4 Best Performing Arts in Austin, Texas

The iconic PBS music show Austin City Limits is one of the city's treasures, and anyone can see it live. In true ACL fashion, live tapings for each season are still announced to the public at a moment's notice, and general admission is still free for those who wait in line for tickets. The theater also hosts an additional lineup of amazing musical acts throughout the year, independent of the television show's taping schedule. The 2,750-seat auditorium manages to maintain an intimate feel where every seat is a good seat.

The Circuit of the Americas racetrack doesn't just showcase a regular season of Formula One motor-racing—it's also home to this state-of-the-art live music amphitheater hosting a diverse range of big-name artists and bands as well as various festivals and special events throughout the year. Previously known as the Austin 360 Amphitheater, the Germania Insurance Amphitheater offers assigned seating with great stage views from any vantage point. The green parkland behind the assigned seating lets you bring your own picnic blanket to listen under the stars. There's a regular lineup of food trucks and plenty of full-service bars on-site.

Not only the performance space for the University of Texas at Austin's excellent orchestra, dance, drama, and lyric opera productions, this intimate, modern 400-seat proscenium theater also brings a wide range of professional musicians to the stage, including chamber music and solo recitals. In addition to classical music, you might catch a show, such as Jersey Boys or Annie, or recording artists, such as Stewart Copeland or John Mellencamp. The theater is located in the same building as Bass Concert Hall. 

A multipurpose arena and venue currently under construction, Moody Center is set to replace downtown's existing (42-year-old) Frank Erwin Center in April 2022. The state-of-the-art stadium will feature a staggering 530,000 square feet that will welcome performers from around the world, as well as athletes from the University of Texas's men's and women's basketball teams.