21 April – 3 May 2026

World and UK premieres on stages across York.
Exhibitions – talks – workshops – readings – works in progress

We are pleased to be able to announce the 8th edition of the York International Shakespeare Festival will run 21 April – 3 May 2026, presenting a variety of arts and culture inspired by Shakespeare from all around the world.

Date	Event	Details
Tuesday, 21 April	Opening Day	Festival opening and performance: With Love’s Light Wings (Georgia)
Wednesday, 22 April	The Taming of the Shrew	Presented by the Romanian Cultural Institute
Thursday, 23 April	Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebration	Timonopoly – Emily Carding Hamlet – Common Ground Theatre
Friday, 24 April	Festival Performances	Dog Daze – Morag Galloway The Thistle and the Rose – Linda Gates
Saturday, 25 April	ShakeSphere Selection	Petty Men – Buzz Studios A Kingdom Jack’d – Tempest Wisdom
Sunday, 26 April	Special Events	Shakespeare and Rome – Exhibition & talks Concert of Shakespeare-inspired new music
Monday, 27 April	New Work	New Work in Progress – D:Space Theatre
Tuesday, 28 April	International Theatre	Plakir by Marin Držić – Croatia
Wednesday, 29 April	International Production	Richard 3. Omul – Liviu Cheloiu (Romania)
Thursday, 30 April	Archive Event	Hamlet is Like a Sponge – David Gothard archive exploration
Friday, 1 May	New Production	Codename Othello – by Olga Annenko National Theatre of Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukraine)
Saturday, 2 May	Festival Events	Guest performances and special programme events
Sunday, 3 May	Closing Day	Final performances and festival closing event

Full programme, detailes and tickets available here: Welcome – York International Shakespeare Festival