McCallum Theatre, Performing arts center in Palm Desert, US
McCallum Theatre is a performing arts venue in Palm Desert with 1,127 seats offering Broadway productions, classical music concerts, dance performances, and comedy shows. The stage hosts performers ranging from national touring companies to established artists across multiple genres.
The venue opened in 1988 and resulted from a 1973 initiative by Coachella Valley leaders who envisioned bringing major performing arts to the region. The project took 15 years from conception to completion before welcoming its first audience.
The theatre's education division, founded in 1997, brings arts programmes to around 40,000 children, parents and educators each year, in the building and in valley classrooms. Its Open Call talent contest gave a stage to Abi Carter, winner of American Idol season 22 in 2024, who was a five-time finalist and, at 13, a 2016 winner of Best Vocal Act with her mother.
The theatre stands on the southern edge of the College of the Desert campus in Palm Desert. It is run by the non-profit Friends of the Cultural Center, Inc., so check the performance calendar before visiting, as showtimes depend on the event.
The McCallum's Open Call talent competition has launched local careers: Abi Carter, winner of American Idol season 22 in 2024, was a five-time finalist, and in 2016, aged 13, she and her mother won Best Vocal Act.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,927 contributors worldwide.
