Freewill Shakespeare Festival Reopens a Beloved Edmonton Tradition This June

Freewill Shakespeare Festival is heading back to the Heritage Amphitheatre in William Hawrelak Park, bringing outdoor theatre back to one of Edmonton’s best-known summer stages.

Freewill Shakespeare Festival

The outdoor theatre festival’s 2026 season pairs Shakespearean romance with Broadway mischief, giving audiences two very different reasons to settle in under the open sky from June 17 to July 12, 2026.

The first show is Much Ado About Nothing, running June 17 to June 28. Directed by Ian Leung, Shakespeare’s romantic comedy follows Benedick and Beatrice, two sharp, funny people who dislike marriage and each other, until the story begins nudging them in another direction. The production will include both Freewill newcomers and returning performers.

Evening performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Matinees take place at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. There are no Monday performances.

The second production, Something Rotten!, runs July 1 to July 12. Directed by David Horak, with musical direction by Michael Clark and choreography by Shelley Tookey, the musical follows two brothers in the English Renaissance trying to write a hit play while living in Shakespeare’s shadow. The show is being presented in partnership with Edmonton Pops and Shelley’s Dance Company, and will feature newer faces in the theatre scene.

Its evening performances also begin at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, with 1:30 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Mondays remain dark.

The festival’s return comes as William Hawrelak Park, located at 9330 Groat Rd NW, nears completion of a major rehabilitation project that began in 2023. A grand opening celebration is planned for May 30.

Upgrades include a new inclusive playground, lakefront promenade, modernized pavilion, improved washrooms, paved perimeter paths, multi-use trails, stronger River Valley connections and refreshed green spaces.

Other summer festivals returning to the park include the Edmonton Heritage Festival from August 1 to 3, 2026, and Symphony Under the Sky from September 3 to 6, 2026.