TrekUnity
When
June
Attendance
~350,000 (across the season)
Admission
Ticketed
Setting
Both
One of the oldest and largest professional regional theaters in the U.S., the Oregon Shakespeare Festival runs a months-long season of Shakespeare and contemporary plays in repertory in the small town of Ashland, including performances in a beloved outdoor Elizabethan-style theater.
Theater lovers make a pilgrimage to Ashland to see several productions over a few days, wrapped in the town's galleries, wineries, and the natural beauty of the Rogue Valley and nearby Crater Lake.
Want to go? Turn Oregon Shakespeare Festival into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
Season runs spring through fall (roughly March–October)
Admission
Ticketed performances
Parking
Downtown Ashland is compact and walkable; park once and stroll to the theaters.
Nearest airport
Rogue Valley International-Medford (MFR) — ~20 min
Typical weather
Warm, dry southern-Oregon summer — 80s °F days, cool evenings ideal for the outdoor stage.
Official website
Location
Ashland, OR
Where to stay
Ashland Springs Hotel
Historic landmark hotel downtown.
Lithia Springs Resort
Relaxed resort with mineral springs.
Ashland B&Bs
Charming inns within walking distance of the theaters.
Where to eat & drink
Amuse Restaurant
French-inspired farm-to-table dining.
Standing Stone Brewing
Popular local brewpub.
Downtown Ashland cafés
Pre-theater bites near the plaza.
Nearby attractions
Lithia Park
A gorgeous 100-acre park in the heart of Ashland.
Rogue Valley wineries
Acclaimed vineyards in the surrounding valley.
Crater Lake National Park
The stunning deep-blue caldera ~1.5 hr away.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + a play
- •Fly into MFR
- •Afternoon: Lithia Park + plaza
- •Evening: an evening performance
2Theater day
- •Matinee performance
- •Afternoon: Rogue Valley winery
- •Evening: outdoor Elizabethan stage
3Crater Lake + depart
- •Morning: Crater Lake day trip
- •Head to MFR
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Book several productions over a few days and stay walkable downtown.
- See a show on the outdoor Elizabethan stage on a warm evening.
- Add a Crater Lake day trip — it's one of the most beautiful places in the country.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Oregon Shakespeare Festival?
It runs a repertory season from roughly March through October in Ashland, Oregon.
Is it only Shakespeare?
No — the season mixes Shakespeare with contemporary and classic plays across multiple theaters, including an outdoor Elizabethan-style stage.
How many plays should you see?
Many visitors catch three or four productions over a few days, with time for Lithia Park and the valley's wineries.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Oregon Shakespeare Festival or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.