New York City’s turn from summer to fall marks not just the changing of the weather, but also the start of a new Broadway season. Several buzzworthy plays will be taking their first bows in the month of September, including a brand-new adaptation of a comedy by Molière that’s straight out of the 17th century, a trip to Africa in the 1980s and the first-ever revival of a hot-button finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.
Meanwhile, major stars like Ariana Madix, Jennifer Simard and Todrick Hall will all make their return to the Broadway stage by month’s end in shows like Just In Time, Schmigadoon! and the brand-new Midnight.
Get tips on how to stay safe when buying Broadway tickets online with our handy guide, and as always, snag Broadway tickets via Ticketmaster.
Top Broadway Shows in September 2026
Paranormal Activity
Based on the popular supernatural horror film series of the same name, the new stage version of Paranormal Activity 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. Consider yourselves warned: jump scares and genuine horror will abound inside the August Wilson Theatre.
Buy tickets to Paranormal Activity.
Just In Time
Just In Time continues raring on all cylinders as Jeremy Jordan splish-splashes through the life, career and music of Bobby Darin. Meanwhile, Ariana Madix — who just earned her first-ever Emmy nomination as the host of Love Island USA — will join the party in the basement of Wicked starting September 12 as Connie Francis, the “Who’s Sorry Now” singer who was also the pop pioneer’s first real love.
Schmigadoon!
@schmigadooonit feels good to get this off our chest. @Jennifer Simard is mildred layton starting September 8th! ✝️ #jennifersimard #schmigadoon #musicaltheatre♬ original sound – SCHMIGADOON!
Welcome to the little town of Schmigadoon, where friends are all you’ll meet and music comes from… everywhere. The pitch-perfect adaptation of the cult-loved Apple TV+ series took home four Tony Awards back in June, including being named the Best Musical of the season. And keep up the “Vote For Layton” chants because, starting September 8, Jennifer Simard will take over the role of town busybody-turned-dirty political candidate Mildred Layton from outgoing Tony nominee Ana Gasteyer.
Shows Opening on Broadway and Off-Broadway in September 2026
School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play
Playwright Jocelyn Bioh’s buzzy stage play arrives on Broadway courtesy of the Manhattan Theater Club on September 8. Premiering at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, the production will transport audiences to a Ghanaian boarding school for girls circa 1986, when the surprise arrivals of a pageant recruiter and an American transfer student upend the school’s entire social hierarchy amid ruthless dreams of becoming the next Miss Ghana.
Buy tickets to School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play on Ticketmaster.
Midnight
@midnightthemusicalMeet the cast of “Midnight!” 🖤🤍🖤🤍♬ original sound – midnightthemusical
Following a successful run on London’s West End, Todrick Hall brings his brand-new musical to New York City with an Off-Broadway premiere at the Daryl Roth Theatre starting September 17. While the YouTube sensation has kept much of Midnight’s plot under wraps, he’s not only starring in the production; he’s also serving as director, choreographer, composer, lyricist and producer.
Buy tickets to Midnight on Ticketmaster.
The Imaginary Invalid
Hypochondria never goes out of style as Molière’s 17th century comédie-ballet receives a riotous new adaptation courtesy of the Roundabout Theatre Company. Adapted by Bill Irwin, the new iteration of The Imaginary Invalid will begin performances September 25 at the Todd Haimes Theatre featuring a top-tier cast including Brooks Ashmanskas, Dylan Baker, Rachel Bloom and more.
Buy tickets to The Imaginary Invalid on Ticketmaster.
Other Desert Cities
Nearly 15 years after the original production premiered, Other Desert Cities is being revived for the very first time on Broadway. Helmed by John Benjamin Hickey, the timely revival of Jon Robin Baitz’s political family drama — which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2012 — kicks off performances September 29 at the Hudson Theatre. The star-studded cast includes Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Ed Harris, Allison Janney, Lily Rabe and Joe Keery
Buy tickets to Other Desert Cities on Ticketmaster.
Shows Closing on Broadway in August 2026 (Last Call)
Titanique
Celine Dion’s heart may go on, but Titanique is setting sail for its final show on Broadway. The Tony-nominated gem — which started life as the next big thing Off-Broadway before eventually docking at its current home at the St. James Theatre — will play its final performance on September 20 after being extended from its previously announced closing date in mid-July.
In an exclusive interview with Ticketmaster about his Tony nomination for playing the Iceberg, Layton Williams reflected on the little parody musical’s long and unexpected road to becoming a can’t-miss gem on the Great White Way. “This show is like the Cinderella story of New York,” he said. “It’s been Off-Broadway, at the bottom of grocery stores… but it’s so nice to come here and see how people have received it in different ways and followed the show from, like, literally the basement to Broadway.”
Planning Your Broadway Visit in September 2026
If you’re looking for things to do in NYC or are planning a Broadway visit this September, here’s what else you need to know.
Which Broadway Shows Have Matinees in September 2026?
Every show on Broadway offers weekly matinees, though the day of the matinee tends to vary by show. Here are some ideas for shows with matinees in September 2026:
Paranormal Activity
- Matinee times: Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play
- Matinee times: Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m.
Titanique
- Matinee times: Saturdays at 3:00 p.m., Sundays 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 September 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. If you’re taking a kid to a first-time Broadway show, these choices are especially great. 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: Saturdays at 2:00 p.m., Sundays at 1:00 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 September?
Broadway fans coming to New York in September should consider booking popular weekend and matinee performances as soon as your travel dates are confirmed. September’s post-summer lull can mean better availability than during peak months, but it’s still always easier to plan ahead and get started early — particularly for productions that are closing (like Titanique), for shows with big celebrity names and/or that have limited engagements, and for groups seeking seats together.
Check each show’s Ticketmaster event page for current schedules, seat availability and displayed prices.
