In the heart of Fairfax, marked by its prominent bright red sign, stands the Fairfax Theater, a historic site in the downtown area. With its classic and welcoming appeal, the Fairfax Theatre has long served as a social hub for the town. For 25 years, it has continued to bring individuals together and remains a landmark of Fairfax’s community.
In addition to the theater’s long-lasting and timeless atmosphere, many who visit are captivated by its vintage style.
“Our theater is kind of old, so we’re trying to keep the old stuff, but also bring new stuff. We’re bringing new systems, new services, and we’re trying to keep track of new updates, you know.. our main goal is to get more people from the community to come inside and spread the loving Fairfax culture,” said Fairfax Theater manager Alejandro Mejia.
The theater first opened June 30, 1950, with only one auditorium seating about 600 people, operated by the Blumenfeld Theater Circuit. However, in 1993, the theater underwent a major transformation, enhancing the quality of sound and picture, and updating its interior.
In 2008, the installation of solar panels made the theater “the first major motion multiplex cinema in America to go solar,” according to altenergy magazine. This sustainable upgrade has demonstrated the theater’s progress toward adopting eco-friendly technology and offering more organic concessions.
“We’re trying to go green,” Mejia said. “We’re doing solar panels, and we’re trying not to rely on the electric system. We’re also focused on bringing back things like real butter and organic snacks.”
Over the years, the theater has undergone progressive modernization and development. In 2012, the current five auditoriums were built, and the theater began rebuilding under the new organization of Cinema West. They have since continued making additional changes, including the introduction of new recliner seats in 2018.
“The audiovisual system of the theater is very well maintained, and I think you get a really good experience as far as the sound and the screen and everything… It also has really good seating, which is a nice benefit,” said Marla Newall, a frequent visitor to the theater.
The Fairfax theater typically screens big-budget Hollywood films on their opening weekends. Some recent examples of the major blockbuster films they have shown include “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere,” “Deadpool and Wolverine,” and “Wicked.” The theater also displays revivals of classic films such as “Jaws,” “Back to the Future,” and “Star Wars” to celebrate the anniversaries of their release dates and introduce them to a newer generation that has never seen these movies on a big screen.
The theater also serves as a community meeting place. Visitors can rent any auditorium for events such as birthdays, special gatherings, or celebrations. The Fairfax Theater Company also uses the stage for its shows and productions and supports local performing arts programs by providing them with a space.
Over the years, the theater has greatly impacted the small town community of Fairfax, allowing people to make lasting memories. The theater offers the Fairfax community a place to come together, creating community connections and providing opportunities for people of different generations to gather together.
“I think it’s definitely really popular because it’s right in the heart of town. It’s just a great place for the community to come together and enjoy movies. The whole vibe is very friendly and chill,” said theater employee and Archie Williams alumnus Owen Shinnick.
The Fairfax Theater’s history has grown and changed over the decades, from starting as a small single auditorium theater in 1950 to a six auditorium multiplex with modernized seats and technology in 2025. The theater continues to evolve with the times and will look to continue to do so for years to come.
