14th-15th century : first documented performances of mimicry, chants and religious music within the city.

1799-1816 : The first theatre dedicated solely to performances on stage opens on Ronda Street. It will be burned down in a fire.

1834-1886 : The "Teatro de la Villa" or City Theatre is opened on the beach. Fifty-two years later the building was closed and torn down due to its ruinous state.

1882 : A new Coliseum is planned while the "Teatro de la Villa" is still standing.

22 March 1885 : The formal constitution of a new private limited company called "Nuevo Teatro de Bilbao".

1885 : Architect Ernesto Hoffmeyer implements a project to extend the Ribera pier. This makes the course of the ria six metres longer.

21 October 1887 : During construction on the building, part of it collapses killing two workers and wounding four others.

September 1889 : A plaque is put in place with the new name of the square where the theatre will be located: "Plaza del Maestro Arriaga".

31 May 1890 : Inauguration of "Nuevo Teatro de Bilbao", which is already becoming known as the Arriaga Theatre.

8 April 1902 : the Management uses the name "Teatro Arriaga" for the first time in the newspaper announcements for a performance.

22 December 1914 : On the eve of Santo Tomás market day, the theatre is completely destroyed by a fire.

1916-1918 : The theatre's reconstruction process is a perfect example of lack of coordination between all the parties involved. At one point, someone even gives the order to tear down what has just been rebuilt.

5 June 1919 : Four years after reconstruction began, the Theatre is inaugurated for the second time.

31 January 1924 : the partnership "Sociedad Nuevo Teatro de Bilbao" leases the theatre out to the Diestro family.

1963 : After a long legal battle between the partnership and the leasing over a raise in the lease, the partnership recovers the keys.

1963-1978 : The theatre is leased out to the Trueba performances company.

1972 : The declaration of the Old Quarter of Bilbao as a historical and artistic treasure benefits the Arriaga theatre.

4 November 1977 : the legal requirements to declare the theatre a historical and artistic monument are initiated.

10 May 1978 : The Theatre becomes municipal property.

1981-1986 : Reforms are carried out on the building to reinforce its structure.

August 1983 : The building is seriously damaged during the floods that inundate the city.

3 October, 1986 : the Town Council incorporates the municipal "Centro de Actividades Culturales del Teatro Arriaga" company to manage the Theatre.

5 December 1986 : the theatre reopens when the rebuilding has been completed.

31 May 1990 : the Arriaga Theatre celebrates its first centenary