I came here for concerts before such as Weekend in the Country but I always wondered what would happen if this venue was used for a big event for sports fans? I was able to test that theory out because I'm a season ticket holder for the Ravens and I was able to see a different view of the Merriweather Post Pavillion. Happy to say this venue still holds up really well! The parking situation can be extremely tricky and a headache but thankfully the Ravens managed to provide free parking in a parking garage in the Merriweather district near one of the Pavilion's entrances (I think it's the West enterance(?) I know there's a big bridge and trail you can follow). read more

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Love this venue! Been here often for concerts but was here recently for Wine in the Woods. Had a great time and they did a wonderful job. read more

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Great Music Space -- Columbia MD Merriweather Post seem small and intimate but on the day of WPOC there was a whole lot of people in attendance for hometown hero Shaboozy (he's from Woodbridge VA). It was a chill vibe with everyone there for good music. The music for this all day country festival was amazing, beautiful and perfect for a late Summer afternoon. The atmosphere was lively, the people were friendly and the sound was amazing. They had alcoholic slushies and I couldn't wait to get one. Unfortunately, it had tequila and my stomach rejects that spirit. The Maryland State Drink, the Orange Crush was in attendance and it was delicious. read more

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Merriwhether is a solid venue for a multi-day music festival. Although you cant control the weather, there are spots on the lawn where you can get shade. Max Occupancy is always reached, and the vibes can get immaculate here. Note: although a lot of artists claim this is Washington DC, the venue is actually in Columbia, MD (less than 1 hour away from DC) Docking a star because the food and beverage options are expensive and not great. Yes - you come here for the music, but I now pack my own food to eat. read more

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Great outdoor concert at Merriweather, Sep 2025! Shows continue through at least Oct 9th! Excellent show! Excellent acoustics! Helpful staff. Good accommodations for mobility-impaired. Good beers! Average expensive food. We heard a great concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion yesterday (Sep 14, 2025) to celebrate a birthday, (not too much younger than the Headliners :-). There's more concerts through at least Oct 9th, and you might enjoy this outdoor theater. The show was excellent and the acoustics were excellent! This was the Outlaw tour with Crow, Dylan, and Willie Nelson. The opening acts had excellent vocals with some great instrument-solos, with their music selections and band-performances increasing in complexity for those first two hours. This was the time when most "open-seating" lawn attendees arrived, and it was very relaxed with lots of walking around and talking. Still, even in the back row of the covered pavilion, a little to the right of center-stage, the performances were crisp and well-balanced and loud-enough that crowd-noise didnt get in the way. This was already fun, and we were among those who wandered for food and drink. Sheryl Crow gave us her trademark vocal stylings across many mostly-known songs and several of her classics, for a great performance that really engaged and stirred the crowd. After dark, Bob Dylan brought us into a totally different world with a dimly-lit red and black stage, no spoken words, and a performance that challenged the audience, until it gradually transformed into a dark exclusive private (20,000-strong) blues musicians'-club of highly-stylized interpretations. Willie Nelson was the greatest, with sometimes-recited sometimes-sung classics, backed by his band chosen to supplement his own guitar with the full guitar and harmonica that we remember. Hear him in person while he is still touring! Food & drink: There are eight vendors around the edge of the seating areas, with the higher-prices typical of music and arts venues. We were happy with a light mango wheat brew from a good selection of cold regular and craft and local beers, in cups, cans, or bottles. The iced mixed drink we had (orange crush) was tasty, but it seemed weaker than the way our local bar serves it. We had a generous tub of fresh not-too-salty popcorn, some fresh hot tasty onion-rings with a zippy sriracha-mayo thick dipping sauce, and a sweet barely-spicy Italian sausage. That last item was not bad, but not great. The sausage wasnt quite juicy or flavorful enough, the nicely-flavorful onions and peppers were not very generous, and the roll was ordinary. Some logistics: There's lots of nearby free parking which opened at 1:30 for a 4pm show, not too crowded at first, with a free shuttle. Entrance started at 2:30, when the lines were already out to the street for the open-seating lawn tickets. (Most people who bought assigned-seats arrived later.) The staff was friendly and very helpful, accommodating those of us who needed a little special-attention. Performances ran from 4pm to 11pm. We didnt see the short-lawn-chair rule for this event, but the well-prepared staff had maybe four rows of seating available for those like us. The accommodations for the mobility-impaired are mostly good. We didn't see a well-marked dropoff area, so we dropped off in the ADA parking area near the west gate, though there was very little seating outside of the gate. On the way out we used their free-shuttle back to parking. The minor negatives are here just to hopefully smooth your visit. The very helpful staff really solved all the concerns we brought to them. We had a spectacular day with great acoustics and great performances and great staff. If you see this in time, there are more shows scheduled through at least Oct 9th! read more

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Merriweather is one of my favorite venues in the baltimore/dc area. To me it's worth splurging for a seat versus lawn. But I'm also old and can't sit on the ground like that anymore. The food and drinks are definitely pricy, but all events are. You can bring in sealed water! Or an empty water bottle. The audio is always great and so are the productions. Seeing shows here is always a great time! read more

Merriweather Post Pavilion - Music Venues Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

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Venue is super cute and fun, venue staff is incredibly kind and accommodating. Free parking too!!!! Highly recommend.

Worrying about the weather not fun And sitting in wet grass? Rather go to another indoor venue read more

I love going to this venue for concerts and events . I typically go to very year around my birthday. The artist they select are great. The facility is always clean and the staff are always friendly and helpful. I never feel disrespected by the staff or security or anything. I rarely get the food when I go, but the beverage stations are always popular. I wish there were more parking options but I know the space is limited for that in the area. It's always a good time here. read more

Merriweather Post Pavilion - Music Venues Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

I had not been to Merriweather Post Pavilion in 20+ years and I went to see the band. Old Dominion and I had a blast. The place is so awesome that even in a rain storm you can watch very nicely if you're in the pavilion I highly recommend the place parking is as easy as can be versus the way it used to be and I had a wonderful time read more

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I enjoyed attending the venue. The jazz fest was mediocre at best! I was so disappointed the lineup this year. A friend described it as weak. I enjoyed watching the crowd. The beverages were overpriced. I didn't buy food. Overall, the jazz fest is okay but way overpriced for the value. Not sure if I want to go back next year. The good was a few of the artist were good the others didn't belong. The bad is the bathrooms were dirty. There was a lot of urine on the floor. Not very sanitary. read more

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Great concert venue with chill vibes and easy logistics. I've been to two concerts (Old Dominion & Glass Animals) at Merriweather Post Pavilion and both were great experiences. The sound and view are solid from the seats, the layout is easy to navigate, and the overall vibe is relaxed but well-run. Parking is free in lots around the venue, just be ready for a bit of a walk, but it's not bad at all. I've never had to wait more than a minute or two to get in through security and ticket check. You can bring in sealed water bottles, and the venue does use reusable beverage cups. Bathrooms can get crowded, especially during set breaks, but here's a tip: head to the ones on the east side by the beer garden -- usually much shorter lines over there. Haven't done lawn seating myself, but it looks like a good time if you bring a blanket and the weather cooperates. Definitely more of a roll-of-the-dice option, but fun if you're up for it and a good choice if viewing the show with several friends. The sky garden is a nice spot to hangout before your show starts and people watch! You don't need a special ticket, just head up the stairs. read more

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I enjoy the lawn seating for events at this venue. Its perfect for concerts where hearing the music is more important than seeing. Getting in and out of the venue has been much easier in the past, but now that the area is being built up, the parking and traffic is a bit more complicated--- with that, parking is still free and ample. I just had to park on the 6th level of the parking garage and it took almost an hour to get out after a show, which sucked. There are decent food and drink options and getting there earlier to have a picnic and get a good spot on the lawn is advised. read more

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I love merriweather, I have been coming here regularly for the past 20 plus years. its easy to navigate in and out of. I love it when they have festivals here. the main complaint is their sound isn't always the best. Also, even when there isnt an event going on, this is still a nice area to stroll through for a walk. read more

My very first show was at Merriweather: Veruca Salt, PJ Harvey, +Live in the mid-90s. Merriweather has certainly grown since that life-altering moment, and I'm here for it. This was my fourth show at the venue, but the first time I went up to the Sky Lawn. I didn't know that people with lawn passes could go upstairs. I thought if you had a lawn pass, it was cheap because it was a less than stellar experience. But a friend pointed it out, and we asked at the Guest Services booth if we were allowed up. An employee escorted us up in the elevator and to the wheelchair accessible spot, which has an unobstructed view of the stage. I was absolutely thrilled. The downside is that the spot is only wide enough for one chair, and I had two people with me. There were empty chairs nearby, but security were diligent about keeping them empty, for some reason. So Jeremy sat on the ground next to me, and Justin hung out somewhere behind me. We saw AFI with 30 Seconds to Mars. The show was fabulous and I could see every single moment. The sound was decent, too, since it hadn't had a chance to bounce off anything before it hit my ears. Accessible parking is decent, and traffic moves pretty quickly after the show. I think that there is an accessible/family bathroom somewhere on site, but I didn't stumble upon it. I used the ladies room in the back of the venue, which was empty before the show started. The larger, so called accessible stall was laughable, and the toilet overflowed when we flushed, just water. It was kinda weird. I enjoyed all the three dimensional art around the back of the lawn's hill. And the strawberry frozen margarita was perfectly blended, though you know I wouldn't have minded if it was A LOT stronger. Concerts are life for me, so you know I'll be back! Would recommend. read more

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Love to go here for concerts! So far, I came here for Pentatonix, Rachel Platten, Mount Joy and Lord Huron. Probably some of the best experiences I've had! read more

Merriweather is an alright venue. I prefer Wolf Trap. Came here for James Taylor a couple months after surgery in 2021 and brought a walker for the lawn but it wasn't secure. Luckily my friend had a lawn chair I could borrow. There was also no accessible parking left but we parked not too far away. Prefer Wolf Trap but this isn't bad and would come back if someone we liked was performing or invited back by our friend nearby who invited us last time. Concessions were quite pricy and about twice as much as we expected. Also not totally in their control and we had our friend drive but it would be nice if they had transit to and from DC Metro and Baltimore after the show for those who don't drive. read more

I was thrilled when I walked into Merriweather-- this is a wonderful space, it feels very intimate. My friend and I were seating far to the left facing the stage but we still got a pretty good view. While Goo Goo Dolls were on stage, they had a weird black screen which kind of obstructed our view which was a bit disappointing. But hey, it all worked out! Security is tight-- they check your bags on the way in and they will check your ticket every time you're returning to your seat. Food is pretty good-- I loved the curly fries! You get a ton-- sharing is caring! Frozen margaritas were great too, but beware of those brain freezes! Sit back and relax, or stand up and sing! Enjoy the show! read more

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Went to the box office to buy tickets for the upcoming Capital Jazz Festival 2024 and Keaton was so very helpful. I got the seating I desired and the purchase experience was awesome. There is a lot of positive to be said about personal touch and not online purchasing. Thank you Keaton!!! read more

We love the smaller size of the pavilion. Even in the back, you aren't that far from the stage. No bad sight lines, even from the lawn. Great venue. We have seen many shows over the years, and have always liked this venue. Parking is also never a problem, and the many garages are all a short walk. read more

Merriweather Post Pavilion - Music Venues Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

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We went to see Maggie Rogers (I am going to try my best to not talk about the show...but it was amazing, and so is she) the other day at Merriweather and has such a nice time! I havent been there for maybe 5-6 years and was suprised to see all the changes that they've made to the venue. It was super easy to get into the venue and all the security and staff were helpful in directing us to where we needed to be. Once we entered - we were pretty surprised at how much had changed! From the new "Skylawn" to the updated food and drink menu (with a beer garden?!) we had such a nice time walking all around the venue before Maggie got on stage. Im really excited for summer and hope to attend more shows there! Oh, and all the food was delicious and not too bad in terms of concert venue prices! Who we saw: Maggie Rogers What we ordered: -Pretzel -Lime Margarita! read more

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I loved this little spot! Never been to an event here and it was really cool. The grounds oh well kept, parking was a breeze, and there were lots of drink and food options available. We chose lawn seating because we plan to dance while seeing Kaytranada perform and it was the right choice! I also learned a little secret about the pavilion, but I'm not gonna share with everyone.... at least not yet lol. Gotta experience it myself before I share with everyone else. Already looking at event lineups for 2025 because I definitely plan to return! read more

Pros: + free parking and multiple garages/lots that are a short walk to the venue (they tell you to reserve a parking pass on their website, but this has never been checked when I go) - the earlier you get there, the better you can position yourself in a spot for a quick escape post-concert + partnership with Howard County police to direct traffic when entering and exiting the venue - traffic moved pretty steadily as we drove into the venue (we arrived when gates opened), and we were able to exit the garage in 10-15 minutes after staying for the whole concert + friendly staff at the box office + multiple entrances/exits for crowd control; bag check was quick followed by a walk through the metal detectors (no re-entry after you scan your tickets) + free cute Merriweather Post flyer to commemorate the concert you're seeing + relatively clean outdoor venue (until it gets trashed out by the end of the concert) + big screens to see the show + you're allowed to bring bags and it doesn't have to be clear (just no backpacks) - check website for size restrictions + you're allowed to bring in your own food/snacks and a factory sealed water bottle + staff members were stationed by each pavilion entrance to check tickets and verify that you had pavilion seats (so that lawn ticket holders couldn't steal seats) + free sky lawn area on the upper decks + big lawn area (but get there when doors open to get a prime spot, and remember people will always fill in any empty spot); can bring your own lawn chair + they posted the set start times on social media (7:15pm opener; 9pm headliner) and everything was on schedule (can vary by performer) Cons: - long lines for the bathrooms - despite many stalls and designated in/out doors, be prepared to wait in line. Even the men's bathroom had lines! - lawn area is hilly, which gives lawn people a good view of the stage, but some places are slippery to sit because it's at such a slope. Also, it gets muddy after rain (venue is not suitable for flooding) - there is some small signage to identify the section numbers to help direct you to your section under the pavilion, but staff members are more concerned with checking whether you're pavilion vs. lawn as opposed to helping you find your seat All in all, I've had pleasant concert experiences at Merriweather Post Pavilion (MPP). So far, parking experiences at MPP, on average, have been better than Wolf Trap (getting out of Wolf Trap is the WORST, in my opinion) and Jiffy Lube Live. read more

Merriweather Post Pavilion - The Merriweather Post ft. OAR and Goo Goo Dolls - 8/4/2023 - Music Venues Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

I went to concert on 05/08/25. I never been to Merriweather Post Pavilion before today, and I will not be back. Being a male it was impossible to use male restrooms, there more females in there than males! I don't know what the females bathrooms looked like, the male one was a pigsty! Why does't the owners supply more female bathrooms than males? Or better yet put them somewhere beside next to the concession stands? This is the only place you go to and you need your ticket to go and from the bathroom? For what they charge to go a concert this is ridiculous! read more

This is such an oddly set-up place. I got tickets when a band I've been listening to for 20 years were coming into town, but not DC where i actually live. But of course, the week after i bought tickets, they announced a DC show, in a much smaller venue. Even though you have to sign up for parking when you buy your ticket, they don't have that information actually available for you to view. I'm not sure if that's standard, or if there was a glitch. So we ended up not having parking, and having to figure out an alternative solution. This is a truly massive concert venue; it's actually about the size of Madison Square Garden, for context. We purchased lawn tickets, but there wasn't space on the lawn, so we had to figure out somewhere else to sit. And lawn tickets were $80 or $90, so these weren't cheap tickets. The idea of the Skylawn is interesting, until you actually go up one of the turrets and find it full, then realize the stairways are actually blocking people's view. And there's not even a screen for you to see the band perform. It was just an overall underwhelming, bizarre layout. It sounds like the way to go here is to definitely to get the stadium seating, and not lawn seats. I wouldn't recommend buying lawn tickets, unless you want to risk not seeing the band. I could also see this being a great venue for a classical performance, where you could lay out in a blanket and look at the sky while you listened to music. Or if you're only spending $50 on a cheap seat. Well... At least the sound system was good, so we could hear them. read more

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Definitely one of my favorite music venues in the DMV. I've been there for a number of events including the recent Duran Duran show (pictured here) and it's always a great experience. My bestie and I had relatively close parking and had virtually no issues with unmanaged crowds on entry or exit. The sound system and the stage visuals are fantastic, too! read more

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I LOVE IT HERE. Parking was a breeze, and there are so many lots surrounding the pavilion. I'm used to the Virginia Beach Amphitheater, and this place is way nicer than ours- the grass seating is huge, and you can get really close to the stage, depending on where you choose to sit in the grass. We will definitely be back whenever we wanna see someone perform. read more

Merriweather Post Pavilion - One of many pieces of art around the pavilion - Music Venues Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

I loved this outdoor venue and will definitely return. This was my first year at the Capital Jazz Fest and I'll return yearly if able. The venue is extremely clean, the staff were great and it ended up being a perfect weather day as well. I purchased a seat center stage 10 rows off the stage. Outside of people in the beginning rows pushing seats back to the point we had very little leg room, the Pavillion is very nice. read more

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Wish the landscape was flatter More staff to handle such large crowds Need more vendors The Capital Jazz Fest had a nice line up with a few no shows. It appeared they tried to fill the spots with special guest features but the transitions from one artist to another was horrible. For the first Capital Jazz Fest after the pandemic they did well. The weather was nice and warm and the frozen margaritas were tasty.. I'm still wondering what type of ice they used because it lasted well over 35-40mins read more

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Fun trivia: The Pavilion was named after Marjorie Merriweather Post. The pavilion is a popular venue for outdoor concerts located in Columbia nearby the Mall of Columbia. Pavilion and lawn seating is available. After recent renovations, they also have suites. It looks very pretty at night all lit up. There is also a VIP deck. Although the pavilion has ceiling fans, it doesn't provide much relief in the summertime. I suggest dressing lightly. I recently came for a NKOTB concert and fortunately it was a cool evening. One year I came for a Lumineer concert, and it was sweltering under the pavilion. They have concession stands that sells sandwiches, wraps, snacks, beverages, and merchandise. They are cashless now and accept credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. One empty or factory-sealed water bottle is permitted, but no outside beverage is permitted. Personal food items in a clear, disposable, non-glass container is permitted (one per guest). I really love that the venue is small as it's more intimate. For my recent NKOTB concert, the boys came out into the crowd and were only a few rows away. We were a bunch of giddy girls. I would have lost my mind if they were next to me. They offer a loyalty program, 9:30 FWB, that offers free shipping for online merchandise orders. I ordered a Merriweather Stage Collectible as a gift for my husband which he loved. The loyalty program also offers entrance to FWB events & parties and special pre-sales, and opportunities to sold-out shows. Parking is included with your ticket and patrons must pre-select their parking zone before the show. Currently, the pavilion offers vaccination and testing. I found it a bit tricky to locate the testing site when I came a few months ago. TIP: The acoustics were really loud and I couldn't hear the day after so I suggest wearing ear plugs. read more

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It's a fun venue. I saw on the front lawn for a concert. Like well venues, food and drinks are really expensive but you can still see the stage if you come early enough. In terms of food, it's pretty basic. read more

I've lived in DC twice and Maryland for almost 20 years, but I have NEVER been to Merriweather Post Pavilion until now. What a cool venue. I was there to see Illenium, which I found interesting because I didn't get the nexus between Dubstep/EDM and Merriweather (which I took to be more of a Robert Plant/Allison Krauss vibe). Wow! Was I surprised. And wrong. This place held 12,000 hot and sweaty ravers like a gigantic bowl of salty chow mein. read more

Merriweather Post Pavilion - Illenium Concert - Music Venues Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

Watched New Order and Pet Shop Boys here from lawn seats, really great show, great view, friendly people nearby! First time at this venue, would definitively visit again read more

Merriweather Post Pavilion - #NewOrder #PetShopBoys - Music Venues Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

Just had a wonderful concert here and had a blast! That being said, this is probably one of the more difficult venues to review. I will list some benefits and negatives Benefits: - Plenty of areas to buy merch, food and drinks - Fast service and friendly staff - Clean amenities and easy to get to from the parking lot Negatives - It was extremely hot, despite waters, Ice and loose clothing, the seating area was extremely hot throughout the whole event. I had others in my party had to leave to get fresh air and cool off. I - The seating can be tight and I think depending on the type of event, it can be difficult to enjoy. I overall liked the area and was happy with the experience. I am looking for other experiences at this location since they have ample parking, and is nearby. Would reccomend to others. read more

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I attended a comedy showing yesterday at the Merriweather Post Pavilion and this was my first time at this location. The weather couldn't have been better for an outdoor comedy show at Merriweather. Plenty of bathrooms in the venue and lines for food and beverages were not exceedingly long. As with all entertainment arenas, prices for food and drinks are expensive - a 20oz beer was $10. Bottle of water was $4. If you are planning an evening out, it's a great place to see and hear music, see a comedy show, and so on, just plan on spending a good bit at the concession stands. The main comedian we saw was John Mulaney. He was as smart and hilarious as he has always been with a new willingness to be his vulnerable, authentic self, warts and all. It made me like him wee bit more. I never stopped laughing even as I was feeling empathy for what he and his family and friends had to go through dealing with his addictions. Maybe he did some fine tuning of the show while on the road, but there were no awkward moments here in Maryland. Don't miss a chance to see one of the all-time greats. read more

Merriweather Post Pavilion - Rainbow - Music Venues Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

The worst seats I have ever sat in since the 1940s. Is recommend bringing a seat cushions nice read more

In the last year, I went to a bunch of concerts, and had an amazing time. Though the food is overpriced, you are allowed to bring in your own food and water. The staff is really nice, and the vibe is really cool, especially because it's outside. read more

We had a great time here for Odesza! The venue is huge and spacious. The lawn seating has a great view of the stage. There are plenty of concession stands for beers, drinks and snacks. The merch section is pretty extensive, as well. We didn't realize that you are supposed to book parking in advance but it ended up working out okay. Parking lot B was available for people without a parking reservation. The concert was phenomenal. The music and pyrotechnics were just so cool. Highly recommend checking out Merriweather. read more

Merriweather Post Pavilion - a large crowd of people at a concert - Music Venues Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

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Merriweather Post Pavilion is a beautiful and expansive venue with great sound that brings a wonderful variety of acts to the Baltimore area. Originally an amphitheater, it's now updated to include fancy extensions like the two sky lawns (this is in addition to regular lawn seating and sky box seating). Throw away any image you have of peacefully enjoying a show on the lawn though, it can feel very chaotic. This comes from a seasoned outdoor concert goer who arrives early and prepared. Luckily, accessing merch and concessions is easy enough, those locations are marked clearly. Just prepare for lines, lines and more lines. The drink and food options are pretty basic and pricey. Parking was an absolute mess. Despite purchasing a parking pass for a designated lot and zone, upon entry no one was checking the passes and I got the feeling folks just claim whatever they stumble upon and proclaim "mine!" Going forward I'd suggest car pooling and arriving with extra time for the 'first come - first serve' parking scenario. read more

Merriweather Post Pavilion - GA lawn - Music Venues Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

Honestly, an excellent venue. I appreciate the way they handled parking, although obviously getting out of a garage at the end of a concert takes a lot of time, and of all of the concerts I have ever gone to, it had some of the best sound balance I've ever heard. The staff is pleasant, the concessions are as affordable as you'd expect and taste all right, and of course the concert itself was magnifico. read more