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Johnny Carson Theater at Lied Center For Performing Arts Tickets
- Location
- Lincoln, NE
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The venue
About Johnny Carson Theater at Lied Center For Performing Arts
The Johnny Carson Theater is a flexible, intimate black-box venue housed within the Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln, Nebraska. With its own entrance and lobby, the theater offers a versatile staging environment ideal for intimate performances, workshops, and readings. The space seats up to 250 in tiered configuration, with portable risers adjustable to accommodate roughly 200 attendees depending on the event design. Whether you’re attending a noted concert, a contemporary performance, or a speaker series, you’ll find a straightforward, no-fuss ticket experience with us.
Located at 301 N 12th St, Lincoln, the Johnny Carson Theater is part of a larger performing arts campus that hosts a mix of touring productions and local programming. The venue is known for its proximity to downtown Lincoln’s amenities, making it easy to pair your visit with dining, shopping, or a comfortable stay nearby.
Getting here is simple: there are several parking options nearby, including the Haymarket Garage (848 Q St) and other downtown garages. Valet parking is available by reservation, and metered parking downtown is commonly found along surrounding streets. For those using public transit, Lincoln’s StarTran bus system serves the area, and Amtrak’s Lincoln Station is nearby at 277 Pinnacle Arena Drive for travelers arriving by rail. When you’re ready to explore dining and hotel options, there are several excellent choices within walking distance or a short ride from the theater.
Nearby hotels include Graduate Lincoln, Courtyard by Marriott Lincoln Downtown/Haymarket, The Cornhusker (A Marriott Hotel), and The Kindler Hotel. We’ve highlighted partner recommendations so you can secure comfortable stays and convenient dining around your theater visit. If you’re planning a multi-event trip, consider booking accommodations close to the Haymarket district for easy access to performances at the Lied Center and Carson Theater.
Notable past performers at Lied Center events include The Moody Blues, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, Weird Al Yankovic, Jerry Seinfeld, Mannheim Steamroller, Bill Cosby, Foreigner, and Crosby, Stills & Nash, underscoring the venue’s rich history of diverse programming.
Good to know
Seating, Parking & Venue Information
- Venue type: Johnny Carson Theater is a black-box theater with its own entrance and lobby at the Lied Center.
- Capacity: Carson Theater seats 250 (tiered); portable risers can configure seating for up to about 200 people.
- Address: 301 N 12th St, Lincoln, NE 68508.
- Seating chart: Main Stage seating chart available; Carson Theater seating is flexible due to its black-box setup.
- Parking: Haymarket Garage (848 Q St) and other downtown garages; valet parking available by reservation; downtown metered parking also available.
- Transit: Served by Lincoln’s StarTran bus system; Amtrak Lincoln Station is nearby at 277 Pinnacle Arena Drive.
- Nearby hotels: Graduate Lincoln, Courtyard by Marriott Lincoln Downtown/Haymarket, The Cornhusker (A Marriott Hotel), The Kindler Hotel.
- Notable events: The Moody Blues, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, Weird Al Yankovic, Jerry Seinfeld, Mannheim Steamroller, Bill Cosby, Foreigner, Crosby, Stills & Nash have appeared at Lied Center events.
- Renamed/demolished: No demolition or renaming of the Carson Theater; renovations occurred in 2014–2015, and a large expansion project (“Building the Future”) was announced with groundbreaking in February 2026.