COLONIAL THEATRE

The Colonial Theatre is a 3-screen art house cinema located at 163 High Street in Belfast, Maine. The three auditoriums are named after former Belfast movie houses: the Star (120 seats), the City (120 seats), and the Dreamland (160 seats), totaling approximately 400 seats. The Dreamland features a wraparound balcony and a wide stage with curtain for live performances. The theater is operated as a nonprofit by the Hawthorne Theatre & Arts Collaborative.

Programming includes a mix of first-run Hollywood, independent, and classic films, along with special events and performing arts. The Art Deco interior and intimate screen sizes create a neighborhood cinema atmosphere distinct from multiplexes. A life-size elephant sculpture named Hawthorne sits on the roof above High Street, a local landmark salvaged from Perry's Nut House.

The Colonial Theatre opened on April 12, 1912. A 1923 fire destroyed the original building, which was rebuilt in 1924 and resumed operations with movies, stage shows, and community events. After closing on September 19, 2022, the theater was purchased by new owners and reopened on November 17, 2023 as a nonprofit venue.