3 Best Performing Arts Venues in Central Austin and the University of Texas, Austin

The biggest musical acts in the world, from Bad Bunny to Madonna, and stadium stand-ups, like Gabriel Iglesias and Sebastian Maniscalco, come through this world-class 15,000-seat venue when visiting Austin. This impressive multipurpose arena replaced the nearly 50-year-old Frank Erwin Center in 2022 and is now the new home of the Texas Longhorns basketball teams. Home games are electric at this state-of-the-art facility, as are the diverse range of special acts hosted throughout the year, from WWE and monster truck jams to professional bull rider events.

The flagship theater of the Texas Performing Arts is the largest of its kind in Austin and attracts visitors from near and far for exclusive symphony, orchestra, choral, ensemble, and concert band performances. The 2,900-seat auditorium is world-class in every way. Also inside, the smaller, more intimate Bates Recital Hall features performances by both students and faculty of the University of Texas as well as professional visiting musicians.

This intimate, 400-seat proscenium theater is not only the performance space for UT's excellent orchestra, dance, drama, and lyric opera productions. It also brings a wide range of professional musicians to the stage, including chamber music and solo recitals. In addition to classical music, you can catch a show during the annual Summer Stock series, when headlining performers and Broadway musicals—such as Wicked and Annie—come to town. The theater is located in the same building as Bass Concert Hall.