Peabody Auditorium

About the Peabody

The Peabody has led the way as a venue where stars of the world of entertainment and the arts have attracted audiences numbered in the tens of thousands. Named in honor of benefactor Simon J. Peabody, who donated the land where the auditorium was built, the new Peabody was dedicated October 6, 1949 with a concert featuring the United States Navy Band. 

Since 1949, The Peabody has been considered one of Central Florida’s preeminent showplaces for international and national artists, community events, and civic programs.  Its rich entertainment history has included performances by Liberace, Red Skelton, Liza Minelli, Shirley MacLaine, Elvis Presley, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, James Taylor, Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops, Margo Fonteyn, Rudolf Nureyev, Tom Jones, Louie Armstrong, Jackie Mason, Itzhak Perlman, Gregory Peck, Frank Sinatra, Simon & Garfunkel, Willie Nelson, Jerry Seinfeld, Al Hirt, Sammy Davis Jr., Engelbert Humperdinck, David Copperfield and Dave Brubeck. Acclaimed Broadway productions have included Cats, A Chorus Line, 42nd Street, STOMP, Hair, Evita, Riverdance, The Producers, Chicago, Rent, and Spamalot.    The world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra began its ongoing love affair with The Peabody over 30 years ago, and the Daytona Beach Symphony Society has made the auditorium its home for more than 60 years.