State Theatre

The State Theatre is a movie house in downtown Traverse City that features a restored interior with stars painted on the ceiling, plush seating, and a traditional red velvet curtain. The space blends original decorative elements with updated projection and sound systems from a comprehensive renovation.

The theater was built in 1916 as a vaudeville venue and served decades of live entertainment for the city. A major renovation in 2007 modernized the technology while preserving the original design features.

The venue hosts the Traverse City Film Festival, where independent films, classics, and contemporary releases play throughout the year. Locals and visitors gather here to experience diverse stories and discover works by emerging filmmakers.

The location is easily walkable in the downtown area and offers multiple showtimes daily with different film genres. Families with children can catch special Saturday morning showtimes at reduced rates.

The star pattern painted on the ceiling was designed by an astronomy professor and shows the constellations visible in the night sky above this location. Viewers looking up can recognize the actual stars that appear overhead on clear nights.

Location: Traverse City

Address: 233 E. Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49684

Website: http://traversecityfilmfest.org/statetheatre

GPS coordinates: 44.76420,-85.61950

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:02