What is the main concert venue in Stamford, CT?

The Palace Theatre is Stamford's flagship. It's a restored 1927 theater with about 1,580 seats, part of the Stamford Center for the Arts at 61 Atlantic Street. It hosts concerts, comedy, dance, and touring shows downtown.

How many seats does the Palace Theatre Stamford have?

About 1,580. It was designed by noted theater architect Thomas W. Lamb. It opened in 1927 as a vaudeville house, and was restored and reopened in 1983.

Are there outdoor summer concerts in Stamford?

Yes. Downtown Stamford has a long summer-concert tradition. The Alive@Five series ran for decades, drawing national acts. Mill River Park and other downtown spaces still host outdoor music in the warm months.

How do I find concerts in Stamford?

The free CT Concert Center app lists upcoming Stamford shows alongside 40+ Connecticut venues, updated daily. You can browse by date, venue, or genre.

City guide

Stamford Concert Venues: A Complete Guide

Updated June 2026 · 6 min read

The short version

Stamford's live scene centers on the Palace Theatre. It's a restored 1927 hall, about 1,580 seats. It anchors the Stamford Center for the Arts. That group also runs the smaller Rich Forum. Add a strong downtown summer-concert run. Add an easy train ride from New York. Stamford is one of southwest Connecticut's best nights out.

Stamford is Connecticut's fastest-growing city. It's also the closest major hub to New York. It punches above its weight for live shows. The scene sits downtown, walkable from restaurants and the train station. It's built around one beautifully restored historic theater.

The Palace Theatre (about 1,580)

The Palace Theatre sits at 61 Atlantic Street. It's Stamford's centerpiece. Thomas W. Lamb designed it, a busy theater architect. It opened in 1927 as a vaudeville house. It was restored and reopened in 1983. Now it seats about 1,580. It hosts concerts, comedy, dance, and touring shows all year. The setting is classic, mid-size, and central.

Best for: concerts and comedy in a grand old theater.

The Rich Forum & Stamford Center for the Arts

The Palace is the flagship of the Stamford Center for the Arts. That group also runs the Rich Forum, nearby on Atlantic Street. The Rich Forum's Truglia Theatre seats 757, in a classic setup. Its Leonhardt Studio is a black-box space for smaller shows. Between the two buildings, downtown Stamford covers it all. Big touring nights. Small, experimental shows too.

Best for: mid-size and small-scale theater, dance, and events.

Never miss a show

See every Stamford concert. Plus the rest of Fairfield County. Plus 40+ CT venues. All in the free CT Concert Center app.

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Downtown summer concerts

Stamford has one of the strongest summer-concert runs in the state. For decades, the downtown Alive@Five series drew big crowds. It ran from 1995. Acts like the Beach Boys, Hootie & the Blowfish, and B.B. King played there. Thursday evenings turned into a citywide block party. Outdoor music still fills downtown in warm months. Try Mill River Park and other public spaces. It's always worth checking what's on before a summer weekend.

Best for: free and outdoor summer nights downtown.

Planning your visit

Getting there: Stamford is a quick Metro-North ride from Grand Central. It sits right on I-95. Downtown venues are walkable from the station.
Pair it with the region: Stamford anchors our Fairfield County live-music guide.
See what's on now: The live Fairfield County events list shows upcoming Stamford shows.

Stamford venues FAQ

What's the main venue?

The Palace Theatre, about 1,580 seats. Downtown at 61 Atlantic Street.

How old is it?

It opened in 1927. It was restored and reopened in 1983.

Are there outdoor summer concerts?

Yes, a long downtown tradition. That includes the longtime Alive@Five series, and music at Mill River Park.

How do I find upcoming shows?

The free CT Concert Center app lists every Stamford venue in one feed.