Ames Center Burnsville: History of the Performing Arts Center & Late 2026 Events

The Crown Jewel of the Heart of the City

Born from the 1993–94 Partnerships for Tomorrow citizen forums,   originated from Burnsville residents' desire for a local cultural anchor. Integrated into the 54-acre "Heart of the City" framework, the venue opened in January 2009 as the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, featuring a two-story glass lobby overlooking Nicollet Commons Park.

🎭 TODAY — A Regional Stage and Art Gallery

Renamed the Ames Center in 2014, the facility includes a 1,014-seat main theatre, a 150-seat Black Box theatre, and a 2,000-square-foot art gallery, hosting diverse local and national acts. Convenient parking is available nearby at the free municipal Heart of the City ramp (12751 Pillsbury Ave).

📅 Upcoming November & December 2026 Lineup

November 2026

• November 3: Serial Killers with Dr. Scott Bonn
• November 7: NPC Minnesota State Championships
• November 13: A Motown Christmas
• November 14 – 15: Menopause The Musical® (25th Anniversary Tour)
• November 22: Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland

December 2026

• December 3: A John Denver Christmas
• December 4: Christmas With Lorie Line
• December 5 – 6: A Musical Christmas Carol
• December 11 – 13: Twin Cities Ballet's A Minnesota Nutcracker
• December 15: Shaun Johnson & the Big Band Experience (Run Run Rudolph Tour)
• December 16: Christmas With Elvis
• December 17 – 18: An Andy & Bing Christmas
• December 23: Jim Brickman: A Christmas Celebration
• December 31: The Blue Violin's Retro Rock & Roll New Year's Eve Special

(Note: Full details, times, and tickets can be found directly on the official Ames site.

Nicollet Commons Park sits just outside the Ames Center's two-story glass lobby — a beautiful spot to visit before or after a show. The park is the central gathering space of Burnsville's 54-acre Heart of the City, hosting community events like the annual Winter Lighting Ceremony.

🚗 How to Ride MVTA Connect To Ames Center @ 12600 Nicollet Avenue South

You can easily reach this location using MVTA Connect, an affordable on-demand, curb-to-curb microtransit service within Burnsville.

• Curb-to-Curb Service: Accessible vans or small buses drop you off directly at your destination.
• The Flat Cost: A budget-friendly $3.00 per person each way.
• Payment Methods: Payable via cash, Go-To Card, or the MVTA App.
• Service Hours: Operates daily from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM (plan ahead for late-night game conclusions).

How to Book Your Ride

• Order via Smartphone: Use the MVTA App (iOS and Android). Input your pickup location, track your driver's real-time ETA, and purchase tickets directly in the app.
• Order via Phone Call: Call MVTA Customer Service at 952-882-7500 to place a live ride request with a representative.