A historic Worcester theatre certified as an Autism Welcoming Business, with a quiet area for anyone who needs a break from the show, ear plugs always at the concierge desk, and early entry for patrons with ADA needs.
Sensory supports. Quiet area, ear plugs at the concierge desk, Autism Welcoming.
Hours
Show dates and times are on each event page. Box office: Monday to Saturday, 12 pm to 6 pm; on Sunday performance days it opens at noon or two hours before curtain, whichever is earlier. Summer hours (Memorial Day to Labor Day) are Tuesday to Friday, 12 pm to 6 pm or until 30 minutes past curtain, and on weekend performance days from 2 hours before the performance until 30 minutes past curtain, unless noted.
“The Hanover Theatre is certified as an Autism Welcoming Business by Autism Alliance of MetroWest!”
“Accommodations of support will be provided, including a quiet area for individuals and caretakers that may need a break from the theatre experience. Please talk to our concierge desk for more info.”
“If you feel that a performance is too loud for you, ear plugs are always available at the concierge desk in the theatre lobby.”
At its Sensory-Friendly Performances, which are separate from regular shows, the theatre keeps the house lights on but dimmed for the whole show, lowers the volume and intensity of sounds, softens the most startling moments, and has a quiet area where staff and volunteers can help. It was developed with The Autism Alliance, The Arc of Opportunity, The Autism in Theatre Initiative and The Seven Hills Foundation.
The theatre's social narrative for its 2025 sensory-friendly A Christmas Carol says the theatre house has over 2,000 seats, and that if you don't see signs, an usher can help you find the Quiet Area nearest to you.
House managers and ushers are at every performance to check tickets, help you find your seats and answer questions; look for someone with a name tag.
The balcony, when the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ plays (its pipes are above the seating boxes, so it is slightly louder in the balcony than in the rear orchestra)not stated
A Christmas Carol (theatrical fog and haze, dynamic lighting and loud sound effects)not stated
Quieter, in the theatre's words
A quiet area for individuals and caretakers who need a break (ask at the concierge desk)quiet zone
Prices vary by show and are all-in, including fees; you save on handling fees by buying in person at the box office. A Christmas Carol (December 17 to 23, 2026, recommended 8+, approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes including intermission) runs $56 to $86; The Nutcracker (November 27 to 29, 2026, all ages, approximately 2 hours and 6 minutes including a 20-minute intermission) runs $52 to $79. Card to Culture: EBT, WIC and ConnectorCare cardholders pay $9 per ticket for many events, in person at the box office with the card, up to four tickets per family; call 877.571.7469 first to check availability. Groups of 10 or more may get a discount: Amy Osborn, 508.471.1763.
All tickets are non-refundable. Booking Protect ticket insurance, added only at the time of purchase, lets you apply for a full refund if someone in your party can't attend due to injury, illness, extreme weather and more; it covers extreme weather only when the government has issued a travel warning. Full package subscribers can exchange into another performance of the same show sooner than 48 hours before. The theatre does not cancel for inclement weather; it will do its best to exchange tickets to another performance of the same show, though one of its pages limits weather exchanges to subscriber and member tickets.
Every patron must have a valid ticket. Parents are discouraged from bringing children under five to performances which are not specifically oriented to children. Parents must remove any disruptive children from the theatre into the lobby, and no one may stand in the back or aisles.
Bring as little as you can. The FAQ lists as prohibited: outside food and beverages, backpacks, suitcases, briefcases, bags and purses larger than 14 x 7 x 14 inches, cameras and recording devices, electronic devices (cell phones are allowed, as are tablets for accessibility purposes), weapons, firearms, posters and banners, and pets (service animals are allowed). The Plan Your Visit page's list differs a little: it also bans lasers or distracting lights and noise-making devices, and allows no electronic devices other than a cell phone. Prohibited items are not held at the front of house. Food and drinks bought at the theatre's concessions may be brought into the seating areas at most performances.
If you arrive late, you may be asked to wait in the lobby until the show allows staff to seat you. For first aid, speak with the house manager or any usher. A family friendly, gender neutral restroom is on the second floor, on the Loge and Lower Balcony level.
An elevator reaches the lower and upper lobbies for orchestra and lower balcony seating; there is no elevator to the upper balcony. Spaces near the front of the orchestra are reserved for wheelchair users and their companions; tell the box office what you need when you buy. Parking next to the Federal Courthouse on Southbridge Street is reserved for vehicles with a disability placard or plate, and the Federal Plaza Garage (570 Main St) has several accessible spaces.
If you prepaid for parking with your tickets, park at the Federal Plaza Garage. During Worcester snow parking bans, if that garage is full, the next closest are the McGrath (Library) Lot and the Worcester Common Garage. Limited drop-off is on Main Street and the short road between Southbridge Street and Main Street. WRTA buses 7, 6, 29, 33 and 19 run down Main Street in front of the theatre.
Assistive listening devices (a hearing service) are lent with a driver's license as a deposit; ask at the concierge desk, the box office or an usher. Box office: 877.571.7469.
