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Whether you want to introduce your children to the performing arts or make date night plans for the grown-ups, we’ve got options for you! Check out our roundup of local performance venues, and find shows that fit your interests and budget.

Oregon Ballet Theatre’s 2015 production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker. Photo by James McGrew.

A note for 2023: Many local venues are experiencing budget shortfalls this year. Some have had to cancel shows, reduce offerings, cut staff, or cancel the season altogether. If you love our vibrant arts scene as much as we do, please consider spending your entertainment dollars there this year.

Think live performances are out of your price range? Thanks to the Regional Arts & Culture Council, anyone who receives food stamps through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and has the Oregon Trail Card can buy $5 tickets to many performances through the Arts for All program each year. Learn more and see participating venues here.

Don’t qualify for Arts for All, but still looking for a way to save? Consider splitting a season ticket package with friends. Season tickets are typically much more affordable than individual tickets, and if you split with friends, you’ll save even more. Tickets are also a great addition to your holiday gift wish lists. Another option is to buy “rush tickets,” usually sold close to performance time; check with box offices to learn more about their rush ticket policies. Certain venues also have discounted shows, such as pay-what-you-will nights at Portland Center Stage. Check event host websites or call the box office for details. Discounted tickets are often offered to students and seniors, and public libraries offer free cultural passes to many venues. Don’t forget to cash in your Multnomah County Library summer reading ticket prizes, too!

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Be sure to check COVID-19 safety policies before heading out, as some venues may require masking or proof of vaccination.

A note about ticket prices: Ticket price estimates below are based on available tickets at the time of this writing and are subject to change. We include a range here for planning purposes, but venue websites will have the latest information.

Children’s Performances

Photo courtesy Oregon Children’s Theatre

Oregon Children’s Theater

Oregon Children’s Theater‘s 2023-24 35th Anniversary Season: Goodnight Moon; The Lightning Thief; Young Professionals: Impulse 17!; Dino-Light, A Glow-in-the-Dark Adventure; Young Professionals: K of D; She Persisted: The Musical
Estimated Ticket Prices: Approximately $12-$42, three-show season pass $66-$84
Audience: On their website, OCT provides recommended ages for each performance, but all shows are kid-friendly. Some of the Young Professionals shows are for ages 13+.

Northwest Children’s Theater

Northwest Children’s Theater‘s 2023-24 Season: Northwest Children’s Theater has moved to Broadway! The Judy Kafoury Center for Youth Arts — The Judy — is the new home for all of your favorite productions from this creative team. Rather than publish a list of season offerings, there will always be something fun happening at the Judy. Whether you attend their Halloween Ball, watch a performance in the Ball Black Box, see Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on the Schnitzer Stage, or sign-a-long at the Family Cinema, you can count on having a great time.
Estimated Ticket Prices: $0-$35 for stage productions, $4 for cinema
Audience: All ages welcome!

Lovegood Performing Arts Company

Lovegood Performing Arts Company‘s 2023-24 Season: This season kicks off with The SpongeBob Musical! More details will be announced as the season progresses. This is a great opportunity to support the young actors at Lovegood.
Estimated Ticket Prices: $15-$20
Audience: All ages welcome!

Kindie Musicians and Children’s Performers

Check our Kids Calendar to find local performances featuring these fantastic artists:

Olive and Dingo: the People’s Clowns
Nikki Brown Clown
Aaron Nigel Smith
Red Yarn Productions
Mo Phillips
Kelli Welli
Mr. Ben Music
Tallulah’s Daddy
Hi Joe Kye
Triple Rainbow
Lori Henriques Music
Cat Doorman
The Alphabeticians
Pointed Man Band
Chuck Cheesman

See also:
New Moon Productions
Portland Puppet Museum Live Performances
Penny’s Puppet Productions
Dragon Theater

Plays, Musicals and Opera

Credit Deen van Meer 2017 at the Landmark Theatre, Courtesy of Broadway in Portland

Broadway in Portland

Broadway in Portland‘s 2023-24 Season: Les Misérables; Disney’s The Lion King; Beetlejuice; Annie; Girl From the North Country; Company
Estimated Ticket Prices: Individual tickets vary by show, seat and demand, but they are approximately $30-$150 before fees (some popular shows could be more). Season tickets typically sell out quickly (you may join the waitlist), but the season package is approximately $250-$700, depending on the seat. You may join their e-club to have early access to individual tickets while you wait for a season ticket spot or if you prefer to buy individual tickets.
Audience: Recommended ages for each show are listed on their website. Children under 2 will usually not be admitted.

Portland Opera

The Portland Opera’s 2023-24 Season: Portland Opera to Go: Cinderella; The Marriage of Figaro; Enchanted Woods: Shakespeare & Song; The Snowy Day; Puccini: In Concert.
Estimated Ticket Prices: Vary by demand and availability, but approximately $35-$288. Season ticket packages offer at least 20% off individual ticket price. In the past, two weeks before showtime $10 tickets are available with a student ID, or up to two $5 tickets with a valid Oregon Trail card.
Audience: Masks encouraged, but not required. Performances are generally recommended for ages 8+, as operas are very long. Check the content warnings for each production to decide if a particular opera is appropriate for your child.

Portland Center Stage at the Armory

Portland Center Stage at the Armory‘s 2023-24 Season: Hair; Liberace & Liza Holiday at the Mansion (A Tribute); Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really; What the Constitution Means to Me; Quixote Nuevo; Nassim; Coriolanus; Clyde’s
Estimated Ticket Prices: Approximately $25-$98 for individual tickets. Season tickets may be purchased in an Everything Series ($324.80-$572.80), a Main Stage Series ($250.40-$466.40), a 3-show package ($106.88+), 8 admission pass ($550), or — for ages 35 and under — an Armory Card 5-admission pass ($125) . PCS offers fantastic ticket specials, including pay-what-you-will nights.
Audience: Most shows are recommended for high school ages and up, but may also appeal to mature middle-schoolers.

Broadway Rose Theatre Company

Broadway Rose Theatre Company’s 2023-24 Season: Ain’t Misbehavin’; Home for the Holidays; The Double-Threat Trio; Sh-Boom! Life Could Be a Dream; The Spitfire Grill; Beautiful: The Carole King Musical; Always…Patsy Cline; Five Golden Rings
Estimated Ticket Prices: Vary by seating and availability, but typically range from $20-$52. Season tickets passes for 2023-24 are available in 4-, 5-, and 6-show packages.
Audience: Children under six are not admitted to their main stage shows, but children ages 6+ receive discounted admission. Typically, their youth theatre productions (not listed here) don’t have age restrictions and prices typically range from $10 for youth to $12 for adults, kids under 2 free.

Lakewood Center for the Arts

Lakewood Center for the Arts’ 2023-24 Season: Arsenic and Old Lace; Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn; A Tomb With a View; A Few Good Men; 9 to 5 The Musical
Estimated Ticket Prices: Approximately $20-$42, Season tickets 20% off individual price.
Audience: Recommendation varies by performance, see website.

Milagro

Milagro‘s 2023-24 Season: Worry Dolls; Las Adelitas; Huelga; Verónica Princesa; Borderline
Ticket Prices: Approximately $20-$27. Season passes range from $56-$102.
Audience: Varies by production. Contact the box office for more details.

Other Venues to Explore:

Ballet and Dance

Credit Blaine Truitt Covert, Courtesy The Portland Ballet

Oregon Ballet Theatre

Oregon Ballet Theatre‘s 2023-24 Season: Swan Lake; George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker; Peter Pan; Wooden Dimes; Made In Portland; Annual School Performance at the Newmark Theatre
Estimated Ticket Prices: Individual tickets start at $29. Season ticket packages come in three options: Family (save 50% on kids’ tickets); Repertory, and Choose Your Own.
Audience: The recommended family package includes Swan Lake; The Nutcracker; Peter Pan.

The Portland Ballet

The Portland Ballet’s 2023-24 Season: The Enchanted Toyshop; Spring Concert; Academy Showcase; Career Track Concert
Estimated Ticket Prices: Start at $15.
Audience: Their holiday production always runs the weekend after Thanksgiving, a perfect tradition to kick off the season. Shows are appropriate for the whole family. Spring show is TBD.

NW Dance Project

NW Dance Project‘s 20th Anniversary 2023-24 Season: Sharing Stories; New Stories — In Good Company; Secret Stories; Moving Stories
Estimated Ticket Prices: Approximately $29-$68, plus $6 service fee. Half-price student/senior rush tickets (as available, all seats) at theater box office beginning one hour before performance time. Arts for All tickets will be sold at the box office thirty minutes before each performance.
Audience: Shows are typically appropriate for the whole family.

Body Vox

Body Vox‘s 2023-24 Season: Season Sampler; JAG at Northwest Children’t Theatre; You Can’t Be Serious; Flights; Beautiful Everything; And Everybody Hertz; JAG with Metropolitan Youth Symphony; JAG Winter Showcase
Estimated Ticket Prices: Vary by show and seat, but approximately $14-$71.
Audience: Performances recommended for ages 8+.

White Bird

White Bird‘s 2023-24 Season: Ephrat Asherie Dance; LED; Music from the Sole; Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; Pilobolus; Camille A. Brown & Dancers; Abby Z and the New Utility; Black Grace; and Sydney Dance Company.
Estimated Ticket Prices: $12-$95
Audience: All family-appropriate, but probably most enjoyed by middle school and older.

Other venues to explore:

Aerial Performances:

Concerts

Photo courtesy Oregon Symphony

Oregon Symphony

Oregon Symphony‘s 2023-24 Season: The Music for Families Series includes Trills & Treasures; Musical Olympics; and Wands & Wizards. The Popcorn Package includes Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert; Toy Story in Concert; Jurassic Park in Concert; and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 in Concert. The Pops Series includes Troupe Vertigo’s Cirque Noir with the Oregon Symphony; Legendary Worlds of John Williams with the Oregon Symphony; George Gershwin: 125th Celebration with the Oregon Symphony; and Storm Large and the Oregon Symphony with Jimmie Herrod. The Classical series includes  Mozart’s Requiem; Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony; Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, and many more.
Estimated Ticket Prices: Tickets start at $25 for most shows, but $12 for the Families Series. For season tickets, there are many options at a variety of price points.
Audience: The Kids Concerts series is perfect for up-and-coming music lovers and lasts only one hour. The Young People’s Concerts are perfect for grades 3-8. Families may also enjoy the Pops Series, featuring popular musical hits from a variety of eras, or the Popcorn Package, when the live orchestra accompanies a film projected on the big screen. While the Kids Concerts Series is appropriate for younger children, most productions are recommended for ages 7+.

Metropolitan Youth Symphony

Metropolitan Youth Symphony‘s 2023-24 Season: Music in Motion; Just Jimmie; Rooted; Landscapes
Estimated Ticket Prices: Downtown concerts $11-$45, Community concerts (see website for schedule) $5-10
Audience: Bring the whole family. MYS students may attend any MYS concert for free.

The Portland Youth Philharmonic

The Portland Youth Philharmonic‘s 2023-24 Season: The 100th Season Highlights include This Midnight Hour; Cadenza Series: Celebration; Conter-at-Christmas; Camerata PYP: Sound Garden; Cadenza Series: Winter Concert; Serenade in the Wind; Cushion Concert; Finding Light; New Beginnings; Cadenza Series: Spring Concert; A Century of Unforgettable Music
Estimated Ticket Prices: Typically $10-$60, season subscriptions available
Audience: Hear the nation’s first youth orchestra for yourself!

Classical Up Close

Classical Up Close. This organization — a collective effort by members of the Oregon Symphony — provides FREE community concerts in the Portland area. See their website for the full schedule.
Ticket Prices: Free.
Audience: They offer full-length concerts, shorter pop-up concerts, and even kids’ concerts.

Portland Columbia Symphony

Portland Columbia Symphony‘s 2023-24 Season: Spiritual Moments; The PCSO Spectacular at The Reser; In the Realm of Nature; ¡Adelante! Voices of Tomorrow
Ticket Prices: Individual tickets typically $30-$50, season tickets typically range from $108-$180.
Audience: They offer sensory-friendly and family concerts; join their mailing list to learn about the next one.

Other venues to explore:

All of the Above

Photo courtesy Portland’5 Centers for the Arts

Portland’5 Centers for the Arts

Portland’5 Centers for the Arts brings over 1,000 music, theater, dance and lecture performances to Portland each year at their five venues: Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Newmark Theatre, Keller Auditorium, Brunish Theatre and Winningstad Theatre. This is a great, one-stop site if you like lots of options in one place.

Portland Metro Arts

Portland Metro Arts is a nonprofit arts organization that provides meaningful access to quality arts education and performance for all ages, including dance, visual arts, theatre and music.

Rose Quarter

You may think of the Trailblazers and Winterhawks, but the Rose Quarter hosts lots of additional events. This season see Disney on Ice, KidzBop, Harlem GlobeTrotters, and Monster Jam.

Patricia Reser Center for the Arts

The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts in Beaverton boasts a wide array of world class performances in a beautiful building. Enjoy the free interactive Musical Playground event, or get tickets to see Lucky Diaz & The Family Jam Band.

Portland Ovations

Portland Ovations is a non-profit performing arts organization connecting artists and audiences through diverse arts experiences. Their unique mix of live performances and more intimate workshops, lectures, masterclasses, and School-Time Performances have delighted, inspired, and educated since 1931.

See also:

Meg Asby
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