About
The Paramount and State Theatres are the artistic heartbeat of downtown Austin, hosting over 550 events every year.
From one of the nation’s largest comedy festivals in the Moontower Comedy Festival—a two-week extravaganza produced from the ground up by Paramount staff—to star-studded world premieres for SXSW and Austin Film Festival, we bring the world to Central Texas. And our Summer Classic Film Series, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, remains one of Austin’s most beloved traditions.
But our nonprofit mission also extends beyond our venues. We reach 22,000 Central Texas students every year through award-winning Paramount Education programs in classrooms and our theatres. And our Access to the Arts program provides Central Texas nonprofits and students with complimentary admission and special artist meet-and-greets.
Through it all, we work with experts to ensure the careful preservation of these treasured monuments to Austin’s history. The Paramount is one of only 20 theatres remaining in the U.S. that is over 100 years old and still in use as a venue – and we can’t wait to see what the next century will add to our story.
From vaudeville house to movie palace to multifaceted performing arts venue, the Paramount has been the jewel of downtown Austin for over a century.
Join a passionate team of arts lovers bringing the best music, comedy, film and more to Austin.
Stay informed about our latest events and download venue photos and branding resources.
These Austinites support our mission to uplift the community through arts and education.
Venues
Rental Info
Built in 1915
Capacity: 1273
Seating Map
Built in 1935
Capacity: 305
Seating Map
OUR SIGNATURE EVENTS
Our annual comedy festival – beloved by audiences and comedians alike – brings over 100 comics to 10+ venues every April, taking over ATX with stand-up, podcasts, parties, and more.
Launched in 1974, this beloved tradition celebrates 50 years of bringing classic films back to the big screen every summer. We also have our Panic at the Paramount horror series every fall, holiday films in the winter, and a new spring series in the works.
Every May, the Paramount takes over Congress Avenue with the party of the year—lovingly referred to as the Met Gala of the South with themed costumes, music, and décor—to celebrate the arts and raise funds to support our nonprofit mission.
10s, 10s, 10s across the board! Paramount celebrates LGBTQIA+ PRIDE in June by transforming into a lights-flashing, music-blasting ballroom while spotlighting some of Central Texas’ most beloved QPOC artists. Attendees come dressed to impress according to the theme and are invited to compete on the historic stage in specified OTA (open to all) categories.
Nothing gets you in the holiday spirit more than visiting the decked-out halls of our historic theatre for traditions spanning holiday music, our annual ELF pub run, and your festive faves returning to the big screen. We may also make it snow in Texas around our marquee at every holiday show!
Our New Year’s Eve Party with Austin’s beloved Bob Schneider is a tradition for a reason! We break out the chandeliers and disco balls so you can experience Bob like you’ve never seen him before. Come party in the glittering-gold Paramount Theatre to ring in the new year!