Parking is available in The Palmer Events Center Parking Garage located between Riverside Drive, South First Street and Barton Springs Road just south of Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin (cost: $7.00 per car, fee paid at booths upon entering garage).
TEMPORARY & MOBILITY IMPAIRED PARKING
3 M Box Office - Fifteen (15) minute Temporary Parking is located in our Keller Williams Circular Drive, directly in front of the Long Center. We invite you to park there to pick up your tickets, make a quick drop-off, or inquire about upcoming events at our 3M Box Office.
Handicapped/Accessible Parking is available in the Palmer Events Center Garage on all levels located near elevators. Only the following patrons will receive complimentary garage parking: vehicles with a specialty license plate for recipients of the Air Force Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Army Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Medal of Honor and Legion of Merit Medal; vehicles with a specialty license plate for recipients of the Purple Heart, Pearl Harbor Survivors and Prisoners of War (see House Bill 618 and City Code Section 12-3-8). Valet Parking is now available at a reduced rate ($16.00 per car) for the Mobility Impaired. Please see the Accessibility section of our website for more information or to contact the Long Center’s Guest Services Department for additional assistance.
VALET PARKING
Valet Parking is available for $18.00 per car. Please access the Keller Williams Circular Drive for Valet parking drop-off by driving eastbound on Riverside Drive and entering the first drive on your right past the Long Center (please stay in the right hand lane of the Keller Williams Circular Drive).
From the South, I-35
Take I-35 North Exit Riverside Drive and head West (left) The Long Center is on the left just past the intersection at South First
From the South, MOPAC (Loop 1)
Take MOPAC (Loop 1) North and Exit W 1st St/W Cesar Chavez St. Follow Cesar Chavez to Guadalupe St and veer right onto the South 1st Street, then follow the South 1st street bridge across Lady Bird Lake Turn right onto Riverside Drive, follow the traffic circle around, The Long Center is on the right, just before the intersection at South First
From the North, I-35
Take I-35 South Exit Riverside Drive and head West (right) The Long Center is on the left just past the intersection at South First
From the north, MOPAC (Loop 1)
Take MOPAC (Loop 1) South W 1st St/W Cesar Chavez St. Follow Cesar Chavez to Guadalupe St and veer right onto the South 1st Street Then follow the 1st street bridge across Lady Bird Lake Turn right onto Riverside Drive, follow the traffic circle around, The Long Center is on the right, just before the intersection at South First.
During your phone call, please help us by being as specific as possible about your individual needs. Questions to consider: If you use a wheelchair, will you remain in the wheelchair for the duration of the performance? Perhaps you do not use a wheelchair, but have trouble with stairs, and want to sit in a theater seat. Do you have low vision and need to sit particularly close to the stage?
The drop off area for mobility impaired guests is from the Keller Williams Circular Drive directly in front of the Long Center. Mobility Impaired Parking is available on all levels of the PEC Garage near elevators or Valet Parking is available for $18.00.
The accessible entrance to the Long Center is on the ground floor to the left of the Grand Staircase. Elevators are located just inside through the Rollins Studio Theater Lobby.
To request Sign Interpretation, Audio Description, Braille or Large Print Programs, call our Box Office at (512) 472 5992 no less than two weeks before the event date. Services are not guaranteed for all events, but we will make every effort to accommodate each request.
Courtesy wheelchairs and Infrared Assistive Listening Devices are available free of charge at Guest Services coat check or by asking any House Manager.
For other accessibility questions, please call the Long Center Guest Services office at (512) 457-5171.
How do I buy tickets?
- Buy online by clicking here.
- Call us at 512.472.5992.
- In person at The Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 West Riverside Drive
Austin, TX 78704 (map)
Box Office Hours
Monday-Friday
10 am – 6 pm
Saturday
10 am – 4 pm
How do I pick up tickets at will call?
Tickets are available 90 minutes prior to curtain at the 3M Box Office at The Long Center.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express). You can also pay with cash or check in person at the 3M Box Office at The Long Center.
What is the refund, exchange, or cancellation policy?
All sales are final with no refunds. Any ticket may be returned for a tax deductible donation up until curtain. We will send a tax receipt to you after the performance acknowledging the value of the ticket, minus applicable fees.
Can I exchange my ticket for a different performance?
Subscribers may make exchanges for a different performance or opera up to 48 hours prior to curtain by calling the 3M Box Office at The Long Center. Exchanges are subject to availability.
Groups and Student Tickets
Students can purchase tickets in advance for a special price and we are more than happy to accommodate your group. Please visit our Groups and Students page for more information.
Seating Chart (2012-2013 Season)
Below you will find the 2012-2013 season seating chart with color-coded subscription price levels for performances at The Long Center. Please note that sections may vary per performance day. You can also download a complete detailed seating chart with row and seat numbers (PDF).
Subscribe and save up to 40% off regular ticket prices
Subscription prices include ALL THREE operas. That’s like getting one opera for free!
What should be my first opera?
One friend will tell you The Marriage of Figaro, another one will tell you Turandot,yet another friend will tell you The Rake’s Progress. The truth is, many operas are great “first operas.” Think about it, do you like The Beatles or The Stones? Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath? Maybe there is a composer you very much enjoy, or maybe there is a story that particularly speaks to you. Look through our current season and you can always ask us and our community on Facebook or Twitter.
The most important thing to do is to let go of any ideas you may have about opera or classical music. Open yourself up and discover the raw power of a live opera experience. Just expect to enjoy yourself!
What should I wear?
We want you to be comfortable and to enjoy yourself. Dress in whatever it is that makes you feel comfortable and at your best. A night at the opera is a fun event. It offers a wonderful opportunity to dress to the nines if you like. Coming after work? Your business attire is perfect. Can’t part with that pair of old jeans and “Keep Austin Weird” Tie Dye shirt? Keep them on. There is no dress code at Austin Lyric Opera. Just enjoy.
What do I need to know?
You can come as prepared as you’d like. The story plays out on stage before your very own eyes, so there is no need for extensive background knowledge. But for those who like to come prepared, Austin Lyric Opera offers free pre-opera lectures for all operas. One hour before every performance a lecturer gives a free 30-minute talk on the opera that follows.
And you can read up on the A-Z of Opera on the Naxos website and you should also start with the Wikipedia entry on opera and click your way through operatic history from Baroque to now.
But I don’t speak Fill-in-the-Blank language?
No worries. Every performance features supertitles (English translations of what’s sung) projected above the stage, visible from every seat. You can also read a short synopsis of the opera on our website or in the printed program before the performance. This will help you follow the story.
When should I arrive?
All evening performances (Friday and Saturday) start at 7:30 pm and the matinee performance (Sunday) starts at 3 pm. Please arrive early. Latecomers will not be admitted to the auditorium until intermission. Warning chimes are sounded pre-performance and intermission prior to curtain. Audience members who leave the auditorium during a performance will not be readmitted until intermission. The Long Center offers live video feed screens in each of its lobbies.
How long does an opera last?
You can typically expect a performance to last anywhere between 90 minutes and 4 hours. The running time often includes one or two intermissions, depending on the number of acts in the opera. Our website will list the approximate running time when available and our box office will be able tell you as well.
How do I buy tickets?
You can buy tickets to the opera right here on this website, via phone or by visiting The Long Center 3M Box Office in person. Visit Ticketing Questions for more information.
