Located on Capitol Hill in the historic Barracks Row neighborhood, the Miracle Theatre in Washington D.C. is a second-run movie theater and live performance venue. Opened in 1909, it is the oldest movie theater in the whole city. With a storied past and recent renovation, this iconic D.C. spot continues to hold its charm, boasting glorious interiors that make for the perfect backdrop to film screenings and live shows.
This year, Candlelight returns to the Miracle Theatre with a varied program for music lovers, offering jazz tributes and whimsical concerts inspired by iconic anime films.
Historical facts about the Miracle Theatre
The theater initially opened to the public on December 27, 1909. Previously known as the Meader, it was a vaudeville venue that screened silent films. Throughout its history, the Miracle Theatre has operated under several names including Meader, New Meader, Family and Academy.
After 50 years of ownership by The People’s Church, National Community Church purchased the building in 2011 to revive its history as a live entertainment and movie destination.
What can you do at the Miracle Theatre?
Today, the theater remains committed to screening films, from timeless classics by the likes of Hitchcock and William Wyler to new releases. Miracle Theater movie tickets range from $8 – $10 and movies are shown regularly Friday, Saturday and Sunday with occasional week day showtimes. Additionally, this historic D.C. spot welcomes a host of live events every week, from stand-up and one-person shows to The Jury Experience and Candlelight concerts. These immersive performances showcase some of the best musicians in town that celebrate iconic music artists across genres and styles.
12 June 2026 18:00 + more dates
28 May 2026 18:45
28 May 2026 20:45
17 October 2026 17:00
Where is the Miracle Theatre and how to get there
The Media Theatre is located in Barracks Row in Southeast D.C., 1.5 blocks from Eastern Market Metro. Besides Metro Rail, the theater is also reachable by bus through lines 30N, 30S, 32, 34, and 36, which run through the Eastern Market area. For drivers, there is a paid, public parking lot underneath the highway on 8th Street, SE between I Street and Virginia Avenue, with a two-hour limit Monday through Saturday.
Who owns the Miracle Theater D.C.?
The iconic building was finally bought by the National Community Church in 2011, subsequently renovating it to operate as both a community venue and second-run theater.
How many seats are in Miracle Theatre in D.C.?
The theater has 371 theater seats. For private events, it can accommodate up to 500 guests.
Is outside food allowed in the Miracle Theatre?
No, outside food and drinks are not permitted. However, the Miracle offers regular movie theatre concessions for live events, plus Union Stage sells beer and wine.
Nearby venues in D.C.
Given its great location in Barracks Row, you can easily walk from the Capitol area to the theater if you have a movie or show scheduled for the evening. If you’re looking for a after-show bite, restaurants near the Miracle Theater include DCanter, Ambar, and Matchbox. Other nearby entertainment venues worth mentioning are Capital Turnaround, Folger Elizabethan Theatre and The 507 Event Space.
What’s more, if you’d like to explore more Candlelight venues in D.C., the series has partnered up with other unique spaces across the city, such as the majestic National City Christian Church and the charming Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.
