Located inside the Ovation Hollywood complex on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, the Dolby Theatre is a famous live-performance auditorium designed specifically to host the annual Academy Awards. Formerly known as the Kodak Theatre, this iconic venue opened in 2001 adjacent to the TCL Chinese Theatre and opposite the El Capitan Theatre.
You will find a world-class auditorium created by architect David Rockwell, featuring advanced sound technology like Dolby Atmos, a specialized stage management cockpit in the orchestra section, and one of the largest stages in the United States. As you walk from the front entrance toward the grand stairway, you can see grand Art Deco columns displaying the names of films that have won the Academy Award for Best Picture, complete with blank spaces left for future winners through 2071.
Beyond the Oscars, this state-of-the-art venue has hosted major televised events such as American Idol, America's Got Talent, concerts like the Sonic Symphony, theatrical performances, and special broadcasts. Whether you are admiring its Oscar legacy or exploring its impressive architecture, visiting the Dolby Theatre offers an up-close look at modern Hollywood history and entertainment production right in the heart of the city.
What to see at Dolby Theatre
- Home of the annual Academy Awards ceremony since opening in 2001
- Massive stage measuring 113 feet wide by 60 feet deep
- Art Deco columns along the hall listing Best Picture Oscar winners up to 2071
- Custom Rockwell-designed camera and sound cockpit in the orchestra seating area
- Sound system upgraded with advanced Dolby Atmos audio technology
Visiting tips
Look for the Art Deco columns flanking the hall to see the names of past Best Picture winners and blank spaces reserved for future ones.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime
How to get there & what’s nearby
Dolby Theatre is easy to reach on Los Angeles’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Griffith Observatory and Santa Monica Pier. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Los Angeles travel guide.
See the full Los Angeles travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.