Think outside the box for your next event—and we mean “outside.” Outdoor amphitheaters can accommodate various events as stand-alone venues with plenty of open space, seating, and a central stage. The South is home to an array of facilities with beautiful settings, state-of-the-art acoustics, and friendly staff to accommodate events.
ALABAMA
Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, Pelham
TheOakMountainAmphitheatre.com
Seating: 10,300
Venue Info: The 21,000-square-foot venue includes a VIP Club and Upper West Plaza.
Private Events: The venue has hosted conferences, corporate events, fundraisers, private concerts, and graduations.
ARKANSAS
Walmart Music Pavilion, the AMP, Rogers
WaltonArtsCenter.org
Seating: 11,000
Venue Info: A seven-acre site offers 3,200 covered seats and a sloped lawn for additional seating. Concessions and restrooms are air-conditioned.
Private Events: The venue has hosted fundraisers, festivals and other events. Email ampevents@waltonartscenter.org to inquire about hosting an event.
FLORIDA
Apopka Amphitheater, Apopka
Apopka.gov
Seating: 1,300 for fixed seating; 5,000 for hillside seating
Venue Info: The facility, located at Northwest Recreation Complex, offers a covered stage, concession stands, a ticket booth, a loading dock, dressing rooms, and other amenities.
Private Events: The venue hosts a regular Saturday Sounds concert series. Contact the events team for rentals, including festivals, concerts, and other events.
GEORGIA
Ivester Amphitheater at Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville
AtlantaBG.org
Seating: 2,000
Venue Info: A flat meadow, perfect for a large gathering, is bordered by colorful perennials overlooking Ivester Amphitheater. It is a sunny, open space.
Private Events: To book the amphitheater for a concert or corporate event, email gainesvilleinfo@atlantabg.org.
KENTUCKY
Moondance Amphitheater, Lexington
LexingtonKY.gov/Moondance
Seating: 1,200
Venue Info: The tiered grass levels provide space for lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics.
Private Events: Available to rent by the half-day or full day; Lexington Parks & Recreation Dept. has a technical crew and sound equipment available at an additional charge.
LOUISIANA
Arcade Amphitheatre, Lake Charles
CityOfLakeCharles.com (under Government/Event Center)
Seating: More than 1,000
Venue Info: Lawn seating; chairs available for rent.
Private Events: Arcade Amphitheatre hosts benefit walks/runs, free concerts, family fun days, reunions, and more; call 337-491-1256.
MARYLAND
Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia
MerriweatherMusic.com
Seating: 19,300
Venue Info: All-new SkyBoxes and SkyLawn give elevated views of the stage. SkyLawn consists of two natural grassy knolls overlooking the pavilion. The venue also includes a multipurpose room, which can be configured in a variety of setups with pipe and draping, catering space, a full kitchen, and a backstage patio area.
Private Events: Available for rent for a minimum of 5,000 people at the concert.
MISSISSIPPI
The Sound, Gautier
EnjoyTheSound.com
Seating: 8,000
Venue Info: VIP seating, corporate box options, lawn seating, concession area for food trucks.
Private Events: Venue has flexibility for large-scale community events.
MISSOURI
Cedar Hill Amphitheatre, Bogard Township
CedarHillMusic.com
Seating: 5,000 on main stage; other stages also available
Venue Info: Terraced seating, camp chairs allowed; 24×36-foot large stage and 20×20-foot secondary stage.
Private Events: Venue is available for company picnics, private parties, weddings, concerts, and other events.
NORTH CAROLINA
Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary
BoothAmphitheatre.com
Seating: 7,000
Venue Info: Flexible spaces provide seating for small and large groups. Seats are in the Gold Circle and the covered Lowes Foods Front Porch, and there is a lawn with open seating.
Private Events: The venue can accommodate breakfast or lunch meetings, networking events, corporate gatherings, and more. Email for information.
OKLAHOMA
Sunset Amphitheater at Broken Arrow, Broken Arrow
BrokenArrowOK.gov
Seating: 12,500
Venue Info: Expected to open in late summer 2025, the venue will include luxury fire pits and suites, upper and lower bowl seating, and general admission lawn seating.
Private Events: The site will host major concerts and private events.
SOUTH CAROLINA
William A. Floyd Amphitheater, Anderson
AndersonEvents.com (under Facilities)
Seating: 4,500 to 12,000
Venue Info: The amphitheater has been removed and replaced with a festival-style seating area on gently elevated grass terraces; reserved seating for 2,000 is available in front of the stage.
Private Events: The facility can accommodate trade shows, conferences, concerts, circuses and fairs, and major music festivals, and includes RV camping.
TENNESSEE
Bicentennial Capital Mall State Park, Nashville
TNStateParks.com/Venues/Bicentennial-Mall
Seating: 2,000
Venue Info: The amphitheater is built in the tradition of Greek architecture with terraced lawns and amazing acoustics, offering a beautiful view of the state capitol and Nashville skyline.
Private Events: The venue has hosted everything from concerts to weddings. Event planners can contact park rangers for options, pricing structures, and availability; email mallory.england@tn.gov or janna.james@tn.gov.
TEXAS
Red Tail Pavilion, Plano
Plano.gov/1078/Red-Tail-Pavilion
Seating: 2,000
Venue Info: Grass-covered landings; lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets are welcomed.
Private Events: Venue is perfect for concerts, festivals, fundraisers, and other events. It also makes a great starting point for 5K runs, as it is situated within the Oak Point Nature Preserve. In coordination with Special Events, grassy areas outside the gates are also available for rent.
VIRGINIA
Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater, Virginia Beach
Seating: 20,000
Venue Info: Expansive lawn for seating with a canopy covering close to the stage. Chairs up to 9 inches high can be brought into the venue.
Private Events: The venue is available for corporate events, fundraisers, private concerts, and conferences.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
The National Museum of the American Indian Amphitheater
AmericanIndian.SI.edu
Seating: While the amphitheater has space for about 100 people, other onsite areas can host up to 1,500 guests.
Venue Info: Smaller outdoor venue accessible from the Potomac Atrium.
Private Events: The site has hosted pre-dinner receptions, dessert receptions, and other small corporate gatherings.
WEST VIRGINIA
The Ruby Amphitheater at Hazel Ruby McQuain Park, Morgantown
RubyAmpWV.com
Seating: 1,000
Venue Info: Venue offers some shaded seating and terraced seating to support larger concerts and local events. There is a covered 50×30-foot stage and a lounge green room.
Private Events: The amphitheater has hosted weddings, concerts, and festivals, and can accommodate just about any type of event.
