2 Best Performing Arts Venues in Downtown with Sixth Street and Rainey Street, Austin

Housed in a restored downtown vaudeville house and movie palace on Congress Avenue, this gorgeous 1915 theater is a go-to favorite for local performance arts lovers of all shapes and sizes. Every year, the Paramount's calendar of events ranges widely, from live stand-up comedy specials and short film festival series to touring author Q&As and podcast tapings. The cool respite of their annual Summer Classic Film Series is beloved by all ages. It's also an important flagship venue for annual fests like SXSW and the Moontower Just For Laughs Comedy Festival.

Located in a state-of-the-art downtown center, Ballet Austin has risen in prominence since its founding in 1956 as the city's preeminent dance company. Part performance company and part dance academy, with classes available to the general public, Ballet Austin puts on a regular lineup of ballet productions at the Long Center throughout the year, including an extremely popular annual rendition of the classic The Nutcracker each holiday season. The performance season runs from September through May, and the downtown studio offers a diverse schedule of dance, Pilates, and other fitness classes throughout the year.