Pack light, and check your specific venue’s bag policy before you leave the house. A growing number of outdoor amphitheaters only let in clear bags or small clutches, outside food and drink is almost always off-limits, personal lawn chairs are commonly banned on the lawn, and water bottle rules vary enough by venue that you shouldn’t assume one show’s rule applies to the next.
This guide covers the rules that are actually verified on official venue pages (not guessed), a short gear list, a plain checklist of non-gear items, and answers to the questions people search most before a show.
Stats at a Glance
- Bags Allowed: Varies by venue. Clear-bag amphitheaters like BankPlus Amphitheater and Red Hat Amphitheater allow only clear plastic/vinyl/PVC bags up to 12″x6″x12″ or a small clutch (4.5″x6.5″ at BankPlus, 6″x9″ at Red Hat). Confirm the exact size on your venue’s own page.
- Loose Articles: Not a ride-based rule the way theme parks use it — concerts regulate what bag (and at lawn venues, what seating) you can bring in. See Bags Allowed.
- Outside Food: Generally prohibited, and the water bottle exception differs by venue: BankPlus Amphitheater’s policy allows only an empty, reusable water bottle (no factory-sealed bottles, subject to change by event/artist). Red Hat Amphitheater allows either a factory-sealed or an empty reusable bottle, each up to one gallon. Confirm with your own venue.
- Lockers: Not universal. Red Hat Amphitheater offers paid ($10) bag check at Gate 2 guest services for Live Nation shows; BankPlus Amphitheater’s policy does not mention bag check or lockers. Check ahead.
The Rules to Know Before You Pack
A growing number of outdoor amphitheaters have moved to a clear-bag-only policy. BankPlus Amphitheater’s official policy permits clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags no larger than 12″x6″x12″ plus a small clutch purse up to about 4.5″x6.5″; backpacks, large purses, and bags larger than a lunchbox are turned away. Red Hat Amphitheater uses the same 12″x6″x12″ clear-bag limit with a small clutch allowance up to 6″x9″, and offers paid bag check at Gate 2 guest services for Live Nation shows if your bag doesn’t qualify.
Outside food and drink is banned at both venues, but the water bottle exception is not identical: BankPlus Amphitheater’s policy lists only an empty, reusable water bottle as allowed (subject to change based on the event or artist) — a sealed, factory-filled bottle is not on that list. Red Hat Amphitheater allows either a factory-sealed or an empty reusable bottle, each up to one gallon, refillable at water stations inside. These allowances can shift by venue and even by individual show, so pull up your specific venue’s policy page before you pack rather than relying on what a past show allowed.
Don’t plan on bringing your own lawn chair. Both BankPlus Amphitheater and Red Hat Amphitheater prohibit personal chairs and portable seating of any kind. BankPlus allows blankets and seat cushions instead, and Red Hat allows small blankets and seat cushions as long as the cushion has no metal, plus lawn chair rental on site or in advance through the venue. Check your own venue’s policy before assuming you can carry one in.
Gear Worth Packing
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A handful of items earn their space once you know how the gate — and the lawn — actually work.
Clear Crossbody Bag
Many outdoor amphitheaters, including BankPlus Amphitheater and Red Hat Amphitheater, only let clear bags through security. A see-through crossbody keeps your phone, ID and card visible and compliant without slowing down the search line.
SWIFTER Soft Flask (2-Pack)
BankPlus Amphitheater’s policy allows an empty, reusable water bottle through the gate, and Red Hat Amphitheater allows the same (or a factory-sealed bottle) up to one gallon. A flat, empty soft flask passes either check and rolls up small once it’s dry.
Loop Switch 2 Earplugs
Front-of-house sound at an amphitheater or arena runs loud enough over a multi-hour show to cause real hearing fatigue. Switchable filters cut the peak without muffling the mix.
Water-Resistant Festival Belt Bag
At venues that accept a small clutch instead of a clear bag, a low-profile belt bag holds a phone, ID and card hands-free through a crowded lawn or pit.
CharmGo Pro 45W Power Bank (10,000mAh)
Mobile tickets, rideshare apps and photos drain a phone fast over a show plus parking-lot time before and after. A fast charger keeps the ticket app working on the way out.
Pocket Binoculars
Lawn seats and upper-level arena sections put the stage a long way off. Compact binoculars fit inside a clear bag or clutch without eating into the size limit.
Quick Checklist
These aren’t gear picks — just the basics that are easy to forget on the way out the door.
| Bring | Why |
|---|---|
| Mobile or printed ticket | Most venues scan directly from an account app now; have a backup in case your phone dies or signal drops at the gate. |
| Photo ID | Needed for will-call pickup, ID-locked tickets, or if the venue serves alcohol. |
| Payment card | Many amphitheaters and arenas are cashless at concessions and merch stands. |
| Empty, reusable water bottle (if your venue allows it) | BankPlus Amphitheater and Red Hat Amphitheater both allow an empty reusable bottle through the gate — exact size limits and exceptions vary, so check your venue first. |
| Small blanket or metal-free seat cushion (not a chair) | Personal lawn chairs are banned at venues like BankPlus Amphitheater and Red Hat Amphitheater, but both allow a blanket or seat cushion for ground seating. |
| Light jacket or layer | Outdoor amphitheaters cool off fast once the sun goes down, even in summer. |
| Compact rain gear | Outdoor shows rarely pause for weather; check your venue’s specific rain policy ahead of time. |
| Parking confirmation (digital or printed) | Lots fill up fast before a show; having confirmation ready speeds up getting inside. |
Tips From Experience
A venue’s general FAQ page is a good starting point, but a specific tour or promoter can tighten the rules for one show only — check the event page too, not just the venue page.
Lines at clear-bag gates move fast once you’re through, so showing up with a compliant bag (or no bag at all) is the single biggest time-saver before doors.
If your show is on a lawn, don’t show up with a folding chair expecting to sneak it past the gate — it’s a listed prohibited item at venues like BankPlus Amphitheater and Red Hat Amphitheater, and you’ll be sent back to the car or asked to rent one instead.
Explore more: ThrillZing guides.
What to Bring to a Concert FAQs
Can I bring a bag to a concert?
It depends on the venue. Outdoor amphitheaters operated by Live Nation, such as BankPlus Amphitheater and Red Hat Amphitheater, only allow clear plastic/vinyl/PVC bags up to 12″x6″x12″ or a small clutch. Arenas and theaters often use different rules. Always check your specific venue’s page before you leave.
Can you bring a water bottle into a concert?
It varies by venue. BankPlus Amphitheater’s official policy allows only an empty, reusable water bottle — not a sealed, factory-filled one — and notes this is subject to change by event or artist. Red Hat Amphitheater allows either a factory-sealed or an empty reusable bottle, each up to one gallon, with refill stations inside. Confirm your own venue’s exact rule before you pack one.
Can I bring my own lawn chair to a concert?
Generally no at venues with a lawn-seating policy. BankPlus Amphitheater’s policy lists chairs and personal portable seating of any kind as prohibited, though blankets and seat cushions are allowed. Red Hat Amphitheater also prohibits personal lawn chairs, allows small blankets and metal-free seat cushions, and offers chair rental on site or in advance. Check your own venue’s policy, since this varies by amphitheater.
What happens if my bag doesn’t meet the venue’s bag policy?
It depends on the venue. Red Hat Amphitheater’s official policy lets guests check a noncompliant bag at Gate 2 guest services for a $10 fee on Live Nation shows; BankPlus Amphitheater’s policy doesn’t mention a bag check option, so an oversized or non-clear bag likely has to go back to your car. Check your venue’s policy page in advance.
Are earplugs allowed at concerts?
Yes. Personal hearing protection like foam or filtered earplugs isn’t covered by bag or security policies and is allowed at essentially every venue — worth packing given how loud front-of-house sound systems run for a full show.
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Photo: Dietmar Rabich / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.