Tri-Valley Arts and Culture Guide
Tri-Valley Arts and Culture Guide
The Tri-Valley region is home to a number of wonderful arts and cultural venues. From art galleries to theaters, there are a host of ways to experience the arts in high-quality settings. The region’s vibrant performing arts scene makes it easy to enjoy music, drama, dance, opera, and comedy on a regular basis. Fans of the visual arts have opportunities to enjoy paintings, photography, and more, while opportunities for individuals to learn and create new things are also abundant. Read the guide below to learn more.
Popular Arts and Cultural Venues
The selected venues below have a proud history of offering the community a variety of arts and cultural delights.
- Pleasanton's Firehouse Arts Center
4444 Railroad Avenue,
The Firehouse Arts Center in the heart of Downtown Pleasanton began life in 1929 as Pleasanton's main fire station, which was built of locally manufactured bricks. The new Firehouse Arts Center was opened to the public in 2012 after two years of construction. The 20,000-square-foot building features a 220-seat theater, a fine arts gallery, classroom space, and an hourglass-shaped grand lobby that links Downtown Pleasanton to the facility’s 3,000-square-feet Parkside patio and adjacent Lions Wayside Park.
Featured performances include theater, music, stand-up comedy, film, and more. Upcoming events include the Best of San Francisco Stand-up Comedy on October 4, internationally renowned guitarist Peppino D’agostino on October 18, and Trouble – The Music of Coldplay on November 22. The Firehouse, which is operated by the City of Pleasanton, is also home to a host of youth and adult programs, from traditional art classes and events to music and theatrical camps. On the arts education side, the two Firehouse classrooms provide for a variety of activities and classes for a range of ages throughout the fall and winter season.
The Firehouse Arts Center is also home to three unique gallery spaces that showcase a rotating selection of visual art by local, regional, and nationally recognized artists. The 2,000-square-feet Harrington Gallery is the primary exhibition space. The Firehouse Lobby Exhibit showcases solo exhibitions by local artists that rotate every six to eight weeks. The Nancy Thompson Memorial Wall Exhibit, presented in partnership with the Pleasanton Art League (PAL), honors the legacy of a dedicated art advocate and features artwork by PAL members.
Featured performances include theater, music, stand-up comedy, film, and more. Upcoming events include the Best of San Francisco Stand-up Comedy on October 4, internationally renowned guitarist Peppino D’agostino on October 18, and Trouble – The Music of Coldplay on November 22. The Firehouse, which is operated by the City of Pleasanton, is also home to a host of youth and adult programs, from traditional art classes and events to music and theatrical camps. On the arts education side, the two Firehouse classrooms provide for a variety of activities and classes for a range of ages throughout the fall and winter season.
The Firehouse Arts Center is also home to three unique gallery spaces that showcase a rotating selection of visual art by local, regional, and nationally recognized artists. The 2,000-square-feet Harrington Gallery is the primary exhibition space. The Firehouse Lobby Exhibit showcases solo exhibitions by local artists that rotate every six to eight weeks. The Nancy Thompson Memorial Wall Exhibit, presented in partnership with the Pleasanton Art League (PAL), honors the legacy of a dedicated art advocate and features artwork by PAL members.
- Livermore Bankhead Theater and Bothwell Arts Center
2400 First Street and 2466 8th Street, Livermore,
The nonprofit Livermore Valley Arts operates the Bankhead Theater and Bothwell Arts Center. Together, they provide a wealth of opportunities to explore, experience, and enjoy the arts. More than 250 performances and events are offered throughout the year, including music of all genres, dance, theater, comedy, and other performing arts ranging from world-renowned artists and rising stars to resident companies and young student performers. The 2025-2026 Bankhead Presents Season includes the following events: John C. Reilly is Mr. Romantic on October 13, Dustbowl Revival & Hot Club of Cowtown: A Celebration of Bob & Willie on November 16, and Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico on December 22, 2025.
Livermore Arts fosters the creative vision of local artists by showcasing their work at exhibits and events and offering affordable classroom, studio, and rehearsal space. Cultural traditions are honored throughout the year with celebrations that include music, dance, food, displays, and arts and crafts for Native American Day, Cheza Nami - Taste of Africa, Filipino Barrio Fiesta, Diwali, Lunar New Year, and more. The joy of art is shared with students of all ages through ticket discounts, hands-on art classes, master classes and workshops, as well as major community events such as ArtWalk.
- Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center and Front Road Theater
10550 Albion Road and 17011 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon,
The Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center at Dougherty Valley High School is the primary venue for the City of San Ramon's cultural arts program, San Ramon Performing Arts. The 600-seat theater has a variety of upcoming performances scheduled, including music, comedy, kids shows, and more. The 90-seat Front Road Theater offers a more intimate location for performances and lectures. San Ramon Performing Arts is also home to community groups such as the San Ramon Symphonic Band, San Ramon Community Chorus, Bay Area Children's Theatre, and many other community-based organizations.
- Wente Vineyards
5050 Arroyo Road, Livermore,
Many celebrate Wente Vineyards as the longest continuously family owned and operated winery in the United States. Now celebrating over 140 years in operation, Wente offers more than excellent wine for visitors. The winery has showcased world-renowned entertainers in the winery's picturesque natural amphitheater for 30-plus years. Past seasons of live music have featured many amazing acts, including Seal, Randy Houser, The Tenors and Postmodern Jukebox, Styx, The Temptations and The Four Tops, Daughtry, Brett Eldredge, REO Speedwagon, Boz Scaggs and Aaron Neville, Josh Groban, and The Doobie Brothers. Check its website for upcoming acts this season, such as the full-day jazz festival scheduled for October 12, 2025.
Additional Arts and Cultural Groups
The Tri-Valley region is rich in choral groups, art organizations, and performance groups of all sorts. Many of them offer classes and programs in addition to performances.
- Blackhawk Chorus
The Blackhawk Chorus in Danville grew from 12 women to a mixed choir of more than 120 members who perform autumn and spring concerts locally each year. The Blackhawk Chorus has represented the Tri-Valley at New York’s Lincoln Center, throughout Europe, and at the Vatican in Italy.
- Cantabella Children’s Chorus
“Beautiful singing nurturing beautiful children,” is the slogan of the Cantabella Children’s Chorus, a nonprofit that offers music education in Pleasanton and Livermore for children from pre-kindergarten through high school. Cantabella performs in annual holiday and spring concerts, at local corporate and civic functions, and in collaboration with other musical organizations.
- Chorus Eclectic
Based in the San Ramon-Dublin area, Chorus Eclectic began in 2010. Today, the adult group performs “a wide range of music from past and present; and from classical, folk, and modern styles,” according to officials. Unlike many other choirs, no audition is required to join Chorus Eclectic. New members who cannot read music can learn as part of the group. The group rehearses on Monday nights from 6:30 to 9 pm in Dublin. Zoom options are also available.
- Del Valle Fine Arts
Del Valle Fine Arts presents five regular season concerts each year bringing world-class chamber music to the Bankhead Theater in Livermore. A volunteer organization, Del Valle is supported by ticket sales and the generous contributions of its patrons. The 2025-2026 season features Fandango!, a spicy mix of Latin, Spanish, Sephardic, Balkan, and classical sounds on October 18, 2025 and the Brass Over Bridges brass quintet on November 15, 2025. In 2026, the Aspen Trio string trio will perform on February 7, followed by Chinese pianist James (Zijian) Wei on March 21 and the Texas Guitar Quartet on April 25.
- Danville Girls Chorus
Danville Girls Chorus is a community-based, nonprofit choral program for girls. It offers a complete program of choral music education through a variety of learning experiences and performance opportunities. Singers are taught the basics of vocal production and learn the fundamentals of musicianship and note-reading. The chorus will perform at the annual Danville tree lighting event on Friday, November 28, 2025.
- Harmony Fusion Chorus
A chapter of Sweet Adelines International, Harmony Fusion Chorus is a women’s chorus performing four-part a cappella in the barbershop style. For 50 years, Harmony Fusion Chorus has been committed to musical excellence and education. The nonprofit welcomes participants from high school age and older who love to sing and are enthusiastic about performing, competing, and improving their vocal skills. Prior musical training is not required.
- Las Positas College Performing Arts
3000 Campus Hill Drive, Building 4000, Livermore, www.lpc.ludus.com
Through its performing arts programs, Las Positas College offers performances including music, theater, speech, and dance on its main stage and black box theaters, all designed to provide knowledge, training, and practical experience to its participants. Previous theatrical productions include Chicago on the main stage and Welcome Home, Jenny Sutter, The Importance of Being Earnest, and A Raisin in the Sun in the black box theater. Performances are held in the Barbara F. Mertes Center for the Arts on campus in Livermore.
- Latte Da Vinci
608 Main Street, Suite G,
This recently opened gallery operates on a hybrid co-op and membership model, allowing artists to participate either by becoming members or by entering art competitions and exhibits as non-members. The small nonprofit is dedicated to fostering artist collaboration, supporting youth art education, and hosting fundraising events, with proceeds donated to other charitable causes. It often hosts art demonstrations as well as exhibits.
- Livermore-Amador Symphony
www.livermoreamadorsymphony.org
The mission of the Livermore-Amador Symphony is to present musical programs of cultural and educational value for the benefit of the community and to encourage, stimulate, and support community interest in the musical arts. The community orchestra was founded in 1963. Most of its performances take place at Livermore’s Bankhead Theater. The Symphony’s annual Pops on the Green concert will be held on the lawn in front of the Bankhead Plaza on September 27, 2025 at 3 pm. While the concert is free, donations will be collected in support of the organization.
- Livermore Art Association
2155 Third Street, Livermore,
The Livermore Art Association was founded in 1957 to promote public interest and appreciation of art and to encourage the artistic development of its membership. The group supports the Livermore Art Association Gallery, a cooperative enterprise that allows qualified member artists to display their work for sale or rental, and sponsors rotating exhibits of members' art at a variety of local merchants. Members help judge local school artwork, teach art in the schools, and demonstrate arts and crafts to organizations and at community functions. Popular events include Art on the Green and ArtWalk, both held in downtown Livermore.
- Livermore Valley Opera
Livermore Valley Opera was founded in 1992, with community-produced operas performed at the Livermore High School. The Opera moved to the Bankhead Theater after its opening in 2007 with a remarkable production of La Boheme. The world-class professional opera company relies on the talents of professional musicians, stage directors, principal singers, and designers to craft its stunning work. Volunteers also make its work possible by filling critical roles as board members, chorus, stage crew, and set builders. This season, Tri-Valley opera lovers can look forward to a high-quality production of classics La Traviata beginning September 27, 2025 and Così fan tutte beginning February 28, 2026.
- Pacific Chamber Orchestra
www.pacificchamberorchestra.org
Pacific Chamber Orchestra is a premier professional ensemble based in Livermore. Throughout the year, this regional ensemble of eight to 42 experienced, professional musicians enriches local communities with inspiring performances of a versatile repertoire ranging from Baroque to classical symphonies to more contemporary works, along with engaging educational programs. Upcoming concerts include Beethoven + Livia Sohn Livermore on October 19 and Handel`s Messiah on November 30, 2025.
- Pleasanton Art League
Founded in 1969, the nonprofit Pleasanton Art League (PAL) consists of local artists and art patrons dedicated to making the visual arts an integral part of the fabric of life in the Tri-Valley and encouraging the progress and development of the creative talents of its members. Members include artists of all skill levels, from the beginner to the hobbyist to the professional. PAL also sponsors a variety of classes and workshops at both the Firehouse and the Bothwell. PAL’s 18th Annual Fall Member’s Show will be held between October 25 and December 20, 2025.
- Pleasanton Community Concert Band
The nonprofit Pleasanton Community Concert Band is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The band provides an opportunity for local residents to develop their talents and participate in musical performances. It sponsors three free concerts each year and performs at a variety of other events. This month the Pleasanton Community Concert Band will perform between 9 am and noon on Saturday, September 27, at the Pleasanton Farmers Market. It will be playing at a family concert at the Firehouse Arts Center on Sunday, October 19 beginning at 5 pm.
- Pleasanton Youth Theater Company
www.firehousearts.org/programs/pleasanton-youth-theater-company
Pleasanton Youth Theatre Company is an in-house theater program for youth run by the City of Pleasanton and based at the Firehouse Arts Center. The group’s 2025-2026 Season for the main stage is Beetlejuice Jr. in the fall and Mary Poppins Jr. for the spring. The program includes a variety of offerings for adults and youth as well as teens.
- The San Ramon Valley Chorale
The San Ramon Valley Chorale is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The adult choir “strives to create memorable experiences for its members and audience through quality, determination, and most importantly, passion,” according to its founders. In addition to community singers, the group includes a number of semi-professional and professional musicians from the Tri-Valley. The group will present its 2025 Winter Concert on Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7 at 4 pm at the San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church in Alamo.
- Shakespeare & Performing Arts Regional Company
For more than 20 years, Shakespeare & Performing Arts Regional Company (SPARC) has built community in the region through the production of high quality theatrical experiences in vineyards, public establishments, performing arts venues, schools, colleges and universities. SPARC’s flagship program, Shakespeare in the Vineyard, brings more than 5,500 attendees to Livermore Wine Country each summer for live productions. It also offers adult improv classes and many other programs.
- Sunol Repertory Theatre
www.sunol.net/srt
The Sunol Repertory Theatre was founded in 1982 by Tom and Vicki Harland to provide quality entertainment, establish a community tradition, and create an opportunity to raise funds to benefit the educational experience of the students at Sunol Glen School through an annual theatrical performance. Over its 40-year history, the group has donated more than $200,000 to the school. Traditionally it holds performances of its annual production each spring.
- Tri-Valley Theatre Company
www.trivalleytheatre.org or www.facebook.com/trivalleyrep
Formerly known as the Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre, the Tri-Valley Theatre Company is a nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to providing affordable, quality theater, theatrical training, a showcase for talent, and a cultural experience for the Tri-Valley and East Bay communities. More than 12,000 people annually attend productions, which have included such classic musicals as Mamma Mia!, In the Heights, Les Miserables, The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, Shrek the Musical, and Guys and Dolls. The group plans three productions in 2025. Puffs in October, The Addams Family Musical in January 2026, and The SpongeBob Musical in the summer of 2026.
- Valley Concert Chorale
Valley Concert Chorale has been presenting fine choral music for more than 60 years. The group is dedicated to excellence in singing choral music of all genres, nurturing the next generation of singers, and supporting musical endeavors in the Tri Valley community. The Chorale’s educational outreach program, Music in the Schools, presents original musical performances at Tri-Valley primary school assemblies to celebrate the joy of music and singing with area students. In December, the group will present a performance of Christmas Choral Music from the Americas.
- Valley Dance Theatre
2247 Second Street, Suite B, Livermore,
The Valley Dance Theatre is the Tri-Valley's premier Ballet Company, serving Livermore, Pleasanton, and Dublin since 1980 with professionally staged dance performances featuring talented local dancers. The company will bring its annual full-length production of The Nutcracker to the Bankhead stage for a series of performances beginning December 13, 2025. The company also presents a mid-year showcase of local talent and choreography and runs an affiliated school offering classical dance training in studio classes for ages 2.5 to adult. It is the resident ballet company of Livermore’s Bankhead Theater.
As you can tell from this guide, there are ample opportunities to enjoy arts and culture in the Tri-Valley. Many of the organizations listed above welcome community support through volunteering, donation, participation, and attendance. It is easy to find cultural activities to enjoy in the region.
