1679 Best Performing Arts Venues in USA

Known for its author readings and its comedy, with guests ranging from comedian Tina Fey to Nancy Pelosi, the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue has been named one of the most vibrant congregations in the nation. The intimate space, founded in 1852, hosts religious events as well. Tickets to performances are open to all.

April brings a monthlong celebration of these iconic flowers that bloom by the millions throughout Mount Vernon and La Conner.

Chamber music reigns during the monthlong Skaneateles Festival, which starts in early August. Pianist Jon Nakamatsu is among the many other acclaimed musicians who have been featured in the program. Performances, ranging from $12 to $30, are held in First Presbyterian Church and at the Brook Farm estate.

The 1894 Smith Opera House presents stage productions, concerts, and films. The exterior of the theater, built by Geneva philanthropist William Smith, is Richardson Romanesque. The interior was gutted in 1930 and spruced up into an elegant movie palace with art-deco and baroque details. Along with Radio City Music Hall, it's one of the few remaining atmospheric theaters still in use. Films are frequently shown, and the stage has hosted George M. Cohan, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, and other performers. Tours are given by appointment.

The Society of the Muse of the Southwest (aka SOMOS) is a nonprofit literary arts organization with frequent readings, performances, and workshops by writers, poets, and storytellers of regional and national significance. It's also home of the annual Taos Writers Conference and the Taos Storytelling Festival as well as a wonderful used bookshop.

Held over Labor Day weekend, this is a four-day event that draws approximately 20,000 spectators for an extraordinary display of canine skill. There are also bagpipers, culinary treats, and entertainment for wee ones.

Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts presents crowd-pleasing musicals like A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder and Million Dollar Quartet, as well as Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, and contemporary plays at this 700-seat outdoor amphitheater.

The Food Network and Cooking Channel's star-studded four-day weekend each February showcases the flavors and ingenuity of the country's top chefs and wine and spirits producers. Personalities like Anne Burrell, Guy Fieri, and Bobby Flay headline brunches, cocktail hours, dinners, and seminars—and of course, the coveted large-scale tasting events across Miami Beach. The festival attracts more than 60,000 attendees annually. To avoid disappointment, book your choice events far in advance.

Key West native and nationally recognized conductor Sebrina María Alfonso directs the South Florida Symphony Orchestra (formerly the Key West Symphony Orchestra). This traveling group of symphonic musicians is based in Fort Lauderdale and performs at the Glynn R. Archer Center for the Performing Arts while in Key West.

This stylish, 400-seat showroom is a throwback to old Vegas with its coziness and tables-and-booth seating. Visitors are likely to be surrounded by locals for name comedians, tribute acts, or veteran musical acts, typical of those that play tribal casinos elsewhere in the country.

Acts like Dave Mason, Les Claypool, and Sheila E. play Harrah's big showroom, along with the psychedelic Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular show and comedians like Rob Schneider.

One of Charleston's biggest annual events, this celebration of the region's flora and fauna takes place in mid-February, offering fine art by renowned wildlife artists, bird of prey demonstrations, dog competitions, an oyster roast, and a gala. Spread across three days, the expo generally attracts more than 500 artists and 40,000 participants to various venues around the city.

On Labor Day weekend, hundreds of thousands of members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies parade through the Quarter. What began as a small party among friends has evolved into one of the south's biggest gay celebrations. The parade rolls—and as the day wears on, staggers—along on Sunday, but Decadence parties and events begin Thursday evening and stretch throughout the weekend.

The town of Plaisance, on the outskirts of Opelousas, holds this event in a bean field on the Saturday before Labor Day. A parade, accordion contest, and zydeco breakfast are all part of the festivities.

Space Gallery sparkles as a contemporary art gallery and alternative arts venue, opening its doors to everything from poetry readings and art fairs to live music to documentary films.

Internationally renowned musicians perform everything from chamber music to jazz at this gleaming, modern, acoustically magnificent performance center 15 miles south of Atlanta. The hall is considered one of the country's finest concert venues.

Parades and other events honor the flower that gives Spokane the moniker "Lilac City."

Classical and pops concerts are presented from September through May in the historic Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, plus special events such as the Nutcracker Ballet and free outdoor concerts at city parks in summer.

Spotlighters Theater is a true community theater, staging locally produced (and cast) works that include original productions, Shakespeare, and musicals; there's one production a month, with performances on weekends.

Since its opening in 1871, this National Historic Landmark has been known as one of the finest opera houses in the South. In its heyday, its stage boasted legends such as Lillie Langtry and Will Rogers. Today the theater hosts musicals, dramas, and regional talent. It's also the official state theater of Georgia. Tours are regularly offered on Wednesdays and by special arrangement.

Part of the Spruce Peak complex, this state-of-the-art space hosts theater, music, comedy, and dance performances.

This historic space with colorful murals inside the Museum of Fine Arts is a top venue for many cultural events such as theatrical productions and concerts.

Artisan booths, food, children's activities, and entertainment (including cowboy poets) are all part of this Town Square festival held Friday and Saturday before Easter. Note that this is not a pet-friendly event.

Built for vaudeville in 1928, this classic theater is still going strong nearly a century later, with a mix of classic movie screenings, stand-up comedy, educational theater performances for kids and teens, and music concerts catering to the Gen X and older crowd—or anyone who enjoys '70s soul, '80s yacht rock, and the likes of Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, or Beatles cover bands. Without a performance, the building's interior design still dazzles; the theater is a mix of Spanish and Italian baroque styles, with paintings and murals throughout, as well as tiled fountains.

A couple of big parades roll on the weekend closest to March 17: one starts at Molly's at the Market and winds through the French Quarter; the other, in the Irish Channel, goes down Magazine Street and turns the area around neighborhood bars like Parasol's and Tracey's into one big, green block party. Then, on March 19, the town celebrates St. Joseph's Day with home-cooked food and goodie bags filled with cookies and lucky fava beans. Check the NOLA tourism website for announcements of beautiful, food-centric altars you can visit.

The St. Patrick's Day Parade turns the city on its head: the Chicago River is dyed green, shamrocks decorate the street, and the center stripe of Dearborn Street is painted the color of the Irish from Wacker Drive to Van Buren Street. This is your chance to get your fill of bagpipes and green beer. It's more than four hours long, so you probably won't see the whole thing. 

Live music concerts, plays, lecture series and free movies are presented at this restored Vaudeville-era theater, built in 1926 and revived in 2001. Orchestra and balcony seating are available in the main theater; the smaller Marquee room has 26 tables for four, ideal for more intimate events. Bar service is available, and there are a number of good dining choices within walking distance of the downtown Woonsocket theater.