The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater is celebrating its 10th anniversary season this year, according to a September 30 statement from Salt Lake County. Since its opening in 2016, the venue has become a premier cultural destination for the Intermountain West, hosting over 2,000 events and drawing 2.7 million visitors downtown.
The theater has generated an economic impact of more than $1.25 billion, according to Broadway League data. The venue has also contributed an estimated $30 million in wages to local union labor over the last decade.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall stated that the theater has become an anchor for the downtown arts and entertainment community. Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson added that the venue's ability to host everything from Broadway shows to free public performances is vital to enriching Utah's arts community.
The $140 million project was funded through a $71 million public-private partnership between Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County, alongside $33 million in private donations. This included a $15 million naming gift from the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation.
Designed by the architecture firm Pelli Clarke Pelli, the building features a five-story glass façade. The project also inspired the redevelopment of Regent Street into a walkable corridor of shops and restaurants.
Community initiatives at the theater include the Arts for All program, which has distributed 12,000 free tickets to qualified Salt Lake County residents since 2018. The Technical Outreach program provides hands-on experience to high school and college students working with industry professionals.
Additionally, the Eccles Presents series offers free live performances, including events such as Salt Lake Speaks, Voces en Bloom, the Mariachi Festival, and the Steppin’ on Main summer series.
The theater's 10th anniversary season includes several upcoming events. A special one-night engagement featuring two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
Furthermore, the theater will host a series of backstage community tours throughout the season, with the first tour scheduled for Sunday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A seasonal art installation titled Elevations of Light, created by local artist Chad Farnes, will be on view in the Eccles Grand Lobby through August 2027.
