The Rio Grande Theatre is the architectural centrepiece of downtown Las Cruces, a 1926 Spanish Colonial Revival cinema-cum-vaudeville house that survived decades of neglect to become a performing arts venue. The exterior presents a Mission Revival facade with arched entryways and decorative tilework; the interior retains much of its original plasterwork and barrel-vaulted ceiling.
The theatre hosts concerts, film screenings (including a regular art house program), theatre productions, and community events. The programming is eclectic — flamenco one weekend, country music the next, an independent film series through the week. Checking what's on before you arrive is worthwhile; the theatre is active enough that there is usually something interesting on.
The surrounding downtown block has been partially revived around the theatre, with a handful of restaurants and galleries that are worth exploring before or after a show. The Main Street pedestrian area immediately adjacent sees more foot traffic than most of downtown Las Cruces.