Tacoma Theater District
Theater and performing arts are alive and well in Tacoma’s Theater District.
World-class artists perform year-round at three Tacoma theaters: Pantages, Rialto, and Theatre on the Square. The theaters are home to eight resident arts organizations offering a variety of year-round entertainment. Each year, the theaters play host to ballets, symphonies, live comedy, musicals, concert bands, popular music, and other special events.
Pantages Theater
The Pantages Theater opened in January 1918 and lovingly restored in 2018, and is often regarded as the most beautiful in the chain of Pantages’. Today it is the oldest of the Pantages Theaters still in operation. Attend live productions, concerts and symphonies, ballet and more at the historic theater.
Rialto Theater
Hailed as "the ultimate photoplay house," the Beaux-Arts style Rialto opened in September 1918. Tacoma’s Rialto was part of a national movie house chain with ornate plaster decoration, including replicas of cupids and patriotic eagles that are still there today. Attend regular concerts by Northwest Sinfonietta, Symphony Tacoma, Tacoma Youth Symphony, and other artists.
Theater on the Square
The newest of Tacoma theaters, Theatre on the Square opened in October 1993. The 302-seat theater and rehearsal hall sit adjacent to the Pantages. Theatre on the Square has full production capabilities offing a variety of shows each season. Catch films, entertainers, puppet shows, and other performances.