Located in the heart of beautiful Downtown St. Petersburg, the Duke Energy Center for the Arts – The Mahaffey Theater is a 2,031-seat cultural jewel featuring elegant ballroom space, spectacular waterfront views, and European box-style seating. Just steps away from the culturally vibrant Downtown and minutes away from white sandy beaches and world-famous museums, The Mahaffey hosts top-quality national and international artists and performances – Broadway, classical, pop, rock, comedy, dance, family, and the renowned Florida Orchestra. Additionally, the theater supports the highly successful Class Acts program which enables school children to experience the performing arts through in-theater performances as well as in-school outreach and extension programs.
The facility first opened in the Spring of 1965 as part of the Bayfront Center entertainment complex. It was first renovated in 1987-1988 and at that time was renamed The Mahaffey Theater for the Performing Arts, for a St. Petersburg family who contributed significantly to the capital campaign.
Progress Energy and the City of St. Petersburg announced a 20-year partnership to rename the facility Progress Energy Center for the Arts that will feature visual and performing arts – including the newly renovated Mahaffey, the offices of the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts, the Center Plaza Waterfront Park and the new home of the Salvador Dali Museum. When Progress Energy merged with Duke Energy in 2012, the facility was renamed Duke Energy Center for the Arts.
In 2011, Big3 Entertainment was granted managing rights to the Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater. Big3’s CEO and Chairman, Bill Edwards privately funded an ultra-deluxe VIP Lounge, along with significant upgrades to the Lobby’s decor. With big plans for the future of the venue and for our community, more renovations were to come in 2015. The passion and joy Mr. Edwards feels for St. Petersburg is evident when considering the impact our live-entertainment venue has on the community. St. Petersburg is a city for the arts and with Big3’s guidance our Theater is a major contributor to keeping the arts alive! Since Big3 Entertainment began managing the venue, the Mahaffey Theater has welcomed Live Nation events in addition to our regular programming. This partnership with Live Nation has allowed us to bring amazing world-class entertainment to St. Petersburg like never before!
Its beautiful setting, unparalleled entertainment and proximity to the lively downtown St. Petersburg area make Duke Energy Center for the Arts – The Mahaffey, It's THE entertainment venue in the area!
Tickets are on sale now or call the Box Office at (727) 300-2000. Duke Energy Center for the Arts -The Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S St. Petersburg
UPCOMING CONCERTS
10/18 Coheed and Cambria
10/19 Randy Rainbow LIVE!
11/2 Chinese Acrobats of Hebei
11/3 World of Dance Live!
11/4 WE WILL ROCK YOU
11/6 Fox Nation Patriot Awards
11/7 Terry Fator
11/8 Dane Cook: Tell It Like It Is
11/10 Elvis Costello & The Imposters: Just Trust Tour
11/13 Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
11/15 The Doobie Brothers
11/17 99.5 QYK Guitar Pull
11/21 Cirque Dreams Holidaze
11/29 Chris Tucker
11/30 Incubus: 20 Years of Make Yourself & Beyond
12/5 Tony Bennett: I Left My Heart Tour
12/6 Il Divo: A Holiday Song Celebration
12/19 The Isley Brothers: 60th Anniversary Tour
12/21 The Family Blessing
12/26 & 27 Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker
2020 Shows
1/5 National Theatre of Odessa’s Romeo & Juliet
1/8 We've Only Just Begun: Carpenters Remembered
1/16 The Doo Wop Project
1/22 The Greatest Love Of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston
1/25 Ira Glass
1/28 Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Live!
2/5 Tapestry: Tribute to Carole King
2/13 ABBA Mania
2/14 - 2/20 Shen Yun
2/28 Wild Kratts Live!
3/1 Celtic Woman
3/20 Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular
Be A VIP: Membership has its privileges. Get the best seats and other privileges, including access to the VIP members lounge and meet and greet with celebrities.
Looking for more entertainment and concerts in 727area? Check out Fall Concerts in St Petersburg and Clearwater at Ruth Eckerd Hall and The Capitol Theatre and other things to do around town.
Cover photo from The Mahaffey Theater
