Raleigh’s $40M amphitheater move just hit a major milestone. Here’s what’s next
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- The new Red Hat Amphitheater is on track to open in spring 2027 for the concert season.
- Officials signed a red steel beam as part of a topping-out of the stage steel frame.
- The $40 million move will allow a roughly 300,000 sq ft convention center expansion.
The new Red Hat Amphitheater remains on track to open in the spring of 2027, with a sea of corporate and city officials gathering Tuesday to mark a construction milestone.
The new amphitheater, across Lenoir Street from the existing Red Hat Amphitheater downtown, should be open for the 2027 concert season, and the current one will finish out the 2026 season before closing.
On Tuesday, officials gathered to sign a red, steel beam as part of a ceremonial “topping out” of the steel frame of the stage for the new venue.
The amphitheater is moving at a project cost of $40 million so that the Raleigh Convention Center, directly across South McDowell Street from the current amphitheater, can expand.
Once the amphitheater moves, construction will begin to give the convention center another 300,000 square feet and add two new walking bridges that will connect to the current building, The News & Observer previously reported.
Raleigh City Councilwoman Jane Harrison said that in 2025, the current amphitheater attracted nearly 500,000 attendees, bringing in $30 million in economic impact.
Having a space like the amphitheater attracts business for restaurants, bars, hotels and stores.
“We have seen sales double on concert nights for all of these local businesses,” Harrison said.
This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 3:15 PM.
