David H. Koch Theater Theater
Lincoln Center ballet and opera house venue
Lincoln Center theater that houses the New York City Ballet; draws audiences for ballet performances, stage productions and visits to the cultural complex.
David H. Koch Theater at a Glance#
Address: 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, United States
Website: https://www.lincolncenter.org/venue/david-h-koch-theater
Hours: Performance hours vary by event
Admission: Varies by performance; ticketing through Lincoln Center
About David H. Koch Theater#
The David H. Koch Theater is a performing arts venue at Lincoln Center in Manhattan, New York City, originally opened in 1964 as the New York State Theater. It is primarily known as the home of the New York City Ballet and for its large proscenium auditorium.
The theatre’s auditorium seats approximately 2,586 people and is arranged to support ballet, modern dance and large-scale stage productions. Seasonal programming includes the resident company’s regular season, gala performances and touring dance companies.
Built as part of the Lincoln Center complex and opened in 1964, the building was renamed the David H. Koch Theater in 2008 after a major philanthropic donation; it has undergone renovations to update front-of-house and stage facilities since its opening.
Located on the Lincoln Center campus on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the theater sits near Columbus Avenue and West 62nd Street, adjacent to other major cultural venues.
- Opening and renaming: Originally opened in 1964 as the New York State Theater and renamed in 2008 following a major philanthropic gift.
- Resident company: Serves as the primary home of the New York City Ballet and hosts seasonal ballet programming and special performances.
What to See#
- Auditorium: Main auditorium with a proscenium stage and seating configured for ballet and dance productions, seating approximately 2,586 people.
How to Get to David H. Koch Theater#
The theater sits at Lincoln Center on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, served by the 1/A/C/B/D/2/3 subway lines nearby (Columbus Circle, 59th St-Columbus Circle or 66th St-Lincoln Center) and numerous bus routes. Arrive by public transit to avoid limited parking.
Tips for Visiting David H. Koch Theater#
- Check the NYCB and Lincoln Center schedules for ballet and special performances; season programming changes annually.
- Arrive early to enjoy the architecture of the Lincoln Center complex and pre-show ambiance.
- Seating is raked and offers good sightlines; for special productions, premium seating enhances orchestral sound.
Best Time to Visit David H. Koch Theater#
Visit during the ballet season (Autumn-Spring) for the richest program of dance and performance; tickets often sell out for major shows.
Weather & Climate near David H. Koch Theater#
David H. Koch Theater's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1211 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -4° - 4° | -5° | 96 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 4.7 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.5h |
| February | Poor | -3° - 5° | -4° | 77 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 4.8 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.5h |
| March | Acceptable | 1° - 10° | 2° | 106 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.9 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 5° - 16° | 11° | 105 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 4.7 m/s | 1.2 high | 13.1h |
| May | Very Good | 11° - 22° | 16° | 112 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.1 m/s | 1.5 very high | 14.3h |
| June | Excellent | 16° - 26° | 21° | 93 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.9 m/s | 1.8 very high | 14.8h |
| July | Excellent | 19° - 29° | 24° | 114 mm | some cloud | 74% | 3.6 m/s | 1.8 very high | 14.6h |
| August | Excellent | 19° - 28° | 24° | 109 mm | some cloud | 73% | 3.5 m/s | 1.6 very high | 13.6h |
| September | Excellent | 15° - 24° | 20° | 104 mm | some cloud | 74% | 3.7 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.3h |
| October | Very Good | 9° - 18° | 14° | 93 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.9 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.0h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 12° | 6° | 106 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.8h |
| December | Poor | -1° - 7° | -1° | 96 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 4.5 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
