{"product_id":"plaza-theatre-palm-springs","title":"Plaza Theatre, Palm Springs","description":"\u003ch2 id=\"theatre-today\"\u003eA historic stage, back in use\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStep 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOpened in \u003cstrong\u003e1936\u003c\/strong\u003e and restored for its return in \u003cstrong\u003e2025\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"look-closer\"\u003eWhat to notice outside\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMark 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 \u003cstrong\u003eThe David Clark Lee Plaza Theatre\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"history\"\u003eFrom a movie opening to the Follies\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe theatre was part of Julia Carnell’s La Plaza development, designed by architect Harry J. Williams. It opened on \u003cstrong\u003eDecember 12, 1936\u003c\/strong\u003e with a premiere screening of \u003cem\u003eCamille\u003c\/em\u003e, starring Greta Garbo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts stage later accommodated radio broadcasts as well as live entertainment and films. In the early 1990s, the Palm Springs International Film Festival and the \u003cem\u003eFabulous Palm Springs Follies\u003c\/em\u003e helped define another chapter. The Follies ran for 23 seasons, making the theatre closely associated with a revue performed by veteran entertainers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen 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?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"restoration\"\u003eThe restoration and return\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe theatre’s history distinguishes a \u003cstrong\u003eNovember 21, 2025 ribbon-cutting\u003c\/strong\u003e from its \u003cstrong\u003eDecember 1, 2025 grand reopening gala\u003c\/strong\u003e, headlined by Cynthia Erivo. They mark different moments in the same return, rather than conflicting reopening dates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"location\"\u003eWhere to find it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe theatre’s address is \u003cstrong\u003e128 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262\u003c\/strong\u003e, between Tahquitz Canyon Way and Arenas Road. Approach through the courtyard off Palm Canyon Drive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/coachella-valley-interactive-map?from=%2Fproducts%2Fplaza-theatre-palm-springs#place=plaza-theatre\"\u003eFind the Plaza Theatre on the DOI map\u003c\/a\u003e, or use the directions button above for your route. Follow posted parking signs and the venue’s current event-arrival instructions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"visit\"\u003ePlanning a performance or a photo stop\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe exterior is also a worthwhile architecture stop during a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/downtown-palm-springs\"\u003edowntown Palm Springs\u003c\/a\u003e walk. Courtyard access can depend on venue operations; do not assume an open auditorium or a public interior tour outside scheduled access.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor accessible seating:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor plans around a performance, explore the \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/coachella-valley-restaurant-guide\"\u003eRestaurant Guide\u003c\/a\u003e, the nearby \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kimpton-rowan-palm-springs\"\u003eKimpton Rowan\u003c\/a\u003e, or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/resonance-jd-hansen-palm-springs\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eResonance\u003c\/em\u003e by jd hansen\u003c\/a\u003e. The \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/days-to-remember\/nellie-coffman-desert-inn-palm-springs-history\"\u003eDesert Inn story\u003c\/a\u003e adds another layer to the history of this downtown district.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"photography\"\u003ePhotographed October 20, 2026\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eSources \u0026amp; photography\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.palmspringsplazatheatre.com\/about\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003ePlaza Theatre — history, restoration and current programming\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.palmspringsplazatheatre.com\/foundation\/news\/detail\/palm-springs-plaza-theatre-celebrates-construction-kick-off\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003ePlaza Theatre Foundation — March 2024 construction kickoff\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ohp.parks.ca.gov\/pages\/1067\/files\/CA_Riverside%20County_Plaza%20Theatre_DRAFT.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eCalifornia Office of Historic Preservation — draft nomination, architectural description and location reference\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.palmspringsplazatheatre.com\/plan-your-visit-z\/directions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eOfficial directions and parking guidance\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.palmspringsplazatheatre.com\/plan-your-visit-z\/accessibility\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eOfficial accessibility information\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.palmspringsplazatheatre.com\/events\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eOfficial performance calendar and event details\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSources checked October 20, 2026. Original photography © Mark Miller, October 20, 2026. Exterior observations are based on those photographs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n","brand":"Desert Oasis Insider","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67869540286745,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0868\/6813\/2121\/files\/plaza-theatre-palm-springs-mark-miller-2026-10-20-1.jpg?v=1792558911","url":"https:\/\/desertoasisinsider.shop\/products\/plaza-theatre-palm-springs","provider":"Desert Oasis Insider","version":"1.0","type":"link"}