Historic Fargo Theatre

Built in 1926 as an art house cinema and vaudeville theatre, the beautiful Fargo Theatre has stood as a pillar of the arts in Fargo, ND, for over 90 years. 

Inside the restored, art deco-style interior you can still see independent and foreign films (for just $9 a ticket!). The Fargo Theatre is also one of Downtown Fargo’s hottest venues for concerts and other live events. 

Besides being one of the coolest places in town to see a show or movie, the theatre itself is a Fargo attraction. The iconic marquee is the most photographed spot in Fargo, so make sure you stop by to get your picture taken with it.

What’s playing at the Fargo Theatre? Visit the website for movie times and event listings.

HOURS

Please click on the website link above to see the most current hours.

ADMISSION

You need a ticket to a movie or other event to see the interior of the historic Fargo Theatre. Luckily, a movie ticket is only $9, with nightly screenings. 

Event ticket prices vary. A comedy show at the Fargo Theatre might be $25 while a big-name band concert might be $100. Check ahead to see what’s coming up!

OTHER INFO

• The Fargo Theatre is wheelchair accessible and has support equipment for the hearing and visually impaired.

FUN FACTS

You’ll find two hidden gems inside the historic Fargo Theatre:

• “Wood Chip Marge” is a wooden statue carved in the likeness of Frances McDormand’s character Marge Gunderson from the 1996 film FARGO. To find her, head up to the second floor mezzanine.

• The Mighty Wurlitzer is a 1926 pipe organ. Before “talkies” (movies with sound), the Mighty Wurlitzer scored silent movies in real time. The pipes are hidden behind the walls of the stage, and the organ itself is on a lift so it can dramatically appear from below the stage as its played. It is the largest theatre organ between Minneapolis and Seattle.

HISTORY

When the Fargo Theatre first opened in 1926, movie tickets cost just 25 cents for adults. It was an era of silent cinema – one year before the movies learned to talk. The first film screened at the Fargo Theatre was The Man on the Box starring Syd Chaplin (Charlie Chaplin’s brother). The Theatre also had a vaudeville stage for live entertainment.

The Theatre has been in operation for 93 years, constantly evolving with the film industry and the city it calls home. It is now the region’s only art house cinema, specializing in independent and international film programming. The Fargo Theatre is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Ten years ago, the Theatre added a second auditorium as a part of an urban infill project. The Fargo Theatre produces the annual Fargo Film Festival, which will be celebrating its 20th year in March 2020.

Today, the Theatre continues the tradition of live entertainment by offering performances by both local performing arts groups and professional touring artists. The Theatre shows about 100 movie titles a year.

The Fargo Theatre is a non-profit organization and was placed on the National Register of Historical Places by the United States Department of the Interior.

The Fargo Theatre plays host to a variety of events throughout the year including specialty film series, concerts, plays and other live events, and the annual Fargo Film Festival. Let us host your next speaker or film screening.