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Newton Theatre

A restored 1924 theater turned into Sussex County's main live-music venue.

Newton Theatre — Newton, NJ

At a glance

  • 605 seats and no bad sightlines, with national touring acts playing a room the size of a high school auditorium
  • Bar serving beer, wine and concessions, plus re-entry with a hand stamp between sets
  • Downtown Newton location steps from Spring Street restaurants, with free on-street parking and public lots nearby

The Newton Theatre, from 1924 Movie Palace to Concert Hall

Fifty tons of steel from a Newark shipbuilding company hold up the room where you’ll be watching a band this Saturday. The Newton Theatre went up in 1923 to designs by Reilly & Hall, opened on May 15, 1924, and seated a thousand people back when Spring Street needed that kind of capacity. It went dark in 1997, returned as a twin cinema in 2002, closed again in 2010, and reopened in September 2011 with Todd Rundgren playing to a sold-out house. Today it seats 605 and operates as a nonprofit under Skylands Performing Arts Center.

What’s on Stage

The booking leans toward national touring acts in a room small enough that you can read the setlist taped to the stage floor. Judy Collins, Lyle Lovett, Kansas, Arlo Guthrie, Clint Black, The Bangles, Everclear, The Bacon Brothers and The Glenn Miller Orchestra have all played here, alongside comedians, tribute bands, family productions and holiday shows. Most performances fall Thursday through Sunday, doors open an hour before showtime, and a 7:00pm door with an 8:00pm start is the usual shape of an evening. There’s a bar with beer, wine and concessions, and re-entry is allowed with a hand stamp.

Movies and the Arts Academy

A Christie digital projector, Meyer surround sound and a 30-foot screen went in during 2016, the largest screen in Sussex County, and film has run alongside the live calendar ever since. The Newton Theatre Arts Academy, open since January 2018, teaches acting, choreography, production and visual arts to students age five and up.

Getting There and Getting In

The theatre sits at the corner of Spring and Madison in downtown Newton and has no lot of its own. On-street parking and public lots ring the block, close enough that dinner at one of the Spring Street restaurants beforehand is easy. Buy through the theatre’s own box office rather than a resale site; they’re direct about not honoring third-party tickets. Accessible seating is held off the online map on purpose, so call the box office to arrange it, then make a night of it with the rest of what’s on in Newton.

FAQ

Where do you park for The Newton Theatre?

There is no patron lot at the theatre, but on-street parking and public lots sit within a short walk in downtown Newton. The venue posts a parking map on its website, and town parking regulations are handled by the Newton Parking Authority.

What time do doors open at The Newton Theatre?

Doors open one hour before showtime, which for most evening shows means 7:00pm for an 8:00pm start. Matinees and special events vary, so check the individual event page for exact times before you head out.

Does The Newton Theatre have a bar?

Yes, The Newton Theatre serves beer, wine and concessions, and accepts cash and major credit cards. Valid photo ID is required to buy alcohol, and outside food and drink are not permitted inside the venue.

Is The Newton Theatre in Newton NJ all ages?

Most shows at The Newton Theatre are all ages, though individual events can carry age restrictions. Everyone needs a ticket regardless of age, and the venue does not recommend bringing children under 12 unless the show is aimed at them.

Can you buy tickets at the door?

Yes, walk-up tickets are sold on the day of the show as long as it hasn't sold out. Advance tickets are sold through the theatre's own site; the box office does not honor or replace third-party resale tickets.

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