Theater renovation won’t shutter 2023 holiday favorites in downtown San Pedro

Bookings at the Warner Grand Theater will be available at the venue through Dec. 31.

While San Pedro’s historic Warner Grand Theatre will temporarily shut down for two years early in 2024, bookings will be available at the venue through Dec. 31 to make sure some of the town’s most-loved holiday events will go on.

Los Angeles Councilmember Tim McOsker, who has worked extensively with the city on the upcoming plans, made the announcement on Thursday, April 20.

“One of our briefings was to walk the site with the engineers, city architects and (the Department of) Cultural Affairs,” McOsker said in a telephone interview Thursday.

Out of those discussions, he said, a commitment was made to take theater reservations through New Year’s Eve, meaning many of the community’s popular holiday events — including “The Nutcracker” produced by the San Pedro City Ballet and the Golden State Pops holiday concert — can use the venue for their winter programs one more time before the closure.

The theater, 478 W. Sixth St., in downtown San Pedro will close for what will be extensive upgrades throughout the art deco venue that opened in 1931.

Work will include:

• Installing an elevator and elevator lift for those with disabilities.
• Restroom upgrades.
• A new guest lounge and terrace space on the mezzanine.
• Heating, air-conditioning, lighting and fire system upgrades.
• Restoring historic ceilings, walls, columns, pilasters, flooring, railings and an expansion of the concession service, along with seismic retrofitting and auditorium upgrades.