The Illinois Shakespeare Festival is an entire evening's entertainment. Come early with your picnic and enjoy the grounds along with all the entertainment and special features before the main play even starts.

Green Show Mini-Plays

Free light fare for kids of all ages on the Courtyard Stage beginning at 7pm before all outdoor performances. If you didn't bring the kids tonight, come back again just for the Green Show if you wish. The Green Show is always free even if you're not attending the main performance that night!

Picnics

Bring a bucket of chicken or go all out with the picnic basket, candles, bottle of wine and blanket on the Great Lawn. Grounds open at 6:00pm. Enjoy your picnic while being serenaded by the Madrigal Singers or other entertainers. Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano is providing an excellent menu at the Festival, which you can purchase right on the grounds!

Shakespeare Garden

Visit a special garden of flowers and herbs from Shakespeare's plays just behind the Coutyard Stage in the Shakespeare Garden.

Gift Shop

No visit is complete without a stop at the gift shop, located in the courtyard of Ewing Manor, featuring T-shirts, mugs, games, books, and an incredible array of specialty items that you'll find nowhere else around. Shop for that special someone and be assured that they won't already have it! The gift shop is open before the shows as well as during intermission.

Concessions

The Festival concession area is located in the courtyard. You are welcome to bring concession items into the theatre.