The Old Globe is San Diego's flagship professional theatre, based at the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center in Balboa Park. It operates three stages, the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage, the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre and the Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, and it stages a mix of new work, classics and Shakespeare. The Globe describes itself as a Tony Award winner and regularly hosts pre-Broadway world premieres, so a night here can mean seeing a production before it reaches New York. For visitors, it adds evening culture to a Balboa Park day.
Founded in 1935, the theatre grew out of a replica of Shakespeare's Globe built for a San Diego exposition and has since become a major regional theatre. Recent seasons have featured world-premiere musicals and plays alongside classics, and the schedule typically includes Shakespeare, new commissions and community programs. The company also tours free productions, called Globe for All, around San Diego County and Tijuana, which reflects its civic role.
Productions run on a season calendar, so what you can see depends on the dates of your visit; check the current schedule on the theatre's site for shows, run dates and the stage each production uses. Seating, ticket pricing and performance times vary by show, and popular productions and opening weekends sell out, so book ahead. Many visitors eat in Balboa Park or a nearby neighborhood before the show.
Plan transport and parking in advance, since Balboa Park parking has been paid since January 2026 and evening events fill nearby lots; a rideshare is a simple alternative. Pair a matinee with a museum visit during the day, or make an evening of dinner and a play. The theatre is a good choice for couples and adults, and some productions suit families, so check the age guidance for each show before you buy.
What to expect
The experience
Seated performances on one of three stages in the Balboa Park theatre complex, with a changing season of plays, musicals and Shakespeare.
Best time
Check the season calendar; weekend evenings and opening nights sell out first, while matinees and midweek shows are easier to book.
How long
Two to three hours including a pre-show meal or an interval.
Tips
Book ahead for popular shows, check the age guidance for each production, plan parking or a rideshare, and combine with a museum visit or dinner nearby.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Theatre lovers and couples wanting an evening of live performance.
- Families
- Some productions suit families; check each show's age recommendation.
- Couples
- Dinner in the park followed by a play makes a classic date night.
- Pair with
- The museums of Balboa Park and the Spreckels Organ Pavilion are close by.
- Time needed
- An evening.
Good questions
Where is the Old Globe?+
At the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center in Balboa Park.
What stages does it have?+
The Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage, the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre and the Lowell Davies Festival Theatre.
What kind of shows does it present?+
New plays and musicals, classics and Shakespeare, including pre-Broadway world premieres.
Do I need to book ahead?+
Yes for popular productions and weekends; check the season calendar for dates.
Is there free theatre?+
The Globe for All program tours free productions around San Diego County and Tijuana.
