A grey stepped pyramid set just off the Eixo Monumental near the bus station, the Teatro Nacional was designed by Niemeyer (with Athos Bulcão's textured concrete reliefs on the outside walls). Inside are two main halls — the Sala Villa-Lobos and the Sala Martins Pena — used for opera, ballet, theatre, and the Brasília Music Festival each November.
The lobby is open during performance hours and worth a glimpse for the floating bronze sculpture by Mary Vieira and the Bulcão tiled walls. The building was closed for renovation through much of the 2020s; check current status before visiting.