McGucken Theatre weekend
All the world’s a stage — but for one long weekend, this one comes with costumes, comedy, and a touch of sparkle in the redwoods! Welcome to the legendary McGucken Theatre Weekend for Adults, where the curtain rises on you. Whether you’re a seasoned star or a first-time performer, you’ll find yourself cheered on by one of the most supportive crowds ever assembled.
Since 1975, theatre lovers from far and wide have gathered over Labor Day Weekend to create, perform, and play under the redwood canopy. 2026 marks our 48th camp weekend— and this year’s theme is HOLIDAYS. Think mistletoe meets Mardi Gras, Halloween with Shakespearean flair, or a romantic Valentine’s duet featuring Cupid and stage fright.
🗓 Dates: September 4 – 7, 2026 (Friday evening through Monday afternoon)
📍 Location: Northern California Redwoods, Sonoma County — about 60 miles north of San Francisco
Mornings feature two one-and-a-half-hour theatre arts workshops on Saturday and Sunday— perfect for expanding your skills, trying improv, learning stagecraft, or exploring movement and voice. Some classes are serious, some purely silly (think “method acting for elves”), or somewhere in between. They’re included with your registration, open to everyone, and highly encouraged to attend.
During the afternoons, you can go out and play, or frolic beneath the trees like it’s the spring musical of your dreams.
Saturday and Sunday nights feature our celebrated McGucken Variety Shows, where campers take the stage to act, sing, dance, juggle, or wax poetic. Sign up when you arrive — an accompanist is available for rehearsal time. Imagine Rudolph doing Shakespeare or the Easter Bunny trying stand-up. “What’s the deal with all these eggs, anyway?”
Maybe you’ll belt out a holiday tune (complete with a Santa hat), deliver your finest monologue (“To sleigh, or not to sleigh—”), or team up with new friends for a heartfelt sketch about New Year’s resolutions gone wrong. Don’t feel like taking the stage? Be our rapt audience, stagehand extraordinaire, or lighting wizard — every role is a star role here.
After the shows, the fun continues: dancing at The McGucken Festivities, laughing in the lounge, or outwitting opponents at late-night board games or puzzles. Whether you’re performing or spectating, you’ll leave with new stories, friendships, and probably glitter in mysterious places.
You’ll stay in comfy bunk-bed cabins (bring your own bedding), surrounded by towering redwoods and a lake straight out of a fairytale. Miles of trails, two pools, a softball field, basketball and volleyball courts — everything you need for a weekend that’s part theatre, part summer camp, part holiday spectacular.
Try to find the reindeer in the woods!
The people of McGucken are warm, encouraging, and outrageously fun. You may come for the theatre, but you’ll stay for the laughter, the camaraderie, and the feeling that you’ve joined a truly one-of-a-kind troupe.
We can’t promise a Tony Award — but we can promise joy, community, and maybe a holiday miracle or two.
🎟 Visit our facebook.com for glimpses of past productions, photo galleries, and more.
As one wise elf once said, “Break a leg… but not the candy cane.”
Food: Meals (with vegetarian options) are included with the registration fee — prepared for us and served cafeteria-style in the Main Lodge from Friday dinner thru Monday brunch.
Drink: We encourage you to BYOB! Due to inflation and our current back stock of the bar, we will not be providing an extensive open beverage station.
McGucken Theatre Weekend is a production of the McGucken Performing Arts Committee, a 501c3 nonprofit. Please note that donations are deductible. Many photos © Mark Decker, Isaac Crummy, and other McGuckenites.
To contact us for more details click here:
Please note: No one under 21, no smoking in the buildings, and no pets.