Days and Nights Festival - Big Sur, Carmel

September-October
Location: Big Sur, Carmel TBD
Why Go There? Philip Glass Center annual festival features music, dance, poetry, theater, film
More Information: Days and Nights Festival

Cambria Center for the Arts - Cambria

Days + Hours of Operation
Location: 1350 Main Street
Why Go There? Venue for community theater, music events, annual four day film festival (February)
More Information: Cambria Center for the Arts + Facebook

Carmel Bach Festival - Carmel, Monterey

July
Location: Sunset Center Theater (Carlos at 9th Street), other Carmel, Monterey, Pebble Beach venues
Why Go There? Multi-day annual festival offers 40+ concerts, recitals, vocalists, evening/matinee performances, pre-concert talks. Discounts for students, military, families
More Information: Bach Festival

Hidden Valley Music Concert Series, Events - Carmel Valley

March- November concerts, recitals, events
May-August Master Concert Series 7:30pm
Location: 104 West Carmel Valley Road (Hidden Valley Theatre)
Why Go There? Quality classical music performances, Hidden Valley Opera Ensemble and Golden Gate Chamber Players recitals: high caliber musicians, music coaches gather for an annual invitation-only, intensive workshop focused on learning, playing together, and sharing the music they love (no cost March). Masters' Festival Concert Series seven concerts feature Master Class teachers of clarinet, English horn, flute, jazz flute, oboe, bassoon, cello;  individual tickets or purchase series at reduced rate.
More Information: Hidden Valley Music

Pacific Repertory Theatre - Carmel

May-first week of January (see schedule for days/times)
Location: Forest Theater (see separate listing); Golden Bough Playhouse: Monte Verde Street between 8th/9th Avenues; Circle Theater: part of Golden Bough, separate entrance Casanova Street between 8th/9th Avenues
Why Go There? Community theater company offers several plays, musical productions seasonally. Senior, student, military and preview discounts.
More Information: Pacific Repertory Theatre

Sunset Cultural Center - Carmel

Location: San Carlos/Ninth Street
Why Go There? 718 seats, gothic architecture, excellent acoustics, host venue: Monterey Symphony, Carmel Music Society, Chamber Music Monterey Bay, Carmel Bach Festival. Hosts global music, comedy, rock shows, live theater, dance performances.
More Information: Sunset Cultural Center

Monterey Symphony - Carmel

October-May Saturday 8:00pm, Sunday 3:00pm
Location: Sunset Center Theater (Carlos at 9th Street) Carmel
Why Go There? 50+ year orchestra presents five concert season;  free pre-concert lectures one hour before concerts; outreach performances for/with students/young musicians; special fundraiser lunches, dinners, other events
More Information: Monterey Symphony + Special Events

Cuesta College Cultural and Performing Arts Center - San Luis Obispo

Location: Highway 1 at Hollister Road
Why Go There? College concerts include annual Jazz Festival & Concert, Cuesta Choirs, County Band Festival, Cuesta Wind Ensemble & SLO Wind Orchestra; a host venue for Festival Mosaic's WinterMezzo  chamber music concerts
More Information: Events

Festival Mozaic - San Luis Obispo

Year-round
Location: Various venues throughout the county
Why Go There? Eleven day annual summer festival has expanded to include WinterMezzo Chamber Series, classical and contemporary music concert series; mini midday concerts (free/pay-what-you-can donations: reservations required); pre-concert lectures; culinary events: gardens, wineries, farms
More Information: Festival Mozaic + Free Community Events

San Luis Obispo Fremont Theater, International Film Festival - San Luis Obispo

Location: 1035 Monterey Street
Why Go There? Historic art deco style theater hosts multiple concerts, music events; a venue for popular annual six day long international film festival (March)
More Information: Fremont Theater + SLO Film Fest

Performing Arts Center - San Luis Obispo

Year-round
Location: One Grand Avenue (California Polytechnic State University "Cal Poly" campus)
Why Go There? Host venue for Cal Poly dance, music (including Arab Music Ensemble, Choir, Jazz, Opera, Symphony, Wind Bands), theater department concerts, performances, recitals; numerous local, touring national, international artist concerts, performances, events in state of the art building: 1,286-seat Harold Miossi Hall,  498-seat Alex & Faye Spanos Theatre, 180-seat classroom Philips Hall, multi-purpose Pavilion seating up to 400 people
More Information: Performing Arts Center + Music Department Calendar + Theatre & Dance Department

Pacific Conservatory Theatre - Santa Maria

Year-round
Location: 800 South College Drive (Marian, Severson Theaters, Allan Hancock College)
Why Go There? Professional company offers classics, contemporary, comedy, musicals, and world premieres; Solvang Theater Festival summer productions in Solvang (see separate listing under Santa Barbara Area Entertainment); fall play readings
More Information: Pacific Conservatory Theatre

Additional Resources

Clark Performing Arts Center - Arroyo Grande
Community supported center hosts venue for local, visiting performers, concerts, events; 487 Fair Oaks Avenue

Henry Miller Memorial Library - Big Sur
Arts, music events

Jewish Film Festival - Carmel, Monterey
Annual event (March)

Paper Wing Theatre Company - Monterey
Regional theater company offers seasonal productions, 320 Hoffman Street

Wine Country Theatre - Paso Robles
Community theater productions offered with optional meal, wine events

Live Oak Music Festival - San Luis Obispo
Annual three day festival features traditional folk, bluegrass, gospel, blues, jazz, soul and world music (June), El Chorro Regional Park

Orchestra Novo - San Luis Obispo
Community chamber and orchestra concerts, holiday season pops concert