Nestled along Exit 116 of the Garden State Parkway in Holmdel Township, New Jersey, the PNC Bank Arts Center is one of the most celebrated outdoor amphitheaters in the United States. Originally opened on June 12, 1968, as the Garden State Arts Center, the venue was designed by acclaimed modernist architect Edward Durell Stone and has welcomed concertgoers for more than five decades.
With a total capacity of around 17,500—including 7,000 fixed seats and an expansive lawn accommodating roughly 10,500 additional guests—the PNC Bank Arts Center consistently ranks among the top five most successful amphitheaters in the country. Operated by Live Nation Entertainment and owned by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, it hosts 45 to 50 events each season from May through September, drawing world-class acts from every corner of popular music.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Holmdel Township, New Jersey
- Type: Outdoor amphitheater
- Opened: June 12, 1968
- Total Capacity: About 17,500
- Fixed Seats: 7,000
- Lawn Capacity: About 10,500
- Operator: Live Nation Entertainment
- Famous for: Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, and top summer concert season
A Summer Tradition Under the Open Sky
Every summer, the PNC Bank Arts Center becomes the heartbeat of live music in the New York metropolitan area. The venue’s sweeping, saucer-like roof—supported by eight large concrete pillars—shelters the fixed seating section while a vast open lawn stretches beyond, creating an atmosphere where fans can spread out, relax, and lose themselves in the music. Whether you choose a reserved seat or stake out a lawn spot with a blanket and friends, the open-air setting makes every show feel like a communal celebration.
The concert season runs from May through September, and on peak nights tens of thousands of fans pour in from across New Jersey and neighboring states. Artists ranging from rock legends to pop superstars have graced the stage, making the PNC Bank Arts Center a bucket-list destination for live music enthusiasts throughout the region.
From Garden State Arts Center to a National Stage
The venue debuted on June 12, 1968, with a performance by classical pianist Van Cliburn, reflecting its original ambition as a cultural arts destination for New Jersey residents. Designed by Edward Durell Stone—the architect behind landmarks such as the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.—the amphitheater quickly grew into a premier pop and rock destination.
In 1996, PNC Bank purchased naming rights for $8.5 million over ten years, and a simultaneous renovation added 2,000 seats and doubled lawn capacity, bringing the venue to its current scale. Today, alongside Jones Beach Theater on Long Island, the PNC Bank Arts Center stands as one of two major outdoor arenas serving the New York City metropolitan area, both managed by Live Nation.
Explore more: Live Music venues.
PNC Bank Arts Center FAQs
How many people does PNC Bank Arts Center hold?
The venue has a total capacity of about 17,500, with 7,000 fixed seats and a lawn area that accommodates approximately 10,500 additional guests.
When did PNC Bank Arts Center open?
The amphitheater opened on June 12, 1968, as the Garden State Arts Center. PNC Bank purchased naming rights in 1996, and the venue was renamed PNC Bank Arts Center at that time.
Who owns and operates PNC Bank Arts Center?
The venue is owned by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and operated by Live Nation Entertainment, one of the largest live-event companies in the world.
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Photo: slgckgc on Creative Commons / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.