Gaiety Theatre

Ever since it opened back in 1887, the Gaiety Theatre (gaiety.in; ₹25) has been a hub of cultural life in Shimla. It was designed by Henry Irwin, the architect behind Shimla's Viceregal Lodge and the Mysore Palace in Mysuru. This Gothic Revival structure was originally part of a larger complex, much of which was torn down in 1911 after it was found to be architecturally unsound. Fortunately, the Gaiety Theatre – now a full-blown cultural complex – looks much like it did back when it opened, albeit with a few upgrades courtesy of restorations that began in 2003. While it's a lovely sight from the outside, it's worth popping in for a show at the 300-seat Old Theatre or just to check out what’s on at the complex’s gallery. The theater hosts performances throughout the year, including during the Shimla Summer Festival, a massive annual cultural event held at The Ridge and in surrounding locales.