Love this theater. Small enough that every seat is amazing. Love the Symphony here. It feels like my own private show. You can get drinks during intermission too. read more

This review is based on my experience trying to purchase tickets on line. I don't consider myself completely technologically challenged but I had a nightmare of a time trying to purchase tickets to the Gay Men's Chorus for tomorrow evening. I wasn't sure if I already had an "account" with the theater so I tried opening one. Had to identify the pictures with motorcycles. I clicked on a wrong square by mistake. Then had to identify all the squares with things made by humans. So that got me to the log in screen. "That email is already associated with an account" Tried logging in with that email but didn't remember the password (it's been years). "Incorrect password. Create new password." Tried creating a new password. "Password must be at least 13 characters, an upper case and lower case and a number and a symbol. Typed it in. Kept getting incorrect password message. There was no little eyeball to click on to see what I was doing wrong. Closed the screen. Had to start over again. "Select the squares with images similar to the one at the top" I selected all the basketballs. Was that blurry squirrel holding a basketball or is he holding an acorn? It must be an acorn. Wrong. "Select the squares with images similar to the one at the top" Ah, the squirrels again. I got this. So I clicked on all the pictures of basketballs and squirrels with basketballs. "Choose a new password" I typed in very carefully, then realized the caps lock was on. WELL IF YOU TICKET PEOPLE HAD PUT A WAY FOR ME TO ACTUALLY SEE WHAT I WAS TYPING I WOULD HAVE CAUGHT THE CAPS LOCK!!! For your security, an eight digit security code will be sent to the email address you supplied. No email. Went back to the previous screen. Clicked on send code again. Two emails arrived with codes. Entered the newest code. "Welcome to your account." Meanwhile other windows are popping up asking if I want to save this username and password. Clicked them away. Not now. So I navigated to the show I wanted to buy tickets for and finally got to where I could select our seats. But the thingy went round and round and round - no seat selection screen. Clicked on the back button. "Click here and we will assign the best available seats." Click. Click to view price. Click to continue. Click to view cart. Where is the pay now? Went back to previous screen to see if I missed something. Selected the tickets again. "Continue" Now I have selected 4 tickets instead of 2. Delete 2 tickets. Continue to cart. Two tickets plus fees. OK. Continue to check out. Enter credit card information. Did something wrong. Credit card info disappeared. Entered credit card again. (I'm sure there was another security code but I really can't remember as I was so angry and frustrated.) Continue. Order Confirmation: Showed customer number etc. Then this note: If you selected digital tickets as your delivery method (default option) you can access your tickets within minutes after purchasing them at (website) Log in with the same email and password you use for (the theater) account, or you can request a one time access code via email. From there you can share tickets with your guests and save the tickets to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. I DON'T HAVE APPLE WALLET OR GOOGLE WALLET! I went to the ticket website to access my tickets and viewed the tickets. They had all the info except a QR Code and this Note: Your refreshing QR code will display at 5:30 PM on Sat, June 20, 2026. DISPLAY WHERE? I AM NOT GOING TO TRY TO ACCESS MY ACCOUNT ON MY PHONE! I WILL BE AT DINNER AT 5:30 AND WON'T HAVE MY COMPUTER AND PRINTER. I printed EVERYTHING out (5 yes FIVE pages but are any of them valid tickets? I doubt it.) By this point I had cursed, swore, screamed and yelled so loud they could have heard me across town. It was more than an hour trying to buy two tickets. NEVER AGAIN. I tried calling the Box Office to make sure I could use my receipt and print outs, but of course they were closed for the holiday. I can go on other websites, select an item, place it in the cart, choose "Pay Now", enter my credit card and I'm DONE. No pictures of motorcycles, or basketballs, or squirrels holding basketballs that look like acorns, no security codes, no QR codes no Apple Wallets or Google Wallets. This whole process was ridiculous and a waste of time. And dare I say "PRETENTIOUS". read more

We are at the Lensic to see Tanya Tucker. The theater is beautiful. My 1st time here at the lensic. read more

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This is the heart of performing arts in Santa Fe. The theater has that beautiful architecture that was popular 50+ years ago. In its infancy, it was a movie theater. I can remember back when going to the movies, the theaters were so luxurious with large entries and sprawling staircases. Lensic reminds me of them. Performances offered are a diverse collection including HipHop, Roseanne Cash and Seth Meyers coming up this last quarter of 2023. And tickets are affordable. read more

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Jock Soto was a complete disappointment! The introduction went on WAY too long. Had no idea what they were talking about or what the intention was. It started late and the blessing went on for over twenty minutes!!!!! Was supposed to start at 6pm but didn't start until 45 minutes later. read more

What an exceptional venue to attend concerts, etc. The theater, first opened in 1931, is beautiful. The staff extraordinary, and the website reservation process smooth and easy to navigate. The wide variety of offerings should have something for everyone. I am looking forward to my next visit. read more

Beautiful theater in the heart of Santa Fe with a busy schedule of performances that features an eclectic mix of music, dance, and theater. The interior, which is wonderfully restored, is worth a visit in itself. The proscenium stage is large enough to accommodate sizable performing groups. The acoustics are good and sight lines are excellent. Definitely worth checking their schedule if you're planning a visit to Santa Fe. Easy walking distance to the Plaza and nearby hotels. If you live or are staying further afield some advance planning/extra time to find parking, particularly in high season, would be a great idea. read more

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I don't think it's coincidental that I'm reviewing a performing arts center for the first time in, I dunno, over three years. Thank you Delta, Alpha and Omicron, you've successfully held me back from enjoying live music for the better part of my forties, effin Rona. I'm still masking, but I'm also finally back, and one of my favorite spots to see an intimate show is the Lensic in Santa Fe. What a gem. The chairs are cushion-ish, lights are low, there's no bad seat in the house however if you're hanging in the balcony, bring binoculars, you'll need 'em for facial expressions. Art and sculpture along the walls recall a Santa Fe of yore -- cathedral bells and adobe flower pots -- and the stage is deep enough to cast a pretty artificial Southwestern glow on the show. Bring cash if yer drinkin', or don't, and be glad you're driving home sober. A terrific venue to tickle your ears. read more

Whosever Idea it was to serve alcohol to people at these shows should be fired. Let me tell you something: people that drink alcohol at a comedy show will disrupt the show. The security you hired to take care of them was completely absent. The only thing I heard all night was heckling from the 3 people sitting next to me. Eventually myself and the audience heckled them enough to leave an hour and a half into the show. But it was not easy. They were not getting it. So we had to be pretty mean. Which ALSO completely distracted from the experience of the show. By the time we finished I felt like a huge jerk. So I explained this to management after the show, and the wrinkly old bag that was manager that night said she was sorry. And that's about where it ended. There was a time when I really enjoyed the performances here. Back when my school would bring us to the Lensic on field trips. Back when I was probably just as dense as those running the place now. Because I was 7, and couldn't tell the difference between a cozy theater, and a zoo. But now I'm a 25 year old man, and this just doesn't cut it. Save your money folks. And if you do go, take gum. read more

Does not enforce seating . Buy a seat in the back and just move up. Teenagers can just takeover the entire place and leave no clear view for the cheapest ticket. Informed the staff and nothing happened. read more

Lensic Performing Arts Center - Pay for the back row and just walk up during a concert!!! Much cheaper!!!!! - Performing Arts Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

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Seating is so cramped! No leg room; I was sitting in a handicapped section and when leaving, my 90 year old mother tripped, trying to get out of the EXTREMELY NARROW isle, the seating is not at all accommodating. The performance was very good but I would not be able to return unless they were to ADD SOME SPACE for leg room. I'm 5'3", I can't imagine how terribly uncomfortable it would be for a tall person! While I was there I over heard a number of people commenting on on the lack of space. read more

Paid to see America's foremost baritone Thomas Hampson, but Hampson isn't performing and the Lensic refused to issue a refund. It's in the fine print. Box office says, "we think you'll enjoy the concert." It's like an airline sending you to Albuquerque when you've bought a ticket to Santa Fe and saying "we think you'll enjoy Albuquerque." read more

I absolutely love The Lensic Center!!! Went last night to see Arlo Guthrie with Sarah Lee Guthrie. Mid-priced seats are amazing. However, not a bad seat in the house. The sound is good. Even as a short person, I can see the stage. Everyone is very nice. I ordered tickets by phone. Good experience and got tickets within three days. It's a comfortable venue that maintains a cool temperature even when full. Ticket prices remain affordable. Just a treat to go here. read more

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Beautiful historic building. Seats are a little hard and uncomfortable but acceptable. Recommend seating near to the front, it's a pretty big venue and sound doesn't carry super well. Decent restrooms, no problem with too long waits at intermission. Might want to carry a coat or sweater to wear inside in the winter. I bought tickets to two different things a day apart and wanted to pick them both up the first day but the ticket desk person was totally confused by my request and just gave me the tickets for that night. I went back the next day early and was told to come back just before the performance because the tickets had already been bundled up for someone else to distribute. So if you do 'will call' tix, just plan on picking up just before the performance right at the venue. read more

The Lensic is the jewel of Santa Fe. Not only an historic and architecturally important structure, it offers the audience fantastic acoustics and comfort. It is a crime to rate this place 2 stars for any reason, including a crying child in the audience. Sometimes life happens. How often does one get to see a fantastic performance in an 80 year old architectural masterpiece that rivals any modern performance hall? read more

BUYER BEWARE.... At a recent adult concert that we paid a premium price to see, a young child in the balcony cried/yelled the whole time. Although many people were turning to see who was disrupting the show, nothing was done. The ushers turned a "deaf ear" to the unruly child. We left early as the noise disruption (that management chose to ignore) ruined the experience. Very disappointing. I would only recommend kids if the show was targeted at a young audience. Very good acoustics, lovely setting & could be a wonderful experience under the right circumstances. read more

The Lensic is beautiful and historic. Seeing a live performance at this venue may trump almost any other venue in the entire state. The lensic has a decent full bar for the good events, and everything is usually top notch. However there are a few downsides to some of their scheduled events. 1. If you are going to the Lensic to see spoken word or an author reading, or really anything that will have a large audience, DON'T GET TICKETS FOR THE BALCONY! If it looks like the event will be halfway full, spend the extra money and get a floor seat. The balcony gets exceedingly hot and humid. 2. If it is a film festival event, be aware that many of the other people going will be extremely pushy. And some of these film festival people are the usual people who will run you down with their car in the Trader Joe's parking lot. Also, rich 60+ white women LOVE frequenting these film festival events, and they eat their own children. 3. Parking at the lot across the street will suck a half hour of your time. Park a block away and walk over. 4. There is not a decent audio system for the balcony seats, so if you are hard of hearing, again, pay the extra for the floor seats. 5. The Lensic needs to figure out a better way for book signing situations so all the elderly people who aren't interested in buying or meeting the featured artist can get the hell out of the building, and also there needs to be a way to dissuade Lisa Law from acting like she is god every time there is an event where she barges through obvious lines of people because she has a personal social agenda. read more

The Lensic is a beautiful establishment. We went to see a tap performance and had balcony seating. Great view, great acoustics. You wouldn't think something like this would be centered in the downtown of a city, but it's a great find. Sometimes the tickets are a bit pricey, but worth checking out. read more

The Lensic is a great place to see top notch performances. In fact I think it may be the only place in town to see first rate shows. Want to see a great live show? The Lensic us the only game in town. But beware - all ticket sales are final. No returns, no credits towards another purchase. Unless the performer cancels or there is a death in the family, if your plans change and you can't use your tickets anymore, kiss that money goodbye 'cuz management is not given the $$ back to you. Perhaps mngmt feels because they are the only game and there are so many tourists that they don't need to have good return policies. Or at least fair return policies. The venue is great, but I will think long and hard about purchasing tickets for shows there going forward. read more

Saw a great talk here with some friends and it is a beautiful theater. The decor inside is really unique--being an overall newcomer to the Southwest, it was a treat to see it. And--before/after the show, one can wander around the historic Plaza. read more

Went here to see the symphony one night. Decent sized concert hall, great acoustics. They had a mini-bar serving drinks prior to the show and during intermission, somewhat steeply priced (but what else to expect from a ritzy concert hall). Overall an enjoyable experience. read more

I would give it more stars except for the excessive heat, in December, in the balcony seating. Seats themselves were decent and I like being near the back. Acoustics were good (not too loud), and sight lines were not awful for a short person. But I could feel heat blasting out of hidden vents after I'd climbed the stairs and before I entered the theater. Whoever controls the heat needs to understand that heat rises! Instead they need an air circulation system for the upper level. read more

I love the Lensic! Cool building, eclectic and wide variety of shows, and accessible to many. Yay!

I'm new to NM and ABQ/SF. This week was my first time at the Lensic, and I was really annoyed that there were no late arrival restrictions to the performances. People streamed in and out like they would at a show at a bar, nightclub, or stadium. It'd be one thing, I guess, if the band performing were loud and rocking, but the first band I saw was a mellow singer-songwriter group. It was super distracting to have people walking up and down the aisles and finding their seats in the dark in the middle of songs. Some of the ushers also talked together during quiet songs. Where I'm from such level of disruption is considered rude to the ticket-paying audience members and to the performers. I realize things happen and people run a little late. It's fine, imo, if latecomers get seated during the first song or two - but after that, unless it's a special circumstance, doors should stay shut. I'm reluctant to see a show at the Lensic again. Or maybe the night I went was a one-off? Other than that the sound and sight lines were good (I can't speak for the balcony.) Also, the Lensic is the only theater I've ever been to where there was no line for the women's restroom but there was a long line for the men's. :) read more

This is an extremely beautiful old theater. Very classy, with great architecture, interior and very comfortable seating. A great place to see a concert, hear music or lectures. I would highly recommend it. read more

Why is the line for the men's always linger than for the women's? Nice touch being able to order intermission before program starts..

We had an extremely enjoyable evening at The Lensic watching a Live at the Met performance of Nabucco. The seats were great, the staff were very friendly and helpful and its a great cause. read more

Just saw/heard Terrence Blanchard at the Lensic. Absolutely fantastic!

Just checked out the Santa Fe Symphony, and really enjoyed it. Nice building. Nice acoustics.