AVON THEATRE

The Avon Theatre is a nonprofit, community-supported art house cinema located at 272 Bedford Street in downtown Stamford, Connecticut. The theater operates two screens seating 271 and 242 respectively, housed in a restored 1939 building designed by architect William Hohauser.

The Avon screens a curated mix of independent, foreign-language, documentary, and classic films seven days a week. Programming includes special events, filmmaker Q&As, and the Avon on Tour series of free community screenings. Tuesday first-run films are shown with open captions.

The theater opened on June 15, 1939 as a mainstream Hollywood cinema and operated until 1999. In 2001, the Royce Family Foundation purchased and restored the building, reopening it in 2004 as a nonprofit art house cinema. The venue is now officially named the Avon Theatre Deborah and Chuck Royce Cinema Arts Center.

The Avon closed on January 15, 2026 for a comprehensive renovation expected to last approximately one year. Upgrades include a third screen, new roof, new seats, ADA compliance improvements, expanded concessions, and a wine bar. During the closure, the theater is running "Avon on Tour" screenings at partner venues in Fairfield County.