Fall Guide to the Performing Arts in the Brandywine Valley

Here’s 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.
KennettSymphony.org
★ Grieg’s Piano Concerto, Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings, Holiday Concert

Chesco Pops Orchestra
Local musicians perform pops, jazz and light-classic repertoire.
P.O. Box 2468, West Chester. ChescoPops.org
★ July 20, 20th Anniversary Concert at Immaculata University

The Colonial Theatre/Point Entertainment
Independent and classic films, concerts and community events.
227 Bridge St., Phoenixville.
TheColonialTheatre.com
★ Blobfest, Rick Wakeman of YES, Phoenixville Film Festival

Longwood Gardens Performing Arts
The arts at Longwood are as inspiring and beautiful as the gardens.
1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square.
LongwoodGardens.org
★ Rosanne Cash with John Leventhal, Mary Chapin Carpenter & Brandy Clark

The Grand Wilmington
Presenting more than 75 shows most seasons.
818 N. Market St., Wilmington.
TheGrandWilmington.org
★ Diana Krall, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Celtic Thunder, Cowboy Junkies

Main Line Music Festival, Sept. 27
Perfect for blues lovers and anyone who likes to eat, dance, shop and enjoy great music.
Wilson Farm Park, 500 Lee Rd., Wayne.
MainLineMusicFest.com

Media Theatre
Producing five musicals annually, plus children’s productions.
104 E. State St., Media. MediaTheatre.org
★ Young Frankenstein, Annie, Fun Home, 9 to 5

Natural Lands Beats & Brews, Sept. 20
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
★ Little Shop of Horrors, Steel Magnolias, A Christmas Carol, Twelfth Night

Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center
Theater, music, dance, comedy, film in the heart of West Chester.
226 N. High St., West Chester.
UptownWestChester.org
★ Seussical JR., tribute bands for Doobie Brothers, Dave Matthews, Fleetwood Mac

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

Events & Series

Musikfest, August 1–10
Eleven days of art, dance, comedy and music in many genres with a stellar lineup.
Bethlehem. Musikfest.org
* Darius Rucker, Chicago, NELLY, Third Eye Blind

Chester Cty. 96th Old Fiddlers Picnic, August 9
Hundreds gather for music and memories.
Hibernia County Park, Wagontown
ChesCo.org/CCParks

Phoenixville Blues Festival, September
Free event featuring local and national acts.
Main St., Phoenixville. PvilleBlues.org

South Wayne PorchFest, September 13
Community celebration with live music on the porches of private homes in South Wayne.
SouthWaynePorchFest.com

Turks Head Music Festival, June 2026
Local bands, 90 artists, craftspeople, vendors.
Everhart Park, West Chester
TurksHeadFestival.com

Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, June 2026
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
* The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie’s Biscuits, Stolen

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
* She Loves Me, The Rocky Horror Show

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
Top-quality productions, award-winning food and exceptional service.
510 Centerville Rd., Lancaster. DutchApple.com
* Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, A Chorus Line

Fulton Theatre Productions
A National Historic Landmark, considered the nation’s oldest continuously operating theater.
12 N. Prince St., Lancaster. TheFulton.org
* Driving Miss Daisy, Jekyll & Hyde, Elf

Hedgerow Theatre
Featuring classic productions, fun-filled farces and traditional tales for the whole family.
64 Rose Valley Rd., Media
HedgerowTheatre.org
* Check website for 2025–2026 shows

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

Philadelphia

Forrest Theatre
1114 Walnut St. Forrest-Theatre.com
* Life of Pi, Beetlejuice

Walnut Street Theatre
825 Walnut St. WalnutStreetTheatre.org
* Million Dollar Quartet, A Christmas Story

Wilma Theater
265 S. Broad St. WilmaTheater.org
* Can I Be Frank?

Delaware

The Candlelight Theatre
Delaware’s first dinner theater offers musicals, comedies, comedy club and more.
2208 Millers Rd., Wilmington
CandlelightTheatreDelaware.org
* Escape to Margaritaville

Delaware Theatre Company
On the Wilmington Riverfront.
200 Water St., Wilmington
DelawareTheatre.org
* The Girls of Summer, Shrek

The Playhouse on Rodney Square
Located in the Hotel du Pont.
1007 N. Market St., Wilmington
TheGrandWilmington.org
* Mrs. Doubtfire, Mandy Patinkin, Kinky Boots

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.
Perform 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
* Aug. 23: Ballet, Brews, BBQ & Blues

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

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
* The Association & The Buckinghams, Kenny Rogers Band featuring Don Gatlin, Trace Adkins

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
* Riot Act: A Tribute to Pearl Jam, New Summer Sounds Series, Winslow: An Evening of the Eagles

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
* Foghat, Al Stewart, Ryan Adams, Emerson, Lake & Palmer

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
* Paul Simon, Nikki Glaser: Alive and Unwell Tour, “Life of Pi,” MasterChef All-Stars Live

The Dell Music Center
This open-air amphitheater has 5,284 reserved seats and 600 lawn seats.
2400 Strawberry Mansion Dr.
TheDellMusicCenter.com
* EnVogue, PHILADANCO

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
* Phish, Cyndi Lauper, Billy Idol, Alabama Shakes

The Met Philadelphia
The former Philadelphia Metropolitan Opera House, was built in 1908 by opera impresario Oscar Hammerstein.
858 N. Broad St. TheMetPhilly.com
* Barenaked Ladies, Wilco, John Mulaney

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, Kidz Bop Live, Styx, Doobie Brothers, Outlaw Music Festival with Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow

Schools

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

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 6. 405 N. Walnut St., Kennett Square. AnsonBNixonPark.org

Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts at the Gazebo
Through September 5. 9 S. Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr. BrynMawrTwilightConcerts.com

Charlestown Park Summer Concerts
Through August 28. 100 Academic Way, Phoenixville. Charlestown.PA.US/Newsletters.aspx

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

East Bradford Summer Concert Series
July 17, August 14. East Bradford Park, 835 Kenmara Dr., West Chester. EastBradford.org

John O. Green Park Concerts in the Park
August 21. S. Matlack & E. Miner Sts., West Chester. West-Chester.com

Kimberton Park Summer Concert Series
July 17, August 2 & 21. 2214 Kimberton Rd., Phoenixville. EastPikeland.org

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

Long’s Park Summer Music Series
Through August 17. 1441 Harrisburg Pk., Lancaster. LongsPark.org

Miller Park Summer Concert Series
Through August 24. 220 Miller Way, Exton. WestWhiteland.org

Music at Marshall
Through August. Marshall Square Park, 405 N. Franklin St., West Chester. MarshallSquarePark.org

Pints on the Preserve
July 12–September 13. ChesLen Preserve, 1199 Cannery Rd., Coatesville. NatLands.org

Phoenixville Music Series
Through October 5. Multiple locations in downtown Phoenixville. PhoenixvilleFirst.org

Rose Tree Summer Festival
Through August 10. Rose Tree Park, 671 N. Providence Rd., Media. DelcoPA.gov/Departments/Parks/SummerFestival.html

Upper Merion Concerts Under the Stars
Through September 14. Upper Merion Twp. Bldg., 175 W. Valley Forge Rd., King of Prussia. UMTownship.org

West Chester Summer Concert Series
July 4, August 1, September 5. 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
Through August 24. 1023 Fern Hill Rd., West Chester. WestGoshen.org

Wilson Farm Park Summer in the Park Concert Series
Through September 4. 500 Lee Rd., Wayne. Tredyffrin.org/Departments/Parks-Recreation