Experience Excellence
Plan Your Visit to Riverside
At Riverside Center, we bring all kinds of stories to life. Discover a range of captivating shows that inspire and entertain. If you’re looking to enjoy quality theatre, live music, and a wonderful dinner as a part of your night out on the town, we have all three!
Ticket and Timeline Info
Mainstage Theatre
2026 Show Tickets
Adult – $67
Senior (65+ years) – $62
Military (limit 4 per show, per account with ID) – $62
Child (3-17 years) – $55
Show tickets purchased online incur an additional $5 per-ticket convenience fee
Rush – $35 – available for same day, must mention RUSH to get the discount, no online sales, no adding dinner
2026 Dinner Tickets
$25 + taxes, purchased with a mainstage performance ticket
Dinners purchased online incur an additional $2 per-ticket convenience fee
Performance Dates and Times
**Food service for all performances stops 45 minutes prior to the performance.
Wednesday Matinees
Bar Opens at 11am
Dinner Arrival: 11:30am-11:45am
Show Only Suggested Arrival: 12:45pm
Performance Start: 1:30pm
Thurs. - Sat. Evenings
Bar Opens at 5pm
Dinner Arrival: 5:30pm-5:45pm
Show Only Suggested Arrival: 6:45pm
Performance Start: 7:30pm
Sunday
Matinees
Bar Opens at 12:30pm
Dinner Arrival: 1pm-1:15pm
Show Only Suggested Arrival: 2:15pm
Performance Start: 3:00pm
Your Visit
Directions/Parking
Located just off I-95 at exit 133. Between Washington, D.C, and Richmond, Virginia. Free parking is available just outside the Riverside Center entrance. Overflow parking is available across the street in the SimVentions parking lot.
Playbill Policy
Playbills can be viewed on your phone once you arrive by scanning the QR code located in the theatre. Printed playbills are available with your online order or at the Box Office. Find the digital playbills past and present here.
Riverside Center House Bar
We offer a full-service bar, located in our lobby. Please be prepared with a valid photo ID if you wish to purchase alcohol. Riverside Center accepts major credit cards, checks and cash for payments.
Gratuity Policy
Gratuity is appreciated, suggested gratuity of 15 to 20% of your total show ticket price and any additional purchases.
Restrooms
Fully accessible restrooms are located inside the lobby.
Air Conditioning
Our theatre is fully air conditioned for your comfort.
Personal Electronic Devices
All electronic devices, including cell phones, must be turned off during the performance. Patrons on call may leave their cell phone with the House Manager, who will notify them if they receive a call.
Dress Code
Appropriate casual attire.
Bags and Backpacks
We kindly ask that you do not bring large bags or backpacks into the theatre. Please note all bags brought into the theatre are subject to inspection.
Eating, Drinking, and Smoking
Unless otherwise advertised, outside food and drinks are not permitted. Smoking is only permitted outside – across the parking lot and at the end of the building.
General Theatre Policies
Riverside Center for the Performing Arts does not offer advisories about subject matter, as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have any questions about content, age appropriateness or stage effects (such as strobe lights or theatrical fog) that might have a bearing on patron comfort, please contact the box office at (540) 370-4300. Riverside Center wants each and every patron who attends its live theatrical performances to enjoy themselves. Anyone causing a disruption and hindering the enjoyment of other audience members will be removed from the theatre at the discretion of the management
Content Guidelines
There is no official rating system for theatre. Suggested Content Guidelines are posted on show pages, when available
Running Times
Run times vary from show to show and will be published on individual show pages as information becomes available.
Photography and Recording
Out of respect for the artists and in adherence to the union rules we are contractually obligated to enforce, all photography and video recordings of the stage, as well as of the production itself (including audio recordings) are strictly prohibited.
Seating, Seating Times, and Late Arrivals
For the betterment of service and safety, Riverside reserves the right to change seating at our discretion as needed.
Suggested Dinner & Show Arrival Time
2 hours prior to scheduled performance start time. Food service stops 45 minutes prior to the start of the show. If you arrive during that time, you will not receive food service. Please call the box office if you are running late.
Suggested Show Only Arrival Time
30 minutes prior to scheduled performance start time, earlier if desiring purchases from the bar. Patrons arriving after the show has started may be denied entry to the building, as doors are locked to outside access for audience safety.
Accessibility
Wheelchair Seating
Wheelchair seating is designated for best access on the Floor (F) level and available on a first come, first serve basis.
More Than A Theater
For Those Who Chose to Dine, Enjoy Dinner and A Show
In addition to world-class performing arts, we offer the option to dine with us prior to the show for a delicious and on-theme meal, caringly crafted by our in house chefs and brought right to your table.
Ticket and Timeline Info
Children's Theatre
2026 Show Tickets
Anyone 3 years of age or older – $25
Under 3 – FREE with paying adult
Performance Dates and Times
Bring a lunch to enjoy at your table before the show – no food or drink service provided
Tuesday and Thursday School Performances
Theater Doors Open at 10:30am
Performance: 11:30am – 12:45pm
Saturday Matinees
Theater Doors Open at 12:15pm
Performance: 1:00 – 2:15pm
Got Questions?
We’ve compiled answers to the most common inquiries for you.
No. We offer a 3-course, waiter-served dinner at our mainstage productions. Our menu includes salad, bread, a choice of entrees (including vegetarian, gluten-free and children’s selections), and dessert. Coffee, iced tea, and water are also included. A selection of appetizers and desserts are available for purchase. Our full-service bar offes soft drinks, wine, beer mixed drinks and craft cocktails. Patrons with special dietary needs should contact our Executive Chef for assistance at least 48 hours from their reserved date.
No outside food or drink is permitted at mainstage dinner theatre performances, but food (including cake!) is encouraged in our Children’s Theatre.
Riverside Center is a family-oriented theatre, seeking to present live entertainment with appeal to the broadest range of patrons, but must also maintain the licensed content of each show. Please call the Box Office in regards to the suitability of particular shows for certain audiences. We do not admit children under the age of three to mainstage dinner theatre performances.
Our Children’s Theatre is aimed at the maturity and attention level of young children, although teens and adults also enjoy these productions.
Due to copyright restrictions, photography (with or without flash), audio, and video recordings of any portion of our performances are strictly prohibited.
Our facility is 100% non-smoking at all times, however smoking areas are provided across the parking lot from the main entrance and at the end of the sidewalk.
All sales are final. No refunds will be made for unused tickets, including season tickets, gift certificates, or Pick 3 certificates. Please mention any coupons or discounts when reserving your seating. Discounts will not be deducted after payment has been processed. Patrons who do not attend their scheduled performance for any reason will be considered “No Show” and tickets considered donated.
If Riverside Center cancels the performance, we will call and/or email each reservation to inform of the cancellation and offer to reschedule. If the weather is not severe enough to cancel the performance, but conditions in your immediate area are actively unsafe, you may reschedule your tickets without charge during the day before your reserved date up until five hours prior to the scheduled arrival time. Leave a message for the Box Office during those hours we are closed.
Yes, by calling the Box Office at least 24 hours before your scheduled arrival. A processing fee of $10 per ticket for mainstage performances (maximum $40) and $5 per ticket for Children’s Theatre performances (maximum $20) will be collected. Tickets may not be rescheduled on the day of their expected use.
You might! Seating is reserved on a first-come, as-available basis. Parties may reserve a table larger than needed, however we retain the right to sell each empty seat in the theatre without prior notice and may condense patron seating at our convenience. Our largest tables seat six, so larger parties may be seated at adjacent tables. Fire code prohibits pushing tables together anywhere in the theatre, or adding chairs to already-full tables. Changing seats is considered rescheduling and incurs the usual reschedule fee.
We encourage business casual and politely ask that you refrain from flip flops, shorts, and tattered or distressed jeans. The theater can be chilly!
Yes, from the bar, which can close up to 30 minutes before the show. The kitchen is closed by 45 minutes before the curtain goes up. No table service is provided.
Planning Group Visits
Group Sales
Welcome! If you’re planning a group visit, you’re in the right place. We’re here to help make your experience memorable and enjoyable.
Friends and family, church groups, tours, clubs, and businesses are all welcome at Riverside Center. Hold your date and selected tables while you organize your guests for a memorable dinner and show.
Group Benefits
Groups of 12 or more receive special rates
Every 25th ticket is only $10 (plus applicable taxes)
Ticket includes dinner, show, taxes, and meal service
Easy access and ample free parking
No deposit due until six weeks from your event
Balance and firm number of attendees due ten days prior to performance date
Actor talk-back and specialty tours available for a small additional fee (must make arrangements in advance)
Your group will go directly to the chandeliered lounge upon arrival where a full cash bar awaits. When the theater doors open for dinner seating, a host will call your group by name to be escorted to your reserved area. Salad and bread start off your meal and wait staff will shortly take your dinner and drink orders. Water, iced tea, and coffee service, an entrée selection with delicious sides and choice of desserts are all included, with no need to decide ahead what to eat! A modest gratuity is included in the group patron ticket price. Additional gratuity is up to the patron and encouraged for excellent tableside hospitality and purchases not included in the ticket price.
Finally, sit back and enjoy our Broadway style musical or drama brought to you by top-notch professional performers. Your group will want to return again and again to experience the best of Broadway in Virginia.
Group Sales Hours
9am-4pm, Mon.-Fri.
Group Sales Contact
(540) 681-1226
Tour Operators
Riverside Center attracts theatre lovers from across the state and the country. Perfectly positioned between Washington D.C. and Richmond, VA with easy access to I-95, Riverside’s Wednesday matinee is a popular destination for groups on a day’s outing. Those traveling north or south and seeking a night’s lodging, meal and entertainment before continuing onward find us a convenient resource. Tour groups also enjoy spending a few days in the Fredericksburg area, with a selection of activities to entice any type of traveler. Riverside Center maintains memberships with the American Bus Association and Virginia Motorcoach Association.
Need to get away? Stafford, VA is loaded with hidden treasures worthy of discovery! Without going too far or spending too much, this three-day adventure has much to offer!
Student Groups
Riverside Center loves to encourage new theatre fans! Bring your Middle & High School students to our mainstage Broadway-style productions for exposure to music, comedy, and drama live on-stage. Minimum number required is flexible to accommodate all sizes of student groups.
Student Group Benefits (Mainstage)
Groups of 12 or more receive special rates
Ticket includes dinner, show, taxes, and meal service
Easy access and ample free parking
No deposit due until six weeks from your event
Balance and firm number of attendees due fourteen days prior to performance date
Actor talk-back and specialty tours available for a small additional fee (must make arrangements in advance)
Bus Approach and Parking at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts
Once you arrive at the theater, you will take the second entrance (left turn from Riverside Parkway) and drive up to the front of the theater. Please do not park directly in front of the theater entrance. We need to keep that open due to the crosswalk.
Once your bus is parked, please turn off the engine. This helps prevent the exhaust fumes from going into the lobby when the theater doors are open. After your group has gotten off the bus, you may drive back to main road, turn left, and take the same second entrance you took when you arrived. Then turn into the bus parking, as pictured.
