The most exciting musicals in Australia worth travelling for in 2026

Musicals come with an unwritten guarantee: you'll leave feeling lighter than when you walked in. Perhaps that's why the latest Live Performance Australia (LPA) figures show almost 4.4 million of us - the highest figure ever recorded - bought a ticket to a musical in 2024.

LPA's data-crunching also revealed good news for the hip pocket, with average ticket prices dropping slightly to $127.43. If you're wondering where to splash your hard-earned in 2026 (and if you need to plan a trip to the big smoke or interstate), we've scoured the nation's theatre calendars to help with those decisions.

One ticket that isn't cheap is The Last Ship in Brisbane's brand-new Glasshouse Theatre - it'll cost you $500 to see Sting up close as he performs his hometown-inspired show (cheaper tickets have been snapped up). Perennial favourites such as The Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King and My Fair Lady are returning. Others, such as Pretty Woman, Cats and MJ the Musical, continue touring the nation. Best of all, some never-before-seen hits - such as the Neil Diamond tribute A Beautiful Noise and the opulent Anastasia - are making their way Down Under for the first time. It's also thrilling to see new creations such as Whispering Jack - a tribute to John Farnham - in the works. Now, it's showtime!

You've heard about the sassy banter and one-liners of The Book of Mormon - after all, South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone helped write it - but what surprises is the ultra-sharp dance routines. The show, which details the antics of two bumbling missionaries in Uganda, has been around since 2011 but, if you haven't caught it, now's the time.

Where and when: Capitol Theatre, Sydney, until January 25; Princess Theatre, Melbourne, February 6-April 12; QPAC, from July 31.

Explore more: thebookofmormonmusical.com.au

BEFORE/AFTER THE SHOW: Graze Hay St Market's 48 food and bev offerings within Sydney's Paddy's Market. haystmarket.com.au

As the on-stage band's opening notes of Beat It build then spill straight into the opening dance sequence, any reservations about whether you're in for a good time at this jukebox musical vanish. Moonwalk into this look at Michael Jackson's life until 1992, when he was creating his Dangerous world tour.

Where and when: Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, until March 1; Lyric Theatre, QPAC, March 27-April 26; Crown Theatre, Perth, June 7- 28.

Explore more: mjthemusical.com.au

BEFORE/AFTER THE SHOW: At Crown Perth, keep things simple with Market & Co's all-day dining menu. crownperth.com.au

They're big thigh-high boots to fill but Samantha Jade does her best starring as Vivian Ward - the endearingly vulnerable character played by Julia Roberts in the 1990 film. Wear a touch of red, in homage, when seeing this big-hearted romance.

Where and when: Theatre Royal, Sydney, until March 1; Crown Theatre, Perth, April 18-May 10; Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide, May 31-June 21; Regent Theatre, Melbourne, from July.

Explore more: prettywomanthemusical.com.au

BEFORE THE SHOW: No "slippery little suckers" - snails - at the International, behind Sydney's Theatre Royal, but it dishes an elevated pre-theatre menu. internationalsydney.com

Hey, pretty kitties ... audiences show no sign of tiring of Andrew Lloyd Webber's mega-musical, a fusion of music, dance, verse and purr-fect costumes. Make like it's 1985 all over again as the beloved show prowls around Australia, with Todd McKenney doing double duty as Bustopher Jones/Asparagus.

Where and when: Arts Centre Melbourne, December 21-January 31; Lyric Theatre, QPAC, February 6-22.

Explore more: catsthemusical.com.au

BEFORE THE SHOW: See costumes worn by the world's biggest stars at Diva, an exhibition at the Arts Centre's Australian Museum of Performing Arts. artscentremelbourne.com.au

Shrek, the first movie to win a Best Animated Feature Oscar, is also a musical. Over the school holidays, venture to a faraway kingdom to see how everyone's favourite green ogre goes about rescuing a feisty princess. Underneath the shenanigans, the show reminds us all not to judge a book by its cover.

Where and when: Geelong Arts Centre, December 31-January 3; Arts Centre Melbourne, January 7-10; Frankston Arts Centre, January 12-14; Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo, January 16-17; Coliseum Theatre, Sydney, January 21-24.

Explore more: shrekmusical.com.au

BEFORE/AFTER THE SHOW: Geelong's Sailor's Rest offers "little sailors" nutritious meal trays. sailorsrestgeelong.com.au

We love a bold reimagining. Those who have seen the transformation of Miles Franklin's classic 1901 novel into a powerhouse tale of a singer-songwriter forging her own path (the musical premiered in late 2024) have raved about the updated Sybylla Melvyn, who totally rocks.

Where and when: Southbank Theatre, Melbourne, January 23-February 28; Canberra Theatre, March 7-15; Roslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney, March 21-April 26; Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Wollongong, May 8-17.

Explore more: mybrilliantcareermusical.com

BEFORE/AFTER THE SHOW: In Canberra, head to Bar Beirut for mezze and martinis. barbeirut.com.au

Drawing on the 1997 animated film that was inspired by a real-life aristocrat, this story follows a young woman's journey as she travels from Imperialist Russia to 1920s Paris to pursue the truth about her past. The musical premiered in the US in 2016 but this is its Australian debut. Look out for star turns from Aussie stage royalty, Rhonda Burchmore and Nancye Hayes.

Where and when: Regent Theatre, Melbourne, until February 20; Crown Theatre, Perth, March 3-28; Sydney Lyric, April 7-June 21.

Explore more: anastasiathemusical.com.au

BEFORE/AFTER THE SHOW: Transport yourself to France at Perth's Bistro Guillaume. crownperth.com.au

Each autumn, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour returns with a different open-air spectacle that unfolds against a spectacular backdrop incorporating the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Anticipation for the 2026 production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera is such that, for the first, time the four-week season will be extended to five weeks.

Where and when: Sydney Harbour, March 27-May 3.

Explore more: opera.org.au

BEFORE THE SHOW: Make like the Phantom in the subterranean playground, complete with BBQs, sauna and laundry, installed at the Art Gallery of NSW. artgallery.nsw.gov.au

Prepare for dark subject matter mixed into this high-energy take on the cult 1989 high-school flick about peer pressure and bullying that starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater.

Where and when: Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne, from April 8; Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide, July 16-26, HOTA, Gold Coast, July 30-August 9; Canberra Theatre Centre, August 14-23; Coliseum Theatre, Sydney, August 26-29; Roslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney, September 1-19; Regal Theatre, Perth, September 30-October 11.

Explore more: heathersthemusical.com

BEFORE/AFTER THE SHOW: Round up the gal pals for HOTA high tea at 11am before a Sunday matinee. hota.com.au

See Sting perform this personal story about his English hometown of Wallsend, where he resisted following in his father's footsteps and working at the shipyard. The show, revised since its 2014 US premiere, is the first international production for the new 1500-seat Glasshouse Theatre.

Where and when: QPAC, Brisbane, April 9-May 3.

Explore more: qpac.com.au

BEFORE/AFTER THE SHOW: Ponder the Brisbane River's shipbuilding history from W Hotel's vibey Wet Deck. wbrisbanedining.com

Are you desperate for Disney's much-loved The Lion King to return to a Down Under stage? Hakuna matata (no worries)! It's been a decade but the herd of puppets (there are 232 rod, shadow and full-sized puppets) and their human co-stars will primp and prance back on stage in 2026. See why more than 120 million theatregoers worldwide have flocked.

Where and when: Capitol Theatre, Sydney, April 18-August 9.

Explore more: thelionkingmusical.com.au

BEFORE/AFTER THE SHOW: Tuck into steak slathered in biltong butter at African Queen on Castlereagh Street. themeatandwineco.com

Eddie Perfect has turned Tim Burton's beloved 1988 gothic film into a frenetic stage production centred on the antics of the mischievous but charismatic demon, and a teenager who can communicate with the dead. His musical had mixed reviews when it premiered in the US in 2018 but fans thronged; by the time it opened in Perfect's home town of Melbourne in 2025, critics had embraced the chaotic vibe, quirky set, dazzling effects and puppetry.

Where and when: QPAC, Brisbane, from June.

Explore more: beetlejuicethemusical.com.au

BEFORE/AFTER THE SHOW: Wander mural-lined Fish Lane to find an eatery or bar to match the mood. explorefishlane.com.au

Such is the popularity of this jaunty musical about the six wives of Henry VIII that fans now refer to themselves as "the Queendom". Squeal, queens, because your favourite twist on Tudor history is making a regal return.

Learn more about the troubadour in this show, structured around a series of therapy sessions. The musical made more than $US63 million ($95 million) during its 18-month run on Broadway; now it's headed to Australia for the first time.

Where and when: Princess Theatre, Melbourne, August 5-September 13.

Explore more: theneildiamondmusical.com.au

BEFORE/AFTER THE SHOW: Embrace the therapeutic goodness of prawn toast and lobster rolls at Supernormal. supernormal.net.au

Adrienne Shelly never lived to see the indie film she wrote and directed, Waitress, accepted into the Sundance film festival because, in 2006, she was murdered by a stranger. Her heartwarming film, starring Keri Russell as a small-town waitress whose baking skills change the course of her life, went on to premiere as a Broadway musical in 2016; it's now making its Sydney debut.

Where and when: Sydney Lyric, from August.

Explore more: waitressthemusical.com.au

MID-SHOW: Duck out to nearby Gelato Messina for a quick ice-cream - no waitress required. gelatomessina.com

To mark the 70th anniversary of this "loverly" musical's Broadway debut, Opera Australia is staging an encore performance of the Julie Andrews-directed 2016 production. Andrews was catapulted to fame when, at just 20, she originated the role of the endearing Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle.

Where and when: Sydney Opera House, September 12-October 11.

Explore more: myfairladythemusical.com.au

BEFORE/AFTER THE SHOW: Become the ultimate sophisticate - order salade crab royal at Circular Quay's Whalebridge. whalebridge.com.au

Before John Farnham released Whispering Jack in 1986, the former teen pop idol's career was in the doldrums. This biographical show, which is making its world premiere, details the making - in an outer Melbourne suburban garage - of what would become the highest-selling album in Australia by an Australian artist (going platinum 24 times over). There's extra poignancy, of course, in knowing that Farnham's recent cancer treatment has impacted his ability to sing.

Where and when: Roslyn Packer Theatre, November 15-December 20.

Explore more: sydneytheatre.com.au

BEFORE/AFTER THE SHOW: Slurp a martini, poured tableside, at revamped lobby bar Folio. foliobar.com.au