The Palace Theater, Waterbury: A Complete Guide

Updated June 2026 · 5 min read

The Palace Theater is downtown Waterbury's grand old stage. It is a 1922 movie palace. Today it is the region's home for the arts. It has one of the biggest stages in the state. Big Broadway tours and concerts play here. You don't need to drive to Hartford or New Haven.

A 1922 Thomas Lamb palace

The Palace opened on January 28, 1922. Poli built it as a theater for shows and movies. Thomas W. Lamb designed it. The inside mixes Greek, Roman, and other grand styles. Builders don't make rooms like this today. The Palace is on the National Register of Historic Places. Walking in is half the fun.

From dark to dazzling

Like many old movie palaces, the Palace hit hard times. It closed in 1987 and sat dark for about 20 years. A $30 million fix brought it back. It reopened in 2004. Tony Bennett played one of its last shows before it closed. He came back to open the new stage too. Today a nonprofit runs the Palace. It seats about 2,500, room enough for big touring shows.

What plays there

The Palace runs a real Broadway series of touring shows. It also books big concerts, stand-up comedy, dance, family shows, and jazz. In one season you might see a hit musical and a classic rock act. A top comedian might play too. See more in our guide to Broadway shows in Connecticut.

Getting there & parking

The Palace is at 100 East Main Street in downtown Waterbury. It is easy to reach off I-84. For parking, use the nearby Scovill Street garage. Handicap drop-off is out front on East Main Street. Arrive early. It makes getting out after the show much easier.

Around Waterbury

The Palace anchors the city's live scene. See more in our guide to concert venues in Waterbury. It is also one of Connecticut's historic theaters. The state has many great ones.

Every Palace show is in the CT Concert Center app. So is every other CT venue. You'll never miss a tour in Waterbury.