There's nothing like a fist-pumping night of live music at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion to kick off your summer. Follow along as Cameron Klepac, Director of Marketing and Arts Outreach for The Pavilion and Secretary/Treasurer for Visit The Woodlands' Board of Directors, shares some insider tips about how to make the most of your next visit!
Insider Tips
EASIEST WAY TO PURCHASE TICKETS?
Either in person at our Box Offices (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or online through Ticketmaster, though buying in person can be cheaper! We always recommend buying through official channels as we may not be able to assist if issues arise from third-party sites.
WHERE ARE THE BOX OFFICES?
The North Box Office is located off Lake Robbins Drive, near the front of the venue. The South Box Office is on the opposite side of The Pavilion, facing The Waterway, but this one is only open during a show.
BEST PARKING SPOTS?
The Pavilion offers completely free parking in the lots off Timberloch Drive, and it’s just a short walk past Town Green Park to get to our South Gate. You can also pay to park in the Town Center Garage.
HOW EARLY SHOULD GUESTS ARRIVE?
Gates usually open an hour before a concert begins, and The Lounge opens about an hour before that. It’s a great place for ticketholders to find air conditioning, restrooms, beverages, and merch!
YOUR PAVILION BAG OF CHOICE?
I’m a creature of habit—I have a small clear bag that I always use for concerts, but I make it fun by changing the straps to match the vibe of the event.
THREE ITEMS YOU BRING TO EVERY CONCERT?
Honestly, my phone is all I need! It holds my tickets, my digital wallet for concessions, and of course it takes photos—because if there’s no evidence, did it even happen?
MOST POPULAR CONCERT SNACKS?
I am a big fan of our Bruster’s Ice Cream cart and boba lemonade! The Walk-Through Brew is also a cool alternative to standing in line for drinks. Just swipe your card, grab your beverage of choice, and the system automatically checks you out.
The Venue
WHAT CONCERTGOERS MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT THE VENUE?
The Pavilion is one of the top outdoor amphitheaters in the world and a driving force for arts accessibility. The 2026 lineup features fan-favorite artists like John Mellencamp, Chicago and Styx, and Hayley Williams—whose ticket sales directly support arts education and free classical performances.
BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE?
We have 6,500 covered seats and can fit another 10,000 on the lawn. If you're on the lawn, you are welcome to bring a blanket and a picnic for the family. We also have specially designed lawn chairs that you can rent during contemporary acts or use for free during performing arts shows! Insider Tip: The south side of the lawn is often less crowded than the north side. Most people enter the lawn from the north, so just keep going and there's plenty of room to get up and dance!
FUN FACTS ABOUT THE STAGE?
Our stage is actually air conditioned, and the audience can feel it within the first ten rows! We host the Houston Symphony every summer, so we have to maintain a very specific temperature range to keep their instruments performing at their best. You'd think this would be a great perk for our contemporary artists as well, but interestingly, many ask us to turn it off because it can affect the tuning of their guitars.
The Experience
MOST MEMORABLE PAVILION EXPERIENCE?
One of my favorite memories was when Tom Petty performed for a sold-out crowd back in 2017. During "Free Fallin'," I was on the lawn when it started raining. To my surprise, nobody left! Everyone leaned into it, completely soaking in the moment. The energy, the music, the shared experience...it was unforgettable.
ARTISTS YOU'RE MOST EXCITED TO SEE THIS YEAR?
Among the contemporary artists, Salt-N-Pepa performed on my very first day working at The Pavilion, so it feels like a full-circle moment to welcome them back for my tenth anniversary. On the performing arts side, I'm especially excited to bring dance back to our Main Stage.
IF YOU COULD SEE ANYONE PERFORM AT THE PAVILION, WHO WOULD IT BE?
Dolly Parton! She has performed here before, but my six-year-old and I would love to see her together.
The Impact
WHO WAS CYNTHIA WOODS MITCHELL?
Cynthia Woods Mitchell was the wife of The Woodlands' Founder George Mitchell. She had a vision to bring a world-class performing arts facility to The Woodlands, one that would make the arts accessible to all. Her dream was realized through The Pavilion in 1974, and her memory inspires the venue's mission today.
WHAT IS THE ARTS OUTREACH PROGRAM?
The Arts Outreach Program is truly at the heart of The Pavilion's mission. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the arts, and we’ve seen firsthand how powerful the impact can be on kids, families, and entire communities. Through this program, we have been able to produce all our free performing arts events (think orchestra, ballet, and theater) as well as children’s festivals, field trips, scholarships, grants, and more.
HOW HAS THE PROGRAM IMPACTED THE WOODLANDS COMMUNITY?
Over the past few years, we’ve been intentional about “turning up the volume” on our mission to expand both our reach and our impact. Studies show that students who are highly engaged in the arts exhibit improved academic performance and are twice as likely to graduate as their peers, so supporting arts education not only helps us to inspire future generations but also to break down barriers and create opportunities. In 2025, this program touched the lives of more than 225,000 people.
HOW CAN THE COMMUNITY GET INVOLVED?
There are so many great ways to get involved! One of the most impactful ways is through our volunteer program, Pavilion Partners, which plays a vital role in helping our outreach events come to life. One of the easiest ways is by simply coming to a show. The funds generated from our contemporary concerts directly support our nonprofit programs. Then, when you attend one of our performing arts events, you get to experience the impact of that support and what makes the arts so special.
