Live Oak Bank Pavilion: The Complete Guide to Wilmington's Riverfront Amphitheater

Venue: Live Oak Bank Pavilion
Location: 10 Cowan St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Entrance: Harnett Street (between the Skyline Center building and Marina Grill)
Capacity: 7,500
Type: Outdoor amphitheater
Operated by: Live Nation
Phone: 910-632-5093

Live Oak Bank Pavilion is where the big acts play when they come through Wilmington. Opened in 2021 with three sold-out Widespread Panic shows, the venue sits right on the Cape Fear River in the north end of downtown. It's outdoor, it's loud, and the river backdrop at sunset makes every show feel like an event.

If you've never been or you're visiting Wilmington for a show, here's everything you need to know before you go.

2026 Concert Schedule

Here's the full season. Dates and lineups can change, so check the official schedule before buying tickets.

• May 17 - Earth, Wind & Fire (8:30 PM)
• May 23 - Iration: Where It All Began Tour with Tribal Seeds (6:30 PM)
• June 8 - Jelly Roll: The Little Ass Shed Tour with Kashus Culpepper (7:00 PM)
• June 12 - Lauren Daigle (7:00 PM)
• June 18 - Lord Huron with Thao (7:30 PM)
• June 19 - Darius Rucker: Songs of Summer Tour (7:00 PM)
• June 26 - Ella Langley: The Dandelion Tour (7:00 PM)
• July 14 - Margaritaville Presents Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band (7:30 PM)
• July 16 - Dierks Bentley: Off The Map Tour (7:00 PM)
• July 29 - Bob Dylan (7:00 PM)
• July 30 - O.A.R.: Three Decades Tour (6:30 PM)
• August 20 - Slightly Stoopid: Road Trippin Summer Tour (7:30 PM)
• August 22 - Jordan Davis
• September 12 - Koe Wetzel
• September 15 - James Taylor & His All-Star Band (7:30 PM)
• September 20 - Foreigner: Celebrating Fifty Years
• September 21 - Charley Crockett: Age of the Ram Tour
• October 6 - The Doobie Brothers: Walk This Road Tour
• October 16 - Ty Myers: The Legal Tour (7:30 PM)

Popular shows sell out. Jelly Roll and James Taylor will go fast. Buy tickets early through Live Nation or at the box office.

The Venue

Live Oak Bank Pavilion is a 7,500-capacity outdoor amphitheater on the Cape Fear River. It's not covered. You're outside. In the summer that means heat, humidity, and the occasional thunderstorm. It also means sunsets behind the stage that make every show feel like an event.

The venue has reserved seating sections up front and a general admission lawn behind them. For GA shows, the lawn is first come, first served. You might notice a row or seat number on your lawn ticket but that's only for ticketing purposes. There are no assigned spots on the lawn.

There are three sections of reserved seats, and some shows have a GA pit up front as well.

Getting In

The entrance is on Harnett Street, between the Skyline Center building and Marina Grill. There is no entrance on Cowan Street.

Mobile entry only. Your phone is your ticket. Download your tickets to your phone through the Live Nation app before you arrive. No paper tickets, no printouts.

Security: Metal detectors, pat down, and bag check. Have your clear bag ready (see bag policy below) and you'll move through faster.

Gates typically open 90 minutes before showtime, but check your specific event page for exact times.

No re-entry. Once you leave, you're done. Make sure you have everything you need before you go in.

Parking

There is no parking at Live Oak Bank Pavilion. This is the single biggest thing first-timers don't know.

• Skyline Center Garage (Metropolitan Deck): Right next to the venue on Harnett Street, about a 5-minute walk. $20 on show nights. Fills first.
• Cotton Exchange Lot: About a 10-minute walk, closer to downtown restaurants and bars. $35 on show nights.
• Pre-book through ParkWhiz: The venue has partnered with ParkWhiz for advance parking reservations.
• Street parking: Available on surrounding streets. Meter enforcement varies. Roads near the venue close during shows.
• Rideshare: Drop-off is at the corner of Harnett and 3rd Street.
• Walk from downtown: The venue is about 10-15 minutes on foot from the main restaurant and bar district.

Accessible parking: First-come accessible spots on Harnett and Nutt Street marked by blue traffic cones. Accessible drop-off at the main entrance on Harnett Street with a tent and chairs.

For more detail, check our Live Oak Bank Pavilion Parking Guide.

What You Can Bring

• Bags: Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC tote bags no larger than 12" x 6" x 12", or small clutch bags no larger than 6" x 9". Non-clear bags require paid bag check.
• Water: Up to 1 gallon, factory sealed or empty to refill inside.
• Cameras: Non-professional only, no detachable lenses.
• Blankets: No larger than 4' x 8'.
• Lawn chairs: Low profile only, seat no more than 9 inches off the ground. Rentals available on-site.
• Strollers: Lawn area only, subject to search. No wagons.
• Prescribed medication: Must be in original container with a name verifiable by photo ID.

What You Can't Bring

• Outside food (baby/toddler food in a clear container up to a gallon is the only exception)
• Alcohol
• Glass containers or cans
• Coolers or lunchboxes (hard or soft sided)
• Weapons of any kind (including pocket knives and pepper spray, even with a concealed carry permit)
• Animals (except service animals)
• Large golf-style umbrellas
• Laser pointers, fireworks, balloons
• Chain wallets
• Professional cameras with detachable lenses
• Lawn chairs taller than 9"

For the full breakdown, see our What to Bring to a Live Oak Bank Pavilion Concert guide.

Food and Drinks

No outside food allowed. Eat before you arrive or buy inside.

Inside the venue:

• Mosh Burger - 100% U.S. hormone-free beef, American cheese, caramelized onions, burger sauce
• Rebel Hen - Crispy chicken tenders with house-made sauces
• CVT - Soft serve ice cream in a pouch
• Local food trucks - Rotate by show. Check Live Oak's Instagram story on show day for the lineup
• General concessions - Popcorn, nachos, standard concert fare

Drinks: local craft beer, wine, top-shelf liquor, signature cocktails, Riffresher non-alcoholic drinks, Athletic NA beer, Red Bull, Pepsi products, Liquid Death water.

Cash-free venue. Contactless payments only. Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Amex, and mobile payments. If you only have cash, Guest Services will exchange it for a card for free. Some visiting food trucks may accept cash.

Weather

Official policy: "The show will go on whatever the weather. Unless it's looking extra gnarly." Check their Facebook and Instagram on show day for updates. If a show is cancelled, refunds are available at the point of purchase.

Smoking

Non-smoking facility (it's inside a public park). There is a small designated smoking area near the portable restrooms and fence line, monitored by security. Smoke anywhere else and you'll be asked to leave with no refund.

Kids

All shows are all ages unless otherwise stated on the ticket. Children 2 and under don't need a ticket but must sit on a parent's lap. Strollers allowed in the lawn area only. Diaper bags don't need to be clear but will be searched.

Before and After the Show

Dinner before:

• Waterline Brewing - Closest brewery, Cargo District, great outdoor space
• Ponysaurus Brewing - Market Street downtown
• Flytrap Brewing - Downtown-adjacent, food trucks
• Bottega - Italian, North 4th Street
• Wilmington Distillery - Craft cocktails, Dock Street

Drinks after:

• Bourgie Nights - Live music on Princess Street
• Hi Wire Brewing - Princess Street, open late
• Wilmington Distillery - Open until midnight or later

For more, check our Where to Eat Before and After a Live Oak Show guide.

Quick Reference

Address: 10 Cowan St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Entrance: Harnett Street
Phone: 910-632-5093
Box office: Fridays 10 AM - 1 PM. Show days 10 AM until headliner takes the stage.
Tickets: livenation.com
Parking: Skyline Center Garage ($20, 5 min walk) or Cotton Exchange Lot ($35, 10 min walk). Pre-book via ParkWhiz.
Payments: Cash-free. Card and mobile only.
Entry: Mobile tickets only. Live Nation app.
Re-entry: Not permitted.
Age: All ages unless noted. Under 2 free on parent's lap.
Merch: Concert Gear tent next to lawn chair rental and boardwalk.

Planning a weekend around a show? Check our Downtown Wilmington & Riverwalk guide and browse upcoming events.

Visiting with family? Our Things to Do with Kids in Wilmington guide covers daytime activities.