Family Guide to DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center)

Verified July 2026 by Nina, a Raleigh mom.

Taking your kids to their first big touring show at DPAC is one of those Triangle parenting milestones that genuinely lives up to the hype. The lights drop, the orchestra starts, and you get to watch your kid's face do the thing. But DPAC is a real Broadway-scale house, not a children's theater, and there are a couple of rules that catch first-time parents off guard, especially the age policy. Here is everything I wish someone had told me before our first show, so you can plan around the gotchas instead of finding out at the door.

The basics, with the rules that actually matter

DPAC books national Broadway tours, big-name concerts, comedy, and the occasional kids' touring show. It is a large venue, so treat a visit more like a stadium event than a quick outing.

Address: 123 Vivian Street, Durham, NC 27701, in downtown Durham right next to the American Tobacco Campus.

Size: Around 2,700 seats, so it is a big room. Where you sit matters more than at a small theater.

Tickets: Prices swing a lot by show and seat. Broadway tours run higher than family or concert dates. Always confirm current pricing on the official DPAC site before you budget, and watch for resale markups on third-party sites.

Box office: Hours change seasonally, so check the current schedule before you drive over expecting to buy in person. Buying online ahead of time is the safer bet for popular shows.

The age policy (read this first)

This is the one that trips people up. For most performances, children under 6 are generally not permitted, with exceptions for specific young-kid shows like touring Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, or similar productions. So if you have a preschooler, you are usually waiting for one of those family titles rather than bringing them to a standard Broadway run.

Everyone needs a ticket, regardless of age. There are no lap passes. A baby allowed at a family show still needs a paid seat.

Kids and preteens under 13 need to attend with a parent or guardian, and DPAC recommends one adult per child.

The unspoken rule: your child needs to be able to sit in their own seat without disturbing the people around them. A two-and-a-half-hour Broadway musical is a long time. Be honest with yourself about whether your kid is there yet.

Always confirm the specific age guidance for the exact show you are booking, since family titles set their own rules.

Best shows for families

DPAC's season usually includes a few productions that work beautifully for kids. The trick is matching the show to your child's stamina, not just their interest.

The reliable first-show picks

Big Disney and family musicals when they tour (think Lion King, Aladdin, Frozen, Annie, Matilda, and similar titles) are the gold standard for a first real Broadway experience. Best for roughly ages 6 and up, depending on the kid.

Crowd-pleasers like Wicked land well with kids around 8 and up who can follow a fuller story and sit through a longer run time.

Touring young-children shows (the Paw Patrol or Peppa Pig type live events) are the right call for the under-6 crowd, since those are usually the shows that actually allow little ones in.

Seasonal and special events

DPAC also rotates in holiday programming, family comedy and magic, and kid-focused concert tours through the year. These come and go, so check the current calendar rather than assuming a specific show will be back. Confirm dates and on-sale times on the official schedule.

How to pick the right show for your kid

A quick gut check before you buy:

Under 6? Wait for a designated family or young-children show, since most standard performances will not admit them.

First time at a real theater? Pick a story they already know, ideally something with a soundtrack you can play in the car beforehand. Familiarity buys you a lot of patience in seat M.

Easily wiggly or noise-sensitive? Choose a shorter run time and an aisle seat, and go in with a plan to step out if needed.

Older kid or teen? Almost anything on the schedule is fair game. This is a great age to try a non-Disney title.

Where to sit

In a room this size, seat choice changes the whole experience for a kid.

Center orchestra, a dozen or so rows back, is my sweet spot for families. You are close enough to read faces but far enough that the sound is not overwhelming for little ears.

Front mezzanine is the other strong family choice. Sightlines are clean and kids can take in the full stage and the big production moments.

Skip the very back of the upper level with younger kids. The stage reads as small and far away, and that is exactly when attention wanders.

Booster seats are available at no charge for family shows on a first-come, first-served basis, which is a real help for shorter kids. Plan to arrive early and ask Guest Services, since they can run out.

Getting there and parking

DPAC sits in a busy downtown block, and parking is its own little event on show nights. The good news is there is a lot of it nearby.

There are three main parking decks around DPAC with thousands of spaces, all within a short walk. Commonly recommended options include the American Tobacco North Deck, the American Tobacco East Deck, and the 555 Mangum Street deck.

Expect to pay a flat event rate to park, in the low double digits per car. Rates and lot availability shift by event, so confirm current pricing and bring a card, since many decks are cashless or app-based.

DPAC has steered guests away from a couple of downtown garages in the past due to slow exits after shows. Stick to the recommended decks near the American Tobacco Campus and your post-show getaway will be much smoother.

Mom tip: the crush to leave the deck right after the finale is real. If you are not racing bedtime, kill 10 to 15 minutes in the lobby or walking the campus and let the worst of it clear.

What to bring and what to leave in the car

DPAC runs a real bag policy and goes through security, so pack light.

Bags are size-limited, generally no larger than roughly 12 by 12 inches, and small bags get inspected. A small clutch or nothing at all is the easiest path through the door.

Parenting bags are the exception. For family shows that allow little kids, diaper and parenting bags are permitted with inspection when the child is present. Medical bags are allowed too.

Concessions are cashless. They take cards and mobile pay, not cash. If you only have cash, you can typically buy a gift card at Guest Services to spend inside. Confirm current concession details if you are counting on it.

Eat before, not during

Inside food is concession-style, so do your real eating beforehand. The American Tobacco Campus next door is genuinely convenient and walkable, with a green lawn, rocking chairs, and a water feature that buys you some pre-show wiggle time.

Family-friendly campus spots include casual chain and local options that are used to the pre-show dinner rush. A few nearby places are known for being kid-comfortable, and at least one downtown Durham spot near the campus has a play area in the back, which is a small miracle when you are early.

Mom tip: the pre-show window gets slammed because everyone has the same idea. Make a reservation when you can, or eat on the early side and use the lawn to burn off the rest of the time.

A few first-visit habits that make it smoother

Buy early. Popular tours sell well in advance, and buying direct from DPAC keeps you out of resale markups.

Prep the kid. Play the soundtrack, skim the story, talk through theater manners (quiet, stay seated, phones away). Five minutes of prep saves you a lot mid-show.

Arrive with a buffer. Give yourself time to park, get through security, hit the restroom, and settle before the lights drop. Rushing in stressed sets a bad tone for a wiggly kid.

Beat the intermission line. Restrooms back up fast at the break. Go the moment intermission starts rather than waiting.

Sit on the aisle if a bathroom run mid-act is even a possibility. And if your kid genuinely hits a wall, slipping out to the lobby for a reset is completely normal.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring my toddler or baby to DPAC?

Usually not to a standard show. For most performances, children under 6 are generally not allowed, and every person needs their own paid ticket regardless of age. The exceptions are specific young-children touring shows, where little ones are welcome and parenting bags are allowed. If you have a toddler, watch the calendar for those family titles and confirm the age policy for that exact show.

How much does parking cost at DPAC?

Plan on a flat event rate in the low double digits per car at the recommended decks near the American Tobacco Campus. Exact rates vary by event and lot, and many decks are cashless or app-based, so confirm current pricing and bring a card rather than cash.

What seats are best for kids?

Center orchestra a dozen or so rows back, or the front mezzanine, give you the best mix of clear sightlines and comfortable sound for younger kids. Avoid the very back of the upper level with little ones, since the stage feels far away. Free booster seats are available for family shows on a first-come basis, so arrive early and ask Guest Services.

What can I bring inside?

Pack light. Bags are size-limited to roughly 12 by 12 inches and are subject to inspection, so a small clutch or no bag is easiest. Parenting and diaper bags are allowed for family shows when your child is present, and medical bags are permitted. Concessions are cashless, so bring a card.

Where should we eat before a show?

The American Tobacco Campus right next door is the easy answer, with walkable, kid-comfortable restaurants and a green lawn for pre-show energy burning. It gets crowded before showtime, so reserve ahead or eat early. Confirm hours for any specific restaurant, since lineups change.

A night at DPAC really can become a core family memory. Match the show to your kid, sort out the age rules and parking ahead of time, eat before you go, and you will spend the evening watching the stage instead of stressing the logistics.