Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Draws Crowds and Hosts 94 Events in First 90 Days

The newly restored theater has exceeded early goals, boosting the local economy and expanding arts programming.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre hosted 94 events in its first 90 days, drawing visitors from outside the area and boosting business for nearby hotels, restaurants, and shops in downtown Palm Springs. The theater is expected to create about $40 million in economic activity each year and bring an estimated $4 million in tax revenue to the city.

Why it matters

The restoration of the historic Plaza Theatre was seen as an important step for preserving Palm Springs' cultural heritage and driving economic growth in the downtown area. The strong early performance of the theater exceeds expectations and demonstrates its potential to become a new economic engine for the city.

The details

About 66% of ticket buyers so far have come from outside the Palm Springs area, while 33% are local residents. The theater is working with local arts organizations like the Palm Springs Gay Men's Chorus and the Palm Springs Symphony as resident groups. It has also hosted a wide variety of performances including concerts, comedy shows, film screenings, and community events.

  • The Plaza Theatre hosted 94 events in its first 90 days after reopening.
  • In February 2026 alone, the theater hosted 28 different shows.

The players

Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation

The organization that oversaw the restoration and reopening of the historic Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs.

J.R. Roberts

The president of the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation.

Jeffrey Bernstein

A Palm Springs City Councilmember.

John Bolton

The general manager of the Plaza Theatre and a senior vice president at Oak View Group.

Hotel Zoso

A hotel in downtown Palm Springs that has reported increased bookings due to the Plaza Theatre's reopening.

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What they’re saying

“Restoring the Plaza Theatre was not only the right thing to do for historic preservation, it was also expected that the theatre would become a new economic driver for the city. We are pleased to see that the theatre's economic impact is even greater than projected.”

— Jeffrey Bernstein, Palm Springs City Councilmember (pstribune.com)

“The Plaza Theatre has become the heart and center of our community in Palm Springs. Presenting and hosting 94 events in our first 90 days exceeds all our expectations.”

— John Bolton, Plaza Theatre General Manager and Oak View Group Senior Vice President (pstribune.com)

What’s next

The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation says continued memberships, sponsorships, and donations will help keep the theater active with performances, educational programs, and cultural events in the future.

The takeaway

The successful reopening of the historic Palm Springs Plaza Theatre has exceeded expectations, becoming a new economic driver for the city and a hub for the local arts and cultural community. This demonstrates the power of preserving and revitalizing iconic venues to boost a city's cultural and economic vitality.