State Theatre 2027

About State Theatre

Opened in 1929 as a picture palace, the State Theatre is one of the most ornate interiors in Australia, with a marble foyer, gilded plaster and a large crystal chandelier. It is heritage-listed and is the main venue of the Sydney Film Festival each June. About 2,000 seats spread over the stalls and upper levels make it a natural home for seated concerts, comedy and anniversary tours. In 2027 our list has Joe Jackson on two nights in January, Smokie in March, Micky Dolenz with a Monkees retrospective in May and Passenger on 30 October. The same stage also hosts musicals, ballet and comedy, so concerts are spread across the year rather than bunched in one season.

Getting to State Theatre

The State is on Market Street between George and Pitt streets, in the middle of the CBD. Town Hall station and Gadigal metro station are about five minutes away on foot, St James is a little further, and the L2 and L3 light rail stop at QVB on George Street, a block away. Many city bus routes pass within a short walk. Parking in the CBD is expensive; public transport is the obvious choice, and trains run until late on most lines. Taxis and rideshares can pick up on Market Street, but traffic is slow straight after a show.

Tips for a show at State Theatre

Every show is seated. The upper levels are steep and high, so the front rows of the dress circle are often a better buy than the back stalls. Arrive early to look around the foyer. Food options are everywhere nearby, from the QVB to the Pitt Street Mall and Chinatown. The bars inside open before the show.