You will step right into Golden Era glamor when you visit the Paramount Theatre, a magnificent 3,040-seat Art Deco concert hall located at 2025 Broadway in Downtown Oakland. Originally constructed in 1931 as a movie palace designed by architect Timothy L. Pflueger, this historic landmark offers an unforgettable look into classic California showmanship.
When you walk into the main lobby, you are greeted by breathtaking gold ornamentation along the walls, a sweeping curving staircase, and glowing light fixtures that evoke the vintage magic of Old Hollywood. Today, the venue serves as the official home for both the Oakland Symphony and the Oakland Ballet. Beyond symphony and ballet performances, you can attend a wide variety of live entertainment, including jazz, R&B, rock, classical music, stand-up comedy, plays, lectures, and classic movie screenings.
Inside, you can also admire its historic 1931 Wurlitzer organ, a four-manual, twenty-rank Publix I model originally installed for $20,000. Whether you are catching a live concert, watching a dance performance, or taking a historic tour, visiting this California Registered Historical Landmark lets you experience one of the West Coast's most legendary cultural venues in all its original splendour.
What to see at Paramount Theatre
- Main lobby with gold wall ornamentation, glowing light fixtures, and a curving staircase
- Home venue for the Oakland Symphony and the Oakland Ballet
- Original 1931 four-manual, twenty-rank Wurlitzer Publix I organ
- 1931 Art Deco architecture designed by Timothy L. Pflueger
- Diverse lineup of concerts, comedy, ballet, and Hollywood Golden Era movie screenings
Visiting tips
Join a public tour of the theater on the first or third Saturday of the month, provided it does not fall on a holiday or holiday weekend.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: First and third Saturdays of the month
How to get there & what’s nearby
Paramount Theatre is easy to reach on Oakland’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Oakland Museum of California and Temple Sinai. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Oakland travel guide.
See the full Oakland travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.