Buenos Aires is a city that lives and breathes theatre, with more than 400 venues, from the mainstream circuit on Avenida Corrientes to creative alternative spaces. You'll find everything from musicals and variety shows, world-class opera, ballet and international theatre to experimental work, independent productions, stand up, contemporary dance and more.

Public theatres

The city boasts several acclaimed theatres maintained by the national or city governments, including some of the city's most famous venues, such as Teatro General San Martín, the Teatro Colón, and the Teatro Nacional Cervantes. These spaces have been declared national historic monuments and are known for their stunning architecture as well as for staging major universal works of theatre, opera and ballet, including classic productions and also innovative new work.

Mainstream comercial circuit

The main hub for Buenos Aires' large comercial theatres is the famous Avenida Corrientes, home to a vast number of venues hosting musicals, comedies, variety shows, children's favourites, tango shows, and major dramas. The best-known theatres on Corrientes include Lola Membrives, Nacional, Astral, Complejo Teatral La Plaza, Metropolitan, and Ópera.

Alternative theatre

The city also has a huge independent theatre circuit that stages cutting edge experimental work by both established and up-and-coming artists, often on low budgets, at many small venues in the neighbourhoods of San Telmo, Palermo and close to the Abasto. Here you can find the city's bohemian creative atmosphere, with young creators staging interesting new work. Some of the best-known theatres on the "off-Corrientes" alternative circuit include Teatro Beckett, El camarín de las Musas, Espacio Callejón, Abasto Social Club, Callejón de los Deseos, La carbonera, Celcit, El Piccolino, Chacarerean Theatre and Centro Cultural de la Cooperación.