Zellerbach Hall

Zellerbach Hall is a performing arts center on the University of California Berkeley campus with a main auditorium seating about 2,000 people and a smaller playhouse holding roughly 500 for theatrical productions. The two spaces allow different types of performances to run alongside each other throughout the year.

The hall opened in 1968 following a generous donation from Isadore and Jennie Zellerbach to establish a major performance venue at UC Berkeley. This family gift shaped the campus's artistic life for decades to follow.

The venue hosts international orchestras, dance companies, and speakers through Cal Performances, the university's primary arts programming organization. This mix of world-class performances shapes how students and the community experience music and theater together.

Visitors can reach the venue by taking BART to Berkeley Station or AC Transit buses, with parking options available near the campus. Walking across the hilly terrain of the campus may take longer than expected if arriving on foot.

The building was designed with specific acoustic elements that allow performances to be heard clearly from every seat. This thoughtful design means no corner of either hall sounds muffled or far away.

Location: Berkeley

Inception: 1968

Official opening: 1968

Part of: University of California, Berkeley

GPS coordinates: 37.86890,-122.26100

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:40