Festival Special Events
Unless otherwise indicated, Special Events take place in a designated tent at the top of the hill inside the Festival Grounds at Hawrelak Park. There are only a small number of tickets available for Special Ticketed Events, and they sell out quickly. If a Special Ticketed Event is sold out, don't worry - you can still buy a ticket to the show, as the performances are held in the Heritage Amphitheatre, which usually has lots of available space! All tickets are subject to a ticketing fee.
Italian Wedding Feast (The Winter's Tale)
June 23, 2019
Come be part of the celebration of Italy, enjoy a traditional Italian Wedding Feast! Chicken, Pasta, Salad, Vegetables, bread, dessert catered by Chianti Cafe and Restaurant will be served family style and include a complimentary alcoholic beverage.Tickets to the Evening Performance of The Winter's Tale, reserved seating in the amphitheatre, taxes and ticketing fee is included in price of $70.
June 26, 2019
Ticket includes early admittance through VIP gate, a guided Italian wine pairing. light appetizers, seating in a reserved section in the amphitheatre for that evenings performance. Tickets to the Two Gentlemen evening performance, taxes and ticketing fee is included in price of $55.
This is an 18+ event.
June 29, 2019
Date night decisions made easy! Ticket includes early admittance through VIP gate, a glass of wine or beer, appetizers, entertainment, seating in a reserved section in the amphitheatre and the romance of Shakespeare! VIP gate opens at 6:30pm Evening performances start at 8pm. 18+ events. All for $50 including service fee and taxes.
July 3, 2019
Ticket includes early admittance through VIP gate, a guided wine pairing, light appetizers, seating in a reserved section in the amphitheatre for that evenings performance. Tickets to The Winter's Tale evening performance taxes and ticketing fee is included in price of $55.
This is an 18+ event
Blind Enthusiasm Cask Night (Two Gentlemen)
July 4, 2019
Blind Enthusiasm has created a brew so special, William himself would go for seconds! This is a traditional and tasty event that you don’t want to miss! Price of ticket includes that evenings performance, early admission through VIP gate, seating in a reserved section, a glass from the cask and snacks including handmade soft pretzels by Zwicks. Gate opens at 6:30, tapping of the cask begins at 6:40pm.18+ event. Tickets $50 and include ticketing fee and taxes.
July 6, 2019
“Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast.” - An evening full of the wonder of Shakespeare! Let us immerse you in Shakespeare’s time, cocktails will be followed with a delicious dinner prepared by Smokehouse BBQ in the Special Event tent! Guests will enjoy a beer or wine, a family style meal including ribs, chicken, roasted vegetables, salad and dessert before the evenings performance, entertainment and priority seating in the Amphitheatre. VIP Gate will open at 6:00, Dinner by Smokehouse BBQ at 6:30pm - Show at 8pm (Vegetarian & Gluten-free food will be available). All for $70.
July 7, 2019
All you lovers of old-world loveliness and a dash of make-believe! An afternoon of live, outdoor theatre, English tea, and other entertainment in the Freewill Special Events Tent. Tea guests will receive priority seating for the matinee performance, refreshments in the Special Event tent during intermission and a light luncheon directly after the performance. VIP Gate will open at 12:30pm (popcorn and Ice Tea will be available in special event tent prior to performance) The Winter's Tale begins at 2pm and Luncheon will be served at 4:30 pm – Tickets $55 (Vegetarian & Gluten-free food will be available)e only two matinee
July 11, 2019
Blind Enthusiasm has created a brew so special, William himself would go for seconds! This is a traditional and tasty event that you don’t want to miss! Price of ticket includes that evenings performance, early admission through VIP gate, seating in a reserved section, a glass from the cask and snacks including handmade soft pretzels by Zwicks. Gate opens at 6:30, tapping of the cask begins at 6:40pm.18+ event. Tickets $50 and include ticketing fee and taxes.
July 12, 2019
Date night decisions made easy! Ticket includes early admittance through VIP gate, a glass of wine or beer, appetizers, entertainment, seating in a reserved section in the amphitheatre and the romance of Shakespeare! VIP gate opens at 6:30pm Evening performances start at 8pm. 18+ events. All for $50 including service fee and taxes.
Puppet Shows
Worried that your kids won’t understand the plot? First time to Freewill and a little anxious about Shakespeare? Let Thou Art Here Theatre introduce you to the play through a fun interactive puppet adaptation. This 15-minute primer will introduce you to the characters, outline the plot points and get the whole family excited about the upcoming show! Free for all of our patrons! Shows run Previews, Opening Nights, Tuesdays, Saturdays (both shows) and Sunday Matinee
Theme Nights
Wine Wednesdays - Enjoy the show with a discounted glass of house wine on Wednesdays! It’s a win-win!
Thirsty Thursdays - Why should Wednesdays have all the fun? Join us for discounted beer on Thursdays!
Student Sundays - Save $15 with you valid student ID on Sundays (both performances). Tickets are $10 for students with valid Student ID.
Pay What You Will - Enjoy the performances on Tuesday evenings and Saturday Matinees for a donation at the Box Office.
Freewill Fundraiser Events
Every year we hold several fundraising events, the monies collected at these events make it possible for us to continue to delight our patrons with incredible theatre. Raising costs of lumber, supplies, insurance, labour fees, permits, venue rental, lighting, sound, professional fees and a downturn in the economy makes our patrons support at fundraising events critical.
If you cannot attend an upcoming event which will be announced on this page, please consider donating to the Festival. We appreciate the continued support of the community and look forward to bringing you great theatre for many years to come!