The Flato Markham Theatre asks audiences, “Are You In?” for its 2026/27 Diamond Season

After celebrating four decades as one of York Region’s most vital cultural gathering places, The Flato Markham Theatre is looking forward to a 2026/27 Diamond Season built around a simple, inviting question; Are You In?

It is a fitting theme for a season that seems designed around saying yes to experience.

“With this 41st season, we really focus on the experience of our audiences,” says Acting General Manager Scott Hill.

There are big returning favourites, but also artists and productions that invite discovery. There are Canadian legends, international touring acts, tribute concerts, family events, comedy nights, jazz evenings, holiday traditions, and performances that speak directly to the cultural diversity of Markham itself.

“We’re consciously trying to balance the season between favourites and future favourites,” says Hill, “We want to provide a chance for both discovery and rediscovery.”

The 2026/27 season begins in suitably Canadian fashion with Dan Hill & Andy Kim: In Story & Song on October 3. The concert brings together two Canadian Music Hall of Fame artists for an evening of hits and storytelling, including songs such as “Sometimes When We Touch,” “Sugar, Sugar,” and “Rock Me Gently.” It is a smart opening statement for the season: familiar, intimate, proudly Canadian, and built around the stories behind the songs.

That Canadian thread continues strongly throughout the year. She Carries the Song arrives October 16, bringing together Celeigh Cardinal, Mimi O’Bonsawin, and Lacey Hill for an intimate performance rooted in Indigenous voice, story, resilience, and reclamation. Matthew Good and His Band, joined by Kevin Fox and his string quartet, comes November 5 for a cinematic reimagining of Good’s catalogue. Canadian Brass returns November 27, while Susan Aglukark brings her deeply moving holiday concert Upinnaq: A Beautiful Christmas on December 4. Later in the season, audiences can look forward to Canadian favourites including Brent Butt, Matt Andersen, Matt Dusk, My Son the Hurricane, Ballet Kelowna’s Macbeth, and even the legendary Gowan.

“Just the Canadian artists alone make a fun season,” says Hill. “There’s so much more though, when you keep looking.”

The season also makes room for several beloved annual or returning audience favourites. Classic Albums Live is back with three concerts this year, beginning with Led Zeppelin II on October 9, followed by Elton John, Greatest Hits on January 28 and Eagles, Hotel California on March 12. Brass Transit returns November 13 with its tribute to Chicago, while Jeans ’n Classics offers a theatrical symphonic rock evening, on the night before Halloween no less, with Time Warp: The Music of Rocky Horror on October 30.

The lineup continues through the new year by inviting the rediscovery of favourite eras with The Dreamboats on January 2, who bring back the rock ‘n’ roll sounds of 1950s and 1960s as well as Becoming the Beatles on March 5, promising another evening built for audiences who love music history brought vividly to life.

Holiday programming remains one of The Flato Markham Theatre’s great strengths, and the 2026/27 season offers several ways to make a great show part of the season. In addition to Susan Aglukark’s Christmas concert, Next Generation Leahy performs December 11, Holly Cole: Swinging Christmas 2026 arrives December 12, and A John McDermott Family Christmas returns December 19. Then, as always, the year closes with Ballet Jörgen’s The Nutcracker: A Canadian Tradition, running December 30 and 31 with four performances.

The jazz series is, again, particularly strong this year. Bria Skonberg, the JUNO-winning trumpeter, vocalist, and composer, opens the jazz offerings on October 8. Michael Kaeshammer returns November 4, bringing his mix of piano virtuosity, vocals, and charm back to Markham. In January, Toronto Jazz Orchestra Salutes the Big Bands with special guest Heather Bambrick, and in March, the Stephanie Chou Quintet brings a blend of jazz, classical, and Chinese musical influence to the theatre.

“We’re so excited at how it all came together,” says Hill. “You know, given the seriousness of our world these days, we’ve been really focussed on an escape to pure fun for people. We’ve even got a mariachi band this year.”

He’s not kidding around, Mariachi Herencia de México: Día de Muertos Tour comes to town on October 29 with the two-time Latin Grammy-nominated ensemble’s contemporary take on mariachi tradition. It’s no coincidence that the show takes place a few nights before the actual Dia de Muertos.

“It’s going to be pure fun,” laughs Hill. “We have actual Halloween week programming this year.

The world music lineup continues when Pavlo returns November 28 with Mediterranean-inspired music rooted in Spanish, Greek, rumba, and flamenco sounds. Ammoye brings reggae-fusion energy on January 27, while TAIKOPROJECT arrives January 30 with a high-impact contemporary take on Japanese taiko drumming. The always-popular International Guitar Night follows February 5, bringing together guitarists from around the world, and Dance of the Emerald Isle brings Irish dance and music to the stage March 7.

Comedy audiences have plenty to circle on the calendar too. Gen X curio and lifelong stand-up Tom Arnold brings, My Crazy X-Wife on October 22, an adult stand-up show full of stories and unfiltered comedy. Brent Butt, best known as the creator and star of Corner Gas, performs January 22. The Just For Laughs Road Show returns April 21, continuing its place as one of the theatre’s reliable spring comedy highlights. With three distinct comedy offerings, the season balances big-name recognition, Canadian favourites, and the touring showcase format Markham audiences have come to expect.

For families and special attraction audiences, the season is especially playful. Sing Pitch Perfect with Deke Sharon & Splüsh on October 23 is an interactive a cappella experience led by the music director behind the Pitch Perfect films. Chris Funk The Wonderist: Redefining Wonder returns October 24 with two performances combining magic, music, multimedia, and audience interaction. Magic Rocks! Illusionist Leon Etienne arrives January 23, while Erth’s Shark Dive brings family spectacle on March 14. Spidey Mentalist: Make Believe performs March 27, and Meet the Hatter offers another family-friendly theatrical experience on April 19.

The season’s theatrical and dance offerings provide some of its most intriguing artistic variety. Marsh Marigolds: An Agricultural Thriller, a new play from Dan Needles starring Rod Beattie and directed by Doug Beattie, arrives November 29 and returns audiences to the world of Persephone Township. The Other Mozart, on March 10, tells the story of Maria Anna Mozart, the overlooked musical prodigy and sister of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

“We continue to love seeing more traditional theatre back on our professional stage,” says Hill. “It’s a joy to have this work here and to provide the opportunity to fans of plays too.”

In more of a blended experience, for lovers of classical theatre and dance, audiences will want to note Ballet Kelowna: Macbeth on April 23, a bold dance interpretation of Shakespeare’s tragedy.

The 2026/27 Diamond Season also continues the theatre’s connection to community and participation. Can You Sing Canada: Markham Sings takes place April 7, offering a local choral celebration, while community presenters will also be back at the theatre this year. Groups like Markham Little Theatre, Unionville Theatre Company, Markham Concert Band, Kindred Spirits Orchestra, and Markham at the Movies will again share passion and art made by and for their communities.

Younger community members are also part of the mix with the YTX ticket program, which offers $20 tickets across most Diamond Season performances, and the returning The Every Child Every Year program, sponsored by TinySeedlings.com, which offers free shows for students grade 1 to grade 8 at Markham area schools.

“We are so proud to include young people at The Flato Markham Theatre,” says Hill. “We honestly can’t imagine this place without them.”

This lineup is broad without feeling scattered. It’s polished and professional, but it has the personality of a theatre that knows its audience.

“It’s a really good balance between things that you know you love; things we know our audience loves, and things you’re gonna love for a very long time to come,” says Hill

Perhaps that is why the season’s central question, “Are you in?” works so well. It is an invitation to take a chance on something live, something shared, and something that only happens once in quite the same way..

Tickets and information are available through The Flato Markham Theatre box office.

Photo: Dan Hill & Andy Kim, The Canadian Brass, The Other Mozart, Leon Etienne, The Dreamboats, TaikoProject, and Gowan are just a few of the acts from next year’s Diamond Season.