After years of meticulous restoration, the historic Palm Springs Plaza Theatre will reopen its doors to the public with a free Community Open House and Block Party on Saturday, November 22 from 10 am to 2 pm. Hosted by the City of Palm Springs and the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation, the event invites residents and visitors to explore the newly restored venue for the first time since renovations began in 2023.
The open house will feature docent-led tours highlighting the theatre’s preserved architectural elements and newly integrated state-of-the-art technology. “The Plaza Theatre had long been the jewel of Palm Springs,” said Mayor Ron deHarte. “Now, it once again shines as a cultural centerpiece for our community.”
Live Performances & Street Fair
Throughout the day, the theatre’s stage will host free performances by local arts organizations, including:
- 10 am – Modern Men: Coachella Valley Men’s Chorus
- 11 am – Coachella Valley Voices
- 12 pm – Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus
- 1 pm – Musical Theatre University
Meanwhile, South Palm Canyon Drive will be closed to traffic and transformed into a vibrant street fair with booths from local organizations, music by DJ Mod Girl, and community engagement activities. Guided tour sign-ups will be available at a booth in front of the theatre, and the Box Office will be open for ticket purchases with no convenience fees.
Merchandise, Books & Music
Attendees can shop newly released Plaza Theatre merchandise and pre-order two commemorative items:
- Desert Dream to Silver Screen – a new book chronicling the theatre’s history and restoration
- Rock The Plaza – a live concert recording from the 2022 fundraiser, available as LP or CD
A Historic Restoration
The restoration was led by Architectural Resources Group, known for projects like San Francisco’s New Mission Theater. “We had to artfully incorporate 21st-century technology into a ninety-year-old building,” said Principal Katie Horak. The result is a venue that honors its 1936 origins while meeting modern standards.
The project was made possible by a multi-year fundraising campaign led by the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation, which continues to raise remaining funds. “This has been a monumental effort,” said Foundation President J.R. Roberts. “We’re proud to return this icon to the community.”
Looking Ahead: Cynthia Erivo Headlines Opening Gala
The theatre’s official reopening will be marked by a spectacular Opening Night Gala on Monday, December 1, headlined by Cynthia Erivo, the Tony-winning star of Wicked. Tickets for this and other upcoming events are available at palmspringsplazatheatre.com.
John Bolton, Senior VP of Oak View Group and General Manager of the theatre, emphasized the broader impact: “The Plaza Theatre’s restoration is not just about preserving history—it’s about revitalizing our community and creating a space where the arts can thrive.”
With an estimated 135,000 annual patrons and a projected $40 million in economic impact, the Plaza Theatre is poised to once again become a cultural and economic cornerstone of Palm Springs.