The 26th Annual Chutzpah! Festival returns to Greater Vancouver this November 3–15, 2026, bringing a dynamic 13-day lineup of music, theatre, comedy, dance, and storytelling through a multicultural Jewish lens.
From the festival hub at the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre to venues like the Rio Theatre, Fox Cabaret, Temple Sholom, and the ANNEX, this year’s programming features international talent alongside a strong lineup of local Canadian creators.
Queer Highlights to Watch For
Queer Jewish voices and gender-expansive storytelling remain central to the festival's identity, featuring stand-out performances across theatre, comedy, and drag:
Opening Night: Local Artists Showcase (Nov 3 at the Rio Theatre)
Kick off the festival with an eclectic lineup of BC talent. The night features a drag comedy piece by performer Uriel Yekutiel alongside a Yiddish-inspired theatre piece by trans/queer artist Angelic Goldsky.
Yankl and the Beanstalk (Nov 14 & 15 at the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre)
Closing out the festival is the North American premiere of queer playwright Tamara Micner’s hilarious Jewish panto. Set in 1890s East London, this saucy production reimagines the classic fairy tale with magic beans, pickle factory strikes, and popular pop hits translated into Yiddish.
Festival at a Glance
Theatre & StorytellingT
Things My Dad Kept (Ronit Rubinstein),
An Evening with Ari’el Stachel
Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre, ANNEX
Dance
Kristin (May Zarhy / Amit Zaretsky),
Exile (World Premiere by Meghann Michalsky)
Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre
Music & Comedy
Kosha Dillz, Duo Andalus, Matthew Broussard with Laura SogarTemple Sholom,
Fox Cabaret, NRT
Tickets and 4-show ChutzPacks are available via chutzpahfestival.com.