Fall 2026 Guide to the Performing Arts in the Brandywine Valley

We’ve put together a preview of the fall season at area theaters and performance venues as well as outdoor concert venues. Be sure to check websites for even more performances and updates.

Top 10 Picks

Brandywine Valley Symphony (formerly Kennett Symphony)
A new name and a bold new chapter ushering in a fresh era of music, vision and community. Music Director, Michael Hall.
206 W. State St., Kennett Square.
BVSymphony.org
★ Masterworks I, Holiday Brass

Chesco Pops Orchestra
Local musicians perform pops, jazz and light-classic repertoire at various locations in the area.
P.O. Box 2468, West Chester. ChescoPops.org
★ July 12, Peter Boyer’s “Ellis Island: The Dream of America”

The Colonial Theatre
Independent and classic films, concerts and community events.
227 Bridge St., Phoenixville.
TheColonialTheatre.com
★ July 10–12, Cirque du Blobfest

Longwood Gardens Performing Arts
The arts at Longwood are as inspiring and beautiful as the gardens.
1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square.
LongwoodGardens.org
★ Matthew Morrison, Melissa Etheridge, DJ Jazzy Jeff, The String Queens

The Grand Wilmington
Presenting more than 75 shows most seasons.
818 N. Market St., Wilmington.
TheGrandWilmington.org
★ Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass, Graham Nash, Uncle Louie Variety Show

Hedgerow Theatre
Founded in 1923 by Jasper Deeter as the nation’s first professional repertory theater.
64 Rose Valley Rd., Media.
HedgerowTheatre.org
★ Check website for 2026–2027 shows

Media Theatre
Producing musicals annually, plus children’s productions.
104 E. State St., Media. MediaTheatre.org
★ Murder for Two, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Peter & the Starcatcher, A Chorus Line

Natural Lands Beats & Brews, September 19
Rock out under the stars.
Binky Lee Preserve, 1445 Pikeland Rd., Chester Springs.
NatLands.org
★ Music from Grateful Dead jam band Zendog

People’s Light
Contemporary plays,music theater, classics and world premieres.
39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern. PeoplesLight.org
★ Topdog/Underdog, Cinderella: A Musical Panto, Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, Harvey, Urinetown

Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center
Theater, music, dance, comedy, film in the heart of West Chester.
226 N. High St., West Chester.
UptownWestChester.org
★ “Bye Bye Birdie,” tribute bands for Billy Joel, Kansas & Styx, James Taylor

Check websites & CountyLinesMagazine.com for more performances and information.

Events & Series

Musikfest, July 31–August 9
Eleven days of art, dance, comedy and music in many genres with a stellar lineup.
Bethlehem. Musikfest.org
* The TRiBE, John Mulaney: Mister Whatever

Chester County 97th Old Fiddlers Picnic, August 8
Hundreds gather for music and memories.
Hibernia County Park, Wagontown
ChesCo.org/CCParks

South Wayne Porchfest, September 19
Community celebration with live music on the porches of private homes in South Wayne.
SouthWaynePorchFest.com

Media Borough Porchfest, September 19
Live music and good vibes, featuring performances from local bands and artists on porches, in yards and driveways.
VisitMediaPA.com

Malvern Porchfest, October 3
Musical acts perform on front porches and lawns, all within walking distance of each other.
MalvernPorchfest.org

West Chester Porchfest, May 2027
Over70 bands perform on porches and front lawns, plus food trucks, kids activities and more.
WestChesterPorchfest.com

Turks Head Music Festival, June 2027
Local bands, 90 artists, craftspeople, vendors.
Everhart Park, West Chester
TurksHeadFestival.com

Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, June 2027
This tribute to Brown is the largest multi-day, free, outdoor jazz festival on the East Coast.
Rodney Square, 1000 N. Market St., Wilmington
CliffordBrownJazzFest.org

West Chester University—WCU Live!
Live performances include music, dance, comedy and speaker events.
Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall and Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre, West Chester
WCUPA.edu/OCA/WCULive

Theater

Suburban PA

Bird-in-Hand Stage
Offering live entertainment, including Broadway-style musical theater and comedy shows.
2760 Old Philadelphia Pk., Bird-in-Hand
Bird-in-Hand.com
* Ned & Nancy See America, Dear Soldier Boy, The Christmas Rush

Bucks County Playhouse
Located on the site of a former grist mill on the banks of the Delaware River.
70 S. Main St., New Hope. BCPTheater.org
* Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific, Rent

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
Top-quality productions, award-winning food and exceptional service.
510 Centerville Rd., Lancaster. DutchApple.com
* Mary Poppins, Pretty Woman, Holly Jolly Holiday

Fulton Theatre Productions
A National Historic Landmark, considered the nation’s oldest continuously operating theater.
12 N. Prince St., Lancaster. TheFulton.org
* Ragtime, Annie, My Fair Lady

Sight & Sound Theatres
Faith-based live theater that’s been described as “Christian Broadway.”
300 Hartman Bridge Rd., Ronks. Sight-Sound.com
* David Live on Stage, Miracle of Christmas

Philadelphia

Forrest Theatre
1114 Walnut St. Forrest-Theatre.com
* Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical

Walnut Street Theatre
825 Walnut St. WalnutStreetTheatre.org
* The Addams Family: The Musical

Wilma Theater
265 S. Broad St. WilmaTheater.org
* The Little Prince

Delaware

The Candlelight Theatre
Delaware’s first dinner theater offers musicals, comedies, comedy club and more.
2208 Millers Rd., Wilmington
CandlelightTheatreDelaware.org
* Fiddler on the Roof, Scrooge: The Musical

Delaware Theatre Company
On the Wilmington Riverfront.
200 Water St., Wilmington
DelawareTheatre.org
* The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Steel Magnolias

The Playhouse on Rodney Square
Located in the Hotel du Pont.
1007 N. Market St., Wilmington
ThePlayhouseDE.org
TheGrandWilmington.org
* Six: The Musical, A Beautiful Noise

Community Theater

Suburban PA

Barley Sheaf Players
Housed in the old Oddfellows Hall.
810 N. Whitford Rd., Lionville. BarleySheaf.org

Footlighters Theater
Since 1930, this group has entertained Main Line audiences.
58 Main Ave., Berwyn. FootlightersTheater.com

Forge Theatre
Year-round entertainment with six productions.
241 1st Ave., Phoenixville. ForgeTheatre.org

The Players Club of Swarthmore
A community-based theater with main stage shows and smaller “Second Stage” productions.
614 Fairview Ave., Swarthmore
PCSTheater.org

SALT Performing Arts
Live community theater, workshops, dinner theater, summer camps and community outreach.
1645 Art School Rd., Chester Springs
SALTPA.com

Delaware

The Brandywiners, Ltd.
Performing annually at Longwood Gardens.
P.O. Box 248, Montchanin. Brandywiners.org

Delaware Children’s Theatre
Popular theater productions that entertain and educate.
1014 Delaware Ave., Wilmington
DEChildrensTheatre.org

Wilmington Drama League
Hosting volunteer-produced performances, plus children’s theater performances.
10 W. Lea Blvd., Wilmington
WilmingtonDramaLeague.org

Dance

Suburban PA

Brandywine Ballet
Providing professional training and performance opportunities.
Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall
700 S. High St., West Chester
BrandywineBallet.org

Chester County Ballet Company
A professional performance group at Chester County’s oldest training school for dance.
321 S. High St., West Chester
HarrisonDanceStudios.com

Delaware

First State Ballet Theater
Professional ballet company presents full-length ballets and mixed-repertory programs.
818 N. Market St., Floor 3R, Wilmington
FirstStateBallet.com

Philadelphia

Philadelphia Ballet Association
A premier ballet company, receiving widespread critical acclaim for extraordinary performances of a diverse classical and contemporary repertoire.
300 S. Broad St. PhiladelphiaBallet.org
* Stars and Stripes Forever!, The Nutcracker

Music

Suburban PA

American Music Theatre
Since 1997, AMT has welcomed Opry legends, Grammy, CMA, Tony and Oscar winners, plus Broadway tours, original and Christmas shows.
2425 Lincoln Hwy. E., Lancaster
AMTShows.com
* Three Dog Night, Eaglemania, Blue Öyster Cult

Brandywine Singers
Choral ensemble with a wide musical repertoire, partnering with other groups.
TheBrandywineSingers.org

Chester County Choral Society
Led by a professional director and accompanist, performing diverse choral music.
P.O. Box 3466, West Chester. ChesCoChoral.org

Delaware County Symphony
This community orchestra performs at Neumann University.
Meagher Theatre, 1 Neumann Dr., Aston
DCSMusic.org

Kennett Flash
An all-ages, stage-centered, café-style venue showcasing professional national, regional and local music, comedy, children’s programs and more.
102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square
KennettFlash.org

Keswick Theatre of Performing Arts
A 1,300-seat venue hosting well-known acts with state-of-the-art sound and light.
291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside
KeswickTheatre.com
* Todd Rundgren, The Sensational Soul Cruisers, Amy Grant

Lancaster Symphony Orchestra
Entertaining and educating the community through live musical performances.
48 N. Christian St., Lancaster
LancasterSymphony.org

Rose Tree Pops Orchestra
A community orchestra with performances ranging from classical to pops to Big Band.
P.O Box 932, Media. RoseTreePops.org

VoxAmaDeus
Musicians known for historical accuracy, frequently performing on authentic Baroque instruments.
P.O. Box 203, Gladwyne. VoxAmaDeus.org

Philadelphia

The Academy of Music
Opened in 1857, it’s the oldest grand opera house in the country still used for music.
Broad & Locust Sts. EnsembleArtsPhilly.org
* Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Mamma Mia!

The Dell Music Center
This open-air amphitheater has 5,284 reserved seats and 600 lawn seats.
2400 Strawberry Mansion Dr.
TheDellMusicCenter.com
* Patti LaBelle, The Isley Brothers, Lady B’s Annual Basement Party

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Premier performing arts groups reside here and the Academy of Music — The Phila. Orchestra, Philly Pops, The PA Ballet, Philadanco and more.
300 S. Broad St. KimmelCulturalCampus.org
* Check The Academy of Music

The Mann Center for Performing Arts
Located in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, the Mann continues its tradition as the region’s premier outdoor cultural arts center.
5201 Parkside Ave. MannCenter.org
* Paul Simon: A Quiet Celebration Tour, Sarah McLachlan, Bob Dylan, Philadelphia Orchestra’s Tchaikovsky Spectacular

The Met Philadelphia
The former Philadelphia Metropolitan Opera House, built in 1908 by opera impresario Oscar Hammerstein.
858 N. Broad St. TheMetPhilly.com
* Tori Amos, Sara Bareilles, Chelsea Handler

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Yannick Nézet-Séguin joined the illustrious group as the eighth music director in over 116 years.
1 S. Broad St. PhilOrch.org

Delaware

Brandywine Baroque
Chamber music on period instruments.
Barn at Flintwoods, 205 Center Meeting Rd., Wilmington.
BrandywineBaroque.org

Delaware Symphony Orchestra
Performing classical and chamber concerts, Delaware’s only professional symphony orchestra.
100 W. 10th St., Ste. 1003, Wilmington
DelawareSymphony.org

OperaDelaware
The only professional opera company in the state and the 11th oldest in the country.
4 S. Poplar St., Wilmington. OperaDE.org

Serafin Ensemble
Internationally acclaimed performing artists devoted to collaborative chamber music.
4101 Washington St., Wilmington
SerafinEnsemble.org

New Jersey

Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
Outdoor amphitheater/indoor theater complex located on the Camden Waterfront.
1 Harbour Blvd., Camden. LiveNation.com
* Dave Matthews Band, Tim McGraw, Train, Chris Stapleton, TLC & Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue

Schools

Suburban PA

Longwood Performing Arts
Classes from experienced faculty in a variety of dance styles.
633 W. Cypress St., Kennett Square
LongwoodPerformingArts.com

Uptown Studio
Teachers are talented professionals who provide a high-caliber performing arts education to students of all ages and abilities, with a special focus on the individual as part of a group.
226 N. High St., West Chester
UptownWestChester.org/Uptown-Studio

West Chester University
Wells School of Music
300 student and faculty performances open to the public each year, including opera, jazz, symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, choral, vocal.
Swope Music Building and Performing Arts Ctr.
817 S. High St., West Chester. WCUPA.edu/Music

Delaware

The Music School of Delaware
Performances include diverse musical styles and feature expert faculty, regional artists, internationally acclaimed guests and students.
4101 Washington St., Wilmington
MusicSchoolOfDelaware.org

Outdoor Concerts

Pack a meal, a blanket and a chair and head out to one of the many area parks, towns and boroughs for great music.

Check websites or visit CountyLinesMagazine.com for performance and ticket information.

Anson B. Nixon Park Summer Concerts
Through August 12. 405 N. Walnut St., Kennett Square. AnsonBNixonPark.org

Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts at the Gazebo
Through September 6. 9 S. Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr.
BrynMawrTwilightConcerts.com

Charlestown Park Summer Concerts
Through August 13. 100 Academic Way, Phoenixville.
Charlestown.PA.US

Eagleview Town Center Concerts
Through August 25. 565 Wellington Sq., Exton.
EagleviewTownCenter.com

East Bradford Summer Concert Series
July 12, 26, August 9. East Bradford Park, 835 Kenmara Dr., West Chester.
EastBradford.org

Everhart Park Concerts in the Park
August 21. 100 S. Brandywine St., West Chester.
West-Chester.com

Kimberton Park Summer Concert Series
July 16, August 20. 2214 Kimberton Rd., Phoenixville.
EastPikeland.org

King of Prussia Town Center—Live Music on the Green
Through Oct. 29. 155 Village Dr., King of Prussia.
KingOfPrussia-TownCenter.com

Long’s Park Summer Music Series
Through August 23. 1441 Harrisburg Pk., Lancaster.
LongsPark.org

Media Twilight Music Series
Through October 17. Monroe St. between 3rd & 4th, Media.
MediaArtsCouncil.org/Twilight-Music

Miller Park Summer Concert Series
July 26, August 9, 23. 220 Miller Way, Exton.
WestWhiteland.org

Music at Marshall
July 9, 30, August 20. Marshall Square Park, 405 N. Franklin St., West Chester.
MarshallSquarePark.org

Pints on the Preserve
July 11–November 14. ChesLen Preserve, 1199 Cannery Rd., Coatesville.
NatLands.org

Phoenixville Music Series
Through October 4. Multiple locations in downtown Phoenixville.
PhoenixvilleFirst.org

Rose Tree Summer Festival
Through August 16. Rose Tree Park, 671 N. Providence Rd., Media.
DelcoPA.gov/Parks/SummerFestival.html

Upper Merion Concerts Under the Stars
Through September 4. Upper Merion Twp. Bldg., 175 W. Valley Forge Rd., King of Prussia.
UMTownship.org

West Chester Summer Concert Series
July 3, August 7, September 4. Concerts at the Chester County Historic Courthouse, 21 W. Market St. & Jack Loew Plaza, 44 W. Gay St., West Chester.
DowntownWestChester.com

West Goshen Community Park Summer Concert Series
July 12 & 26, August 9 & 23. 1023 Fern Hill Rd., West Chester.
WestGoshen.org

Wilson Farm Park Summer in the Park Concert Series
July 9, 16, 23, September 3. 500 Lee Rd., Wayne.
Tredyffrin.org/Departments/Parks-Recreation