Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
The Woodlands
Concerts, Festivals, Charitable Events in The Woodlands Texas
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is presented by Huntsman and owned by The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the cultural enrichment of the community. The Pavilion exists to put The Arts in your hands. As an iconic concert venue, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion host world-class contemporary shows reaching a growing audience by introducing them to a wide array of arts, including symphonies, ballet, and opera. Built on the future, and numerous educational outreach programs, CWMP seeks to put the arts in the hands of the next generation.
How old is the Pavilion?
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, just over 30 years old in 2020, continues to be a great venue. The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is also known as The Woodlands Pavilion is located at 2005 Lake Robbins Drive The Woodlands Amphitheater is at the heart of Town Center.
What shows are presented at the pavilion?
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion at The Woodlands offers more than the typical concert in The Woodlands. As part of The Woodlands Center For The Performing Arts, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (CWMP) holds educational outreach as an integral part of their mission. A Non-Profit Organization, The Pavilion has developed programs to support fine arts students, offer academic and social incentives, foster new audiences and provide community enrichment opportunities.
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is a non-profit organization providing a diversity in the performing and visual arts and Live Music Entertainment Choices in Houston over the past several years. The outdoor theater offers covered seating as well as a large grass covered hill for ‘lawn seating’. The Pavilion was afforded a major upgrade between the 2008/2009 concert season thanks to Hurricane Ike.
Guest Seating
Additional upgrades to the outdoor amphitheater included in 2017 increased the entire soaring roof structure (yet again), improving guest amenities and installing additional reserved and covered seating. For most events, parking lots open 90 minutes prior to the performance, while the Pavilion gates are opened 60 minutes prior to the performance.
The Woodlands Amphitheater
The Woodlands Amphitheater The Woodlands Pavilion opened with a star-studded gala weekend in April 1990, with its inaugural performance provided by The Houston Symphony. A few days later, Frank Sinatra became the first world-renowned performance artist to take the stage. Just two years later, in 1992, thanks to a generous gift from George and Cynthia Mitchell to the Houston Symphony’s endowment fund, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion became the official Summer Home of the Houston Symphony.
Free Events at The Pavilion
Did you know that you can attend most all of the performing arts events for FREE? The Pavilion hosts The Houston Symphony several times each year, as well as The Houston Ballet, The Houston Grand Opera, and the Texas Music Festival Orchestra, and you can have a picnic in your seat or on the hill during the concert. Mezzanine and lawn seating is FREE. Lawn chairs also are available at no charge for these and other applicable performing arts events. And although beverages cannot be brought into The Pavilion, you are welcome to bring empty water bottles and fill them at the drinking fountains. And as always, FREE parking is available at one of the five designated nearby parking lots to the south and west of The Pavilion. How’s that for a cheap date?!
Sculptures at The Pavilion
In reflection of it’s roots in the arts, many sculptures can be found on the grounds of The Pavilion. These include “Smokedance”, six bronze metal castings placed throughout The Pavilion both inside and out, ranging in height from 6′ to more than 13′ in height, installed in 1989; the Commemorative Tribute to George P. Mitchell, a bronze bench featuring Mr. Mitchell and two of his grandchildren that was installed in 1997 at the north (main) entrance); the Commemorative Tribute to Cynthia Woods Mitchell, a bronze casting of Mrs. Mitchell reading to three children, installed in 2002, also at the north entrance; and the Millennium Sculpture, a 32′, stainless steel structure with internal lighting installed in 2000, and relocated in 2006, overlooking The Woodlands Waterway near the south entrance to the Pavilion.
What can I bring?
Do not carry more than you need to have during the show! Not every show is the same, but many of the entry rules never change. Adherence to The Woodlands Pavilion Rules will go a long way toward ensuring guests have an enjoyable experience and to ensure that everyone enjoys the show!
Pavilion Parking
Concert Parking at The Woodlands Pavilion is complimentary in the following lots – as Blue, Green, Yellow, and Orange. These parking areas are always free for pavilion events; just be ready for a short walk. Pavilion staff will be available to help guide you to parking and the pavilion. Limited, free parking at the Gold Lot (paid parking) for guests with proper state issued parking identification (ie hanging placard or license plate).
Get to The Pavilion
How to get to The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands Texas. While I45 is the most direct route to The Woodlands Pavilion, it is not the only way to attend one or more of the many concert events in The Woodlands. FM1488 is a great choice from Hempstead, FM 2978 from Tomball, and Fish Creek Thoroughfare from Highway 105.
Sections & Seating
The Woodlands Pavilion sat initial guests on April 27, 1990 with an original 3,000 reserved seats and room for 7,000 guests on the grass lawn. In 1994, seating was expanded adding 1,900 uncovered, reserved seats, and 1,100 on the lawn. Additional upgrades in the following years increased the guest seating chart capacity to nearly 17,000.
Cynthia Woods
Mitchell Pavilion
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, also known as The Woodlands Pavilion, is a non-profit organization. The Pavilion is owned and operated by The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands, a 501(c)3 non-profit.