Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is a performing arts complex on Lincoln Center Plaza on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Its venues host opera, ballet, theater, concerts and film, with the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Ballet and New York Philharmonic among the organizations based here. Even without a ticket, you can walk through the plaza, see the Revson Fountain and take in the modernist buildings. For a performance, check the program and book ahead; arrive early to allow time for entry.
A campus for the performing arts
Lincoln Center is a complex of performance venues on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. The buildings surround an open plaza, and the campus brings together organizations devoted to music, dance, theater and film. The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Ballet and New York Philharmonic are among its best-known residents; the Juilliard School and the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts are also part of the complex.
The site was developed as an urban renewal project in the 1960s. Its construction displaced the San Juan Hill neighborhood, a community that included Puerto Rican and Black residents. That history is part of the story of the campus and its place in New York.
Venues and works of art
The Metropolitan Opera House, David Geffen Hall and David H. Koch Theater are among the complex’s performance spaces. Programs range from opera and orchestral concerts to ballet and theater. The Film Society of Lincoln Center also presents screenings and film events, including festivals and programs devoted to documentaries, older films and experimental work. Check the calendar to see what is on during your visit.
Inside the Metropolitan Opera House, look for Marc Chagall’s murals in the lobby. The complex’s modernist buildings use travertine, and their arrangement around the plaza gives the campus an open feel. The Revson Fountain, designed by Philip Johnson, is a central feature of the plaza. Its choreographed water shows run in five-minute sequences, subject to weather and maintenance.
Planning a performance visit
Choose the performance first, then check the venue and ticket details on Lincoln Center’s official website. Advance booking is recommended. Popular events can draw crowds, so leave time for entry rather than arriving just before curtain. Food choices inside are limited, and drinks can be expensive; eating beforehand is a practical option if you want a wider choice.
You do not need a ticket to spend time in the plaza. Come by to see the fountain and the buildings, or visit in the evening when the campus is lit and audiences are arriving for shows. In summer, the center also hosts free outdoor concerts and open-air dancing near the fountain. Check the current program before making plans, since events change.
FAQ
Can you visit Lincoln Center without a ticket?
Yes. You can walk around the open plaza and see the Revson Fountain without attending a performance.
What can you see at Lincoln Center?
The campus includes venues such as the Metropolitan Opera House, David Geffen Hall and David H. Koch Theater. You can also see the Revson Fountain and Chagall murals in the Metropolitan Opera House lobby.
Should you book Lincoln Center tickets in advance?
Advance booking is recommended. Check the official website for current performances and ticket details.
Are there free events at Lincoln Center?
Free outdoor concerts and open-air dancing take place in summer. Check the program for current event details.
