Merriweather Post Pavilion Seating Chart
Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia is a wooded amphitheater designed by Frank Gehry in 1967, set in Symphony Woods between Baltimore and DC. The 19,000-capacity venue blends a covered pavilion with a tree-shaded lawn and is renowned for its leafy, festival-friendly setting.
Sections at Merriweather Post Pavilion
Merriweather Post Pavilion's seating bowl is organized into the following main sections. Section layout differs by event — a sports configuration and a concert configuration of the same arena are not the same chart.
- Pit — premium front sections
- Pavilion Center — covered reserved
- Pavilion Sides — covered side sections
- Lawn — wooded back hillside
- Box Seats
- ADA platforms
Best seats at Merriweather Post Pavilion
Center pavilion sections under the roof give the cleanest sound and rain cover. The lawn here is one of the best in the country thanks to the tree canopy — arrive early for a shaded, flat spot with a clear stage view.
Tips before you go
Merriweather sits in Symphony Woods off Route 29, with parking that backs up after big shows — carpool and budget exit time. The wooded lawn is the draw, so pack a blanket and bug spray and enjoy the shade on hot summer afternoons.
How to read the Merriweather Post Pavilion seating chart
Merriweather Post Pavilion holds 19,000 across a fan of seating that all faces one stage, so reading the chart comes down to a single axis: distance from the stage. Reserved pavilion or orchestra sections sit closest and are usually covered; numbered rows climb back under the roof, and beyond them the general-admission lawn rises on open grass. The lower the section number, the closer to the stage — and the side you sit on decides whether you face the performers straight on or at an angle.
Three things decide an Merriweather Post Pavilion seat: how far back you are, whether you are covered or out on the open lawn, and how centered you are on the stage. For an amphitheater this size, the value sweet spot is usually the last few covered rows at center or the front of the lawn — close enough to see the stage, cheap enough to justify, and shielded from sun or a passing shower. Lawn seating is first-come within its area, so arrive early, and cross-check the official Merriweather Post Pavilion map before you buy.
Building a seating chart for an event at Merriweather Post Pavilion
Hosting a suite night, a group outing, or a private event in the Columbia area? A seating chart keeps the group organized before you ever reach the gates. Map your party onto tables that mirror the suite or section layout, assign each guest a spot, and export a PDF so everyone knows where they sit. For a private event in a banquet space near Merriweather Post Pavilion, the same tool lays out rounds, banquet tables, and head tables, then prints a chart the venue's event-services team can work from. Capacity at Merriweather Post Pavilion runs to 19,000 for its main configuration, but most private events use a fraction of that in a club, suite, or adjacent hospitality space — exactly the scale the maker below is built for.
Hosting a private event at Merriweather Post Pavilion?
Build your own seating chart for the event — banquet rounds for the dinner portion, theater rows for the program, whatever the format calls for. The Seat Chart App maker handles layouts up to 500 seats and exports a print-ready PDF to share with the venue's event team.
Open the seating chart generatorFrequently asked questions
- How many seats does Merriweather Post Pavilion hold?
- Merriweather Post Pavilion has a capacity of 19,000 seats. Capacity varies by event configuration — a concert may use floor seating that a basketball game doesn't, and a private buyout uses a different count than a public event.
- What are the best seats at Merriweather Post Pavilion?
- Center pavilion sections under the roof give the cleanest sound and rain cover. The lawn here is one of the best in the country thanks to the tree canopy — arrive early for a shaded, flat spot with a clear stage view.
- What sections does Merriweather Post Pavilion have?
- Main sections include: Pit — premium front sections; Pavilion Center — covered reserved; Pavilion Sides — covered side sections. Full breakdown in the sections list above.
- Where is Merriweather Post Pavilion located?
- Merriweather Post Pavilion is in Columbia, Maryland. Check the venue's official website for the exact address, parking options, and public transit access closest to your seat section.
- How do I plan a private event at Merriweather Post Pavilion?
- For private events, build a seating chart that maps to the venue's section layout using the Seat Chart App maker below. Drop tables to match your event's footprint within the venue's space, assign guests, and export a PDF to share with the venue's event-services team.