The Best of Broadway: August 2026 Show Guide

To quote Hamilton’s Aaron Burr(, sir): “There’s nothing like summer in the city.”

Summer is an excellent time to cool off and get lost in the magic of a Broadway production, and this year has been no exception. Whether you’re gearing up for your first Broadway experience or looking to score a seat at the buzziest new show, we’ve got you covered.

CATS: The Jellicle Ball will be strutting off the runway, and the cast of Ragtime is prepping for final bows, while a fresh take on Paranormal Activity will start haunting the August Wilson Theatre in the coming weeks.

If you’re looking for things to do in NYC, find details on all the best that Broadway has to offer below. Plus, get tips on how to stay safe when buying Broadway tickets online with our handy guide, and as always, snag Broadway tickets via Ticketmaster.

Shows Opening on Broadway in August 2026

Paranormal Activity: Opening August 14

Paranormal Activity is coming to Broadway. Based on the popular supernatural horror film series of the same name, the new play focuses on a newly married couple not featured in any of the movies as a supernatural entity haunts their home and wreaks havoc on their lives. Performances of Paranormal Activity start August 14 at the August Wilson Theatre.

Buy tickets to Paranormal Activity on Ticketmaster.

Top Broadway Shows in August 2026

As we start to say goodbye to summer and dream of fall breezes around the corner, we’ve rounded up the best shows — and stars — to catch in August 2026. Keep tabs on these before they’re gone, including Mark Ballas in Chicago, and gear up for exciting new cast changes in The Great Gatsby and Buena Vista Social Club.

The Great Gatsby: Say Hello to China Anne McClain

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The party is still swinging at the Broadway Theatre, where China Anne McClain (Descendants) has stepped into the role of Daisy Buchanan in the vibrant musical adaptation of The Great Gatsby. The actress and singer took her first bows in her finest 1920s garb on August 3, and can be seen onstage performing with fellow Disney alum Corbin Bleu, who is continuing in the role of Nick Carraway.

Buy tickets to The Great Gatsby on Ticketmaster.

Chicago: Mark Ballas’ Razzle Dazzle

Mark Ballas returned to Broadway as the charismatic Billy Flynn for a limited engagement at the Ambassador Theatre — and shared some exclusive insights with Ticketmaster. Fresh off fan-favorite appearances on Dancing with the Stars and The Traitors, Ballas’ casting helped drive record Chicago ticket sales alongside Whitney Leavitt, where they appeared as the first DWTS partnership to headline a Broadway production. With Ballas’ run ending August 16, this is the last chance to catch him in the role… unless he “reaches for it again” someday.

Buy tickets to Chicago on Ticketmaster.

Buena Vista Social Club: José Iglesias Swings onto Broadway

New York stages are full of triple threats, but not many performers can also list Major League Baseball on their resumés. On August 27, José Iglesias, also known by his stage name of Candelita, will make history as the first Latino MLB player to debut on Broadway when he joins the cast of Buena Vista Social Club as the Narrator. “I cannot wait to experience the energy of that theater and create unforgettable memories with the cast, the musicians, baseball fans and the theater audience,” he shared in a statement.

Buy tickets to Buena Vista Social Club on Ticketmaster.

Broadway Shows Closing in August 2026 (Last Call)

CATS: The Jellicle Ball: Closing August 8

Head to the Broadhurst Theatre for one last feline ball as CATS: The Jellicle Ball takes its final bows on August 8. The revolutionary revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic dance musical completely reimagined the world of Old Deuteronomy, Grizabella, Rum Tum Tugger and Macavity, and brought three Tony Awards home to the ballroom in the process.

Buy tickets to CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Ticketmaster.

Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman: Closing August 9

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The latest incarnation of Arthur Miller’s landmark (and oft-revived) work will close up shop at the Winter Garden Theatre on August 9. This modern version of the plight of traveling salesman Willy Loman nearly swept the 2026 Tony Awards, taking home six trophies including Best Revival of a Play, Best Featured Actress in a Play for Laurie Metcalf and Best Direction of a Play for her regular collaborator Joe Mantello.

Buy tickets to Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman on Ticketmaster.

Every Brilliant Thing: Closing August 9

After being headlined by a trio of different stars, Every Brilliant Thing will close the curtain on August 9 at the Hudson Theatre. Tracee Ellis Ross finishes out the run of the experimental, joyful show powered by audience participation in the wake of Daniel Radcliffe — who earned a Tony nomination for the role — and Mariska Hargitay.

Buy tickets to Every Brilliant Thing on Ticketmaster.

Ragtime: Closing August 16

There’s still time to catch the production that earned four Tony Awards in 2026 — including Best Revival of a Musical — before Ragtime closes in the coming weeks. While audiences and critics alike embraced the show’s return to the stage, the production was planned as a strictly limited engagement — be sure to hear that “new music” at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center before August 16.

Buy tickets to Ragtime on Ticketmaster.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical: Closing August 30

Moulin Rouge! The Musical dominated the 74th Tony Awards in 2021, taking home 10 trophies including Best Musical. Since then, the show has continuously captivated audiences as a dashing young composer named Christian falls for Satine, the star of the famous Parisian cabaret Moulin Rouge. Taking cues from the 2001 movie musical of the same name, the jukebox musical provides a feast for the senses as the star-crossed pair fall in love to the sounds of “Lady Marmalade,” “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” the famous “Elephant Love Medley” and more. Find yourself transported back to the Belle Époque one last time before the show closes August 30.

Buy tickets to Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Ticketmaster.

Planning Your Broadway Visit in August 2026

Which Broadway Shows Have Matinees in August 2026?

Every show on Broadway offers weekly matinees, though the day of the matinee tends to vary by show. For example, The Great Gatsby holds matinee performances on Thursday and Saturday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m.

Buena Vista Social Club’s weekly matinees occur on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Meanwhile, Chicago’s matinees only happen on weekends, each Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

For more matinee options, always be sure to confirm the exact performance time on each show’s Ticketmaster event page.

Best Family-Friendly Broadway Shows in August 2026

Plenty of Broadway shows are perfect for the whole family, with offerings all over the Great White Way from Disney, the Wizarding World and more. Popular current family-friendly shows include the following:

Disney’s The Lion King

Age recommendation: 6 and up

Runtime: 2 hours and 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission

Matinee times: Saturdays at 2:00 p.m., Sundays at 1:00 p.m.

Why it’s family-friendly: As one of Broadway’s longest-running hits, The Lion King has delighted audiences at the Minskoff Theatre for a generation. Kids will learn all about the “Circle of Life” in a dazzling production that employs state-of-the-art puppetry to tell the story of Simba’s rise to become King of the Jungle.

Disney’s Aladdin

Age recommendation: 6 and up

Runtime: 2 hours and 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission

Matinee times: Saturdays at 2:00 p.m., Sundays at 1:00 p.m.

Why it’s family-friendly: In the famous words of the Genie, “You ain’t never had a friend like me!” Disney’s Aladdin brings the classic 1992 animated film to colorful life with hidden treasure, talking parrots and magic carpet rides galore.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Age recommendation: 8 and up. (Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult.)

Runtime: 2 hours and 55 minutes with one 20-minute intermission

Matinee times: Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m., Sundays at 3:00 p.m.

Why it’s family-friendly: Kids and adults alike will be spellbound by Harry Potter on Broadway. Set 19 years after the events of the popular book series, the hit play sends audiences back to Hogwarts for a production filled with magic, mystery and mind-blowing special effects you simply have to see to believe.

How Far in Advance Should You Book Broadway Tickets for August?

Broadway fans coming to New York should consider booking popular weekend and matinee performances as soon as their travel dates are confirmed. It’s always easier to plan ahead and get started early — particularly for productions that are closing, limited engagements and groups seeking adjacent seats. Check each show’s Ticketmaster event page for current schedules, seat availability and displayed prices.

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