The historic Lido Theater on Via Lido launched its inaugural short-film festival last week and has booked a Candlelight concert residency, comedy acts, and tribute bands through fall. It's the fullest programming slate since the 500-seat Art Deco venue reopened after a five-year restoration.
The Balboa Del Mar Film Festival held its first event Friday, July 11, at the Lido. Festival director Blake Lane organized the screening under the tagline "Short Films. Big Ideas. Small Budgets. All Ages. Real Connections." The festival will return to The Frida Cinema in Santa Ana from Wednesday, August 27, through Saturday, August 30, for a four-day run featuring filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, and networking.
"Film remains the heart of the Lido, but the goal was always much broader to be a full entertainment venue," general manager Inès Gandal told the Daily Pilot.
The Candlelight concert series, produced by Fever, begins its Lido residency Thursday, July 24, with a Tribute to Metallica. Additional series running through fall include tributes to Maná and Juan Gabriel on Strings, plus a 90s Unplugged program starting Friday, August 28. Each concert runs 60 minutes with doors opening 45 minutes before showtime. Attendees must be at least 8 years old. Specific session dates are available at feverup.com.
On the comedy and live-music side, comedian Pat McGann performs Thursday, July 16. The lineup stretches into fall with Imagine Benatar (a Pat Benatar tribute) on Friday, August 1; a Prince tribute on Thursday, August 7; Dog N Butterfly's Heart tribute on Friday, August 8; Billy Gardell on Friday, August 22; Margaret Cho on Thursday, October 9; and rock band Hinder on Saturday, October 11.
Hollywood producer Joseph McGinty Nichol, known professionally as McG and a Newport Beach native, and Jordan Otterbein of River Jetty Restaurant Group have operated the theater since 2024. The Fritz Duda Company completed the restoration, which included sound and technical upgrades and earned a preservation award from the Art Deco Society. The venue has hosted well-known acts including the Gipsy Kings, Dwight Yoakam, Sugar Ray, and a sold-out Chris Isaak concert that raised money for the Hoag Hospital Foundation.
Classic film screenings continue weekly, with movies starting at 7 p.m. and doors at 6:30 p.m. Free parking is available in the lot near the theater.
The Lido is also hosting events tied to Newport Beach's 120th anniversary celebrations. The organization 70° is curating anniversary programming at the theater in partnership with the Newport Beach Historical Society, Balboa Island Museum, Sherman Library and Gardens, Visit Newport Beach, and Mayor Lauren Kleiman. A free exhibit, "120 Years of Welcome: A Tourist Tribute," is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Balboa Island Museum through mid-October.
Upcoming at the Lido Theater, 3459 Via Lido:
- Pat McGann standup comedy — Thursday, July 16
- Candlelight: Tribute to Metallica — begins Thursday, July 24
- Imagine Benatar (Pat Benatar tribute) — Friday, August 1
- Prince Again (Prince tribute) — Thursday, August 7
- Dog N Butterfly (Heart tribute) — Friday, August 8
- Billy Gardell: Less is More — Friday, August 22
- Candlelight: 90s Unplugged — begins Friday, August 28
Tickets and full schedule: thelidotheater.com or (949) 287-6034.
