Wilmette Theatre
Wilmette Theatre
1122 Central Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091
Open · verified by Lumina November 2026
A nonprofit neighborhood theatre in downtown Wilmette that mixes current releases with live music, storytelling, comedy and film festivals. Wednesday evenings are band nights, and the building can be rented for private events.
Quick facts
- Type
- Independent first-run, Historic, Nonprofit
- Address
- 1122 Central Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091
- Area
- Chicago area
- Phone
- (847) 251-7424
- Screens
- 2
- Opened
- 1913
- Hours
- Closed Mondays; Tue matinee from 2 PM; Wed band night 7 PM; Thu to Sun afternoons through late evening
- Tickets via
- Veezi
What to expect
On screen
- New releases
- Special events
- Family films
- Film festivals
- Live performance
At the theater
- Private rentals
The story
The Wilmette Theatre dates to 1913, which makes it one of the older film houses in the northern Chicago suburbs. In 1950 the building was bought by Encyclopaedia Britannica Films, the educational film company. In 1966 a private owner, Richard Stern, took it over and ran it for roughly forty years, keeping a single local screen alive through the decades when many small-town houses closed or were carved up into multiplexes. In 2011 the theatre changed hands again and became a nonprofit organization, which is how it operates today. Wikipedia reports two auditoriums, one of about 140 seats with a stage, lighting and sound for live acts, and a smaller one of about 110 seats with space at the back for gatherings, though that seating detail is not sourced there. That second room helps explain the live-event side of the schedule.
Good to know
- When are Wilmette Theatre showtimes posted?
- The theatre says showtimes go up every Monday, and it is closed that day. Sessions are sold through its Veezi page.
- Is the Wilmette Theatre a nonprofit?
- Yes. Its site lists a 501(c)(3) tax ID and Wikipedia says it became a nonprofit in 2011.
- Does it host anything besides movies?
- Yes. It lists live events such as comedy and storytelling, film festivals, private rentals, and a Wednesday evening band night.
- Where is Wilmette Theatre?
- Wilmette Theatre is at 1122 Central Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091. Phone: (847) 251-7424.
- Is Wilmette Theatre open?
- Yes. Lumina verified Wilmette Theatre as open in November 2026. Check the theater's showtimes for today's schedule.
- How do I buy tickets for Wilmette Theatre?
- Buy tickets directly from the theater (it sells through Veezi) using the Showtimes & tickets button on this page. You can also call (847) 251-7424.
- What independent theaters are near Wilmette Theatre?
- Chicago Filmmakers in Chicago (6.6 mi), Cine Lounge at Niles in Niles (7.8 mi), and Logan Theatre in Chicago (10 mi).
- Chicago FilmmakersCine Lounge at NilesLogan Theatre
Getting there
1122 Central Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091 · Get directions · Map © OpenStreetMap contributors
Independent cinemas near Wilmette Theatre
Chicago Filmmakers
Chicago, IL · 6.6 mi
A Chicago film arts nonprofit that runs screenings and community events at its Firehouse Cinema in Edgewater, and presents the Onion City experimental film festival and the Reeling LGBTQ+ festival.
Cine Lounge at Niles
Niles, IL · 7.8 mi
A Niles theater focused on Indian cinema, with current Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam releases shown with English subtitles, and some premium large-format shows.
Logan Theatre
Chicago, IL · 10 mi
A Logan Square neighborhood theater showing new releases alongside classics, late-night horror and a trivia night. Adult evening tickets were listed at $12, with $9 matinees.
Facets Cinematheque
Chicago, IL · 11 mi
A nonprofit film center in Lincoln Park, established in 1975, that mixes restorations, cult and international titles with short-film festivals and Family Sunday screenings. It also offers film camps and venue rentals.
Gene Siskel Film Center
Chicago, IL · 14 mi
The School of the Art Institute's two-screen cinematheque on State Street, showing international, independent and classic films and hosting festivals such as Black Harvest and the European Union Film Festival.
Classic Cinemas Lake Theatre XQ
Oak Park, IL · 14 mi
A restored historic theater on Lake Street in downtown Oak Park with seven screens, all with heated recliners, and one premium XQ room with laser projection.
More independent first-run cinemas in Illinois
Glen Art Theatre
Glen Ellyn, IL
A Glen Ellyn neighborhood theater with a small slate of current releases, including family and adult titles, plus the occasional classic on the schedule.
Hollywood Palms Cinema
Naperville, IL
A Naperville dine-in theater where food and drinks are brought to high-backed recliners. It shows new releases, with $8 Tuesdays and a monthly Secret Cinema screening.
Hours
Closed Mondays; Tue matinee from 2 PM; Wed band night 7 PM; Thu to Sun afternoons through late evening
Is this your theater?
Claim this free page to fix details, add photos, and post special screenings. We'll also send you a monthly count of the moviegoers this page sends your way.
Claim this pageIndependent listing by Lumina. Not affiliated with the theater. Facts verified from public sources in November 2026. How we verify
Report an error or request removal