The Irvine Barclay Theatre opened its doors in 1990, welcoming an impressive array of artists and guests to its stage in the 35 years since.
On Saturday, it welcomed the community for a free “block party” celebration of its milestone anniversary.
The construction of The Barclay was a community effort, after all, with the city contributing more than $11 million, UC Irvine providing the location on Campus Drive and funding help and millions more fundraised from private sources.
The 756-seat theater has hosted more than 5,000 events and more than 3 million audience members.
The Barclay’s 2025-26 season is underway and it has a slate of holiday performances starting in November. Find out more at thebarclay.org.
Orion Aranda, 7, of Mission Viejo, gets his hands on a French horn at the Philharmonic Society of Orange County booth, Sept. 28, 2025, as Irvine Barclay Theatre celebrates its 35th season with a Barclay Block Party. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Kids get up close during a puppet show, Sept. 28, 2025, as Irvine Barclay Theatre celebrates its 35th season with a Barclay Block Party. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
The Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz makes an appearance during a puppet show, Sept. 28, 2025, as Irvine Barclay Theatre celebrates its 35th season with a Barclay Block Party. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Eight-year-old Kalani Khong, of Garden Grove, gets a hands on experience with a cello, at the Philharmonic Society of Orange County booth, Sept. 28, 2025, as Irvine Barclay Theatre celebrates its 35th season with a Barclay Block Party. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Artist Talisa Batchelor draws a likeness of Tina Trinh and Chris Hua, right, Sept., 28, 2025, as Irvine Barclay Theatre celebrates its 35th season with a Barclay Block Party. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Kira Nguyen, 7, of Irvine, gets a look at her rainbow at the face painting booth, Sept., 28, 2025, as the Irvine Barclay Theatre celebrates its 35th season with a Barclay Block Party. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Madeline Tran, 4, and her sister, Leighton Tran, 6, of Laguna Niguel, are handed a drawing of them, Sept., 28, 2025, as the Irvine Barclay Theatre celebrates its 35th season with a Barclay Block Party. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
The Lollipop Guild, from the Wizard of Oz, dances during a puppet show, as Irvine Barclay Theatre celebrates its 35th season, Sept., 28, 2025, with a Barclay Block Party. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Puppeteer Laurie Branham, of The Puppets & Players’ Little Theatre, puts out a show for the kids, Sept., 28, 2025, during the Irvine Barclay Theatre’s Barclay Block Party. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Puppeteer Laurie Branham, of The Puppets & Players’ Little Theatre, entertains the kids at the start of a puppet show, as Irvine Barclay Theatre celebrates its 35th season with a Barclay Block Party.
(Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
The Puppets & Players’ Little Theatre entertains kids with a puppet show, Sept. 28, 2025, as Irvine Barclay Theatre celebrates its 35th season with a Barclay Block Party. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Puppeteer Laurie Branham makes Cali Pradd, 10, of Irvine, laugh, Sept. 28, 2025, at the start of a puppet show, as Irvine Barclay Theatre celebrates its 35th season with a Barclay Block Party. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Kathy Hong-Lee of Irvine visits the Philharmonic Society of Orange County booth with her kids, Parker Lee, 3, and his sister, Paige Lee, 5, Sept. 28, 2025, as Irvine Barclay Theatre celebrates its 35th season with a Barclay Block Party. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
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Orion Aranda, 7, of Mission Viejo, gets his hands on a French horn at the Philharmonic Society of Orange County booth, Sept. 28, 2025, as Irvine Barclay Theatre celebrates its 35th season with a Barclay Block Party. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
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