Palace Theatre
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
The Palace Theatre is a historic, architecturally stunning venue (inspired by Palais de Versailles) that provides an immersive, elegant backdrop for family-friendly live performances, offering an unforgettable and memorable experience for both children and parents.
Key Highlights
- ✓Stunning historic architecture and elegant design, reminiscent of Palais de Versailles, with intricate details from the grand entrance to ornate ceilings.
- ✓Excellent sightlines and fantastic views of the stage from all seats within its 2,695 capacity, with no 'bad seat in the house'.
- ✓Engaging and lively family-friendly shows (e.g., Wild Kratts Live 2.0) that blend live-action with animation on big screens, offering educational yet fun content.
- ✓Interactive moments during shows that actively engage the audience (e.g., shouting answers, making animal noises), particularly appealing to children.
- ✓Friendly and helpful staff contributing to a welcoming atmosphere.
- ✓Availability of family-friendly amenities, specifically booster seats and sensory bags (requiring a valid ID for check-out).
Standout Features
- ⭐Iconic, beautifully restored historic architecture, creating a unique and grand atmosphere.
- ⭐Consistently praised for having excellent views from every seat in the house.
- ⭐Engaging and educational live shows tailored for family entertainment.
- ⭐Staff noted for being very helpful and friendly.
- ⭐Availability of practical amenities like booster seats and sensory bags for children.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Arrive early for shows to secure convenient parking, as lots can fill up, especially for popular events.
- →If planning to use a sensory bag, remember to bring a valid ID for check-out.
- →Be prepared for a lively and 'electric' atmosphere during family shows, with audience participation.
- →If seeking unique food options, be aware that the venue offers meal choices beyond typical theater snacks, such as chili and sandwiches.
Things to Consider
- ⚠No specific problems or negative experiences were reported by parents in the provided reviews regarding the theater experience itself.
Price & Value
While no specific ticket prices are mentioned, the reviews consistently describe the experience as highly valuable and an 'unforgettable treat', implying a strong return on investment for the quality of the venue, performance, and family memories created. It's also suggested as a 'great gift', highlighting its perceived worth.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Sensory bags are available for use with a valid ID.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Reviewers mentioned having a variety of 'meal and dessert options' that are more akin to restaurant food (e.g., '4-way bean chili', 'many sandwich offerings') rather than typical theater concessions, suggesting unique food choices might be available on-site.
- •No explicit policy on outside food or drink was mentioned.
🚗Parking Info
- •Plenty of parking is available, often in a plaza lot.
- •It is highly recommended to arrive early, as parking can become scarce or inconvenient if you wait until the last minute.
👥Crowd Levels
- •The atmosphere for family shows can be 'electric', suggesting lively and well-attended events.
- •Parking challenges for late arrivals also indicate that events draw significant crowds.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No specific safety features were explicitly mentioned by reviewers.
⏰When to Avoid
- • No specific times or situations were explicitly advised to avoid by reviewers, beyond the general tip to avoid arriving late for parking.
Pricing/Package/Events
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Día de los Niños (Day of the Children)
Sunday, October 5
REGISTER HERE (implied free or separate registration fee)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
October 12–26
Join the next adventure and experience the wizarding world like never before! (PNC Broadway in Columbus)
Some Like It Hot
November 18–23, 2025
Winner of 4 Tony Awards® and a Grammy®, SOME LIKE IT HOT is the high-kicking, show-stopping musical comedy of the year. (PNC Broadway in Columbus)
Back to the Future: The Musical
December 16–21
Six Queens. One Mic. Five Hundred Years of Heartbreak Remixed. (PNC Broadway in Columbus)
Les Misérables
January 27–February 1
(PNC Broadway in Columbus)
🍎Food Policy
- • Outside food or beverages, including alcohol, are prohibited.
- • Outside food and beverages, including water bottles, are not permitted inside the theatre.
- • Concession items containing nut products are sold at all venues.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • All guests are subject to inspection, including metal detectors and physical bag checks.
- • Bag policy: One bag no larger than 16″ x 16″ x 8″ is permitted. All bags are subject to search.
- • Prohibited items include: weapons (firearms, pellet guns, stun guns, martial arts weapons, pepper spray, knives, cutting instruments), illegal drugs or substances, flammable liquids, fireworks/pyrotechnics/flares/incendiary devices, glass/metal/plastic containers (cans, bottles, flasks), outside food or beverages (including alcohol), oversized bags (exceeding 16” x 16” x 8”), interchangeable/detachable camera lenses (no professional photography unless authorized), audio/visual recording devices, two-way radios, laser pointers, laptops/tablets, beach balls/projectiles/balloons/permanent markers/spray paint, drones, flashlights, signs/flags/banners, selfie sticks, guests without shoes or shirts, novelty masks, face paints, optical illusions, jewelry that could be used as a weapon, pets (other than service animals), certain mobility devices (Segways, skateboards, rollerblades, hoverboards, bicycles, helmets, portable seats not for accessibility), noisemakers/bullhorns/air horns, unapproved pamphlets/handouts/advertisements.
- • Guests are expected to report inappropriate behavior to venue staff, comply with staff requests, sit only in ticketed seats, consume alcohol responsibly, refrain from fighting/throwing objects/using foul language/interfering with event/smoking, wear a shirt/shoes/lower garments at all times.
- • Policies are in effect at Palace Theatre since February 1, 2018.
📅Booking Policy
- • CAPA is the official ticketing source for its venues. Broadway in Columbus tickets are also sold online at Ticketmaster.com.
- • Tickets purchased from third-party resellers are not guaranteed to be valid.
- • The CAPA Ticket Center reserves the right to limit ticket purchases to a specified number per event. Exceeding limits may result in cancellation without notice.
- • Tickets cannot be resold on unauthorized third-party reseller platforms at a higher price; unlawful resale is grounds for seizure and cancellation without compensation.
🚗Parking Information
- • Palace Theatre parking is mentioned in FAQs, but specific details or locations are not provided in the content. It is a CAPA venue in Columbus, OH, implying downtown parking.
What People Say
What's Great
- Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 6 reviews)
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 4 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Justin James
3 weeks agoThe Palace Theatre in Columbus is a historic gem and was a highlight of our family’s spring break trip, and it’s a venue that left us in awe! Stepping into this historic theater felt like stepping back in time—the architecture is simply stunning, with its elegant design inspired by the Palais de Versailles. The intricate details, from the grand entrance to the ornate ceilings, made us feel like we were in a palace ourselves. It’s no wonder this place has such an amazing history as a restored movie palace—it’s a true gem in the heart of Columbus. We were there to see Wild Kratts Live 2.0: Activate Creature Power! on April 4, 2025, and it was the perfect venue for this lively, family-friendly show. The theater’s seating (with a capacity of 2,695) gave us a fantastic view of the stage, and the atmosphere was electric as the Kratt Brothers brought their signature energy to the performance. Our kids were thrilled to see Chris and Martin activate their Creature Power Suits and go “off to the creature rescue,” with plenty of laughs, animal facts, and interactive moments that had the whole audience shouting out answers and making animal noises. The blend of live-action and animation, with clips on the big screens, kept everyone engaged, and the show’s educational yet fun vibe was a hit for both kids and parents. The Palace Theatre added such a special touch to the experience with its historic charm and welcoming vibe. The staff was friendly and helpful, and we appreciated the family-friendly amenities like booster seats and sensory bags (available with a valid ID). It’s a fantastic place to enjoy a show, especially for families looking to make lasting memories. We’d highly recommend the Palace Theatre to anyone visiting Columbus—it’s a must-see venue, and catching Wild Kratts Live 2.0 here was an unforgettable treat
Timm Maynard
a year agoWe have been several times and the atmosphere and architecture of the theatre is amazing. Like being transported back to a time when the details really mattered. It is a great venue. If you know someone who enjoys live performance tickets would be a great gift, or simply yeah yourself. The staff are very helpful and friendly. There is plenty of parking... Just don't wait until the last minute.
Steve Wilson
8 months agoA lot more meal and dessert options than I expected. Had a 4-way bean which was good. Different from the Gold Star and Skyline chilli's I've had before, but in my opinion, if you're comparing, leaned more toward a Gold Star. Will go back and get one of the many sandwich offerings. Plenty of parking in a plaza lot.
Kevin Snyder
4 months agoSaw Straight No Chaser. Love this iconic theater in the heart of downtown CBus.
Mathew Rasmussen
4 months agoMy wife and I go to this theater regularly. I don’t think there is a bad seat in the house.