Plaza Theatre, Palm Springs

A historic stage, back in use

Step away from Palm Canyon Drive and the Plaza Theatre reveals itself through a tiled courtyard, three arched entrances and the paired signs above its roof. The setting feels intimate: a theatre woven into downtown rather than set apart from it.

Opened in 1936 and restored for its return in 2025, the Plaza is again an active performance venue. Concerts, comedy, film and community programming give the historic building a working role in present-day Palm Springs.

What to notice outside

Mark Miller’s wider photograph shows the approach to the theatre: warm-toned walls, red roof tiles, lanterns and the tile-paved courtyard. Above the arches, the facade carries the name The David Clark Lee Plaza Theatre.

The second photograph isolates the twin rooftop signs. Their lettering, outlined borders and decorative crests give the building an identity that is easy to miss when you are walking along the busier street. Look from the courtyard toward the roofline, then back toward the surrounding shops to understand how the theatre sits within La Plaza.

From a movie opening to the Follies

The theatre was part of Julia Carnell’s La Plaza development, designed by architect Harry J. Williams. It opened on December 12, 1936 with a premiere screening of Camille, starring Greta Garbo.

Its stage later accommodated radio broadcasts as well as live entertainment and films. In the early 1990s, the Palm Springs International Film Festival and the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies helped define another chapter. The Follies ran for 23 seasons, making the theatre closely associated with a revue performed by veteran entertainers.

When that run ended in 2014, the theatre closed. Its next question was practical as well as historical: how could an aging downtown landmark return to regular use?

The restoration and return

The Plaza Theatre Foundation organized the restoration effort, with construction beginning in 2024. Work combined the recovery of historic character with upgraded systems and amenities for contemporary performances.

The theatre’s history distinguishes a November 21, 2025 ribbon-cutting from its December 1, 2025 grand reopening gala, headlined by Cynthia Erivo. They mark different moments in the same return, rather than conflicting reopening dates.

Today, the venue presents a changing calendar. The most useful way to plan a visit is to start with a particular performance, then check its seating, arrival and ticket information.

Where to find it

The theatre’s address is 128 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262, between Tahquitz Canyon Way and Arenas Road. Approach through the courtyard off Palm Canyon Drive.

Find the Plaza Theatre on the DOI map, or use the directions button above for your route. Follow posted parking signs and the venue’s current event-arrival instructions.

Planning a performance or a photo stop

For a show, use the theatre’s official calendar and the ticket link attached to that event. Performance times, ticket prices and entry requirements vary; a photograph of the marquee is a record of one day, not a current schedule.

The exterior is also a worthwhile architecture stop during a downtown Palm Springs walk. Courtyard access can depend on venue operations; do not assume an open auditorium or a public interior tour outside scheduled access.

For accessible seating: the venue identifies designated seats on the orchestra level and says the mezzanine is reached by stairs, with no elevator. Review its accessibility information and contact the box office before selecting seats if you need a particular route or accommodation.

For plans around a performance, explore the Restaurant Guide, the nearby Kimpton Rowan, or Resonance by jd hansen. The Desert Inn story adds another layer to the history of this downtown district.

Photographed October 20, 2026

These two photographs are by Mark Miller. The first documents the restored exterior and courtyard; the second studies the rooftop signs. Open either image in the gallery to see its full composition. The photographs show the building in October 2026, not its original 1936 appearance.