Glen Helen Amphitheater Information
Glen Helen Amphitheater is one of the largest outdoor music venues in the US and arguably one of the most scenic. It is located in beautiful Glen Helen Regional Park in San Bernardino, California. The venue offers stunning views of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountain ranges making for an unforgettable outdoor concert-going experience.
Ever since it opened to the public, it has hosted big commercial concerts with some of the most blockbuster performances in Southern California. So it’s fitting that it first opened to the public as Blockbuster Pavilion.
The venue welcomes tens of thousands of music lovers with room for about 65,000 music fans at every show. And since it’s 1993 opening, its earned credit as the largest outdoor venue in the US. It is owned by San Bernardino County.
The Glen Helen Amphitheater’s concert season begins in March, closes in November, and goes way beyond hosting world-famous musicians. The venue is also home to large sporting events, community gatherings and cultural festivals, solidifying its place as one of the most versatile venues in the US. However, the venue isn’t just famed for its well-known acts – the scenic area that surrounds the amphitheater makes it one of the country’s premier destinations to visit.
Over the years, the venue has built a strong reputation for its excellent organization and quality sound production. Whether it’s a massive rock concert, a multi-day festival, or a more intimate performance, the Glen Helen Amphitheater provides its patrons with an unforgettable time, making it a staple of Southern California’s live entertainment scene – an accolade that isn’t awarded easily. Its combination of natural beauty, large capacity, and diverse event schedule make it one of the leading venues in the country.
Major Festivals and Concerts
Glen Helen Amphitheater has played host to an incredible variety of music festivals. This includes Anger Management Tour, Area Festival, Battle of San Bernardino Festival, Crüe Fest, Crüe Fest 2, Family Values Tour, Gigantour, H.O.R.D.E. Festival, Identity Festival, It’s Not Dead Festival, Knotfest, KROQ, LA Invasion Festival, Mayhem Festival, Ozzfest, Projekt Revolution, Rock & Roll Blowout Festival, Rock the Bells Festival and Smokeout Music Festival.
It also featured star-studded shows including Tina Turner’s September 15, 1993 show during her What’s Love? Tour. It also featured a three year annual Garth Brooks concert beginning in 2019.
What Is It Like at the Amphitheater?
You might be wondering about the fan experience at Glen Helen Amphitheater? Is it really as great as it seems from the outside?
To start, the venue is the largest outdoor venue in the US with an incredible amount of registered seating and a massive lawn for general admission seating. That means there’s plenty of room to dance, sit with friends and loved ones, or just vibe while enjoying music.
And the music on offer is always a delight, as the venue frequently welcomes the best of the best in a variety of genres. That means whether you love country, rock, R&B, hip hop, or any other kind of music, you can expect a thrilling show right around the corner. The venue also has plenty of refreshment stations and a contactless cashless experience making it easy to grab and go when you’re hungry.
As for the general vibe, Glen Helen Amphitheater visitors often have some of the biggest personalities and energy around. The massive venue, the scenic views, and the explosive concerts make for an electrifying energy that you can feel from the moment you leave your car. It’s really impossible to feel down when you’re at Glen Helen Amphitheater.
History of the Glen Helen Amphitheater in California
In the early 80s, the area now called the Glen Helen Amphitheater was known as The Us Festival. Started by Steve Wozniak, it was designed to bring fans to the grounds before the amphitheater was officially open. The festival featured legendary names like David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Van Halen, Tom Petty, and more.
However, when the Glen Helen originally opened in 1993, it was called the Blockbuster Pavilion and was built as part of a larger entertainment and recreational complex that included the surrounding Glen Helen Regional Park. The venue was designed to accommodate large-scale concerts and events, with a capacity of 20,000, making it one of the largest outdoor hotspots in the country.
Over time, the venue has undergone several name changes, evolving with sponsorship deals – most notably, it became the Toyota Amphitheater in 2002 before taking on the name Glen Helen Amphitheater which is what it’s known as today.
The Glen Helen Amphitheater has moved with the times to meet the needs of modern events with upgrades to its facilities, including better seating, enhanced sound systems, and expanded VIP services. Despite challenges, such as competition from newer venues, the amphitheater’s large capacity, breathtaking scenery, and versatile event offerings have helped it maintain its status as a beloved destination for music fans, artist tours, and eventgoers alike.
Did you know?
Many legendary artists and bands have performed on the stage at Glen Helen, from Metallica to The Rolling Stones. However, in 2011, the amphitheater debuted its first-ever music video when Katy Perry shot scenes for her world-famous anthem “Teenage Dream” at the venue, making it even more famous in pop culture.