7 Historic Santa Barbara Theaters Still Running Today

Santa Barbara is home to several historic theaters and cultural venues that have entertained residents and visitors since decades and continue to play an active role in the city’s arts and entertainment scene. 

Anchored by landmarks such as The Granada Theatre, Lobero Theatre, and the Arlington Theatre, many of the theatres have adapted to evolving entertainment trends and continue to welcome patrons. 

The continued operation of these historic theatres have become a tangible connection to the city’s creative past and its thriving present.

Here Are Seven Historic Theaters in Santa Barbara That Continue to Draw Crowds

1. The Granada Theatre

Opened in 1924 as a Grand Movie Palace and Live Performance Venue, The Granada Theatre was envisioned by the Granada Holding Company as a spectacular performance venue and a skyscraper that would be a tourist attraction, according to the venue’s website. The venue that initially screened silent movies was designed to encourage economic growth and serve as a gathering place for the city. 

The Granada underwent extensive restorations from 2005 to 2008, which saw the ‘Grand Dame’ transforming into a movie theater to a 1,550-seat modern and structurally sound performance venue. 

Since it first welcomed patrons, The Granada continues to be a favored destination for artists to perform world-class musical concerts, broadway shows, and dance performances. The venue also hosts lectures from University of California Santa Barbara Arts & Lectures and other presenters. 

2. Lobero Theatre

Originally founded as an opera house in 1873, Lobero Theatre is the oldest continuously operating theater in California and the fourth oldest performing arts theater in the country, according to Visit Santa Barbara.

The theater thrived in the 1920s during the era of “preview performances” for Hollywood. In the late 1940s, the theater began its association with jazz and has presented it in a variety of formats. 

Lobero Theatre has evolved over the years to feature contemporary music performances, classical music, jazz, dance performances, opera, ballet, and more. 

3. Arlington Theatre

A historic landmark in downtown Santa Barbara, Arlington Theatre was built in 1931 for Fox West Coast Theatres, according to its website. Despite undergoing several revitalization efforts, the theater has retained its original Spanish Colonial architecture style. 

The Arlington Theatre was built to compete with the Granada Theatre, which was then owned by Warner Bros. As a mark of respect on the site where it was built, the resultant Fox Arlington Theatre was named after the Arlington Hotel which was destroyed in the catastrophic 1925 earthquake. 

Still open to patrons, the theater is home to a 4-manual, 27-rank Robert-Morton organ, one of the only five ‘Wonder Morton’ theater organs to have been made. Arlington Theatre currently hosts several events, including concerts, films, and is one of the main venues for the annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. 

4. Santa Barbara Bowl

Located in the foothills of the city, the Santa Barbara Bowl was built in 1936 to serve as the venue for the Old Spanish Days Celebration, according to its website. The natural canyon and views offered by the area made it an ideal venue location. 

The Santa Barbara Bowl fell into disrepair after World War II, but enjoyed a short-lived golden era in the 1970s when the concept of concert touring began to develop. 

Following the creation of a nonprofit to celebrate the venue’s natural beauty and invest in its future operations, the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation took over management in 1994. The outdoor concert venue can accommodate more than 4,500 persons, according to Visit Santa Barbara. 

5. Marjorie Luke Theatre

Built in 1933 in the classic Spanish Colonial Revival style, the historic Marjorie Luke Theatre serves as an accessible and affordable performing arts venue to the community and students of Santa Barbara Unified School District, according to its website.

In addition to serving the area’s arts organizations, the 808-seat theater also produces events and concert series, and hosts musical and dance performances. 

6. Alhecama Theatre

Part of the El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park in downtown Santa Barbara, the 140-seat Alhecama Theatre was originally built for the Santa Barbara School of the Arts.

The theater was christened by Alice Schott after her husband purchased it in 1939, who derived the name from the first two letters of her daughters names: Alice, Helen, Catherine, and Mary Lou. 

7. SBIFF Film Center

Originally known as the Fiesta Five Theatre, this historic theater at 916 State Street in downtown Santa Barbara was acquired by the Santa Barbara Film Festival in October 2024 and was then renamed as SBIFF Film Center. 

Currently undergoing renovations and set to open in October 2026, the SBIFF Film Center was originally designed as an auditorium building by architect Alfred Eichler in 1926 as part of the University of California, Santa Barbara’s Mesa Campus. 

Once open, the theater will screen foreign films, independent cinema, documentaries, and free educational and community programming. 

Together, these venues that range from a grand downtown movie palace to performance venues with stunning views, continue to shape Santa Barbara’s cultural landscape. These venues also serve as a continuing link between the city’s rich history and its present-day cultural life.