“Dineu cu proști” at the National Theatre, “Oedip” at Bulandra, two premieres at Nottara and a children’s festival at Ion Creangă: October brings performances to Bucharest for date nights, evenings with friends and family outings. The capital’s stages host comedy, musicals, contemporary drama and childhood stories.

Below is a selection of productions at seven theatres, with descriptions, dates, times, addresses and contact details. It includes performances at the beginning of the month and options for the final weekends. Information was checked on 30 September 2026; schedules and ticket availability may change.

October’s theatre programme at a glance

The month begins with premieres and productions that already have several performances scheduled. For families with young children, 8–11 October is a period to watch: the Ion Creangă Theatre hosts the International Theatre Festival for Children.

The table below provides a few highlights. The following sections include additional dates, alongside information about the productions and their venues.

Theatre for adults: from comedy to musicals

An evening at the theatre can begin with choosing a story. At Bulandra, a divorce puts a friendship to the test. At Nottara, a writer navigates real and imagined relationships, while at Excelsior, Jane Austen’s characters enter a musical featuring karaoke.

The programmes also include productions suitable for teenagers. Age recommendations vary from one show to another, so check the production’s page before buying tickets.

At TNB, comedies and encounters with Chekhov and Caragiale

The National Theatre offers several opportunities to see “Dineu cu proști” in October, including towards the end of the month. The programme also features “Livada de vișini” (The Cherry Orchard), “Cursa de șoareci” (The Mousetrap) and “O scrisoare pierdută” (A Lost Letter), staged in the Studio and Ion Caramitru auditoriums.

For those interested in a musical format, “Mai e vreun candidat?” brings together Caragiale’s world and Ada Milea’s music. The concert-performance takes place in the Pictura auditorium, with two performances scheduled for 24 October: one in the afternoon and another in the evening.

Programme highlights:

• Livada de vișini: 1 and 4 October, 19:00 — Studio auditorium;

• Cursa de șoareci: 4 and 30 October, 19:00 — Ion Caramitru auditorium;

• Dineu cu proști: 10, 11, 14, 27 and 31 October, 19:00 — Ion Caramitru auditorium;

• Mai e vreun candidat?: 9 October, 19:00; 24 October, 15:00 and 19:00 — Pictura auditorium;

• O scrisoare pierdută: 28 October, 19:00 — Ion Caramitru auditorium.

Address: 2 Nicolae Bălcescu Boulevard.
Tickets and information: 021 314 71 71; organizare.spectacole@tnb.ro; TNB website.

Bulandra: “Oedip” and “Cina cu prieteni”, two stories about difficult truths

In “Oedip”, Andrei Șerban brings the ancient tragedy into a contemporary setting. The central character is a politician awaiting election results while his past and family secrets threaten everything he believes to be true. The production is based on Robert Icke’s adaptation of Sophocles.

“Cina cu prieteni” (Dinner with Friends), directed by Cristi Juncu, turns its attention to the lives of two couples. A divorce shifts the balance between the four characters, raising questions about loyalty, intimacy and what we believe we know about other people. The production is intended for audiences over 16.

Performances:

• Oedip: 2 and 3 October, 19:00; 4 October, 12:00 — Toma Caragiu auditorium;

• Cina cu prieteni: 4 and 11 October, 19:00 — Liviu Ciulei auditorium.

The 3 and 4 October performances of “Oedip” were listed as sold out on BLT at the time of checking.

Addresses: Toma Caragiu auditorium — 76A Jean-Louis Calderon Street; Liviu Ciulei auditorium — 1 Schitu Măgureanu Boulevard.
Contact: 0735 835 681 and 0735 835 675, respectively; reservations — 0372 113 715; office@bulandra.ro. Information is available on the Bulandra website.

Read also: Exhibitions and installations in Bucharest in October 2026: opening hours, addresses and ticket prices

Odeon: “Macbeth”, “Pescărușul” and “Titanic vals” in the first part of the month

At Odeon, the first days of October bring together different playwrights and directorial approaches. Tudor Mușatescu’s “Titanic vals” is directed by Alexandru Dabija, Chekhov’s “Pescărușul” (The Seagull) by Andrei and Andreea Grosu, and “Macbeth” by Silvia Costa.

“Soldatul de ciocolată”, by Bernard Shaw and directed by Andrei Șerban, completes the selection. The theatre publishes ticket prices by seating category for these productions, allowing audiences to choose according to their budget.

Schedule and prices:

• Titanic vals: 1 October, 19:00 — Majestic auditorium; 40–80 lei;

• Pescărușul: 2 October, 19:30 — Studio auditorium; 30–60 lei;

• Macbeth: 3 October, 19:00, and 4 October, 20:00 — Majestic auditorium; 50–100 lei;

• Soldatul de ciocolată: 9 October, 19:00 — Majestic auditorium; 40–80 lei;

• Trei generații: 10 October, 19:00 — Majestic auditorium; 40–80 lei.

Address: 40–42 Calea Victoriei.
Box office: 0738 823 583; bileteonline@teatrul-odeon.ro. The full programme is available on the Odeon website.

Nottara opens October with “Jake și femeile lui”

“Jake și femeile lui” (Jake’s Women), by Neil Simon and directed by Vlad Zamfirescu, premieres on 1 October. At the centre of the story is a writer whose relationships unfold both in everyday life and in his imagination. His encounters with the women who have shaped his life form a comedy about love and the difficulties of living together.

The month’s other premiere is Peter Shaffer’s “Amadeus”, directed by Vlad Cristache. The rivalry between Mozart and Salieri comes to the Horia Lovinescu stage, although the preview and premiere are already marked as sold out. For another date, you can browse the theatre’s repertoire.

Selected performances, all in the Horia Lovinescu auditorium:

• Jake și femeile lui: 1 October, 19:00 — premiere; 16 October, 19:00;

• Jaful: 2 October, 19:00;

• Zbor deasupra unui cuib de cuci: 3 October, 18:30;

• Amadeus: 10 and 11 October, 18:30 — sold out;

• Bădăranii: 30 October, 19:00.

Address: 20 Gheorghe Magheru Boulevard.
Box office: 021 317 41 01; bilete@nottara.ro. Details are available on the Nottara website.

Excelsior: Jane Austen with music and a discussion with the author of “Dark Play”

At Excelsior, “Mândrie și prejudecată (un fel de)” — Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) — retells Jane Austen’s story from the servants’ perspective. Five actresses play the characters, weaving musical numbers and karaoke into the novel’s storyline. The production is recommended for ages 14+ and runs for two and a half hours, including an interval.

Another early-month highlight is “Dark Play”, directed by Radu Apostol, which explores young people’s experiences online. Playwright Carlos Murillo will attend the 2 October performance, followed by a discussion with the audience.

Programme at the Ion Lucian auditorium:

• Marile speranțe: 1 October, 19:00 — sold out;

• Dark Play: 2 October, 19:00;

• Mândrie și prejudecată (un fel de): 3 and 4 October, 19:00.

Address: 28 Academiei Street.
Box office: 021 315 97 36; contact@teatrul-excelsior.ro. Tickets are available through the Excelsior website. The theatre does not accept telephone reservations.

Theatre for children in Bucharest

For a family outing, this month’s programme offers a choice between morning performances and shows starting at 18:00. Ion Creangă publishes clear age recommendations, including for productions designed for babies.

At Țăndărică, several titles have two performances on the same weekend day. If you are taking a young child, check the running time and recommended age for the particular production, even if they already know the story.

Ion Creangă: a festival for young children, followed by “Pinocchio” and “Amintiri din copilărie”

The International Theatre Festival for Children takes place from 8 to 11 October in the Main Auditorium. Its programme caters to very different age groups: “Povestea Regelui Lear” is recommended for children aged six and above, “Baby Esferic” is aimed at ages 0–6, and “Micuțele Lumi” is designed for children up to two years old.

After the festival, the programme continues with familiar stories, from “Motanul încălțat” (Puss in Boots) and “Pinocchio” to “Albă ca zăpada” (Snow White). For parents, the age recommendation is a useful guide: the month’s productions are not all intended for the same audience.

Selected shows:

• Punguța cu doi bani: 2 October, 18:00 — ages 3–6;

• Povestea Regelui Lear: 8 October, 10:00 and 18:00 — ages 6+;

• Baby Esferic: 9 October, 18:00; 10 October, 11:00 — ages 0–6;

• Micuțele Lumi: 10 October, 18:00; 11 October, 11:00 — ages 0–2;

• Motanul încălțat: 18 October, 11:00 — ages 5+;

• Pinocchio: 23 October, 18:00 — ages 6+;

• Amintiri din copilărie: 29 October, 18:00 — ages 6+;

• Albă ca zăpada: 31 October, 11:00 — ages 4+.

Venue: Main Auditorium, 13 Piața Amzei Street.
Tickets: 35–45 lei at the box office for regular repertoire performances; the pricing schedule for festivals and premieres lists tickets at 55–65 lei. Online prices differ.
Contact: 0767 934 374; contact@teatrulioncreanga.ro. Programme and tickets are available on the Ion Creangă Theatre website.

Țăndărică: stories for weekend mornings

At the Țăndărică Theatre, “Punguța cu doi bani” follows Creangă’s story while introducing characters that highlight the rooster’s resourcefulness. It is one of the options for the first weekend in October, alongside “Motanul încălțat”; “Mica sirenă” (The Little Mermaid) is scheduled for Friday evening.

The following weekends bring “Cartea junglei” (The Jungle Book), “Capra cu trei iezi” (The Goat and Her Three Kids) and “Muzicanții din Bremen” (The Town Musicians of Bremen). Several shows are scheduled at both 10:00 and 12:00, allowing you to choose the time that best suits your family’s routine.

Selected programme:

• Mica sirenă: 2 October, 18:00;

• Motanul încălțat: 3 October, 10:00 and 12:00;

• Punguța cu doi bani: 4 October, 10:00 and 12:00;

• Cartea junglei: 10 October, 10:00 and 12:00;

• Capra cu trei iezi: 11 October, 10:00 and 12:00;

• Frumoasa și bestia: 16 October, 18:00;

• Muzicanții din Bremen: 17 October, 10:00 and 12:00;

• Rățușca cea urâtă: 25 October, 10:00 and 12:00.

Venue: Lahovari auditorium, 24 General Eremia Grigorescu Street.
Box office: 021 315 23 77; contact@teatrultandarica.ro. Check the Țăndărică website for the schedule and price of each performance. Every audience member, including children, needs a ticket.

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How to choose a show for your next outing

If you are looking for comedy, start with “Dineu cu proști”, “Titanic vals” or “Jake și femeile lui”. For music and a fresh interpretation of a familiar novel, “Mândrie și prejudecată (un fel de)” offers another direction. “Oedip” and “Cina cu prieteni” centre on family conflicts, with different stakes and theatrical approaches.

For children, the recommended age and performance time are the first things to consider. Before paying, check the auditorium, date and total ticket cost for your family. The selection above does not cover the theatres’ full programmes, and a scheduled performance may already be sold out.