Geelong Arts Centre has released its 2026 program, featuring more than 30 shows across theatre, dance, music and family performances. The season includes Victorian exclusives, returning favourites, and new work from Australian and local artists.

The 2026 theme, Worlds Open Up, brings together productions that sit across four main streams. Mainstage theatre, contemporary and experimental work, daytime and matinee performances, and family programming.

This guide pulls out key shows from the season and groups them by type, with dates included to help with planning. For full performance times and ticket details, the complete program is available via Geelong Arts Centre.

Mainstage theatre and major productions

RBG: Of Many, One
6–9 May 2026

Presented by Sydney Theatre Company, this solo performance focuses on the life and work of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. After previous sell-out seasons nationally, the production comes to Geelong as a Victorian exclusive. It is one of the most high-profile inclusions in the 2026 program.

The Glass Menagerie
11–13 June 2026

Melbourne Theatre Company returns this Tennessee Williams classic to the stage for the first time in two decades. Directed by Mark Wilson and starring Alison Whyte, it brings a well-known work into the Geelong program for a limited run.

The Lark
12–15 August 2026

Starring Noni Hazlehurst, The Lark is a one-woman work written by Daniel Keene. Hazlehurst plays Rose Grey, a woman in her seventies saying goodbye to the inner-city pub that has defined her life, as she confronts memory, loss and the need to move on.

Strong Is The New Pretty
8–17 October 2026

Written by Suzie Miller, this Victorian exclusive looks at the early years of women’s football and the people who shaped it. Direct from its world premiere, this production is expected to be one of the most popular shows of the season and a key booking for sporting and theatre audiences alike.

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Contemporary and boundary-pushing performances

Lighting the Dark
19–20 March 2026

Presented by Dancenorth Australia, Lighting the Dark is led by Kaurna choreographer Chris Dyke, an Adelaide-based artist living with Down syndrome. Performed with the Dancenorth Ensemble, the work explores connection and identity through contemporary dance.

Gunawarra Re-creation
12–15 August 2026

From ILBIJERRI Theatre Company, this work draws on Taungurung stories and centres First Nations perspectives. It is directed by Rachael Maza and forms part of the Arts Centre’s ongoing commitment to First Nations storytelling.

REWIRE Series
March–September 2026

REWIRE is Geelong Arts Centre’s contemporary performance stream, featuring music, dance and hybrid works that sit outside traditional theatre formats. The program includes new work by Connor Morel, Karma Dance Inc. and Back to Back Theatre.

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Music, cabaret and daytime performances

Amplified: The Exquisite Rock and Rage of Chrissy Amphlett
12–13 February 2026

Written by and starring Sheridan Harbridge, Amplified is a cabaret exploring the life and music of Geelong-born Divinyls front woman Chrissy Amphlett. Through her songs and words, the show traces her rise from Australian pub stages to international success and her lasting influence on rock music.

Delightful Days and Matinees
February–December 2026

The Delightful Days and Matinees program features daytime performances across music and live storytelling. The lineup includes musical theatre favourites Natalie O’Donnell and Simon Gleeson, Denis Walter’s curated concert of past highlights, and themed shows such as Opera and Classics in Concert and James Bond Classics.

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Family-friendly shows

The Family Magic program opens up imaginative worlds through theatre, storytelling and playful performance. Across the year, productions include Robot Song (23 February 2026), Where Is the Green Sheep? (30 May 2026) and Moss Piglet (10 June 2026), followed by The Alphabet of Awesome Science (14 September 2026), Room on the Broom (19–20 September 2026) and Wolfgang in the Stars (22–23 September 2026), each bringing familiar stories and big ideas to the stage.

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Where to eat near Geelong Arts Centre

Geelong Arts Centre sits right in the middle of the city, which makes planning food around a show easy. Caruggi is a reliable pick for Northern Italian and a relaxed pre-show dinner, while Non Disclosure is a good option if you want a cocktail before or after the performance. For something a little more casual, Farm Dog Brewery’s Geelong location works well for an early drink, and venues like The Arborist, Bahjong and 17 by 4 offer plenty of choice and it's right next door.

Where to stay nearby

If you’re staying overnight, there are several accommodation options close distance of the Arts Centre. Bayside Geelong has recently been renovated and sits close to the city centre, while Novotel Geelong offers waterfront views and easy access to dining and events. Oaks Vue and Oaks R Suites are also great city stays with apartment-style rooms, and 88 Ryrie, Holiday Inn Geelong, Quest Geelong Central and Rydges Geelong all make it simple to stay close to the action and turn a show into a fun night away.

The Geelong Arts Centre 2026 program offers a broad mix of large-scale theatre, contemporary work, music and family performances. With several Victorian exclusives and a central location, it’s well suited to visitors planning a short break or a night out in the city.

For full program details and performance dates, view the complete season on the Geelong Arts Centre website.