Top Theaters in Florida

Immerse yourself in the performing arts at some of Florida’s most historic theaters and venues. From community theaters to glamorous Broadway productions, get out to the Florida theaters and see a show while in town.

Located in the Florida Panhandle, the Dixie Theatre in downtown Apalachicola hosts movies and live productions of all genres since 1912. Its bright, bold marquis with red columns is iconic to this quaint fishing town. Over in Jacksonville, make sure you drop by the historic Florida Theatre, a landmark venue with red velvet and gilded accents. Built during the Mediterranean Revival building boom of the 1920s, this one-of-a-kind space brings live entertainment, plays, musicals, and comedy shows to Florida’s northeast coast.

Tampa's Straz Center for the Performing Arts is the cultural centerpiece of the west-central Florida coast. The center houses five individual theaters, on-site restaurants, rental facilities, and retail shops. Don't miss major Broadway performances in the Carol Morsani and Ferguson Halls or catch repertory shows at the Jaeb Theater. The Center is also home to the residential Opera Tampa and Jobsite Theater.

Broadway Palm Dinner Theater

Drawing over 170,000 annual guests, the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater, Broadway Palm Dinner Theater is located in Fort Myers on the southwest Florida Gulf Coast. Known as “southwest Florida’s Premier Dinner Thearter,” Broadway Palm has been in place for over 20 years.

The facility in comprised of a 450-seat dinner theatre, 100-seat "black-box" theatre, plus the 120-seat Café Cabaret and 30-seat Art Café. Managed by the Prather Entertainment Group, the theater is home to the Fort Myers Film Festival, Broadway Palm Children’s Theatre, and plenty of off-Broadway plays.

Titusville Playhouse

Opened in 1905, the Titusville Playhouse is a historic performance center located within the Historic Emma Parrish Theatre. Originally known as the Magnolia Theatre, the playhouse hosts a number of performances and Broadway productions.

The theater is cultural staple, located in Titusville in east central Florida, or the "Space Coast," as it's more commonly known. Apart from the long-list of excellent performances, Titusville Playhouse also features children's education programs throughout the year.

Straz Center for the Performing Arts

The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, located in downtown Tampa, is the cultural centerpiece of the west central Florida coast. The center houses five individual theaters, on-site restaurants, rental facilities, and retail shops.

Don't miss major Broadway performances in the Carol Morsani and Ferguson Halls or catch repertory shows at the Jaeb Theater. The Center is also home to the residential Opera Tampa and Jobsite Theater.

The Patel Conservatory also calls the Center home and offers fine arts classes and training for residents and guests of the Tampa fine arts community.

Hippodrome State Theatre

Founded in 1972, the Hippodrome State Theatre is found in the historic Federal Building in downtown Gainesville and was restored to its current facility. In 1981, it became a State Theatre of Florida. Over 100 American, Southeastern and World premieres have been produced by the theater since its opening.

Each year, more than 700 screenings take place in the theater as part of the Hippodrome Cinema Series. Spring and summer classes are also available for children and teens. Visit this historical Gainesville theater for a truly wonderful cultural experience.

Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

Hosting year-round performances, the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is located on-campus at the University of Florida in Gainesville in northern Florida. Enjoy a wide range of performances, events, and programs at the center – designed to educate and reach out to the community.

One way the center reaches out to the community is through the AIM Together program. This unique partnership of the University of Florida Performing Arts and the Shands Arts in Medicine allows world-class artists to perform in healthcare facilities.

Florida Theatre

Originally opened in 1927, the Florida Theatre is a historic movie theater set in Jacksonville. The Mediterranean Revival-style theater was named to National Register of Historic Places in 1983, given its historical significance as one of only four high-style theaters remaining in Florida.

A northeastern Florida staple, the theater has been known to feature live entertainment as well, including concerts, plays, and stand-up comedy. The Florida Theatre is one of six theatres to be named an official Jacksonville landmark.

Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts

Opened in 1997, the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts is a multi-purpose performance venue set in downtown Jacksonville in northeast Florida. More commonly known as Times Union Center, the venue is primarily home to the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.

The TUC features several venues set up for different events, including the Moran Theater, Jacoby Symphony Hall, and Terry Theater. The TUC has hosted large entertainment events since its opening, including names like Bruce Springsteen, Yo-Yo Ma, and Jay Leno.

Dixie Theatre

Originally opened in 1912, the Dixie Theatre bustled with audiences enjoying movies and live performances before being shuttered in 1967. An enterprising Virginia couple discovered the shuttered theatre in 1992, decaying right in the heart of downtown Apalachicola.

They decided to purchase and revamp the theatre – partially because they saw its potential, and partially because they had coincidentally named their daughter Dixie. The Dixie Theatre continues with production shows, with its main performance season running from January through March. But you never know what special Florida Panhandle events might be taking place there the rest of the year.

Venice Theatre

Founded in 1950, Venice Theatre is a non-profit community theater located on the southwest Florida Gulf Coast in the city of Venice. Originally the Venice Little Theatre Guild, Venice Theatre is known as Florida’s most-awarded community theatre.

Venice Theatre performers put on famed productions like Oklahoma, The Elephant Man, and plenty of tribute concerts. Venice Theater also features classes, camps, outreach programs, and plenty of volunteer opportunities.

Florida Repertory Theatre

The Florida Repertory Theatre, located in downtown Fort Myers, hosts top theatrical performances in the southwestern Gulf Coast. Visit and be entertained at this award-winning regional theatre venue.

With a season that runs from October through May, the company also offers theatrical education classes and programs.

Florida Studio Theatre

In operation since 1973, the Florida Studio Theatre is the region's primary community and contemporary theatre venue. The theater is conveniently located in Sarasota off the Gulf Coast of west-central Florida.

The theatre is compromised of several stages, including the Keating and Gompertz Theatres and Browne's Lab Theatre. Several programs are hosted each year, like the Mainstage Series' take on contemporary theatre and the Cabaret Series and its unique interpretations and improvisations.

Seminole Gulf Railway: Murder Mystery Train

Established in 1987, the Seminole Gulf Railway is known for its Seminole Gulf Railway – set on the southwest Florida Gulf Coast in Fort Myers. Shows include Caloosa Get Your Gun, I SPY a Murder, and Train of Deception.

The Murder Mystery experience departs Wednesday through Saturday at 6:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. on Sundays. Murder Mystery Dinner Trains include an interactive performance, five-course meal, and a historic train ridge.