Posted by: South Florida has many excellent theater productions, but tickets are sometimes expensive. We've found a number of ways to get discount theater tickets in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
You can find theater ticket deals from a number of sources, including Groupon, Ticketmaster, Culture Shock, Cultural Connection, Golden Ticket and the theaters themselves. If you sign up for email updates from the center, you may get special discounts from time to time.
Another way to save on theater tickets is to volunteer as an usher at the Kravitz Center in West Palm Beach, the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale or the Arsht Center in Miami. And don't forget to keep an eye on our latest entertainment discounts.
Here is the South Florida on the Cheap guide to getting the best deals and discounts on theater tickets. Before you buy a theater ticket, check out these Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and other theater ticket discounts.
1. Groupon
Groupon frequently has deals for plays, concerts, festivals and other Miami events. The best deals are usually a few months in advance of the event, and then a deal may come along later if the event is not selling well. Either way, it pays to check before you buy a full-price ticket because Groupon can offer theater and event tickets for 50 percent off or better. The Groupon price almost always includes all service fees, so the price you'll see is the price you pay. You won't find as many good deals here as you could a few years ago, but it's worth checking.
Find all the Groupon theater deals in South Florida plus other event discounts here.
2. Ticketmaster
You might not expect to find deals at Ticketmaster, the giant company that handles ticket sales for many major venues and performing arts events. But the company sometimes offers deals, two-for-one tickets and “four packs” of tickets at a discounted rate. The base price of the ticket does not include service fees, which can be hefty, but those fees are disclosed before you buy the tickets.
See all the Ticketmaster theater deals here.
3. Lucky Seat
Lucky Seat is a program that operates in many U.S. cities and make unsold tickets available at a substantial discount. Tickets for touring Broadway show, for example, are usually $35 to $45, feeds included, for orchestra seats in Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
To get the tickets, you have to enter a lottery, and you can enter for one, two, three or four tickets. Not everyone will win. But we think there is enough chance to win that it's worth doing. We have seen quite a few Broward Center shows at a discount this way. You don't know until you pay for the tickets where they are.
Here is how the program works.
- Create a Lucky Seat account. If you already have one, skip this step.
- Choose the event you want to try to see.
- Choose the performances for which you want to try to win tickets. A separate drawing is held for each performance.
- Watch your email or text (you are usually notified both ways if you provide that information) to see if you won. There will be a deadline to purchase the tickets, and it is usually soon. You can also go online to check your results.
- If you win, pay for the tickets. They will be transferred to your Ticketmaster account.
4. Culture Shock Miami
Culture Shock Miami offers one of the best deals in town for theater tickets and other entertainment. Students 13 to 22 can buy tickets to cultural performances for $5 each. Best of all, each student can buy a second ticket and take someone of any age such as a parent. Culture Shock also offers discount entry to museums and attractions for $2.50 each.
See all the Culture Shock Miami deals here.
5. Arsht Center deal for college students
The Adrienne Arsht Center offers $25 tickets to select shows, including theater events, to full-time, degree-seeking college students. Students need to register in advance to be notified of $20 ticket deals or they can visit the website for the ArshtPass deal. Students will need to register in advance.
Learn more about the Arsht Center discount tickets for college students here.
6. Golden Ticket discounts for Miami-Dade seniors
Miami-Dade County’s Golden Ticket program gives those 62 and older free entry to cultural events. The Golden Ticket Arts Guide lists eligible events and venues. When you find something that interests you, contact the sponsoring organization to make a reservation; Golden Ticket admission is available on a first-come, first served basis.
The guide includes coupons, one of which must be presented per person, along with photo ID, for free admission. Call 305-499-8755 or complete the Golden Ticket mailing list form to get a copy of the guide or find one in a county library. You can also print tickets online.
Find out more about the Golden Ticket program here.
7. Broward Center student rush tickets
Broward Center for the Performing Arts
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts offers student rush tickets to selected shows at the Broward Center, the Parker Playhouse and the Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center.
Prices vary by show, and each student can buy two tickets with a student ID at the box office of each theater starting two hours before showtime.
Find the current list of shows with student rush tickets available here.
8. Kravis Center deal for educators, veterans, students and first responders
Photo: Kravis Center, Alexander W. Dreyfoos Concert Hall
The Kravis Center in West Palm Beach makes rush tickets available for $25.50 for many shows. To get that deal, you must show up at the box office two hours before the starting time of the show.
This deal is available for educators, veterans, first responders and students. ID is required. Each person is limited to two tickets per ID.
Find out more about Kravis Center rush tickets here.
8. Cultural Connections and the Theatre League of South Florida (suspended)
You can buy tickets for 50 percent off on the day of the performance through Cultural Connection, a project run by WLRN Public Radio and Television, and the Theatre League of South Florida. Service charges totaling $5 are added. You must buy your ticket and pay with a credit card by 5 p.m. the day of the show. The day's offerings are posted every day shortly after midnight,
To see today's Cultural Connection discount theater tickets, click here.
Find South Florida concert and music festival deals here.
Do you know of other ways to get discount theater tickets in South Florida? Email us the details at news@miamionthecheap,com.
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