Eugene O'Neill Festival

The Annual Eugene O'Neill Festival

The Eugene O'Neill Festival is an annual event held each September that brings the works of America's only Nobel Prize-winning playwright to life in the historic setting of his home at the Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site. Each year, the festival features performances of O'Neill's plays, often complemented by related workshops, discussions, and other cultural events.

2025 Festival: The Hairy Ape

September 5th - 7th/11th-14th (Tours of Tao House are not offered on performance days.)

Robert “Yank” Smith is the master of all he surveys until an encounter with a mysterious woman in white turns his world upside down. The experience sends him on a quest to find her and ultimately find where he belongs. Eugene O’Neill’s 1922 theatrical fantasy will be brought to life by a dynamic ensemble of six actors in a highly imaginative production of this O’Neill classic.

While the festival plays are hosted at the park, all ticketing details are managed by the Eugene O'Neill Foundation. To purchase tickets, visitors should consult the Eugene O'Neill Foundation's website. This ensures that attendees have the most up-to-date information for planning their visit to the festival.

 

2024 performance of O'Neill's "Mourning Becomes Electra"

 

The Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House

Founded in 1974 with the primary goal of preserving Eugene O’Neill’s former residence in Danville, California. This historic site, known as Tao House, is where O’Neill wrote some of his most significant works, including Long Day’s Journey Into Night and The Iceman Cometh. The Foundation’s mission extends beyond preservation; it aims to promote O’Neill's legacy as America’s first great playwright by offering a range of educational, artistic, and research programs. These initiatives include annual events like the Eugene O’Neill Festival, artist residencies, student workshops, and scholarly research opportunities, all designed to engage the public with O’Neill’s contributions to American theater and culture.

For more information about the Foundation's programs and activities, you can visit the Eugene O'Neill Foundation's website.