The Historic Boston Opera House
The Boston Opera House is a 1928 theater at 539 Washington Street, in the Theater District of downtown Boston. It opened as the B.F. Keith Memorial Theatre and was designed by architect Thomas W. Lamb. Today it hosts touring Broadway musicals, concerts and Boston Ballet, and its facade, marble lobby and large auditorium also make it a landmark worth seeing from the sidewalk. This page covers the Boston Opera House address, its history, what to see, tours and tickets, and where to eat and walk nearby. It also shows how the Boston Sightseeing double-decker bus fits into a theater day, since the tour map lists the Theater District near Stop 4.
Location
The Boston Opera House is at 539 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, in the Theater District. Chinatown and Boston Common sit close by, so the theater is easy to pair with a walk before or after a show. The Chinatown and Boylston subway stops are both near the theater, but check a transit map for the best route on the day you travel. If you are driving, garages in the area charge different rates on show nights and event days, so confirm the price and hours before you park. Taking the subway avoids that problem, and the edge of the Common is a short walk away.
History
The theater has had several names and several lives, which is why its history is worth a stop on its own.
From B.F. Keith Memorial Theatre To Movie Palace
The theater opened on October 29, 1928, as the B.F. Keith Memorial Theatre, named for vaudeville pioneer Benjamin Franklin Keith. Keith died in 1914, so the theater was built as a memorial to him, and sources describe his partner Edward Albee and Keith's heirs as involved in the project. Thomas W. Lamb, who designed many movie palaces, was the architect. It showed first-run films and live vaudeville at the start and later became a movie house in the RKO chain. It was later renamed the Savoy Theatre.
How It Became The Opera House
The name comes from the 1970s and 1980s, when the Opera Company of Boston used the theater as its home. Sources differ on the exact years. The company later closed, and the building sat in poor condition until a major restoration. The building received Boston Landmark status in 1999, and it reopened on July 16, 2004, with a production of The Lion King. Reports put the restoration cost in the tens of millions of dollars, and sources differ on the exact figure. The venue has carried the Citizens Bank name under a naming-rights deal, so you may also see it called the Citizens Bank Opera House.
What To See
Most visitors come for a show, but the building itself is part of the visit.
The Building
The Society of Architectural Historians describes the exterior as a flamboyant Baroque facade in white terra-cotta. Inside, it lists Italian marble columns, walnut woodwork and plaster ornament. Some listings call the style Renaissance Revival, so architectural descriptions vary. Seating figures also vary by source, from about 2,600 to about 2,900, so check the venue's seating chart if capacity matters.
Shows And Boston Ballet
The Boston Opera House hosts long runs of touring Broadway musicals and other live entertainment. Boston Ballet performs The Nutcracker and its main seasons here. Schedules change every season, so check the venue's calendar for what is playing.
Tours
Tours of the building have been offered in the past. A 2019 event listing described a one-hour historical tour of the lobby areas and auditorium, and pointed to the theater's own website for details. This page could not confirm a current public tour schedule or price, so check the theater's website or call the venue before you plan around a tour.
Tickets
Buy tickets through the theater's official website or box office. The venue phone number is 617-259-3400, according to a theater listing. Prices vary by show and seat, so confirm them directly before you book.
Nearby Attractions
The Opera House sits among several of Boston's best-known places, so it works well as one stop in a longer day.
- Boston Common: The oldest city park in the United States, and Stop 4 on the Boston Sightseeing route.
- Boston Public Garden: The formal garden beside the Common, listed near Stop 4 on the tour map along with the Theater District and Chinatown.
- Park Street Church: Listed near Stop 3, Downtown, and a stop on the Freedom Trail.
- Chinatown: One of Boston's most walkable food neighborhoods.
- New England Aquarium: Stop 1 on the route, a short bus ride away.
- Museum of Fine Arts and Fenway Park: Two other Boston destinations that sit farther out, better treated as separate outings.
Where To Eat Before Or After A Show
The Theater District and the nearby Chinatown streets have a wide mix of restaurants, from quick pre-show meals to sit-down dinners. Book ahead for evening, matinee and weekend show times, since tables fill when a big musical is playing. Check each restaurant's hours, because show-night rules can differ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Boston Opera House address?
The Boston Opera House is at 539 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, in the Theater District.
Where is the Boston Opera House?
It is on Washington Street in the Boston Theater District, close to Chinatown and Boston Common.
Are there Boston Opera House tours?
The theater has offered one-hour historical tours in the past, but this page could not confirm a current schedule. Check the theater's website or call the venue before you plan around a tour.
When was the Boston Opera House built?
It opened on October 29, 1928, as the B.F. Keith Memorial Theatre. Thomas W. Lamb designed it.
What is the history of the Boston Opera House?
It began as a vaudeville and movie theater, became the Savoy, and then took the Opera House name when the Opera Company of Boston used it. It was restored and reopened in 2004.
Why is it called the Boston Opera House?
The name dates from the years when the Opera Company of Boston used the theater, around 1980. Today it is better known for touring Broadway shows and Boston Ballet.
Does the Boston Opera House still host opera?
It mainly hosts touring Broadway musicals, concerts and Boston Ballet. A reference source notes that the redevelopment agreement called for some days of opera each year, but that no opera had been staged in the renovated venue as of its last update.
How do I buy Boston Opera House tickets?
Buy through the theater's official website or box office, and check prices directly since they vary by show and seat.
How many seats does the Boston Opera House have?
Sources differ, from about 2,600 to about 2,900 seats. Check the seating chart on the venue's site.
Is there parking near the Boston Opera House?
Garages operate nearby, but rates change on show nights, so confirm the price and hours before you park. The MBTA is an easy alternative.
What restaurants are near the Boston Opera House?
The Theater District and Chinatown have many restaurants within a short walk. Reserve ahead for pre-show dining on busy nights.
Is the Boston Opera House near a Boston Sightseeing stop?
Yes. The tour map lists the Theater District near Stop 4, Boston Common, and the All Day ticket covers Stops 1 to 8.
Plan Your Boston Tour with Boston Sightseeing
Boston Sightseeing runs a hop-on hop-off double-decker bus tour with live commentary, so you can see the city's main landmarks and get off wherever you like. The tour map lists the Theater District and Chinatown near Stop 4, Boston Common, so that stop is the natural place to start a walk to the Opera House. Stop 3, Downtown, puts you near the Freedom Trail and Park Street Church.
The bus runs daily from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, so it works best for a daytime ride, with the walk to the theater in the afternoon. For an evening show, ride the bus in the morning and take the T or walk at night. The All Day ticket covers Stops 1 to 8, including Stop 3 and Stop 4. The Boston and Charlestown ticket covers Stops 1 to 11. See the ticket cards below for current options, and use the hop-on hop-off tour map to see every stop.
Our Tour Packages
Single Ride Pass
$33.25
Explore Boston in 90 Minutes
Ride above the crowd and enjoy the panoramic view of Boston
- Boston City Tour Single Ride Pass
- Stop-1 to Stop-8
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- 90 Minutes Tour
- 1 Day Validity
- Hop-on Hop-off Tour
- Charlestown Sightseeing Tour
Hop-On Hop-Off All Day
$41.55
Boston City Sightseeing Tour
Experience historic Boston with unlimited hop-on hop-off at your own pace.
- Stop-1 to Stop-8
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Blue Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- 90 Minutes tour
- 1 Day Validity
- Shuttle Bus Service
- Charlestown Tour
Hop-on Hop-off Boston & Charlestown Tour
$48.65
Boston & Charlestown Tour
Experience the charm of Boston & Charlestown with Boston Sightseeing at your own pace.
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Stop-1 to Stop-11
- Hop-on Hop-off Charlestown Tour
- Blue & Orange Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- Shuttle Bus Tour
- 120 Minutes Tour
- 1 Day Validity
2 Days Boston & Charlestown Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
$70.40
2 Days Boston & Charlestown Tour
Explore Boston & Charlestown with Boston's first double-decker bus at your own pace.
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Stop-1 to Stop-11
- Hop-on Hop-off Charlestown Tour
- Blue & Orange Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- Shuttle Bus Tour
- 120 Minutes Tour
- 2 Days Validity
Cruise Terminal Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
$52.00
200 Minutes Hop-on Hop-off
Get onboard from Boston Cruise terminal and explore the historic beantown with Boston Sightseeing double-decker bus.
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Stop 1-8, 12-15
- Blue & Purple Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- Shuttle Bus Tour
- 200 Minutes Tour
- 1 Day Validity
- Charlestown Tour
Boston & Cambridge City Tour
$63.00
Guided Photo & City Tour
A 3.5-hour guided shuttle tour featuring Boston’s most iconic neighborhoods, Cambridge highlights, waterfront views, and curated photo opportunities.
- Guided Boston & Cambridge sightseeing tour
- Approximately 3.5 hours
- Curated stops and photo opportunities
- Climate-controlled shuttle bus transportation
- Live local tour guide
- 45-minutes Quincy Market lunch break
- Same-day tour experience
- Double-Decker Bus Service
- Hop-on, hop-off service
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