The 5 best summer theatre destinations in Southern Ontario for a dramatic getaway, Canada Reviews

Each year, Ontarians are treated to top-quality theatre at internationally recognized festivals across the province. The Stratford Festival and Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Shaw Festival are two of Ontario’s most well-known theatre destinations, but many aren’t aware of the iconic performances that could be found on local stages in little-known heritage venues and rural playhouses.

This season, check out these five small-town summer theatre festivals in Southern Ontario for memorable performances in an enchanting environment.

Lighthouse Theatre Festival

The Lighthouse Festival is known for developing and producing entertaining comedies that support and encourage local and regional artists. The festival delivers professional and amateur live theatre with a focus on home-grown Canadian content, operating in two port towns on Lake Erie (Port Dover and Port Colborne).  In Port Dover, the 347-seat theatre is nestled in the historic century-old town hall on Main St. Patrons can enjoy the light-filled lobby featuring original brick walls and a tin ceiling. The Long Bar is the perfect place to grab a drink (and admire wall art) before the show begins. In the heart of Port Colbourne, patrons will visit the 22-seat Roselawn Theatre, which is part of the Roselawn Centre for the Arts, aptly named for the stately three-story Victorian manor on the grounds.

This summer, rediscover charming first love at both theatres with Mary’s Wedding and a touching comedy about long-lasting friendships in The Sweet Delilah Swim Club.

Lighthouse Theatre, 247 Main Street, Port Dover
Roselawn Theatre, 296 Fielden Avenue, Port Colborne.

Huron Country Playhouse
(Part of the Drayton Entertainment Theatre Company)

The main stage is nestled in a country setting and takes place in a 650-seat converted rustic barn on the outskirts of Grand Bend, a few minutes away from the sparkling shores of Lake Huron, making it the perfect spot to experience summer theatre.  Some productions are also held on the South Huron Stage auditorium, which boasts 300 seats (and is located on the same property as the main stage).

In addition to visiting the theatre, patrons can stroll along Lake Huron’s renowned beaches, visit their quaint Gift Shoppe, or picnic in their beautiful courtyard. The 2024 season includes everything from Jersey Boys to Peter Pan.

Address: 70689 B Line, Grand Bend

Blyth Festival

The 2024 season marks the Blyth Festival’s 50th season of producing and presenting original Canadian stories at their local theatre. Since it was founded in 1975, the festival became the only summer theatre producing original Canadian plays, and one of the few theatres in Canada exclusively producing Canadian plays.

The new Harvest Stage is a permanent open-air, fully accessible amphitheatre, with a thrust stage and audience on three sides. It’s an intimate venue and patrons can enjoy the show with open skies above. Shows at the Harvest Stage run in the evenings from June through September each year.

This summer season, enjoy everything from family dramas like ‘Saving Graceland’ to productions inspired by true events, like ‘The Trials Of Maggie Pollock’, the story of the last woman in Canada to be convicted of witchcraft (who just happened to have been born in Blyth!)

Address: 423 Queen Street, Blyth

4th Line Theatre

This theatre company is known for being idyllic, rural, and “quintessentially Canadian”.  They present unforgettable outdoor, epic theatrical experiences, complete with picnics, birdsong, and sunsets. Each year, the 4th Line Theatre presents plays written by and about Canadians, including small-town stories and regionally based environmentally staged historical dramas.  The 2024 summer season features original productions like ‘Onion Skins & Peach Fuzz: The Farmerettes’, a largely unknown story of the teenage girls who stepped up and worked on farms across Canada to feed the troops during WWII.

Address: 779 Zion Line, Millbrook

Globus Theatre

This theatre is situated at the Lakeview Arts Barn near Bobcaygeon, within the scenic Kawartha Lakes region. This rustic venue was once a working cattle barn but now serves as a comfortable and contemporary theatre, featuring eclectic and entertaining comedy, music, and drama. Each summer, the theatre delivers an array of new shows, including ‘Who Killed the King’, about a murder at the Elvis Festival, and the love story between a real estate agent and a farmer’s niece, ‘Buying the Farm’.

Address: 2300 Pigeon Lake Road, Bobcaygeon