Culture hounds have plenty to do in California’s third-largest city. Downtown, the Center for the Performing Arts serves as one of the region's premier venues for theater, music, dance, and live entertainment. But it’s not the only game in town; a number of other venues, all of them historic in their own right, also draw performers from all over the country.
Center for Performing Arts
Opened in 1972, the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts has long served as one of Silicon Valley's most prestigious cultural venues. The striking theater was designed by the renowned modernist firm Taliesin Associated Architects, founded by Frank Lloyd Wright's apprentices, and is instantly recognizable for its soaring white exterior, geometric forms, and dramatic fountain-lined entrance. Inside, the 2,600-seat venue hosts a wide range of performances, from Broadway blockbusters and touring musicals to concerts, comedy shows, dance productions, and family entertainment.
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Who Performs at the Center for Performing Arts?
The center serves as a primary home for Broadway San Jose, which brings major touring productions such as Hamilton, The Lion King, Wicked, MJ the Musical, and other Tony Award-winning shows to the South Bay. It is also regularly used by Opera San Jose, Symphony San Jose special events, and a variety of local arts organizations.
Over the years, the stage has welcomed everyone from acclaimed musicians and comedians to international dance companies and cultural festivals. Located in the heart of downtown near Plaza de César Chávez, the venue remains a cornerstone of San Jose's arts scene, drawing audiences from across Northern California for performances that might otherwise require a trip to San Francisco.
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San Jose Civic
Big names are often the draw at the handsome City National Civic. The Who kicked off their first headlining U.S. tour here in 1968, and other big stars, including Barbra Streisand, The Rolling Stones, and Frank Sinatra have all performed in this beautiful space, which debuted a multimillion-dollar renovation in 2012 and has a standing capacity of 3,322.
Today, the San Jose Civic remains one of Northern California's busiest live-entertainment venues, hosting a diverse lineup that ranges from big-name musicians and comedians to sports competitions, cultural performances, and touring productions. Originally built in 1936 as part of a New Deal–era civic center project, the venue's history and Art Deco–inspired architecture makes it stand out among other venues.
California Theatre
The 1927 California Theatre, originally a grand movie palace, creates a lavish backdrop for performances by Symphony Silicon Valley and Opera San Jose, presenting classical works and chorale events. Even if you don’t step inside the beautiful theater, take special notice of the marquee out front. It’s decorated with a motif of California poppies, based on historic drawings and photographs, and meticulously recreates the look, size, and detail of the theater’s original sign.
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Montgomery Theater
For plays and musicals performed by local companies, check the schedule at the 1936 Montgomery Theater, an elegant venue that has been a part of San Jose's performing arts scene for generations. Attached to the San Jose Civic, the roughly 500-seat theater offers a more personal experience, allowing audiences to sit close to the action.
The Montgomery is best known as the longtime home of Children's Musical Theater San Jose (CMT San Jose), one of the nation's largest and oldest youth musical-theater organizations. Over the years, the theater has also hosted dance performances, concerts, lectures, and cultural events. Built during the same era as the neighboring Civic, recent restoration work has preserved architectural details, helping the Montgomery maintain its old-world charm.
