GRAPEVINE, TEXAS (November 19, 2025) – The Historic Palace Theatre in Grapevine is celebrating its
85th anniversary on Friday, November 21, 2025. The “Jewel of Main Street” is filled with rich history and
has served as the cornerstone of entertainment in Grapevine for decades. The Palace will be showing aA
Christmas movie at 7 p.m. on Friday, November 21, for $10 a ticket, and will be celebrating its history
beforehand, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Key Historic Facts: Palace Theatre 85th Anniversary
- Opened November 21, 1940, built by Jerome Kirby Buckner for $25,000
- Designed by noted theatre architect Raymond F Smith, known for his white stucco exteriors and
art-deco flair - First film shown: My Love Came Back starring Olivia de Havilland and Jeffrey Lynn
- More than 500 guests attended the opening night in 1940
- Original ticket prices: 10 cents for adults, 5 cents for children
- Original layout included 22 loveseats, 130 balcony seats and 283 main floor seats
- Served as Grapevine’s movie theatre for more than 25 years
- Final film before closure in the late 1960s: Serpico
- Briefly operated as “The Flicks” by high school students in 1971 – 72
- Reopened as The Grapevine Opry in 1975, featuring artists including Willie Nelson, The Judds,
Porter Wagoner, Brenda Lee and Shoji Tabuchi - Used as a filming location for Tender Mercies (1983) starring Robert Duvall
- Suffered a major fire during remodelling in 1986, causing $100,000 in damage
- Threatened with demolition in 1991, the Theatre was purchased by Grapevine Convention &
Visitors Bureau on behalf of the Grapevine Heritage Foundation - Underwent major restoration and reopened as the Palace Arts Center on May 21, 2001 and
reopened as The Grapevine Opry - The Palace Arts Center now includes two venues under one roof: the 435 seat Palace Theatre
and the Lancaster Theatre - Hosted The Grapevine Opry for more than 10 years
- Since 2016, Palace Theatre staff have booked an impressive lineup including tribute artists,
concerts, touring acts and year-round movie series
The Historic Palace Theatre and Lancaster Theatre continue to serve as a cornerstone for
entertainment, meetings, weddings and special events on Historic Main Street. You can get
concessions for just one to three dollars. If you bring in a same-day restaurant receipt from
Main Street, you get free popcorn.
For more information on the Historic Palace Theatre and to buy tickets visit
GrapevinePalaceTheatre.com.
ABOUT GRAPEVINE, TEXAS:
Grapevine, Texas, is a charming destination located on the shores of Lake Grapevine, and home to Dallas
Fort Worth International Airport. It offers a blend of history and modern amenities. Known for its
vibrant hospitality, Grapevine is home to a range of world-class hotels, from luxe resorts, including
Gaylord Texan, to the boutique Hotel Vin and family-friendly Great Wolf Lodge, visitors will find
accommodations that suit their needs and preferences. Grapevine is home to the Urban Wine Trail,
Historic Main Street, Historic Nash Farm, Grapevine Vintage Railroad and hosts many annual festivals
and events including GrapeFest® – A Texas Wine Experience, Main Street Fest – A Timeless Texas
Tradition and the Christmas Capital of Texas®, featuring more than 1,400 Christmas events over 40 days.
