Welcome to the City of Stratford
... where world-class theatre, food, shopping and architecture thrive along with beautiful parklands and gardens.
The city embraces old world culture and cutting edge technology. A leader in the digital media field, the city offers the highest quality of living. Highly acclaimed Canadians like Loreena McKennitt and Peter Mansbridge make the city their home.
The City of Stratford offers many unique, family-oriented activities year-round. We’re never at a loss to find diverse events and attractions for our family to do.
- Laurie Knechtel,
Resident & Entrepreneur
In the heart of the city is the Stratford Shakespeare Festival offering world-class theatre. The season runs from April to November and stages Shakespearean, classical, musical and contemporary plays in four unique theatres. Half a million patrons visit every year.
Major stars like Christopher Plummer and Cynthia Dale take to the stage every year. Global pop star Justin Bieber calls Stratford home and got his start busking on the steps of the Avon Theatre downtown. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of Justin for an impromptu performance.
If you love food then Stratford will entice your taste buds. Professional culinary chefs work their magic at many of the local restaurants. Whether you crave Italian, French, Asian or homegrown Canadian food there is a menu for everyone.
The Stratford Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings and the Slow Food Market on Sunday afternoons offer a variety of local produce, baking and crafts.
Come visit during the Savour Stratford Perth County Culinary Festival or the Garlic Festival in September. Sample delicious cuisine and chat with local chefs.
For the music lover, the Stratford Summer Music program offers 100 events throughout the year. Trained musicians and actors share their love of classical, jazz, vocal and instrumental music in trendy venues.
The city itself is a stage of natural wonder with Lake Victoria, the Shakespearean Gardens and the 8.5 km T.J. Nolan natural area. Enjoy a picnic and walk around the river with the family. Feed the famous Stratford swans. The Annual Swan Parade is held in April as the swans are bagpiped from their winter quarters down to the river.
The T.J. Nolan Natural area trails are perfect for walking, running, hiking or cycling. For dog lovers, a forested dog park on Packham Road offers a rest for weary travellers and locals alike.
For the sports enthusiast, the city has 2 golf courses, 2 arenas, an outdoor swimming pool soccer fields and various exercise facilities
Historians will love the heritage tours that highlight the Victorian Architecture of the area. Visit the 1887 Perth County Courthouse and the 1898 City Hall Building referred to as the “Queen of the Square.” The 1903 neo-classical Carnegie Library and the Stratford-Perth Archives are a great stop along the way.
Overnight accommodations at the many fine hotels and quaint bed & breakfasts make Stratford a wonderful place to visit overnight or for a long weekend. Come for an adventure of a lifetime!
For more information about Stratford visit the following pages:
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