The Bushnell, Hartford: A Complete Guide
The Bushnell is Hartford's grand performing-arts center, open since 1930 and a National Historic Landmark. The ~2,800-seat Mortensen Hall hosts touring Broadway, big concerts, and the Hartford Symphony; the ~900-seat Belding Theater handles more intimate shows. It's the elegant end of the capital's live calendar.
For nearly a century, The Bushnell has been the cornerstone of the arts in downtown Hartford. It's the place where touring Broadway lands, where the symphony plays, and where a certain kind of marquee concert feels like an occasion. If you're getting to know the capital's scene, this is the room to know first.
A bit of history
The Bushnell Memorial Hall opened in 1930 and has hosted everyone from presidents to prima ballerinas in the decades since. The building is a National Historic Landmark, and its main auditorium — with one of the country's notable hand-painted ceilings — is worth arriving early to take in. It's a venue with genuine gravitas, the opposite of a black-box club.
Mortensen Hall: the main stage
William H. Mortensen Hall is the big room, seating roughly 2,800. This is where the major touring Broadway productions play multi-night runs, where the Hartford Symphony Orchestra performs, and where concerts, dance, and large-scale events go. The sightlines and acoustics are built for exactly this kind of programming.
Best for: Broadway tours, orchestral concerts, marquee one-night shows.
Never miss a Bushnell show
See every upcoming Bushnell concert — plus the Xfinity Theatre, Infinity Hall, The Webster, and 40+ Connecticut venues — in the free CT Concert Center app.
Download on theApp StoreThe Belding Theater: the intimate room
Added in a 2001 expansion, the Belding Theater seats about 900 and gives The Bushnell a more intimate space for smaller concerts, comedy, recitals, and contemporary programming. If you want to be closer to the stage without leaving the grandeur of the building, this is the room to watch.
Best for: intimate concerts, comedy, and special-series events.
Planning your visit
- Where: 166 Capitol Avenue, downtown Hartford, near the State Capitol and Bushnell Park.
- Getting there: easy from I-84 and I-91; downtown parking lots and garages are nearby.
- Make a night of it: pair a show with dinner downtown — and see our Hartford live-music guide for the rest of the capital's venues.
The Bushnell FAQ
How many seats does it have?
Mortensen Hall ~2,800; the Belding Theater ~900.
What kind of shows play there?
Touring Broadway, concerts, the Hartford Symphony, comedy, dance, and family shows.
Where is it?
Downtown Hartford at 166 Capitol Avenue — open since 1930, a National Historic Landmark.
How do I find upcoming shows?
The free CT Concert Center app lists Bushnell shows alongside the whole state.