It's the most wonderful time of the year - we're unveiling our winter programme, bringing together acclaimed theatre and dance, distinctive new voices, family performance and a packed programme of live music to see audiences through to the end of 2026!
Before the festive celebrations begin, audiences can experience a rich and varied programme of theatre, dance and storytelling, bringing together some of the most exciting voices from Scotland and beyond, from intimate solo storytelling and contemporary dance to grunge-inspired performance and bold new theatre.
Some highlights include:
Tiggy Bayley bringing her acclaimed one-woman show Squidge to the Traverse, confronting poverty, education and loss through a deeply personal exploration of contemporary life. Girlhood meets the afterlife in In Perfect Dead Girls, a gruesome yet tender story set in a purgatory plastered with graffiti, glitter and teenage angst where two young girls discover they are not alone following their sudden deaths, and award-winning writer and performer Emma Frankland arrives with No Apologies, a radical reimagining of Nirvana’s legendary 1993 MTV Unplugged concert. Following its acclaimed Edinburgh Festival run, the production blends theatre and grunge, autobiography and alternate history, weaving together pop culture, mythology and personal experience.
Scottish Dance Theatre,Scotland’s flagship contemporary dance company, brings Rotten Work & The Game of Life, a captivating double bill from internationally acclaimed choreographers Emilie Leriche and Edouard Hue. Juxtaposing poetic reflections on connection and collective endurance with explosive, sensation-driven movement, the production explores what it means to build a society without sacrificing individuality.
Making its UK premiere following a sold-out run at Dublin Theatre Festival and a tour of Ireland, No Woman Is an Island sees theatremaker Róisín Stack investigate women’s pursuit of solitude. Combining cultural theory, intimate storytelling and sharp humour, the production asks what it means to step away from expectations of productivity and consider the often-overlooked value of being alone. The Traverse also welcomes back James Rowland’s critically acclaimed Team Viking as the storytelling phenomenon marks its 10th anniversary. Recounting the remarkable true story of a promise made between friends following a terminal diagnosis, the show combines comedy, music and storytelling in a moving and unexpectedly joyful exploration of friendship, grief and the absurdity of life.
The Traverse partners with Tron Theatre to take part in Women+ on the Edge of Democracy, a groundbreaking initiative curated anddirected by acclaimed Scottish playwright Zinnie Harris encouraging conversation about American democracy. Taking place in communities across the globe, it brings together 36 acclaimed women+ playwrights from around the world to witness, question and illuminate this pivotal chapter in American civic life through a collection of short plays and monologues. And for a lighter touch on current affairs, Mark Thomas, one of our oldest surviving alternative comics (his words), celebrates 40 years of stand up with jokes, rants and a personal state of the nation broadcast.
And the sky’s the limit for young dreamers this festive season as the Traverse presents acclaimed theatre company Visible Fictions’ production, A Ladder to the Stars. Made especially for young audiences aged three to seven, their parents and carers, and brought to the stage through a magical mix of music, light and imagination, ALadder to the Stars is a heartfelt and humorous story of what can happen when the universe hears your dreams. Director Douglas Irvine commented: “The success of this show over the years is testament to how our young audiences respond to it. It’s full of magic and wonder, which makes it perfect for a festive outing. We can't wait to perform at the Traverse and spread a little theatrical joy this Christmas.”
Music also takes centre stage this winter as the Traverse welcomes back the Soundhouse Winter Festival, alongside a series of special seasonal concerts.
Among the festive highlights, folk-inspired singer-songwriter Hannah Rarity and acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Anna Massie reunite for their much-loved Christmas celebration. What began as a one-off performance in 2015 has become an annual tradition, bringing the pair together each December for an evening of music and festive warmth.
The festive programme also welcomes A Winter Union, bringing together five leading lights of the UK folk scene. Renowned for their rich harmonies and inventive musicianship, the group will celebrate the release of their third studio album, Through The Western Door, in December 2026 with their biggest live show to date. Audiences can look forward to a warm and uplifting evening of reimagined winter classics from both sides of the Atlantic, alongside a selection of lesser-known Yuletide treasures.
From bold and groundbreaking theatre to family storytelling and joyous festive music, the Traverse Theatre’s winter programme invites audiences of all ages to come together and experience the power, warmth and joy of live performance throughout the festive season.