2 Best Performing Arts Venues in Austin, Texas

Background Illustration for Performing Arts

Austin has of more than 250 live music venues and enough musicians to book out every night. Enjoy every a range of music genre—most clubs are packed into the downtown area, so it's easy to get around. The arts scene in Austin is buzzing. Enthusiast can find countless galleries on the east side and plenty of independent theater around town.

ACL Live at the Moody Theater

Downtown Fodor's Choice

Downtown's premier live entertainment venue, the 2,750-seat Moody Theater in the heart of the Second Street District plays host to some of the best chart-topping acts in the world, including Willie Nelson whose statue stands proudly at the front entrance. The amphitheater is also home to the Austin City Limits TV show, the longest running televised music series in American history. If you can snag tickets to a live taping, whether it's Kacey Musgraves or Black Pumas, don't miss the chance. Next door to the theater's main ticket office, there is a more intimate sister-space, ACL Live at 3Ten, that offers a different lineup in a much smaller surrounding.

Moody Center

University of Texas Area Fodor's Choice

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.