(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Nearly a century after first opening its doors as one of the nation's most spectacular movie palaces, the historic Loew's Jersey Theatre in Jersey City will re-open as a fully restored, state-of-the-art live performance venue this fall after a massive redevelopment project. With its Grand Re-Opening Weekend set for Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14, 2026. Loew's Jersey Theatre will once again take its place as a premier destination for concerts, live events, community events, and more in the heart of Journal Square.
The re-opening celebration kicks off on Friday, November 13, with a special opening concert by the Trey Anastasio Band, featuring New Jersey native Trey Anastasio, marking the first major event in the theatre's new era; followed by a performance from The War On Drugs on Saturday, November 14, a band hailed by the New York Times as 'among the defining rock linchpins' of the 21st century so far.
Over the past four decades, composer/guitarist/vocalist Trey Anastasio has forged a multifaceted career as a founding member of Phish and as a solo artist with a diverse body of work. Trey Anastasio has toured and recorded with several musicians, commonly referred to as Trey Anastasio Band, or TAB for short. The lineup features drummer Russ Lawton, bassist Dezron Douglas, and keyboardist Ray Paczkowski, percussionist Cyro Baptista, augmented by a full horn section, including trombonist/vocalist Natalie Cressman, saxophonist/vocalist Kenneth Whalum, and trumpeter/vocalist Jennifer Hartswick.
Tickets to the two opening weekend shows are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com and LoewsJersey.com.
The theatre's inaugural lineup will celebrate the many sides of live entertainment, with a lineup spanning music, comedy, dance and more. The schedule features Jodeci on November 18; Derek Hough's Dance For The Holidays on December 8; Unwrapped: An Acoustic Holiday on December 9; Christmas with Chris Tomlin on December 10; Jeff Dunham on January 9; and World of Warcraft®: 20 Years of Music on May 8, 2027.
"The Loew's Jersey Theatre was built for this city in 1929 and it's reopening its doors to this city in 2026," said Jersey City Mayor James Solomon. "Nearly a hundred years later, we couldn't be more excited for the Loew's next chapter in the heart of Journal Square. Thank you to HBSE, the Friends of the Loew's, the NJEDA, and the JCRA for being partners in making this project a reality."
"This reopening represents far more than the return of a historic building, it's the revival of a landmark that has inspired generations," said Bruce Wheeler, General Manager, Loew's Jersey Theatre. "This marks the beginning of a new era for live entertainment in Jersey City and the entire metropolitan region."
"To begin this new chapter with Trey Anastasio Band and The War On Drugs and follow with such a diverse mix of artists and productions, sets a really exciting tone for everything to come at Loew's Jersey," said Will Langolf, Senior Manager of Booking, Loew's Jersey Theatre. "Our goal is to make the theatre a home for unforgettable moments across genres and generations, in Jersey and beyond."
Originally opened on September 28, 1929, Loew's Jersey Theatre was designed by renowned theater architects Rapp and Rapp as a 3,021-seat "Wonder Theatre" – one of only five lavish flagship theatres commissioned by Loew's Theatres in and around New York City, and the only one built outside the City's boroughs. Distinguished by its soaring architecture, ornate interiors, and extraordinary scale, the venue quickly became one of New Jersey's most celebrated cultural landmarks, hosting artists from Duke Ellington to The Four Seasons before its grandeur and popularity declined post-war.
The reimagined venue features flexible seating configurations ranging from approximately 2,600 to 4,000 guests, allowing it to host concerts, live performances, sporting events, film presentations, special events, and more at a major regional scale. Upon reopening, the theatre will welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to further establish Jersey City's Journal Square as a leading cultural destination.
The rehabilitation work includes the exterior facades, all public spaces, stage and support spaces, and the modifications and upgrades to the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. The venue will feature state-of-the-art audio and lighting technology, delivering an exceptional experience for artists and audiences alike.
In 2022, Loew's Jersey Theatre was designated a National Historic Landmark, further cementing its status as one of the country's most significant surviving movie palaces. It is also listed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places.
Located directly across from the Journal Square Transportation Center, the theatre is among the region's most accessible entertainment venues, offering convenient access from throughout New Jersey, New York City, and the broader tri-state area via car, PATH train, and New Jersey Transit.
Nearly 100 years after welcoming its first audiences, Loew's Jersey Theatre is restoring true glamour to the region's entertainment landscape and reaffirming Jersey City's place as a major cultural destination. Additional programming and ticketing information will be announced in the coming weeks.
