‘Wicked,’ ‘Hamilton’ and More Broadway Touring Shows to Plan Your Best Night Out Around in 2026
Broadway touring shows are hitting stages across the country through 2026 and into 2027, meaning you no longer need a trip to New York City to catch a hit musical. Here is what is playing, who each show suits best and how to turn the outing into something memorable.
What Broadway touring shows are playing in 2026 and 2027?
Dozens of Broadway touring shows will hit U.S. stages through the rest of 2026 and into 2027, putting big-name musicals within reach without booking a flight.
The Broadway touring shows for 2026 range from family-friendly classics to date-night picks, dark comedies and coming-of-age dramas, according to Broadway’s official tour listings. Tours are visiting cities from Chicago, Illinois to Austin, Texas and beyond. Titles on the road include “Wicked,” “The Lion King,” “Hamilton,” “Six” and “Mamma Mia!” along with newer hits like “Maybe Happy Ending,” “Just in Time” and “Oh, Mary!” Check tour routing to see when each show reaches your city.
Which Broadway touring shows are best for families with kids?
For younger children, “Beauty and the Beast the Musical” and “The Lion King” are the friendliest options, while “The Sound of Music” and “Wicked” play well to the whole family.
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” is best for kids ages 8 and up, because the show runs long and turns intense in places. If you are bringing children to a musical for the first time, talk through what a live theater experience involves before you go. How a child behaves at a movie theater is a solid preview of how they will handle a stage production. For a keepsake, consider grabbing the t-shirt or mug in the lobby, especially if it is your child’s first show.
What Broadway touring shows work best for date night?
Several current tours are built for a romantic evening. “The Notebook” leans into tearjerker territory, so bring tissues. “Phantom of the Opera” delivers classic moody romance, and “Dirty Dancing the Musical” pulls directly from the beloved film.
“Maybe Happy Ending” is quietly one of the most romantic shows running right now, telling the story of two robots falling in love. “Just in Time,” a Bobby Darin bio-musical, plays swoony and nostalgic in a supper-club register. “The Great Gatsby” gives you a glamorous, tragic romance and a good excuse to dress up. For a music-lover’s night out, “Buena Vista Social Club” is a Cuban music revue that runs more atmospheric than plot-driven. Plan on grabbing a drink after the show so you can talk through what you saw together.
Which Broadway touring shows are best for a girls’ night out or big laughs?
For a poppy, high-energy girls’ night, “& Juliet” delivers jukebox pop with romantic-comedy energy, “Six” is fun for tweens, teens and adults, and “Mamma Mia!” turns ABBA into a feel-good comedy.
If your group prefers comedy, “Spamalot” brings silly, absurdist Monty Python humor and “Operation Mincemeat” is a witty British historical farce. On the darker end, “Oh, Mary!” is a raunchy, absurdist Mary Todd Lincoln satire and “Death Becomes Her” is a campy adaptation of the dark comedy film. “Heathers the Musical” is satirical but covers suicide and violence, so it is for mature audiences only. For emotional drama, “Hell’s Kitchen” is an Alicia Keys jukebox set in NYC, “The Outsiders” adapts the novel for older kids, teens and adults, and “Hamilton” works for everyone from history buffs to families with older children.
How can you make a night out at Broadway touring shows extra special?
Build the night around the show. “Dinner and a show” is a classic for a reason, so plan a meal before or after depending on curtain time, and consider a post-show drink to unpack what you saw.
Decide in advance how much you want to know going in. Most of these musicals have an associated book, film or both, so choose whether to read or watch first or stay spoiler-free. Research the cast too, since touring productions often pick up performers from the original New York run or actors you may recognize from TV or film. And do not talk yourself out of the merch. Buying the t-shirt, program or mug is a low-cost way to remember an evening you may not get to repeat.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 11:31 AM.
