Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was fantastic!! Witty and fun adaptation. Choreography, characters and dance ensemble was amazing! This was our first time here. Staff and fellow guests were friendly. Lots of people helped us with directions around the theater. We parked in South Lot. Short paved walk to entrance. Note: Fixed chair seats have numbers on the seat. Grass reserved seats have the numbers on the ground. Lots of folks were initially confused. Ask the staff if you lost, they are very helpful. Lots of people brought their own food (some with full on dinners and dessert). You can buy food there also. We had lots of fun. We'll definitely come back and see other shows. Fun, fun, fun, and laughs. read more

Moonlight Amphitheatre - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 7/2026. Fantastic show! - Performing Arts Near Me - Vista, California

Food venue change is a step backwards. Great facility otherwise. Not sure why they got rid of so many great food options. Of course, we'll be back but we might bring our own food next time. No more ice cream? This place is for kids too. Willy Wonka was an excellent show. Great performances all around. read more

Moonlight Amphitheatre - Entrance - Performing Arts Near Me - Vista, California

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I love the Moonlight Amphitheatre and have been coming here since high school. It's a North County icon and truly lives up to its tagline, "Broadway's Best Under the Stars." One of my favorite things about coming here is bringing a picnic and sitting on the Great Lawn. They provide lawn chairs, and I bring a blanket and picnic basket to make a night of it. It's such a fun and unique experience. They also have food and drinks available for purchase, including alcohol, which is convenient since outside alcohol isn't allowed. The productions are always impressive and so well done. The talent, sets, and overall quality consistently exceed expectations. Parking is pretty easy, with a couple of large lots available. The only minor downside for me is that I haven't loved the food options this year as much as in the past, but I still appreciate having them available. Overall, this is one of my favorite venues in North County and a place I'll keep coming back to year after year. read more

Moonlight Amphitheatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Vista, California

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I love this little venue!! I've been many times over the years to see bands and plays, it's always a good time. It's so nice to be able to sit outside. We always brought picnics and shared with our group in the past. It can get chilly but we've always brought blankets and jackets so it's not too bad. This last time I went for the play Cher. My friend reserved us a table and we ordered food. I had heard so many great things about the grilled cheese vendor that had been there in years past so I was looking forward to it. Unfortunately, they are no longer there, so that was a bit disappointing. The choices are limited and prices are pretty high for what you get with the new vendor. So, I'll either eat beforehand or bring my own to future events. Otherwise, all the plays I have seen have been colorful and well done. The bands have been fun presenting a wide variety of music. It usually sounds pretty good too. I will definitely be back for future events and performances. read more

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Always enjoy the theatre here in Vista. Great entertainment and ai usually bring my own food to eat at table before the show. If I could change anything I'd like shows to start a little earlier as I see older crowds as myself and get sleepy even with great entertainment. Starting at 8 with a break is a long day - esp mid week if worked but... still a wonderful experience on a summer evening. Staff is outstanding as well as the actors/actresses. read more

Fantastic venue with great musicals, concerts, and other events put on by the community. One of the best assets to the city of Vista, IMHO.

The Moonlight Amphitheater is such a unique, yet beautiful Moonlight Amphitheater. Never been here until yesterday, April 8, 3026. Moonlight Amphitheatre is located at 1250 Vale Terrace Drive Vista, CA 92084. The original amphitheater was built in 1976 at Brengle Terrace Park. Melissa , the parking attendant who assisted me at the dirt parking lot was helpful and resourceful when I spontaneously asked her what time the concert would approximately end. She reassured me that I'd be able to get out of the dirt parking lot when I thought I might be blocked in. Thanks, Melissa, for being friendly and resourceful! read more

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Great venue! Weather was nice, a bit chilly so bring a blanket but otherwise pleasant. All seats seem to be great and close enough to the stage. No bad seats in My opinion. And you are able to bring in your own food. read more

Moonlight Amphitheatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Vista, California

I've been coming for years, and their shows are Broadway quality. The venue is beautiful. We always used to bring show-themed picnics back in the days when you had to run to grab a lawn seat--nowadays we go for the firmer seats that we can actually get in and out of! A true gem that we're lucky to have. read more

wing up in Vista, I've always felt the contrast between different sides of the city, and Moonlight Amphitheatre is one of the true gems that brings people together. It's such a fantastic feature for the community, and I love that a city like Vista has a venue that attracts impressive performances and nationally recognized acts. The amphitheater itself is beautiful, intimate, and always makes for a memorable night out. What takes away from the experience, unfortunately, is the customer service from the contracted parking/security staff. In my experience, they can come across as rude, disrespectful, and often seem unfamiliar with theater policies, which creates unnecessary frustration especially when you've paid a premium for tickets. The inconsistency in how rules are enforced makes returning less enjoyable than it should be. That said, the venue itself remains a standout part of Vista, and I'll always appreciate what it brings to the city. read more

A must see The Cher Show was awesome life story of Cher. Lots of seating Full bar You msy bring food or buy it there read more

Moonlight Amphitheatre - Stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Vista, California

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Theater at its best! Dress casual and you can bring your own drinks and snacks. I have seen some folks bring their own table and made a picnic of the whole experience. The staff are mostly volunteers and the show is great and worth every penny you paid for. This is a good place to take the whole family. read more

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Moonlight Amphitheater is a wonderful outdoor venue for lovers of theater and live entertainment. My fiance and I watched a production of The Prince of Egypt The Musical by the Moonlight team and were thoroughly impressed. The outdoor theater had the perfect atmosphere for a fun date night out. Tickets for shows are very affordable ranging from first come first serve lawn seating to assigned lawn/orchestra seating. We opted for assigned lawn seats and the provided lawn chairs were actually pretty comfy. We were able to bring our own blankets as well to get extra cozy in the chill September air. Parking was easy to find. It was a bit of a walk to the amphitheater, but that was no issue. Food and drinks are available to purchase and restrooms are easily accessible. We are big fans of musicals and overall, this venue was an amazing place to watch a production. We'll definitely be returning for another show this year! read more

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My husband and I had a great time at Moonlight Amphitheatre, it was our first time and we came to see Fiddler on the Roof. It was a bit far of a drive for us, but there was still free parking available when we arrived close to the start time (there was a short walk to get to the amphitheater). Our seats were in the last row of the reserved section, and we had lots of room in front of us to stretch out and eat the food we brought. The show in this outdoor theater was awesome, the acting, singing and production were amazing, and the audio was clear too which I liked (I feel like I can't clearly hear/understand the actors in some other theaters). I love the Fiddler on the Roof movie, and it was great seeing the musical and revisiting all the classic songs. Lawn chairs were provided, and we also brought a blanket with us since it got a little chilly at night. The venue was also very clean, including the restrooms. We would definitely be interested in coming back again as the show was great quality, and we had an enjoyable evening here! read more

Moonlight Amphitheatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Vista, California

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My East Coast bestie and I get together a couple times a year and have our own mini-vacays, they usually involve; concerts, food, tea, bubbles, the spa and of course musical theatre. We attended the preview week for Grease (timeless) at the Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista. Truly one of the best venues in all of San Diego County. Every show I have ever seen is spectacular under the stars. We had a little surprise when we realized we were part of the show. Rydell High kids came out to take radio dedications and a few were broadcast on stage as part of the opening. Interactive theatre, yes! Easy and free parking, smart set up to scan in and options for food and drink onsite. Lawn seats are still my favorite place to sit and the seats provided are comfortable. NOTE: You can pre-reserve a charcuterie platter when you purchase your ticket for pick-up inside at the food booth. #MoonlightAmphitheatre #Vista #GreaseIsTheWord #Timeless read more

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This review is not about the productions. They are always fabulous. It's about the food and beverage changes this year: terrible. They have low selection of mediocre cold dishes. Anyone can make a charcuterie board, but it takes real talent to charge an exorbitant price for it. We are now at a time of life that the charcuterie Board is passé. Adding insult to injury, the beverages are an awful selection that contains the infamous Kim Crawford wines. We are incredibly disappointed in this switch and since this is a part of the experience, a longtime subscriber is very sad to see the former purveyors of food and beverages gone. Please bring them back. read more

Moonlight Amphitheatre is an absolute treasure for anyone who loves live performances under the stars, literally. Nestled in Brengle Terrace Park in Vista (near the baseball fields), this outdoor venue offers a unique and quite magical theater experience. It is great for families, date nights, or a relaxing evening with friends. The venue is spacious, clean, and well-organized, with both reserved seating and lawn options. You can bring your own picnic or grab food from the on-site vendors. You can reserve a table for $5 per person on the Moonlight Patio to eat charcuterie boards and other menu items from Bread and Cheese Eatery for an additional cost. If you're unable to secure a table, you're able to bring your own picnic and non-alcoholic beverages into the venue. Outside alcohol is not allowed, but a variety of wine and beers are available for purchase from Bread and Cheese Eatery. Most importantly, the venue is very accessible, with pathways, food stands, and restrooms conveniently available. The staff are incredibly kind and willing to assist guests in wheelchairs, including offering to push and escort them when needed, this level of support is truly appreciated! Parking is free and relatively easy, and the staff and volunteers are always friendly and helpful, especially when assisting individuals with disabilities. If the event is popular or sold out, it's a good idea to arrive early to allow plenty of time for parking and getting settled inside the venue. From Broadway musicals to concerts and special events, every performance is thoughtfully produced and feels wonderfully intimate. I highly recommend checking out their summer musical lineup, you won't be disappointed! The warm summer weather makes this outdoor venue especially enjoyable. Summer or not, it can get chilly in the evening, so bring a light jacket or small blanket if you tend to get cold. You can purchase tickets online or in person. VisTix is the official box office for all Moonlight Amphitheatre and AVO Playhouse events, but it's not located at the venue. The Moonlight Amphitheatre itself has two box offices, one at the North Gate and one at the South Gate, which usually open an hour and a half before showtime. read more

I can't believe I have been living next to this venue for years and had never been there! To be honest this is now my favorite venue to go to. The best concert/show venue I have evert been to since I live in the US. Let me list some of my favorite aspects... I'd start with FREE PARKING and a lot of super friendly and helpful staff that are here to greet and help you. The place is pristine (including spotless restroom). It features spacious alleys and aisles, free chairs for "loan seating", safety fixtures (lights by the stairs, at every step). There is also a small food booth offering really good and cheap sandwiches (a huge plus for the grilled cheese! Make sure you try it!). You can also bring your own picnic table, food (no alcohol) and setup on the loan for a picnic. The stage view seems to be great wherever you seat. This theater invites a lot of Broadway shows. The sound is great and not loud (finally!). Recommended! read more

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I have been a long term visitor of the Moonlight Theater foe many years. They have a great selection of musicals and concerts annually. It is always a nice way to spend an evening. There are many seating options and there is not a bad seat to be had. I always look forward to going. Happy to have such a nice local venue in the area with such top notch talent. read more

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I adore the Moonlight amphitheater. The prices are decent. They have excellent productions. They have state-of-the-art lighting and stage effects. The venue is easy to get to. Parking is easy and free. They offer a free shuttle from the parking lot to the menu, which is down a hill from the parking lot. The seating is excellent. They have the drink holder in front of your seat. Or you could choose a lawn, seat and sit in a low lawn chair. There are snack bars. They serve beer and wine. I always enjoy the smell of the freshly popped popcorn. read more

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Guys and Dolls was a fantastic play by the cast at the Moonlight Theater. I hope the cast continues to be apart of future plays. I look forward to seeing them in the future read more

First time being at this outdoor amphitheater. I grew up reading about Anastasia and inspired to do an article about her for my book report. I ended up going to St. Petersburg and Moscow with my mom a couple summers ago to visit the city where the Romanovs reside. Anyways, coming up here was a breeze as well as check in. Seats were comfortable but a bit annoyed that my seatmate kept rubbing elbows during the show. The show was phenomenal and the cast & crew. I'll come back here again when I'm feeling adventurous to drive a bit far. read more

Moonlight Amphitheatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Vista, California

This was my first time going to a show here! I love theater and so does my mom so we took a little birthday trip to see fiddler on the roof! The show was so impressive! The actors were awesome the stage crew was crisp and clean cut in terms of the show running smoothly! The seating was pretty good (a little small) but nothing to hold me back from coming again! we are even thinking about season tickets! (Next years plays look amazing). Everyone was very kind and you can tell that people care about the place. We will for sure be coming back and can't wait for the next one! We grabbed food there and the grilled cheese was good! I will say thought for 2 sandwiches,a water, fries $40 is a little steep in my opinion. Parking was also super easy you just have to walk up a hill to get to the theater. There is a walkway so it really wasn't bad at all. read more

Moonlight Amphitheatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Vista, California

My family and I attended this venue forbthe first time this past weekend, and were appalled at the moonlight amphitheater staff. I already left a review for the farmers Cup on Yelp,, but I need to address Moonlight's staff and their way of thinking that the business should be aware about. We were checking in to the event at the south box office. The security guard was the start to the mayhem that followed. He checked our bags and had the WORST attitude with us and made me feel SO uncomfortable...to where i wanted to leave....but I noticed this with other people he came in contact with too before us. There's a video I added showing the guy. When we got in we needed someone to answer a question for us and NO ONE knew what to say or how to answer. In fact, the response we kept getting was "we just work here". So. Moonlight theater, you should know that your staff "just works there" and as a result cannot help your patrons. Whoever you had assigned to the south box office area between 1pm and 3pm Saturday March 15th needs to be reviewed for their terrible customer service at what SHOULD have been a chill event for the city. Can you imagine if everyone replied with "I just work here." What kind of answer is that? And you can't even blame it on the younger generation because the first lady that said that to me at the entrance was in her 50-60s. Get a good training program for your employees. Train them correctly. Please do better, this makes us never want to attend or promote this venue in the future. read more

We went here for a Christmas event. Parking was easy and awesome. People were friendly and helpful. The seating was amazing - every seat was a good seat. There was space for the kids to run around - The stage was large enough for everyone to have a good view. Totally recommend. read more

I never knew this spot existed until I went to a show there this weekend. I loved it. It felt like an intimate outdoor venue. They have a great amount of parking (for our show it was free)! You can purchase lawn or orchestra seating and I think you can have a great view anywhere. I personally loved the orchestra section and being able to stand near the stage. For the lawn they do have chairs that I believe you can rent. The prices at the venue were great too. I did pay $10 to get "dinner reservations" but it was not needed at all. No one was there scanning anything for dinner and there was plenty of seating. I don't know if I'd say it was "the best grilled cheese ever." I'd love to see a restaurant that wasn't just fast food type items. They do have a bar and offer concessions like popcorn and candy. I really like this space and I'm going to be looking at their events calendar for sure! read more

Moonlight Amphitheatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Vista, California

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Cher was great last night as are all the productions we have been to there as season ticket holders for several years. Our big disappointment is the absence of Bread and Cheese. We have always purchased dinner from them prior to the shows and it has always been delicious. The new purveyor has a mediocre at best menu and the food was awful. We will not be purchasing food there any longer. Theater goers deserve better. read more

It was an absolutely amazing experience! They are so sweet and such talented actors. I would definitely come here again if in the area, great show! read more

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WOW!!! Watch an awesome venue! My family and I watched the production of "Disney's Tarzan the Musical" last night and it was such a treat. The cast was terrific and we just loved the show. But this review is about the venue specific. If you love experiencing the theater, Broadway musicals and just appreciate the arts...the Moonlight stage provides an affordable way to enjoy it with the whole family. The Moonlight has several types of seating options. There are a good number of orchestra level seats. These seats re going to be the closest seats to the stage. The are permanent fixed seats. These will be you most expensive seats as well. Depending on the show you are looking at somewhere between $45 to $60. In comparison, these type of seats at the San Diego Civic center are going to be at least double that. Behind the orchestra there is a reserved seat and a reserved lawn seating. Both seating will average about $40 to $50 with the difference being the reserved seats are actual fixed permanent seats. And the reserved lawn are foldable and movable lawn chairs between the reserved seat sections. And then the cheapest seating...which is what I got, was the general lawn seats. The back part of the amphitheater is a sloped lawn area. These tickets start at as low as $14 to $20. The lawn is first come first serve to grab your favorite spot...and here was the best part....when you walk in, they have FREE lawn chairs that you can take up to the lawn to sit on. They don't allow you to bring your own chairs. You can bring a blanket to set on if you like, but having a free lawn chair was sweet! And I am a big boy, and I fit perfectly fine in these chairs. The views from the general lawn seating is wonderful. My entire family enjoyed the show. Another surprise... you are also allowed to bring your own food and drinks into the theater! YES!!!! This is allowed for any seating area. Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy. They only thing NOT allowed was alcohol. Which, if you needed is served in the theater concessions. If you prefer to wine and dine, there is a little restaurant called "Bread & Cheese Eatery" that specializes in gourmet grilled cheese. It is a little pricey, but if you are not wanting to haul your picnic, it's an option. Doors open an hour and a half before the show starts, and there will be a line. We got in line 30 minutes before the doors opened, we were second in line. When doors finally opened, there were about 60 to 70 people behind us already. If you have reserved seats there is no issue. But if you are sitting in the lawn and want the best choice of a spot, get there early. Parking is FREE, but is a bit of a walk from the parking area to the entrance. The walk down is easy, but at the end of the night you are walking up hill to the parking. My ONLY feedback to this venue...take care of what you have and keep it clean. It is an outside venue...I know that, but the main gates and walk ways were covered in spider webs and really made it look tacky. And it's an easy fix to have someone walk through and clean it up a little. Especially in the main entrance areas. Also, the bathroom. When we first arrived the bathroom was decent. By the end of the night it was trashed. Didn't appear that they give the restrooms any attention once the doors open. There was also another issue of the 2 staff members that were taking tickets last night. Prior to the gates opening they were sitting at the gate having a conversation that included some explicit language. I thought that was a bit unprofessional because it was being had in front of guest, and loud enough for the guest to hear. Not to mention we had our kids hearing it as well. Bottomline, our family of 5 enjoyed a high quality, well produced, broadway style musical for less than $80 which is AMAZING!!! We will definitely be checking out more shows here in the future. read more

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Went to the Christmas celebration last week and it was a blast. This is a hidden gem, but once you find it, you'll be surprised. Kids had a great time. read more

Well organized intimate venue with friendly staff that help with parking, tickets and seat location. I've seen several shows from musicals and comedy. Loved every single one. Performers are talented and engaging. Can't wait to see what they have next season! read more

Moonlight Amphitheatre - Outdoor Theater getting ready to watch Beautiful, musical based on Carole Kings life and music. I loved it! - Performing Arts Near Me - Vista, California

We purchased "Orchestra" tickets for Fiddler on the Roof at the Moonlight theater. GoTickets charged our card and said we'd get the tickets just before the show (Aug 17). Today we got our "Lawn" tickets. We will not purchase Moonlight tickets on-line through GoTickets again. They take your money and then give you seats where THEY want, not what you paid for or wanted. Moonlight has great performances and is an outstanding summer night venue but I'm very disappointed that they are using this GoTickets service. We can't trust the on-line service. Mike Woods, Vista read more

Moonlight Amphitheater always has great musicals for all ages. Great performances and excellent surroundings, a wonderful place to visit.

I must say Anastasia was a great surprise! I did not know to much about this production of the musical and it turned out to be one of their better musical and that says a lot! The staging, customs and performances were excellent! read more

I have lived in the area for over 10 years, I had heard about this gem but never had a chance to go and see a play. This is a "hidden" gem to those who appreciate art performed by a lot of local talent plus others. Well scripted and executed theatrical plays, musicals, live orchestra, comfortable seating, outdoors, safe. Prices for food and drinks are (as expected) exorbitant, that was the only sore spot for me. Make sure you bring your own snacks or food, I totally recommend bringing a small collapsible table (low) so you can set it right in front if your chairs and enjoy either before the performance starts or during. It will be more fun, tastier and will save you a lot of money. Parking is free, take the small shuttle bus to and from the venue or make the short walk. What a great facility! read more

Moonlight Amphitheatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Vista, California

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What a great venue that puts on amazing shows. This was my 4th time seeing a musical at Moonlight. Saw "Beautiful" last night. The voices and actors perfection! Sitting outside on a summer night to see a show is a wonderful experience. You can see from every seat. They also have a nice snack bar with not the usual suspects like chicken pesto painini sandwich and pulled pork nachos. Their fries are also very delightful with a light batter on them. Beautiful is just kicking off and Tootsie is next! read more

D O N O T O P E N U N T I L C H R I S T M A S 2 2 0 5 {*letter found in attic floorboards, DEC 2205*} My Dear Ancestors, I pray this letter finds you well and the human race has survived. Alternatively, all hail the new ribonucleic overlords and may you be ruled with grace, strength, and dignity. I am writing this in Oct 2021, year 2 of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Tragically, it has taken 5 million souls. The death toll in the U.S. has surpassed those killed in WW II, Korea and Vietnam combined. Watching people say their final goodbyes via FaceTime broke our hearts. We were shut down for more than a year. Nobody went to work, or anywhere. Instead we spent our days ordering stuff on Amazon, pretending to work, and doing way too much Stress Googling: "is Fauci KGB?"... "does the vaccine contain a microchip?"... "is this the end times?" On the bright side, the pandemic put a spotlight on how we are all connected. At sunset each night in cities across the globe, people stood on roofs & terraces... cheering and clanging pots as a salute to front-line workers. It made us proud, grateful, & eager to help others unconditionally. Another thing to be proud and grateful for... 1 day after the state's official reopening in June '21, while everyone was formulating a new 'normal'... the outdoor Moonlight Amphitheatre was the first professional theater in SoCal to premier a show. After a postponement due to positive Covid tests in the Company, we attended what felt LESS like a performance and more like a communal experience with the cast, orchestra and audience. It filled us with joy and pride. It was the beginning of things going back to normal. In closing, know that we were all in this together, and we all came out of it, together. Be well. Learn from the past. Stay together. Do not think of me with sadness, I am always with you in spirit. And wash your hands. read more

This place is awesome! A beautiful large amphitheater with lots of seating. They have built in chairs and grass where you can grab the already provided lawn chairs. The lawn chairs are low so you'll able to still see even with people in front of you. The great thing about this place is you are able to bring your own food and drinks! They do offer food and alcohol there as well! Such a fun place and a unique experience watching a fabulous play! If you have the opportunity to snatch a ticket you will not be disappointed! read more

Moonlight Amphitheatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Vista, California

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Quality theater, awesome venue, fun to pack a picnic dinner to enjoy for before the show. If you love good theater, be sure to try it.

Moonlight Theater does high quality productions at a wonderful outdoor amphitheaters at excellent prices. A gem tucked away in Brengle Park. You won't be disappointed. read more