Excitement is growing in downtown Canton as the city prepares to celebrate the grand opening of the new Opera House Plaza on Friday, October 24, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The evening will kick off with a ribbon cutting and short ceremony in front of the decorative arch—an elegant replica of the original entrance arch that once welcomed visitors to the historic Opera House. Following the ceremony, guests can enjoy live music from the Monster Lane Band on the brand-new amphitheater stage, along with concessions hosted by EATS. The event is free and open to the public, inviting residents and visitors alike to gather, listen to great music, and celebrate this exciting addition to the heart of downtown Canton.
The new Opera House Plaza stands on a site filled with local history. Originally built in 1891, the Opera House was once a cornerstone of culture and entertainment, drawing crowds for vaudeville shows and even hosting legendary performers like Charlie Chaplin. A few years after opening, a drapery fire damaged the interior, but the community rebuilt it—an early sign of Canton’s resilience. The Opera House survived another challenge in 1975, when a tornado tore through downtown, again causing major damage.
In the early 2000s, a Peoria developer purchased the 19,500-square-foot building and began a major restoration, transforming it into the Opera House Professional Building with retail storefronts below and offices above. Sadly, the structure was lost in the 2016 downtown gas explosion, leaving behind an empty space and a deep sense of loss for the community.
That all began to change in 2024, when the City of Canton broke ground on plans to reimagine the long-vacant lot. The vision: to honor the Opera House’s storied past while creating a modern public gathering space for today and future generations. In a thoughtful nod to history, the new amphitheater stage sits in the exact same location as the original vaudeville stage once stood—linking past and present in a powerful way.
The completed Opera House Plaza blends historic remembrance with forward-looking design—a place for concerts, festivals, and quiet relaxation. More than just new brick and landscaping, it stands as a symbol of Canton’s resilience, community pride, and ongoing commitment to downtown revitalization.
Join the celebration on October 24 and be part of this historic moment as Canton opens a beautiful new chapter downtown.