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10 Best Performing Arts Theaters in Raleigh, NC (in 2024)

Exterior of Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, one of the best performing arts theaters in Raleigh
Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, one of the best performing arts theaters in Raleigh – Wileydoc / Shutterstock.com

If you want to see a show, the performing arts theaters in Raleigh are incredible. There are many great ones you can go to.

Raleigh has a lot to offer if you like entertainment. There are amazing live theater shows, dance shows, and concerts. Also, there are great seasonal shows such as shows during Christmas.

And some of the performing arts theaters also offer workshops and classes, so that makes them even more fun!

The theaters in the city have amazing interiors and exteriors making them even more interesting to visit.

Here are the best Raleigh performing arts theaters that you should definitely check out!

Best Performing Arts Theaters in Raleigh

Lincoln Theatre

Lincoln Theatre from the outside
Entrance of Lincoln Theatre – Wileydoc / Shutterstock.com

The Lincoln Theatre is a venue that you can find in Downtown Raleigh and it is a place where a lot of different events take place.

For example, you can go to this place to attend a concert with great live music. The genres of music that you can listen to here vary a lot, so there’s definitely a great concert that you can go to.

Also, what’s great is that you can listen to great local music at the Lincoln Theatre. So if you want to get to know the local music scene when you are in Raleigh, this is a great place for that.

What’s nice too is that this theater has a very intimate atmosphere. The Lincoln Theatre is also great if you’re looking for date ideas in Raleigh.

Address: 126 E Cabarrus St, Raleigh, NC 27601

North Raleigh Arts & Creative Theatre

You can go to the North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre, which is a nonprofit community theater that is based in Lead Mine Road in Raleigh.

You can go to this place for great live theater shows. There are lots of great shows throughout the year, and there are great seasonal ones as well. For example, during the holiday season, you can go to this theater to see great Christmas shows.

You should definitely check out one of the shows at this theater when you are in Raleigh. You can also buy a season ticket when you plan on going to many different shows throughout the year.

Furthermore, what’s nice is that the theater has a very cozy atmosphere. This also makes it one of the best performing arts theaters in Raleigh if you go on a date.

Also, it is possible to engage in classes at the theater if you want to acquire new creative skills.

Address: 7713 Lead Mine Rd # 51, Raleigh, NC 27615

Raleigh Little Theatre

The Raleigh Little Theatre is a lovely community theater that you can find in the city.

This is a very old theater that was founded more than 75 years ago in the year 1936 and throughout the years the theater created many great productions.

Every year, the theater produces about 10 productions that can be great to see. These productions come with great costumes and beautiful scenes that are designed in-house.

Also, what’s great is that lots of local actors perform at the theater. So if you want to discover the local theater scene of Raleigh, this is a great place to go to for that!

This theater is also great if you’re looking for things to do in Raleigh with kids, as there are family musicals at this theater.

Address: 301 Pogue St, Raleigh, NC 27607

Raleigh Memorial Auditorium

View of the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium and red bikes
Bikes in front of the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium – Wileydoc / Shutterstock.com

The Raleigh Memorial Auditorium is a venue that is part of the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts.

This is a beautiful venue that was built in the 1930s. The theater has both a beautiful interior and exterior.

You can see lots of different shows at this place. For example, you can go here for live music, live theater, ballet performances, dance shows, and much more. Going to a show at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium is also one of the most fun things to do at night in Raleigh.

It is the home of the North Carolina Symphony and the North Carolina Theatre, and it is possible to see hundreds of shows here every year by these organizations and other production companies.

There are a bit more than 2,000 seats at the theater and the theater has high-quality sound systems.

Also, you can go to this place during the holiday season to see special shows. For example, you can see a great show of The Nutcracker at this theater.

Address: 2 E South St, Raleigh, NC 27601

Meymandi Concert Hall

Want to see a great concert when you are in Raleigh? Then, you can go to the Meymandi Concert Hall.

This is the headquarters of the North Carolina Symphony in downtown Raleigh. You can find the concert hall at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts on East South Street.

The theater has room for about 1700 people, there are great acoustics, and very good concerts take place here. Furthermore, the venue itself has a beautiful design that makes the experience of going here even better.

Throughout the year, you can see many different concerts with a variety of music here.

Also, what’s great is that there are seasonal performances that take place here. For example, during the holiday season, you can attend concerts with Christmas music.

Address: 2 E South St, Raleigh, NC 27601

Joseph M. Bryan Jr. Amphitheater

The Joseph M. Bryan Jr. Amphitheater is a performing arts theater in Raleigh that you can find in Museum Park, and it is part of the North Carolina Museum of Art.

This is an outdoor theater where you can see great shows during the summer months.

The shows that you can see vary a lot in type, so there’s definitely a show that you’ll want to attend.

For example, there are film screenings of both newly released movies as well as classic movies. Furthermore, there are great outdoor concerts during summer and there are several other entertaining shows.

Also, you can combine going here with going to the North Carolina Museum of Art for an even better experience.

Address: 2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

University Theatre of the North Carolina State University

Exterior of the University Theatre of the North Carolina State University
Nature in front of the University Theatre of the North Carolina State University – Wileydoc / Shutterstock.com

The University Theatre of North Carolina State University is another great performing arts theater that you can find in Raleigh.

The University Theatre hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year.

For example, you can go here to see great plays that are of very high quality. Also, some of the plays that you can see at the theater are award-winning plays.

Besides that, there are many other things that you can do at the University Theatre. For example, there are special programs through which you can learn new creative skills.

For example, there are workshops that focus on writing plays.

Also, there is a fun program during which you’ll work together with other people to create a play of 10 minutes in 72 hours.

Address: 2241 Dunn Ave, Raleigh, NC 27606

Kennedy Theatre

The Kennedy Theatre is a lovely small theater that you can find at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts.

You can find the theater in downtown Raleigh and the theater has a capacity of 150.

Lots of different local groups perform at this place, and in the past great musicals took place at the Kenney Theatre.

Address: 2 E South St, Raleigh, NC 27601

Garner Performing Arts Center

The Garner Performing Arts Center is another lovely theater that you can find inside a former high school.

This is a theater with 471 seats in total and the theater has a very intimate atmosphere that adds to the experience.

You can find the theater in Downtown Garner.

At the theater, many different kinds of performances take place. For example, you can go here to see great live theater shows.

Furthermore, there are great concerts at the center as well making it one of the best Raleigh performing arts theaters if you like music.

What’s great is that many of the shows at this theater have very affordable tickets, which means that seeing a show here is possible for lots of people.

Address: 742 W Garner Rd, Garner, NC 27529

Fletcher Opera Theater

You should definitely go to the Fletcher Opera Theater when you are in Raleigh. You can find this theater at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts.

This is a theater with 600 seats in total and a great intimate atmosphere that makes it the ideal spot for seeing great performances.

Each seat in the theater is located less than 70 feet from the stage, which means that you have a great view from every seat.

You can see lots of different shows here.

For example, there are very good ballet performances that I’m sure you are going to love. These performances are done by the Carolina Ballet company.

Besides that, you can go here for other great opera and dance performances that I’m sure you are going to like! Seeing a performance here is also one of the best things to do in Raleigh.

Address: 2 E South St, Raleigh, NC 27601

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Raleigh Performing Arts Theaters Tips

You can base your decision on which of these Raleigh performing arts theaters to visit on several factors.

First of all, the theaters have different types of shows. For example, at some you can attend great concerts and some of the theaters have dance shows that are great. Your preferences will influence your choice of theater for sure.

Second, the architectural style of the theater can be a deciding factor for you. For example, you can consider going to a more modern theater or a historical one!

Performing Arts Theaters in Raleigh Map


This was my list of the best performing arts theaters in Raleigh. I hope you’ll have an amazing time seeing a show in the city!

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