A Big Renovation for a Beloved Landmark, The Canton Palace Theatre
The Canton Palace Theatre has been the heartbeat of downtown Canton since 1926. That starry ceiling, the vintage seats, those intricately designed walls that transport you to another time, giving you the feeling that you’ve stepped back in time the moment you walk in.
Right now, the building is in the middle of a $19 million makeover. The doors are closed from March 1 through September 15, 2026, but this isn’t goodbye — it’s a glow-up.
The project adds more than 20 feet to the stage, builds a second lobby, brings in an elevator, adds premium seating, new restrooms, and full ADA accessibility, including balcony access for the first time ever. And every historic detail — the starry ceiling, the painted walls, the 1920s magic — stays untouched.
Phase 2: Building the Future
The work happening right now is just the start. Phase 2 of the project continues after the September reopening, with the full expanded theatre unveiled in November 2027 and all three phases complete by early 2028.
When the work is complete, the Palace will be able to host larger touring shows and events that it couldn’t host before. Officials estimate the renovation will triple the theatre’s economic impact — growing it to $9 million a year for Canton.
Palace on the Go — The Show Comes to You
While construction continues, the Canton Palace Theatre launched Palace on the Go, a summer-long series of events at community locations across Stark County. Because the Palace isn’t waiting for its doors to reopen, it’s meeting people where they are.
Here’s what’s happening this summer:
- Centennial Plaza Movie Series — Free outdoor movies every Wednesday at 7 p.m., June 4 through August 14. Enjoy the heart of downtown Canton. and bring a blanket and the whole family.
- Stark on Screen — A film and history series at the Massillon Museum and other Stark County locations. It wraps up in September with a silent film featuring Massillon native Lillian Gish, accompanied by live music on the Palace’s historic Kilgen pipe organ.
- Summer Kids Movie Series — Family-friendly movies on the big screen at the Cultural Center for the Arts, perfect for a weekday summer outing.
- Sensory Cinema Series — A welcoming film experience designed for guests with sensory needs.
- Monster Bash Film Festival — A classic horror film marathon for fans of the genre. A beloved Canton tradition.
- Three Stooges Film Fest — Four Stooges shorts on Canton’s biggest screen, a raffle, and the Curly Shuffle at intermission. A $10 fan favorite that returns every fall.
Find the full schedule at cantonpalacetheatre.org. New events are added regularly.
A Treasure Worth the Trip
If you’ve never been to Canton, this summer is a great time to visit. Pair a Palace on the Go event with a stop at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, dinner on Market Avenue, or a visit to the McKinley Presidential Library. And remember to mark your calendar for fall. The Palace reopens in September, just in time for its 100th anniversary season.
Ohio Is Full of Places Like This
However, Canton isn’t alone. Ohio is home to some of the most stunning historic theatres in the country. Toledo’s Valentine Theatre was saved from the wrecking ball. Columbus’s Ohio Theatre nearly met the same fate in the 1970s. Dayton’s Victoria Theatre goes back to 1866. Every one of them was saved by people who refused to let go.
Take a look around your own town this summer. There may be a theatre or an old movie palace waiting for you to notice it. When you buy a ticket or show up for an event, you’re helping keep that history alive.
The Palace will be back this fall and better than ever. Until then, the show goes on.
Events & tickets: cantonpalacetheatre.org | Renovation info: cantonpalace100.com
Discover what makes the Palace and other theatres like it a touch of the past worth preserving today. How 3 Elegant Palace Theatres of Yesterday Inspire Awe in Patrons Today.
