The time has come! Following a $41 million renovation and restoration by Bay Area’s Another Planet Entertainment (APE), the historic Castro Theatre will reopen in February 2026, with the first major act slated to be international sensation Sam Smith for his “To Be Free: San Francisco” eight-night residency set for February 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20 & 21. This milestone marks the return of a beloved cultural landmark to full operation and ushers in a new era of programming that bridges cinematic tradition, live music, comedy, community gatherings and service to the LGBTQ+ communities for whom the venue is a treasured asset.
“Our goal is to activate and re-energize the building with equity, inclusion, and community at the forefront,” said Gregg Perloff, CEO and Co-Founder of Another Planet Entertainment. “We look forward to contributing to the vibrancy and economic health of the Castro while honoring its legacy as an LGBTQ+ landmark and cultural anchor.”
Under APE’s stewardship, the century-old venue has undergone a comprehensive renovation, restoring its architectural splendor while upgrading mechanical systems, accessibility, acoustics, and patron amenities. The refreshed neon blade & marquee, decorative ceiling, and restored chandelier signals the reborn destination for cultural life in the Castro neighborhood and beyond.
Inside, the sloped auditorium floor has been reimagined with new telescoping tiers that allow for flexibility between seated shows, film screenings, and standing-room events. Meanwhile, upgraded HVAC, sound, lighting, video systems, additional public restrooms, and expanded ADA accessibility will enhance both the fan and artist experience.
The reopening of The Castro Theatre is poised to deliver meaningful economic gains to the surrounding neighborhood — especially for restaurants, retail, cafés, and bars that rely on cultural foot traffic. APE projects the venue will draw 200,000+ visitors annually, reenergizing business corridors and stimulating local employment.
For the LGBTQ+ community, the venue has long been a symbolic and literal gathering place. Its revival reaffirms its role as a beacon of queer culture, affirmation, and visibility — extending beyond film to performances, panels, and celebrations that reflect the diversity and resilience of the community.
To herald this new chapter, Sam Smith will headline the inaugural season with a special residency in February 2026. Their performance — combining vocal artistry, spectacle, and emotional resonance — sets the tone for a venue that aspires to captivate both longtime fans and new audiences alike. “To Be Free: San Francisco” takes its name from Sam’s soaring new single, “To Be Free.” The soulful acoustic song, which explores how vulnerability can unlock bravery and freedom, includes moving vocals by The TwoCity Chorus and came with a joyous, (LA)HORDE-directed music video filmed at Warsaw — watch HERE. The song has since earned critical praise from The New York Times, Rolling Stone (“Sam Smith feels light as a feather”), Billboard (“one of their most striking songs in years”), and Stereogum (“heartstring-pulling … immensely powerful”), among others. “To Be Free: San Francisco” goes on sale Tuesday, October 7, at 10 a.m. PT at ticketmaster.com.
Sam Smith is one of the most celebrated musical artists to emerge in recent history. A five-time GRAMMY® winner, Sam holds two Guinness World Records — one for the most consecutive weeks in the U.K. Top 10 Album Chart (with their 2014 debut In the Lonely Hour), and one for having the first James Bond theme to reach No. 1 on the U.K. charts (the Oscar and Golden Globe-winning “Writing’s on the Wall”). Sam has amassed over 40 million equivalent album sales, 300 million single sales, and over 56 billion career streams across their catalog of critically acclaimed albums: In the Lonely Hour, The Thrill of It All, Love Goes, and Gloria, which Rolling Stone praised as “their deepest album yet” and includes the global smash “Unholy” featuring Kim Petras. The track spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and four weeks at No. 1 on the UK Official Singles Chart, making it Sam’s eighth to top the tally. In June 2025, Sam released the stunning live album BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.
Additional booking announcements and programming details for 2026 will be rolling out throughout October. The reopening underscores APE’s commitment to preserving the venue’s roots in film and community. The theatre will welcome back film and add new programming in music, comedy, private events, and community gatherings that will diversify how The Castro Theatre serves San Francisco and its communities.
About The Castro Theatre
The Castro Theatre is a world renowned iconic venue and cherished landmark. Located in the Castro Neighborhood, San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ cultural epicenter, this designated historic landmark is the heart of the community. The Castro’s captivating interior was designed by one of San Francisco's most prominent architects, Timothy Pfleuger. Built in 1922, the movie palace features a lavish yet intimate interior with diverse architectural influences ranging between Spanish, Asian, Italian and Art Deco. A century later in 2022, Another Planet Entertainment entered into an exclusive partnership with the Theatre to execute a significant 40 million dollar rehabilitation of the building. This includes major renovations to accommodate a wider variety of entertainment; opening the venue for the first time to standing room musical performances while still maintaining the seated experience for cinema, comedy and more.
The re-opening will showcase the revitalization of the ceiling’s stunning original artwork along with the sgraffito murals and a long hidden historic proscenium, all masterfully restored by Evergreene Architectural Arts. Additionally, BuildIT, the world’s first LGBTQ construction advocacy organization, has played a major role providing specialized trade professionals to the project. Other key elements include modernizing the historic chandelier, revival of the iconic neon blade sign and marquee, and the installation of the world's largest and most versatile digital organ. The building will feature modern amenities with a new HVAC system, additional restrooms, and for the first time a fully ADA accessible orchestra, stage and dressing rooms. Another Planet’s momentous effort will ensure this cultural gem will continue to serve as an inclusive global beacon for cultural expression to be enjoyed for generations to come.
