Enjoy it while visiting Burlington in Vermont
The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts stands as Vermont’s premier performing arts venue, located in the heart of downtown Burlington. Since opening in 1992, the center has hosted world-class productions ranging from Broadway touring shows to experimental dance performances, classical concerts, and family programming. The building itself is a converted historic movie theater, blending art deco elegance with modern performance technology to create an intimate yet sophisticated atmosphere. The Flynn is governed by the Flynn Center Board of Governors and serves as a cultural anchor for Burlington and the broader Green Mountain State.
The Flynn Center’s story begins with the Paramount Theatre, a grand movie palace built in 1930 during Burlington’s early 20th-century growth boom. The art deco building featured ornate decorations, a WURLITZER organ, and seating for more than 1,400 patrons. For decades, it served as the city’s primary entertainment destination, showing films and hosting live stage shows. As cinema attendance declined in the post-war years, the building endured periods of neglect and near-demolition before preservationists rallied to save it.
In 1986, a community-driven effort got underway to convert the historic structure into a modern performing arts center. The project took six years to complete, and the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts opened its doors in 1992, named in honor of Stanley Flynn, a longtime supporter of the arts in Burlington. The renovation preserved the original art deco details, including the lobby’s gold leaf decorations, while adding contemporary stage equipment, improved acoustics, and updated seating. The result is a venue that honors Burlington’s architectural heritage while meeting the technical demands of modern touring productions.
The Main Stage hosts the center’s signature performances, from touring Broadway productions to acclaimed dance companies such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The programming spans a diverse mix of genres, including contemporary dance, jazz, folk music, comedy, and theatrical productions that appeal to a wide audience. The Baker Street Theatre serves as a more intimate second stage, seating around 180 and featuring experimental works, local theater productions, and educational performances.
The Lobby Art Gallery displays rotating exhibitions by Vermont artists, with work spanning painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media. These free exhibitions change every six to eight weeks, providing a platform for local talent and introducing visitors to the region’s creative community. A WURLITZER organ from the original Paramount Theatre is preserved in the lobby and occasionally demonstrated during special events, offering a tangible link to the building’s cinematic past.
The fall and winter seasons from September through December bring the strongest slate of touring productions to the Flynn Center. This is when Broadway tours and major touring acts most frequently appear, drawing audiences from across New England. Spring programming from February through May features dance festivals, comedy specials, and family-oriented shows. Summer months offer a lighter schedule, though the center occasionally hosts outdoor events or festivals that take advantage of Burlington’s warm-weather charm.
The Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, held each June, partners with the Flynn Center to present headlining concerts. The festival fills downtown Burlington with performances across multiple venues, and the Flynn Center serves as a primary venue for headliner acts. Visitors combining a theater trip with the festival can experience the full breadth of Burlington’s cultural offerings in a single visit.
The facility sits adjacent to Burlington’s downtown, offering easy access to local restaurants, shops, and hotels within walking distance. The Burlington Town Center garage provides parking within a short walking distance. The center is fully accessible for visitors with mobility challenges. Combined tickets with other local attractions are sometimes available during peak tourism seasons.