Built in 1936, The Plaza Theatre was a pretty big deal for Palm Springs, then a sleepy little town known for its healing waters and lung treatments to help those plagued with consumption, which was still a major health concern in America.

Palm Springs was also a haven for movie stars who knew they could put just enough distance between them, the studio, and paparazzi to let their hair down. 

Monied people from the East Coast came to visit and stayed for months on end, and it was one such visit from a woman named Julia Carnell that not only gave us the iconic theatre, but also La Plaza, one of the first outdoor shopping malls in California. 

Julia became good friends with Nellie Coffman, who was the proprietor of The Desert Inn, which covered 35 acres of downtown and into the mountains. As they sat on the porch enjoying the afternoon sun, Julia complained to Nellie that she loved Palm Springs, but couldn’t stay too long because there wasn’t anything to do. Nellie suggested she build a theater.

There was quite a build up to the inaugural event: the premiere of Camille. As part of the promotion leading up to the film’s release, The Desert Sun published the novel from which the script was adapted, in three parts. On the Plaza Theatre’s opening night, Dec. 12, 1936, Camille star Greta Garbo (a one-time desert denizen) was on hand. The theatre was state-of-the-art with twin Super Simplex projectors and the innovative Western Electric Mirrophonic Sound System. Exactly what it was designed for: movies and live radio broadcasts, which it hosted for years.

In 1990 the theatre became the home of The Palm Springs Follies, a vaudevillian/Vegas style show where the performers were all over 50. The show ran until 2015 and no one is sure what cracked first, the theatre or the performers. 

A class one historic site, the Plaza Theatre was recently refurbished/reinforced as close to the original design as possible, but with all of the amenities and technical upgrades of modern times. That includes the bathrooms.

The house seats 700, 100 less than the original plan, but I trust there are structural reasons, or sound considerations. I trust because I have no clue at all, and they seem to know what they’re doing over there.

We’ve got a variety of performers coming in the next few months. Opening night is Cynthia Erivo, followed by one of our local heroes, Lily Tomlin. I don’t care if she doesn’t live here anymore, she lives here in our hearts.

So, here is the schedule for December. Lots of fun and quirky things to do here, with performances that are very different from the McCallum Theatre or Acrisure Arena. Despite the size, it feels a lot more intimate. 

What’s on at The Plaza Theater in December

Dec. 2, 3, 4: An Evening with Lily Tomlin. Comedy legend Lily Tomlin in a three‑night standup/storytelling show.

Dec. 5: A John Waters Christmas. John Waters’ adults‑only holiday monologue —sharp, weird, and very not Hallmark.

Dec. 6: Fortune Feimster. Stand‑up comic Fortune Feimster (Netflix’s Good Fortune) with two performances in one night.

Dec. 7: Sleigh Ride & Symphony: A Joyful Christmas Concert. Palm Springs Symphony’s holiday concert with classics, sing‑along moments, and a Santa cameo.

Dec 13–14: Modern Men presents Cool Yule. Jazz‑infused holiday concert from Modern Men, with over 100 voices and full band.

Dec. 15: Jane Lynch’s A Swingin’ Little Christmas. Jane Lynch, Kate Flannery, and band bring a jazzy, comedy‑laced holiday show based on their album.

Dec. 19–21: Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus – Bells, Brass & Sass. Big, glittery choral holiday spectacular with jazz band, costume changes, and plenty of camp.

Dec. 22: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Palm Springs Pops holiday concert —carols, pop arrangements, and local guest performers.

Dec. 23: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Holiday Party. Swing‑revival band rings in the season with a horn‑heavy holiday show.

Dec. 24: White Christmas Sing‑A‑Long. Showing of the classic film with lyrics on screen and a very vocal audience encouraged.

Dec. 26: Judy Garland: We Need a Little Christmas. Debbie Wileman channels Judy Garland in a tribute concert of holiday songs and standards.

Dec. 27: Brad Williams – The Growth Spurt Tour. National stand‑up act Brad Williams brings his latest comedy tour to Palm Springs.

Dec. 28: Jim Brickman – The Gift of Christmas. Pianist Jim Brickman performs holiday favorites and his well‑known ballads in an afternoon show.

Merry Christmas everyone! If I don’t see you over the holidays, I’ll see you in 2026 for sure.