The Oregon Shakespeare Festival calendar governs Ashland's tourism seasons. The festival runs late February through October, with the largest number of productions running from June through September. Summer weekends see the most visitors and the best weather for outdoor performances at the Elizabethan Theatre. Book accommodation well in advance for July and August.
Spring (April–May) is a fine time to visit: the festival is in full swing, Lithia Park is beautiful with blossoming trees and swollen creek, and prices and crowds are lower than midsummer. Autumn (September–October) is even better for those who can manage it — warm days, cool nights, fall colour in the park, and the final weeks of the theatre season with its best-reviewed productions.
Winter is quiet. Most of Ashland closes down or slackens considerably after the festival ends in late October. The exception is Mount Ashland, which opens for skiing from December through April, drawing a smaller off-season crowd.
Rainfall comes mostly in winter; summers are reliably dry and warm, occasionally hot.