Tour offers rare access to every part of the theatre and the captivating talk showcases the newly restored theatre’s fascinating Hollywood past
The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation announced that it will offer an exclusive 90-minute immersive behind-the-scenes tour of the newly restored theatre. At 11 am on Mother’s Day Sunday May 10, participants will have the opportunity to partake in a special guided tour that will provide rare access to many areas of the iconic building that are typically off limits to the public. Prior to the tour, participants will enjoy a dazzling multimedia overview of the theatre’s rich history and its Hollywood connection. Tickets for this exclusive tour are only $20 and can be purchased at https://www.palmspringsplazatheatre.com/tours/.
“We are so pleased that the community has expressed such strong interest in the restoration of the Plaza Theatre,” said Board Vice Chair Kevin J. Corcoran. “Because the theatre has booked so many top-notch performances, the building is rarely available for tours. With that in mind, we put together this special guided tour to help share the story of how this iconic landmark went from its glamorous beginnings to its remarkable restoration. We are delighted to share the fascinating history of the Plaza Theatre and its role in Palm Springs culture and are confident that tour participants will be inspired by the unique story behind the Plaza Theatre Foundation’s restoration efforts. And, since the event is taking place on Mother’s Day, this presents a unique way for people to treat their mothers to a very special occasion.”
The day starts with an engaging journey through the rich history of the Plaza Theatre, presented by presented by Plaza Theatre Foundation Board Historian Jim Cook. He will share how Palm Springs earned its reputation as the ultimate “Playground of the Stars” by recounting the many connections between Hollywood and Palm Springs. The visually stunning presentation will feature rarely seen videos, exclusive interviews, and captivating archival photographs from the Palm Springs Historical Society, Library of Congress, National Archives, California Library System and the Academy of Motion Pictures.
Next, tour goers will experience rare access to every corner of the theatre, including the newly restored auditorium and balcony, backstage areas normally off-limits to the public, the new green room for performers, and a peek at the dressing rooms where talent prepares to take the stage.
As a special bonus, tour guests will have the exclusive opportunity to purchase VIP tickets to upcoming Plaza Theatre events and performers before they are widely available. In addition, they will have the ability to purchase signed copies of Desert Dream to Silver Screen: The Story of the Historic Palm Springs Plaza Theatre. This newly published book shares the remarkable story of the historic theatre, from its glamorous movie-house origins to decades of live performances.
The Plaza Theatre is a historic 700-seat venue in downtown Palm Springs, California and is managed by Oak View Group (OVG). Originally opened in 1936, it underwent a comprehensive restoration after the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation raised significant funds to bring the iconic structure back to its original look while adding innovative new technology solutions. It re-opened in December of 2025 and since then, it surpassed its annual programming goal of 120 events in just four months. It is projected to generate $40M in annual economic impact and $4M in annual tax benefit to the City of Palm Springs. Alongside national touring acts, the theatre has provided a new home for many Coachella Valley arts and community organizations. For more information, go to palmspringsplazatheatre.com/foundation.
