It's cold outside! Maybe a little bit wet too... so brighten up those darker winter evenings with the region's bountiful performing arts. Plan a cheerful night out with dinner and a show.

From neighborhood clubs to formal stages, the variety and mix of local and touring talent packs our regional local show calendar. Pick your entertainment and then make an evening of it with drinks or dining nearby. Below are some of our suggestions.

Soromundi - Lesbian Chorus of Eugene
: Courtesy of Soromundi

Soromundi Lesbian Chorus

Downtown Eugene

Hult Center for the Performing Arts

Eugene is a city for the arts with four impressive resident companies at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts that includes ballet, choir and the symphony. Additionally, this magnificent venue is a touring stop for many national entertainers and Broadway productions, and it is also a welcoming stage for local talent, film and presentations.

Resident Companies

The Hult Center sets the stage for an elegant night out - where locals go to dress up if they dress up at all. With an attached parking structure, hearing loops at the ticket windows and in the lobby, Assistive Listening Devices available for use in the concert halls, wheelchair accessible seating in the theaters and loaner booster seats for children, this is an easy place to watch a show.

Upcoming Shows

The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts

Only blocks away is The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts with its impressive arts series that includes a celebration of American music, Broadway shows and jazz and is host to many talented traveling artists. Their musical and performing arts school is ensuring the continued development of local performers. 

The Shedd's wheelchair accessible hall is equipped with a hearing loop, providing an improved listening experience for those with telecoil-enabled hearing aids, cochlear implants and streamers. Street level parking lots and street parking are all around the venue. The Shedd also offers a sit-down pre-show meal in the theater complex on Friday (reserve your place when purchasing tickets). 

Upcoming Shows

Nearby Drinks & Dinner

McDonald Theatre

This historic theatre building is a Eugene treasure, managed by the Kesey Entertainment which brings in the summer line up of headliners at Eugene's Cuthbert Amphitheater. Now, in the winter months, enjoy the McDonald with its mix of film screenings, live music, comedy and presentations. Street parking can be found in the vicinity.

Beats Antique Feb 14

Immerse yourself in the otherworldly fusion of Beats Antique, where global sounds, electronic beats, and theatrical performance collide. An unforgettable show that demands more than just…

Michael Blaustein at McDonald Theatre Apr 11

Get ready for an unforgettable evening with the hilarious Michael Blaustein. Known for his sharp wit and unique comedic style, Michael promises to deliver a night of laughter that you won't…

Actors Cabaret of Eugene

Dinner and a show is perfected at Actors Cabaret. Order your meal when you purchase your tickets and enjoy classic lasagna or a shepherds pie before the show. The venue is in the middle of downtown across from the Downtown Athletic Club and there are several nearby parking garages. It's a fun atmosphere!

Anastasia by the Non-Stop Players Feb 13

Come and see the Non-Stop Players present a lovely musical theater production of Anastasia. In the fiery midst of the Russian Revolution, a young, impoverished girl searches to find the…

Little Women by the Non-Stop Players Apr 24

Join Actors Cabaret of Eugene for the beloved musical "Little Women", based on Louisa May Alcott’s timeless novel. With heartfelt songs and unforgettable characters, this inspiring story of…

Nearby Drinks & Dinner

Best Places to Stay

Oregon Contemporary Theatre

Oregon Contemporary Theatre (OCT) is a fun, edgy and inclusive theater. Come be entertained and impressed with the quality productions that have been exploring a diverse range of topics for over thirty years.

Best Places to Stay

University District

Matthew Knight Arena

Matthew Knight Arena is the destination for big shows and large audiences. Rock out to your favorite band or see a show of spectacular impact from monster trucks to trick basketball shots, oh yes, and all of Oregon's basketball too! 

Miller Theatre Complex - Robinson and Hope Theatres

This is the University of Oregon's theater for the Theatre Arts Department. Catch the energy of student actors in a diverse selection of shows.

Radium Girls by University Theatre Apr 17

"Radium Girls" tells the powerful true story of Grace Fryer, a factory worker in the 1920s who dares to challenge a powerful corporation after she and her fellow dial painters fall…

Los Dreamers by University Theatre May 22

In this sharp and surreal comedy, Scoobi—an undocumented law student and love child of the 1994 Zapatista rebellion—faces a marriage of convenience to Dylan O’Reilly, her unlikely path to…

South Eugene

The Very Little Theatre

A long-standing community institution, The Very Little Theatre (VLT) has embraced inclusive theatre bringing diverse voices in original productions to the stage alongside classic favorites. Tucked into a corner of South Eugene, adjacent residential neighborhoods, this beloved theater is a great destination for date night.

Upcoming Shows

Springfield

Richard E. Wildish Community Theater

Just a few blocks east on Main Street is the Richard E. Wildish Community Theatre. The charming downtown district is full of boutique shops and restaurants, making it a perfect date night destination. The historic theater has ideal acoustics and view lines and it is hearing looped.

Chamber Music Amici - Memoir Apr 27

This reflective program features two deeply personal works that blend lyrical beauty with emotional depth. Dvořák’s beloved “American” String Quartet captures the spirit of a new land…

Chamber Music Amici - Master Works Jun 14

Celebrate two iconic piano trios in this elegant season finale. Mozart’s bright and graceful "Piano Trio No. 5 in C Major" showcases classical clarity, while Ravel’s "Trio in A Minor" offers…

Cottage Grove

Cottage Theatre

Outstanding productions draw the Eugene crowd season after fabulous season. Since the 80s, Cottage Theatre has staged classical and current productions. A local craft brewery — Coast Fork Brewing — serves pot pies alongside craft beer, and Axe & Fiddle, a local pub, has classic comfort food. The historic downtown is all decorated for the holidays, creating a magical and charming experience for pre-show shopping.

Upcoming Shows

Florence

Florence Events Center

Just above Historic Old Town Florence, the Florence Events Center also offers a hearing loop system for improved listening for guests with a hearing impairment. Visit Florence for holiday shopping and dinner before the show. The Waterfront Depot or Mari's Kitchen make great date night destinations, or take the kids to 1285 Restobar or Nosh Eatery — and there is always Mo's

Time for Season Tickets

A holiday show thrills and inspires the audience, but don't box up the magic for just the holiday season. Support local performing arts and extend your enjoyment by subscribing as a season ticket holder or give the gift of unlimited theater magic to a loved one. Find out what great shows are scheduled for the stage this year and plan your next night out.

Ten Classic Winter Adventures
: Melanie Ryan Griffin
Sep 21

Ten Classic Winter Adventures

This winter, seize the season and explore all the magic Oregon has to offer. With fewer crowds, this…

Party on the Plaza, Hult Center for the Performing Arts
: Melanie Ryan Griffin

Performing Arts & Theater

From international headliner concerts at the Cuthbert Amphitheater to excellent community theater in Cottage Grove, the Eugene, Cascades & Coast…

Iration at McDonald Theater
: Melanie Ryan Griffin

Music & Nightlife

Check out local live music events and Eugene's concert calendar for more entertainment inspiration.