Show tickets can be expensive. These Triangle venues offer discounts
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Triangle venues offer discounts for students, seniors, military and other groups.
- Several venues require ID or advance purchase to secure discounted or free seats.
- Group discounts are available across multiple Triangle theaters.
There’s something special about seeing a live performance, and the Triangle offers many opportunities to take in those shows.
Throughout the year, major music festivals and concerts come to the area, often drawing big crowds of locals and visitors alike. But there are several Triangle venues that also cater to the fine arts, giving residents a chance to see ballets, symphony concerts or Broadway plays.
Tickets to these events may be expensive, though, and fees can make costs even higher.
The good news is that many people, including students, military members and retirees, essential workers, senior adults, young professionals and even Triangle residents, may be able to get discounted tickets.
Here are some ways to save money on tickets to fine arts performances in the area.
Burning Coal Theatre Company discounts
The Raleigh theater offers discounts for its Main Stage performances.
- Attendees ages 65 and older get $25 tickets, $5 off the regular price.
- Students, teachers and active military members get $20 tickets.
- All tickets are $20 on Thursdays.
- Students under 18 years old who present a valid ID can get $5 tickets for Thursday and Friday night shows.
- College students with a valid ID get $5 tickets on the First Friday performance.
- There’s a “pay what you can” per ticket at the first Sunday performance. These tickets can only be purchased at the door, starting one hour before showtime.
Learn more at burningcoal.org.
Carolina Ballet discounts
Discounts are available for select Carolina Ballet performances.
- High school students get free tickets with a valid student ID. But a ticket is only guaranteed with advance reservation, which requires the purchase of one ticket. Reserve a free ticket in advance with the purchase of a regular ticket by calling the box office, 919-719-0900. If no other tickets are purchased, high school performances can be requested the day of the performance an hour before the performance, and seating is based on availability.
- College students can purchase tickets for $15-$20. They can buy tickets in advance by calling the box office, which guarantees a seat, or on the day of the performance in person at the box office.
- Active-duty military members and veterans get a 20% discount. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling the box office, or they can be purchased on the day of the performance an hour before the show.
- Essential workers, which refers to anyone who was considered “essential” during the COVID-19 pandemic, can get $15-$20 tickets for themselves and a guest.
- Groups of 10 or more can receive a 20% discount for regular season performances, which includes performances at the Martin Marietta Center, excluding “The Nutcracker.”
Learn more at carolinaballet.com.
Carolina Performing Arts discounts
Discounts are available for Carolina Performing Arts series performances only.
- Military and first responders can get 15% off.
- Adults aged 65 and older can get 15% off.
- UNC-Chapel Hill faculty and staff and UNC Health staff get 25% off. They’ll need to show their UNC One Card or UNC Health ID at entry.
- UNC-Chapel Hill students get $11 tickets in zones 3, 4 and 5. They’ll need to show their student ID at entry.
- Non-UNC students across North Carolina, from kindergarten through college, get $11 tickets in zones 3, 4 and 5. They’ll need a student ID at entry.
- Carolina alumni get 15% off tickets.
- Groups of 10-19 can get a 10% discount, and groups of 20 or more can get a 15% discount. Call the box office at 919-843-3333 to learn more.
Visit carolinaperformingarts.org to see promo codes and restrictions.
Durham Performing Arts Center discounts
- All students, active or retired military members and Durham County residents can get 20%-75% off tickets through DPAC For All.
- Groups of 10 or more can get 10%-15% off most Broadway performances.
Learn more at dpacnc.com.
North Carolina Master Chorale discounts
- Adults aged 65 and older, active-duty and retired military members and family members with a military ID can get 10% off. Purchase tickets in advance by phone (919-301-8022) or in person at the box office on the day of the performance.
- Students with a school-issued ID and children get 50% off tickets, which can be purchased over the phone or in person at the box office the day of the performance.
- Group discounts for eight to 10 or more than 10 are offered at 15% off and 20% off, respectively. Arrangements for group purchases should be made at least 24 hours ahead of a performance by calling the box office or emailing samantha@ncmasterchorale.org.
Learn more at ncmasterchorale.org.
North Carolina Symphony discounts
The North Carolina Symphony offers discounts usually reflected through reduced ticket pricing, rather than a flat percentage applied uniformly across performances, so exact discounts vary by concert and seating section.
- College students who join the North Carolina Symphony’s Campus Club free membership program get 50%-60% off tickets to select concerts. The program is open to students age 26 or younger with a valid student ID, and tickets can be purchased online, by phone (919-733-2750) or in person the night of the concert.
- Other students who are not in college can also get tickets for most concerts, with prices ranging from $15 to $30. Those should be purchased by phone or at the door.
- Active military and veterans can receive a 10% off discount to select concerts and should use their North Carolina Symphony account to access special offers.
- Young professionals get access to discounted tickets, usually between 50%-60% off, at select concerts.
- Group discount rates are also available.
Learn more or purchase tickets at ncsymphony.org. Buyers can avoid additional fees charged online or over the phone by instead purchasing discounted tickets in person at the office at 3700 Glenwood Ave. or at the Meymandi Concert Hall.
Raleigh Little Theatre discounts
- Adults 62 years and older and elementary, middle, high school and college students can get discounted tickets for all Sutton and Gaddy-Goodwin Series shows.
- For the mainstage productions, rush tickets are available in person at the box office two hours before the start of each performance. There’s a limit of two tickets per person, and adults aged 62 and older, students and military members can get $10 tickets, which is $5 off the regular adult ticket price.
- Groups of 10 or more, excluding school groups, can get $1 off the adult ticket price.
Learn more at raleighlittletheatre.org.
Theatre in the Park discounts
- Adults aged 60 and older, military members and students qualify for discounts of $5 off a ticket.
Learn more and purchase tickets at theatreinthepark.com.
