Thornton Wilder Festival Will Launch This November
The nationwide festival will bring The Long Christmas Dinner to stages across the United States starting November 2, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Children’s Theater
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The Thornton Wilder Estate will organize The Long Christmas Dinner Festival throughout November and December 2026. This nationwide event will kick off at The Public Theater in New York City on November 2, 2026.
Why it matters
The project aims to establish the 1931 play as a perennial holiday classic. To facilitate this, the estate waived all licensing fees for the more than 30 participating organizations.
The production spans a 40-minute runtime while depicting 90 years of family history. The work was originally produced in 1931 and later received an operatic adaptation by Wilder in 1961.
The players
Thornton Wilder Estate
This organization manages the intellectual property and legacy of the playwright Thornton Wilder.
The Public Theater
A prominent non-profit theater company in New York City that serves as the site for the festival launch.
Educational Theatre Foundation
This entity provides resources and support to expand access to theater arts programs in high schools.
Seattle Rep
A professional regional theater organization based in Seattle that is participating in the nationwide festival.
Pasadena Playhouse
A historic state theater of California located in Pasadena that is one of the festival participants.
The details
Performances are presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. The Wilder Estate collaborated with the Educational Theatre Foundation to ensure the play is provided to underserved high schools.
Timeline
The play was first produced in 1931.
Wilder adapted the play into an opera in 1961.
The festival launches at The Public Theater on November 2, 2026.
The festival occurs nationwide throughout November and December 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This coordinated national rollout represents a shift toward unifying regional theater programming under a single thematic brand. By waiving fees, the estate is actively positioning a legacy work against modern franchise-heavy holiday offerings.
Theatergoers across the country can access performances of the play throughout the two-month festival window. Audience members should check their local theater listings to confirm ticket availability as regional venues join the national initiative.
The takeaway
This event demonstrates how clearing licensing barriers can revitalize classic works for a new generation of audiences. Prospective viewers are encouraged to check local listings to participate in these community-focused holiday performances.
What happens next
Additional casting details for the nationwide festival performances will be announced in the coming weeks.
Further reading
Learn more about local productions at the Children’s Theater hub.
More information
View the complete list of festival performances to find a show near you.
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