We provide a guide to Teatro Lido, which is a popular theater in Medellín that hosts many free events yearly including concerts and other performing arts.
Several Medellin Guru readers have asked about the theaters in Medellín. So, we started looking at the theaters in Medellín. And this is the third theater we have looked at.
Teatro Lido is smaller than Teatro Metropolitano in El Centro but it is still very popular due to all events being free at Teatro Lido and sponsored by the City of Medellín. The goal of this theater is to offer culture to the general public for free.
Teatro Lido hosts many events each year including films, concerts, plays, comedy and other performing arts. Note the above photos are courtesy of Teatro Lido.
Teatro Lido, photo courtesy of Teatro Lido
History of Teatro Lido
Teatro Lido (Lido Theater) was born in 1945 at the initiative of Francisco Luis Moreno Ramírez, who was a wealthy man who along with his family wanted to contribute to the cultural life in Medellín. Money was donated for construction of a building and also hiring the architect Federico Vásquez and the sculptor Marín Vieco.
The entire construction process took two years. Also, some of the materials for the construction were brought from the United States, including the central staircase that leads to the second floor, the marble floors and bathrooms, and an acoustic plaster to cover the walls.
At the time it opened, it was considered the best theater in Medellín in terms of acoustics and it had capacity for 1,400 people. The theater originally offered films and concerts. And after it opened, it was frequented by high-society to see orchestras and international cinema.
In 1948, Cine Colombia acquired the theater. And in the decades of the 50s and 60s, the theater was the most important variety theater in the city. Cine Colombia brought films to the theater from artists such Federico Fellini and Michelangelo Antonioni. And tickets cost 5 to 6 pesos.
Decline of the Theater and Restoration
At the beginning of the 80s, the theater began to decline, as new cultural and recreational spaces opened on the Medellín metro area, which displaced the cinema as one of the main sources of entertainment in the city. So, only films and simple cultural activities were occasionally available in the theater. Finally, the theater closed in the mid-1990s.
In 1997, the theater was declared an architectural heritage of the city and the city of Medellín bought the theater from Cine Colombia. And restoration of the theater began in 2005.
During the restoration, new comfortable seats were installed, which reduced capacity from 1,400 to 1,100 spectators. Also, the stage was extended to offer more space for dance and orchestras. And the restored theater opened in December 2007.
Event calendar posted outside the theater
Events at the Theater
The theater offers a varied program throughout the year. The events at the theater have included films and film festivals, workshops, concerts, plays, dance, comedy, and other performing arts.
This theater posts its event calendar outside the theater and on the theater’s Facebook page. In October 2019, there were at least 15 events at this theater including feature films, concerts, plays and a Halloween event.
Furthermore, Medellin Guru covers Medellín events, which we update weekly. And we expect to include any notable events at this theater in our weekly event calendar.
A concert at the theater, photo courtesy of Teatro Lido
How to Get to Teatro Lido
This theater is located directly east of Parque Bolívar in El Centro. One way to get there is by using the Medellín Metro. To get there take the A Line to the Parque Berrio station. Parque Bolívar where this theater is located is about a 7-minute walk from this metro station.
Taxis are another option to get to this theater from your location. Just tell the driver “Teatro Lido en Parque Bolívar” or provide the driver the address below.
Website: https://www.teatropablotobon.com/
Address: Carrera 48 # 54-20 at Parque Bolívar, El Centro, Medellín
Phone: +57 4 251 5334
Simón Bolívar stature in Parque Bolívar
Parque Bolívar
Teatro Lido is located directly east of Parque Bolívar in the Villanueva barrio of La Cendelaria (El Centro). The park occupies two city blocks. And north of the park is Catedral Basílica Metropolitana, which is the largest church in Medellín.
Parque Bolívar is named in honor of the liberator Simón Bolívar. In 1923, an equestrian statue was erected in the park, which was designed by the Italian sculptor Giovanni Anderlini and was cast by the Italian sculptor Eugenio Maccagnanai.
In the park, you will typically see many vendors. Also, open-air concerts are typically held in this park the first three Sundays of each month at 11:15 am. In addition, there is a crafts fair on the first Saturday of each month in the park.
Unfortunately, this park is currently closed for renovations.
Theaters in Medellín
So far on the Medellin Guru website we have looked six theaters in the Medellín metro area:
- Universidad de Medellín Teatro – the largest theater in Medellín located on the University of Medellín campus – with capacity for 1,702 spectators.
- Teatro Metropolitano José Gutiérrez Gómez – one of the largest theaters in Medellín – with capacity for 1,634 spectators.
- Teatro Lido – a popular theater in El Centro where all events are free – with capacity for 1,100 spectators.
- Teatro Pablo Tobón Uribe – a popular theater in El Centro – with capacity for 923 spectators
- Pequeno Teatro – a small but popular theater in El Centro – with capacity in its larger space for about 400 spectators.
- Teatro Matacandelas – a very small but intimate theater in El Centro that is popular – with capacity for about 140 spectators.
Also, we plan to look at a few additional theaters in the Medellín area in detail plus publish a comprehensive guide to all the theaters in Medellín.
Teatro Lido in October 2019, note: renovation is going on in Parque Bolívar next to the theater
The Bottom Line: Teatro Lido
Teatro Lido is popular theater in Medellín and it has many events each year ranging from films, concerts, plays and other performing arts.
There are normally at least two or three events at this theater weekly. And all of the events at this theater are free. Also, we plan to include notable events at this theater in our Medellín Events calendar that is updated weekly.
I have been to a few films and concerts at this theater over the past eight years and it’s a nice theater that is more intimate than the larger Teatro Metropolitano.
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