2025 — 100 Years of the Palace
A century after its doors first opened, the Palace celebrates 100 years of entertainment, community, and memories in the heart of Lockport.
2013 — Going Digital
Continuing to evolve with the times, the Palace installed a digital projector, bringing modern movie technology to its historic auditorium.
2012 — A New Marquee
A year earlier, the Palace added a new digital marquee, giving the historic theatre a modern way to light up downtown Lockport and announce what was taking the stage.
2010 — Celebrating 85 Years
The Palace marked 85 years since its grand opening—a remarkable milestone for a theatre that had already experienced restoration, reinvention, and more than one comeback.
2003 — Community Saves the Palace
The foundation for the Palace we know today was established when a community-based nonprofit organization purchased the theatre, ensuring this Lockport landmark could be preserved for future generations.
1999 — Live Theatre Returns
Before the Palace became a nonprofit, its stage was already finding new life. Curtain Up Productions presented Jesus Christ Superstar, beginning an exciting new era of live theatrical productions at the Palace.
1981 — Another Intermission
Rewind a little further and the Palace’s future was far less certain. In 1981, the theatre closed its doors for a second time, beginning a long intermission before live theatre would eventually return.
1974 — The Palace Returns
Just seven years earlier, audiences had celebrated another new beginning when the restored Palace reopened its doors.
1973 — Restoration Begins
That reopening was made possible by extensive restoration efforts that began in 1973, breathing new life into a theatre that had sat dark for several years.
1972 — A Second Chance
Granchelli Real Estate purchased the Palace, setting the stage for the restoration and reopening that would follow.
1969 — The Curtain Falls
After more than four decades of entertaining Lockport, the Palace closed its doors for the first time. Its story, however, was far from over.
1936 — A New Look
Decades before its first closure, the Palace underwent major interior renovations, updating the theatre while it was still in the early years of its remarkable story.
1928 — A Schine Theatre
Just three years after opening, the Palace became part of the Schine Theatre circuit, connecting Lockport’s theatre to one of the country’s prominent theatre chains of the era.
1925 — Opening Night
And now we’ve reached the moment it all began: the Palace Theatre officially opened its doors, welcoming Lockport audiences for the very first time.
1921 — It Begins
Four years before opening night, construction began on what would become the Palace Theatre—laying the foundation for more than a century of stories, performances, and memories.