Looking for section numbers and the best seats by level? See the Red Rocks Amphitheatre Seating Chart.
Upcoming events at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
What Red Rocks Amphitheatre is
Red Rocks Amphitheatre is an open-air concert venue with a capacity of 9,525, set between two huge sandstone monoliths in Red Rocks Park near Morrison, Colorado, about 10 miles southwest of Denver. The City and County of Denver owns and operates it. It was dedicated on June 15, 1941, and it sits at roughly 6,400 to 6,450 feet above sea level (the venue cites 6,400; other references list 6,450).
The concert season runs from March through November, and the calendar is built around touring acts across rock, electronic, country and other genres. The venue also hosts the Film on the Rocks movie series, which began in 2000, and an annual Easter Sunrise Service. On non-event days, the park and amphitheater are open to the public, and the steps are a well-known workout for runners.
How the rows and seating work
Red Rocks has no sections in the arena sense. The seating is a single sweep of wooden benches on concrete walkways, climbing from Row 1 at the front of the stage to Row 70 at the top, with Ship Rock and Creation Rock rising on either side and the smaller Stage Rock behind the stage.
The venue notes that seating charts vary by event, which in practice means two formats:
- General admission: the ticket gets you into the amphitheater, and you choose any open bench space. Your seat depends on when you arrive.
- Reserved seating: the ticket names a row and seat on the benches. Bench seats are narrow and shoulder to shoulder.
Read the listing to see which format your show uses. At a general admission show, arrival time, not purchase time, decides where you sit.
Accessible seating is in Row 1 and Row 70, where the venue provides folding chairs.
Where to sit at Red Rocks, and what to avoid
The amphitheater is steep and narrow, so almost every row has a clear view of the stage. The real choices are distance, sound and how much climbing you want.
- The front rows put you close to the performers but low, looking up at the stage, often standing for the full show.
- The middle rows near the center aisle are the best all-around choice: high enough to see the whole stage and the light show, close enough to see faces, and well placed for sound.
- The upper rows trade closeness for the view the venue is known for, with the stage framed by the rocks and the open sky above it.
- The far ends of each row, closest to the rock walls, view the stage at an angle and can feel cramped.
At general admission shows, the front rows and the center aisle go to the people who arrive first, so plan your arrival around the seat you want. Expect to stand for most rock and electronic shows wherever you are.
Parking, shuttles and the climb
Parking is included in the ticket price for most shows, which is unusual for a major venue. The catch is the walk. The lots are spread across the park, and the venue warns that depending on where you are directed to park, you may have to hike.
- Lots: Top Circle, Upper North, Upper South, Lower South and the Trading Post lot sit around the amphitheater, with overflow at the Jurassic Lot about a mile away.
- Shuttles: the venue runs complimentary shuttles during arrival, with limited service at the end of the night from the Top Circle and Trading Post lots to the Jurassic Lot.
- Accessible drop-off: the accessible shuttle loads at the Upper South Lot via Entrance 3.
- Rideshare: drop-off is at the Upper North Lot and the Red Rocks Park Road and Trading Post Road intersection; post-show pickups are at the Jurassic Lot.
Wear real walking shoes. Between the stairs from the lots and the rows themselves, a night at Red Rocks involves more climbing than any arena, at an altitude where visitors from sea level tire quickly. Drink water and pace yourself. See the venue's getting-here page for lot directions by event.
Weather, altitude and what to bring
The venue is fully exposed. Its own guidance warns of full sun, strong winds and even severe rain or snow, and it texts weather updates on show days. If you are told to leave for a weather delay, the venue says your vehicle is usually the safest shelter. Spring and fall shows can turn cold quickly after sunset, while summer afternoons can be hot on the stone.
As of the 2026 season, the venue's permitted-items list includes:
- Bags: single-pocket bags up to 13 by 15 by 8 inches, clear bags within that size, and small purses or fanny packs up to 6 by 9 inches. Multi-pocket bags are not allowed.
- Water: empty reusable bottles of 32 ounces or less, and single-pocket hydration packs up to 2 liters.
- Comfort: blankets up to 40 by 60 inches and stadium seats or cushions under 18 inches wide with no legs, which make a real difference on the benches.
- Food: personal food in a clear one-gallon plastic bag.
Alcohol, glass, cans, umbrellas and recording devices are prohibited. Policies change, so check the venue's permitted-items page before you go. Every order through this site is backed by a 100% guarantee.
The Trading Post, the Hall of Fame and the visitor area
The Trading Post, below the amphitheater, houses the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, which opened there in 2015. On show days, the park closes to general visitors around 2 p.m., so plan any daytime sightseeing for the morning or a non-event day.
How Red Rocks was built
Architect Burnham F. Hoyt designed the amphitheater, and construction began in 1936 with labor and materials from the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration, two New Deal programs. The venue was formally dedicated on June 15, 1941, with a performance by soprano Helen Jepson.
The Beatles played Red Rocks on August 26, 1964. U2 filmed its 1983 concert film there on a rain-soaked night. In 2021, Red Rocks was ranked the top-grossing and most-attended concert venue of any size in the world.
Frequently asked questions
How many people does Red Rocks hold?
Red Rocks Amphitheatre has a capacity of 9,525, spread over 70 rows of wooden benches.
Is Red Rocks general admission?
It depends on the show. Some concerts are general admission, where you sit anywhere on the benches, and others use reserved row and seat numbers, so check the listing for your event.
Is parking free at Red Rocks?
For most shows, parking is included in the ticket price. Some lots require a long uphill walk, and overflow parking at the Jurassic Lot is about a mile away.
How high is Red Rocks Amphitheatre?
The venue lists its elevation at 6,400 feet; other references cite 6,450 feet. Visitors from lower elevations should drink water and expect the climb to feel harder than usual.
What is the bag policy at Red Rocks?
As of the 2026 season, single-pocket bags up to 13 by 15 by 8 inches and small purses up to 6 by 9 inches are allowed, and multi-pocket bags are not. Check the venue's current policy before you go.
When is the concert season at Red Rocks?
The concert season runs from March through November. Early spring and late fall shows can be cold and are more exposed to snow and wind.