9 Best Performing Arts Venues in Perth, Western Australia

With music, fireworks, indigenous performances, and world-famous artists, this energetic, big-name summer festival brings the city to life. The highly anticipated festival is held February and March in venues throughout the city, and its more highbrow shows are tempered with the raucousness of the Perth Fringe World Festival, which runs in January and February. While most shows for both festivals are ticketed, there are also plenty of free outdoor performances. PF is Australia's oldest and biggest annual arts festival, running for more than 50 years.

Perth’s first—and only—rooftop cinema opened after a summer trial run sold out night after night. It's now one of the city's anticipated seasonal venues (October through April). Crowning a seven-story car park, it shows mainstream blockbusters—with the odd cult or classic film thrown in for good measure—on a giant movie screen. It's the perfect date night, complete with a romantic sunset. There's booze, food, and candy bars, but self-packed picnic baskets are welcome. No BYO alcohol.

A starkly rectangular building overlooking the Swan River in the city center, the Perth Concert Hall stages regular plays, comedy acts, musicals, speakers, and recitals by the excellent West Australian Symphony Orchestra ( www.waso.com.au), as well as Australian and international performers. It's particularly busy during the Perth Festival. Adding to the appeal of the fine auditorium is the 3,000-pipe organ surrounded by a 160-person choir gallery.

This world-class ballet company has earned an international reputation for excellence due to its overall innovation and creativity. Its diverse repertoire includes new, full-length story ballets, cutting-edge contemporary dance, and classical and neoclassical ballets. Performances are held throughout Perth, including at His Majesty's Theatre, the atmospheric Quarry Amphitheatre, and the State Theatre Centre. They also offer adult ballet classes.

The West Australian Opera Company presents three seasons annually—generally in February, July, and October, though this may change each year—at His Majesty's Theatre. It also performs the free Opera in the Park in Perth's Supreme Court Gardens each February. Although it is a free event, you must register online for a ticket to present upon arrival. The company's repertoire includes classic opera and operettas.

This 2,300-seat venue has regular mainstream theatrical and musical productions from around the world—think Cats, Wicked, and The Lion King. Note that parking can be difficult on weekends.

For outdoor performances, the grass terraced Quarry Amphitheatre is a unique and popular venue, particularly during the Perth International Arts Festival and warmer months.

The 1930s-era Regal Theatre hosts local and visiting performances, ranging from comedy to musicals.

The flashy, gilded State Theatre Centre of Western Australia is home to the 575-seat Heath Ledger Theatre and Studio Underground, a flexible performance space. Outdoor events are held in the multipurpose Courtyard. The State Theatre Centre presents contemporary performing arts, both theater and dance, and is the home of the Perth Theatre Company and Black Swan State Theatre Company.