Expect big moments, bold new shows and even bigger rewards in 2026, as Canberra Theatre Centre unveils a blockbuster year of entertainment alongside its inaugural membership program.
Audiences attending in 2026 will have the opportunity to unlock membership benefits simply by purchasing tickets. Anyone who buys tickets to three shows in the lineup will become a member. Every ticket purchased counts toward membership, giving theatre-goers the flexibility to choose the experiences that suit them.
Membership benefits include priority access to presales, flexible ticketing options, invitations to exclusive events, discounts at the Link Bar, and special offers at nearby restaurants. These benefits are designed to enhance the theatre experience throughout the year.
Canberra Theatre Centre Executive Producer, Lisa Freshwater, said:
“It’s with great delight that we launch our very first membership at Canberra Theatre Centre. What starts in an artist’s imagination only becomes real when our audiences experience it. So, we’ve built a membership program that not only provides access to some of the best Australian work and international tours but includes added extras to turn every visit into an extraordinary experience.”
2026 kicks off with the spectacular Cirque Alice (22 – 31 January) featuring extraordinary international acts in the gravity-defying circus reimaging of Lewis Carroll’s classic adventure.
Canberra will play host to some of the country’s biggest touring musicals in 2026 including My Brilliant Career (7 – 15 March), The Sapphires (20 May – 7 June), Heathers The Musical (14 – 23 August) and Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) (16 – 27 September).
The Wharf Revue’s Jonathan Biggins returns with The Gospel According to Paul (15 – 20 September) alongside a string of other reimagined and original theatre works including Trophy Boys, Animal Farm, Autotune, The Jungle and the Sea and Helios + Selene as well as Canberra favourite Bell Shakespeare returning with Julius Caesar (10 – 18 April).
Bangarra Dance Theatre will debut its national tour of Sheltering in Canberra from 23 – 27 May. Audiences can join the corroboree in participatory dance work Garabari by Joel Blak Dance from 19 – 20 February.
Other dance highlights in 2026 include Mountain by Melanie Lane featuring members of Canberra Symphony Orchestra, All In, Victorian State Ballet with Aladdin and BIG Live’s The Great Gatsby: A Jazz Ballet Odyssey.
Looking for laugh? Audiences will be left in stiches as the Canberra Comedy Festival returns from 11 – 22 March with Dave Hughes, Melanie Bracewell and The Umbilical Brothers among the big names appearing at the Canberra Theatre Centre next year. Other heavy hitters taking to the stage in 2026 include Jimeoin, Tom Gleeson, Lano & Woodley and the UK’s Daniel Sloss.
Music fans also have plenty to look forward to in 2026 with some of the country’s most beloved acts making their way to Canberra, including genre-defying Aussie artist Meg Washington, art-rock royalty Bleak Squad, New Zealand pop sensation Bic Runga, Lisa Simone singing the songs of her mother Nina Simone, The Whitlams with Canberra Symphony Orchestra and favourites including Bernard Fanning, and Tim Campbell and Paulini with Electrifying 80s.
Sci-fi and action fans are in for a treat as the centre hosts a screening of Terminator 2 from 18 – 19 March with an all-new score performed live and synced to a laser-light show. Luminous Ideas will bring conversation, laughter and discovery to the stage through a series of podcasts presented live during next year’s Enlighten festival.
They haven’t forgotten about the kids (and their adults) either, hosting some of the biggest names in children’s entertainment including Playschool regular Zindzi, Spot, Where Is The Green Sheep? and, of course, Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show.
Tickets are on sale now for select shows, with the remaining shows on sale over the coming weeks. Check the Canberra Theatre Centre website for details.
Website: https://canberratheatrecentre.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/canberratheatrecentre/
Hero image: Sheltering by Bangarra Dance Theatre. Photo by Daniel Boud
