Downtown Fresno is home to many of Central California's most prominent performing and cultural arts organizations and institutions. The newly renovated William Saroyan Theatre at the Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center is home to both the Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Fresno Grand Opera. In just the past few years, these two organizations have performed with many of the most famous stars of classical music, including Renee Fleming, Joshua Bell, Sarah Chang, Itzahk Perlman, Placido Domingo and many others.

The Saroyan Theatre is also home to national touring productions of musicals such as Sweeney Todd, Ain't Misbehavin, and Mamma Mia, as part of the Broadway in Fresno series.

The historic Fresno Veterans Memorial Auditorium is also home to Children's Music Theatreworks, which presents stage musical plays featuring local youth.

The Valley Performing Arts Council also annually hosts ballet peformances at the Saroyan Theatre.

Other arts organizations, such as Arte Americas also present dance and music events on a regular basis.