3 Best Performing Arts Venues in The Tampa Bay Area, Florida

The events roster at this modern, 73,000-square-foot hall includes opera, classical music, and dance performances, as well as concerts by big-name contemporary rock, pop, jazz, and country musicians.

With about 300,000 square feet, this is the second-largest arts complex south of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Among its facilities are the 2,610-seat Carol Morsani Hall; the elegant 1,042-seat Louise Lykes Ferguson Hall; and the more intimate, 312-seat Robert and Lorena Jaeb Theater and 130-seat Hinks and Elaine Shimberg Playhouse. Operas, concerts, plays, and ballet performances are presented here.

With its purple, shell-inspired design, this 1,741-seat hall hosts most of the major acts that come to town as well as local performers. In a given month, you'll find a roster of acts ranging from comedians to musicians and dance troupes. The Roskamp Auditorium has an intimate feel to it; the back row is just 110 feet from the stage. In summer, the hall hosts a free Friday concert series on its lawn that offers lovely Sarasota Bay vistas.