Santa Barbara theaters stand out for their historical architecture, intimate settings and vibrant cultural programming. From restored 1920s landmarks to modern black-box venues, theaters in Santa Barbara showcase everything from classic drama and ballet to cutting-edge performances and film festivals. Whether you’re visiting a grand theater downtown or a small stage tucked into the ARTS District, Santa Barbara’s love of the performing arts is on full display.
Grand Historical Theaters
Elegant theaters built in the early 20th century remain central to Santa Barbara’s cultural scene. These venues, often featuring Spanish Colonial Revival designs and ornate interiors, offer formal seating, grand stages and exceptional acoustics. Plan your trip around full-scale symphony performances, ballet productions, touring Broadway shows and film screenings. View all Santa Barbara venues.
Contemporary & Adaptive Spaces
Santa Barbara’s contemporary and black-box theaters often offer a more intimate setting for live performances. Many feature minimalist design, movable seating and smaller stages that bring audiences close to the action. These venues host contemporary drama, experimental dance, new music performances and independent productions, creating a space where emerging artists and innovative works take center stage.
Established in 1994 by Founding Director Rodney Gustafson, State Street Ballet embodies artistic excellence, drawing exceptional dancers from around the globe to create captivating performances that push the boundaries of traditional ballet. Under…
A local landmark for more than a century, The Granada Theatre is the central coast’s premier performing arts venue. Located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, the theater is home to the Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts…
The Santa Barbara Symphony delivers artistic excellence, outstanding music education stewardship and programming, and community collaboration - all through symphonic music. Under the artistic leadership of Maestro Nir Kabaretti as Music &…
Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC), a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), is Santa Barbara’s sole professional Equity theater company. ETC is committed to producing the highest professional quality theater in Santa Barbara,…
Welcome to Yellow Bird Music, the premier destination for enriching music education in Santa Barbara, California. Perfect for visitors and locals alike, our music studio offers a variety of engaging classes and private lessons tailored for children…
Nomad Tango is a non-profit founded to promote Tango music, dance and social gatherings (milongas) as a way to expand well-being and a sense of belonging. We believe that tango needs to be understood as an art form, and take its place among ballet,…
Join us for the 2026 Summer Music Festival & School June 14–August 8 The complete performance lineup for the Festival will be unveiled in early 2026. A Rich History of Music Education Since 1947, the Music Academy of the West has provided…
