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Check out what's coming in 2026-27.
Summer is when theatre goers and orchestral enthusiasts take a break from the indoors before returning rejuvenated to the stages and concert halls we all love best. So before we all run away to join the Stampede (or hide in a glacial lake until the chaos has passed), let's take a peek at what's coming up from everyone at Werklund Centre in 2026-27.
Alberta Theatre Projects
Alberta Theatre Projects (ATP) is leaning into the power of masterful storytelling with their theme, At the Edge of Being.
“This season brings together powerful Canadian stories that span the full range of theatre — from big laughs to big heart. Whether through adaptation or original work, each play reflects a distinctly Canadian perspective, rooted in our landscapes, our imaginations, and our humanity. These are stories that entertain, challenge, and ultimately connect us more deeply to one another.”
- Haysam Kadri, Artistic Director, Alberta Theatre Projects
2026-27 includes a thoughtful mix of adaptations and original works, all chosen to reflect the diversity and emotional depth of stories being told across the country. Whether you're down for a bit of horror with Evil Dead The Musical or want a nostalgic return to Middle Earth with The Hobbit, expect productions that bring out the best in artistic masterwork and narrative depth.
Calgary Philharmonic
The Calgary Philharmonic offers up a rich musical journey, blending classical expertise, pop icons, and everything in between. From Beethoven and Mahler to Bollywood and Beyoncé, the season promises something for seasoned concertgoers and newcomers alike.
“We reckon everyone will be ‘tickled pink' by this spectacular 2026/2027 Season. We will sing along to Jolene and other timeless hits at Dolly Parton's Threads, become mesmerized by the virtuosity of pianist Stewart Goodyear and scores of other enthralling guest soloists, and dance joyously to the incomparable Angélique Kidjo."
- Marc Stevens, President + CEO, Calgary Philharmonic
If you're keen on the classics, check out Tchaikovsky's Sixth: The Final Symphony. Want something a bit more contemporary? Steve Hackman brings it with Beethoven X Beyoncé. Or if you want to give the whole family the perfect night out, look no further than Jurassic Park in Concert (because who doesn't love dinosaurs?). With 40+ shows throughout the year, there's something for everyone.
Downstage
Expect theatre that blurs the line between process and presentation, where collaboration, curiosity, and participation are key. Downstage’s 2026-27 season will stir up questions about individual choice and our collective future while stoking your sense of adventure.
"Our 2026–27 season invites you to imagine, take risks and discover potential through bold visions of possible futures, immersive community experiences and live performances shaped by the choices made in the moment. Downstage is thrilled to collaborate with local arts organizations including 8ROJO, Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation and Werklund Centre. This season we welcome local and international artists to play with us. Stay tuned for our full season announcement in September 2026!"
- Clare Preuss, Artistic Director, Downstage
One Yellow Rabbit (High Performance Rodeo)
One Yellow Rabbit’s High Performance Rodeo returns in 2027 with its signature blend of experimental performance and unexpected creative encounters. Known for pushing artistic boundaries, the festival thrives on moments of surprise and connection.
"Some of my favourite Rodeo moments are the ones we never could have planned. Like when a performance catches people off guard, then a conversation starts afterwards, and suddenly you're part of something larger than yourself. That's the feeling we're excited to create again at the festival in 2027."
– Tina Wolfe, Marketing and Communications, One Yellow Rabbit/High Performance Rodeo
While details continue to unfold, anticipate the cacophony of genres the High Performance Rodeo is known for: theatre, dance, music, comedy, drama, and everything in between from both local and international artists. Less about traditional structure and more about the excitement of discovery, the Rodeo is the perfect remedy for the winter blues.
Theatre Calgary
Theatre Calgary’s 2026–27 season centres on a universal theme.
“At the heart of every season is one powerful through line. This year it happens to be: FAMILY — the ones who raise us, the ones who challenge us, the ones we choose, and the ones we hold onto even when the world around us shifts in unimaginable ways. This season invites our audiences to see themselves reflected onstage: in the laughter, fractures, reunions, and redemptions that define what it means to belong.”
– Stafford Arima, Artistic Director, Theatre Calgary
Our family connections anchor a slate of productions that promise both emotional resonance and theatrical wonder. From First Métis Man of Odesa to Sense & Sensibility, Theatre Calgary continues its tradition of balancing crowd-pleasing favourites with more intimate, character-driven stories.
Werklund Centre
Whether you want to sail a pirate's life with National Geographic Live or relive the classics with Van Halen and AC/DC, we've got you covered.
Need a bit more wit in your life? New York icon Fran Lebowitz comes to the Jack Singer Concert Hall on February 5. Want something a bit more soul-shaking? YAMATO, DRUMMERS OF JAPAN, return with their world-renowned Wadaiko drumming.
So whether you're craving a moment of wonder or yearning for the nostalgia of rock's greatest voices, the 2026-27 season at Werklund Centre obliges. Or as the youth would say: we gotchu 👊.
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From longtime subscribers to those just dipping their toes into the arts, the 2026-27 season offers countless opportunities to experience the creativity that makes our arts community so special. Looking for more? Check out what's been announced from our friends & neighbours:
Kiani Evans is the Manager of Projects & Digital Communications for Werklund Centre. She grew up in the rural Cariboo region of British Columbia and acquired diplomas in both Fine Arts and Art History on Vancouver Island (and refuses to give them back). She is delighted by all things art and takes joy in small moments, like finding lost change or missing socks. Kiani had trouble writing this bio, so she Googled “how to write a bio.” It didn’t help.
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