The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts sits on the eastern bank of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., serving as both a national cultural hub and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. Opened on September 8, 1971, and designed by architect Edward Durell Stone, the building houses several major performance spaces under one roof, including the Concert Hall, Opera House, and Eisenhower Theater.
As the home of the National Symphony Orchestra and host of the annual Kennedy Center Honors, the venue draws roughly 2 million visitors a year across more than 2,200 performances and exhibits. Its 630-foot Grand Foyer, lined with Orrefors crystal chandeliers gifted by Sweden, ranks among the largest rooms in the world and anchors a complex that expanded in 2019 with the Steven Holl-designed REACH pavilion.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Washington, D.C.
- Type: Performing arts center / concert venue
- Opened: September 8, 1971
- Capacity: About 2,465 (Concert Hall), 2,347 (Opera House)
- Architect: Edward Durell Stone
- Famous for: Home of the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center Honors
A Living Memorial with Multiple Stages
Unlike a single-hall music venue, the Kennedy Center is a complex of stages built into one riverside building. The Concert Hall serves as home to the National Symphony Orchestra, while the Opera House and Eisenhower Theater host touring productions, ballet, and theater. The building’s massive Grand Foyer, spanning 630 feet, is regularly used for free performances through the Center’s Millennium Stage program, which has offered no-cost shows nearly every night since 1997.
Expansion and Ongoing Role
In 2019, the Kennedy Center opened the REACH, a 4.6-acre expansion designed by architect Steven Holl that added rehearsal rooms, classrooms, and outdoor performance space. Together with the original 1971 building, the campus now supports over 2,200 performances and exhibits annually, drawing about 2 million visitors and reinforcing its role as the country’s official national cultural center, a designation given to it by Congress in 1958.
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Kennedy Center FAQs
When did the Kennedy Center open?
The Kennedy Center opened on September 8, 1971, in Washington, D.C.
How many seats does the Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall have?
The Concert Hall seats about 2,465 people and is the home of the National Symphony Orchestra.
Is there a way to see performances at the Kennedy Center for free?
Yes, the Center’s Millennium Stage offers free performances in the Grand Foyer almost every day of the year.
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Photo: Carol M. Highsmith / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.