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Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park Tickets

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About Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park

Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park is Des Moines’ premier outdoor venue, renowned for its two‑way Great Lawn that accommodates everything from intimate shows to large festivales. Located at Water Works Park, this versatile site hosts a variety of performances from classic rock legends to contemporary artists, drawing audiences from across central Iowa and beyond. Whether you’re planning a casual lawn experience or a corporate outing in a reserved seating or suite setting, we’ve got you covered with practical tips and insider details to help you secure your seats and navigate the venue with ease.

Below you’ll find essential information on seating options, parking, transportation, and nearby accommodations and dining. We’ll also highlight notable past performances to give you a sense of the venue’s vibrant history and community impact.

From ADA seating to reserved sections, corporate suites, and General Admission Lawn, Lauridsen Amphitheater offers flexible arrangements to fit different preferences. Parking is plentiful with onsite lots and prepaid options via imClutch, and some events provide shuttle service. For a seamless experience, consider staying at nearby hotels like Des Moines Marriott Downtown or Hilton Des Moines Downtown, both within a short drive of the venue. When planning your visit, remember that tailgating isn’t allowed, and gates typically open a couple of hours before showtime. For ride-sharing, DMWW’s administration building at 2201 George Flagg Pkwy serves as a convenient drop-off and pick-up point. We’ve got you covered with the essential details so you can focus on enjoying the performance.

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Seating, Parking & Venue Information

  • Location: Lauridsen Amphitheater, Water Works Park, Des Moines, IA 50321
  • Venue type: Outdoor dual‑sided amphitheater with a two‑way Great Lawn
  • Capacity: 1,000–10,000 for smaller configurations; up to 2,000–25,000 for larger events
  • Seating options: ADA seating, reserved seating, corporate suites, and General Admission Lawn
  • Parking: Multiple onsite lots; ADA parking; prepaid parking via imClutch; lots open 2 hours before gates; tailgating not allowed
  • Transit: Uber/Lyft drop‑offs/pickups at the DMWW Admin Building (2201 George Flagg Pkwy); select events offer shuttle service
  • Nearby hotels: Des Moines Marriott Downtown (~1.7 miles); Hilton Des Moines Downtown (~1.9 miles); other downtown hotels within a few miles
  • Notable events: Willie Nelson & Family (2023), Styx (2023), Lynyrd Skynyrd free show (2023)
  • Renamed/demolished: No demolition or renaming of Lauridsen Amphitheater; nearby Simon Estes Amphitheater was closed for flood mitigation in past years