecalgary.com

Vertigo Theatre

The Brothers Paranormal

September 17 to October 26, 2025

Vertigo’s first show of the season is a heartwarming, yet spooky story that follows a pair of ghost-hunting brothers who find more than they bargained for on a hunt.

Peril in the Alps

November 15 to December 14, 2025

After the success of last year’s Agatha Christie mystery, Murder on the Links, Vertigo brings another Steven Dietz adaptation to the stage. Hercule Poirot is on the case of the disappearance of Bella Duveen, which bears a striking similarity to another case he once worked on.

Monstress

January 17 to February 15, 2026

Monstress is a twist on Frankenstein, in which a disgraced female doctor attempts to bring a wealthy man’s daughter back to life.

A Killing Snow

March 14 to April 12, 2026

Set in a snowed-in cabin in rural Southern Ontario, four strangers must make the choice between death by the blizzard outdoors, or whatever darkness is inside.

The Verdict

May 9 to June 7, 2026

Vertigo Theatre takes on courtroom drama with the story of a washed-up lawyer fighting a medical malpractice case where he suspects an attempted cover-up.

vertigotheatre.com

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