The iconic Forest Theater, which has seen the likes of B.B. King, Wilson Pickett, Ike & Tina Turner, Gladys Knight, and Prince, is set to reopen in November 2026.
Nonprofit Forest Forward has led the way on the restoration process. Since the start, organizers say it has been much more than just renovating the 1940’s landmark; it’s also about bringing an economic engine back to South Dallas.
Leaders of the project recently posted a progress update video on social media.
“The Forest Theater first opened in 1949 on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in South Dallas and has long served as a cultural anchor for the Black community,” Elizabeth Wattley, CEO of Forest Forward, said. “Developed by theater magnate Karl Hoblitzelle, whose legacy includes iconic Dallas venues like the Majestic Theatre and Inwood Theatre, the theater was originally built during segregation and later evolved into a vibrant Black-serving cultural destination as the surrounding neighborhood transformed over time.”
With the direction of Forest Forward and through public and private partnerships, the $75 million project has been in development for a year. In 2024, an $8 million grant was approved by the City of Dallas.
“The Forest Theater is being restored as a multi-purpose arts and entertainment destination featuring a 1,000-seat concert hall, Black Box theater, creative education spaces, rooftop terrace, Starbucks, and community gathering spaces designed to fuel creativity, connection, and economic opportunity in South Dallas. Powered by state-of-the-art technology, the venue is being reimagined as a cultural home for live music, film, storytelling, and immersive experiences that honor the theater’s legacy while creating new opportunities for future generations.”
Wattley said the plan is to open in the Fall.
“For the first time in more than 50 years, the iconic tower and marquee of the Forest Theater will shine again when the theater reopens in November 2026, marking the return of one of Dallas’ most historic cultural landmarks and a defining moment for generations of South Dallas residents who have waited to see the theater come back to life. The future is here,” Wattley said.
