2026 Season Pre-Show & Special Events
There’s more to discover at GFT this summer than what happens on stage. Alongside our mainstage productions of Brontë: The World Without and Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, Guild Festival Theatre is offering a lineup of pre-show and special events designed to make your visit even more memorable.
Whether you join us for a guided nature walk, a lecture, live music, a craft night, or a post-show conversation, these events offer new ways to experience Guild Park & Gardens and connect with the stories, artists, and community around each production.
Check the calendar below to see what’s coming up and start planning your perfect summer visit to GFT. Some events are free and by RSVP, and others require a ticket booking. See the listings below for more information!
Please note: If you already have a ticket for Brontë: The World Without and/or Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey and would like to switch your date to a show date with an event below, please contact Lalaine at patronservices@guildfestivaltheatre.ca
THE EVENTS
All events take place at The Greek Theatre at Guild Park & Gardens unless otherwise noted.
Unique Books Pop Up Sale
DATES: Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th
TIME: 6:00 p.m
BOOKING INFO: No RSVP needed, just join us before the show!
Come enjoy a fabulous selection of books available for purchase from Unique Books before the show on Saturday, July 18th and Sunday, July 19th beginning at 6pm.
Lecture 1: Guild Theatre: Past, Present & Future with Helen, Tyler, Jamie and Allison
DATE: Wednesday, July 22nd
TIME: 6:30 p.m
BOOKING INFO: Please RSVP by filling out the form in the link below.
The first in our 2026 summer Lecture Series, this event features a panel about the Guild Festival Theatre, where it’s come from, and where it’s going.
Unique Books Pop Up Sale
DATES: Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th
TIME: 6:00 p.m
BOOKING INFO: No RSVP needed, just join us before the show!
Come enjoy a fabulous selection of books available for purchase from Unique Books before the show on Saturday, July 18th and Sunday, July 19th beginning at 6pm.
Unique Books Pop Up Sale
DATES: Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th
TIME: 6:00 p.m
BOOKING INFO: No RSVP needed, just join us before the show!
Come enjoy a fabulous selection of books available for purchase from Unique Books before the show on Saturday, July 18th and Sunday, July 19th beginning at 6pm.
Unique Books Pop Up Sale
DATES: Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th
TIME: 6:00 p.m
BOOKING INFO: No RSVP needed, just join us before the show!
Come enjoy a fabulous selection of books available for purchase from Unique Books before the show on Saturday, July 18th and Sunday, July 19th beginning at 6pm.
Guided Nature Walks
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Take in the beauty of Guild Park & Gardens with a guided walk before the show. These walks offer a chance to slow down, explore the landscape, and begin your evening with a deeper connection to the park.
Lecture Series
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Dive further into the world of the season with talks and discussions that offer context, conversation, and new perspectives on the stories on stage.
Summer Music
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Arrive early and enjoy live music before the performance begins. It’s the perfect way to settle into the evening and soak up the atmosphere of a summer night at Guild.
Craft Nights
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Get creative before the show with hands-on activities inspired by the season. Craft Nights are a playful way to gather, make something, and start your evening at Guild.
Book Swaps & Book Club Events
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For readers and theatre lovers alike, our literary events invite you to share favourite reads, discover something new, and connect with fellow audience members over stories on and off the page.
Wine Tasting Nights
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Add a little extra indulgence to your evening with a wine tasting before the performance.
Special Pop-Ups & Themed Events
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Keep an eye out for unique one-off events throughout the summer, including pop-ups, themed gatherings, and special celebrations inspired by the season.
Planning Your Visit
Most events take place before select performances, so we recommend arriving early if you’d like to take part.
Event availability may vary by performance date.
Some events may have limited capacity or require advance registration.
Check back throughout the summer as more details are added.
Make a Season of It with the GFT Season Passport
Attending events all summer long? Pick up a Guild Festival Theatre Season Passport when you first come to the park, and collect a punch each time you attend. Visit 5 events this season and you’ll win a GFT enamel pin!
Questions about the events? Contact Kiera at community@guildfestivaltheatre.ca
Guild Festival Theatre’s 2026 Event Series is made possible through the Metcalf Foundation’s Strategic Experimentation Fund