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Gerald Ford Amphitheater

Activities
 Vail, 81657

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Call: (970) 845-8497
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About

The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, the Amp to most of Vail, is the town's summer stage: an open-air venue in Ford Park, run by the nonprofit Vail Valley Foundation, where a covered pavilion faces a grassy hillside lawn with the mountains around it. President and Mrs. Ford attended its opening in June 1987, and Willie Nelson headlined its first major concert that summer.

It suits almost anyone in Vail on a summer evening. Families bring a blanket for the free concerts, dance and classical audiences come for the festivals, and music fans get touring headliners in a venue that holds about 2,600 people rather than an arena crowd.

What's on

The season mixes free and ticketed nights. Bulleit Hot Summer Nights is the free concert series, running since the venue's first summer. Amp Summer Concerts bring touring acts booked with AEG Presents, the Vail Dance Festival and the Bravo! Vail Music Festival's visiting orchestras fill much of the summer, and Mountains of Music plays during the GoPro Mountain Games. Après at The Amp is a spring concert weekend in April, not a bar. The venue also hosts community events such as high school graduations.

Pavilion or lawn

The covered pavilion holds 1,326 reserved seats in four sections, and a roof shelters it and the stage from Vail's frequent afternoon showers. The lawn is first come, first served and uncovered, so bring a layer. You may bring your own food and a small cooler, blankets and low lawn chairs, but not outside alcohol or pets. The FAQ lists the limits.

Getting there

The Amp sits beside Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Ford Park, a short walk east of Vail Village. The simplest approach in summer is to park in the Vail Village structure, which is free after 3 p.m., and walk over. The free Town of Vail bus also runs there. The small Ford Park lot charges on event nights and fills early, and golf carts shuttle guests down the path before and after shows.

Tickets and private events

Buy through the official sellers: ticketsvail.com for Vail Valley Foundation concerts, vaildancetickets.org for the dance festival and bravovail.org for Bravo! Vail. The venue warns that tickets from other sites may cost more or be invalid, and all sales are final. The whole venue, the Social Courtyard (up to 160 guests) or the Borgen Family Patrons Plaza (up to 100) can be rented for weddings, receptions and corporate events, with in-house catering.

Food and drink inside

Gore Creek Concessions runs the venue's food and bars, from pretzels and burgers to wine, beer and cocktails. It is cashless, and it serves from the time gates open until the end of a concert, or until intermission at dance and Bravo! performances.

Sources: venue information, history, policies, concessions, rent the Amp, Après at The Amp. Checked September 23, 2026.

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Contact Information

Company Name
Gerald Ford Amphitheater
Phone Number
See Phone Number
Call: (970) 845-8497
Location
530 S Frontage Rd E
Vail, 81657

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About Gerald Ford Amphitheater

The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, the Amp to most of Vail, is the town's summer stage: an open-air venue in Ford Park, run by the nonprofit Vail Valley Foundation, where a covered pavilion faces a grassy hillside lawn with the mountains around it. President and Mrs. Ford attended its opening in June 1987, and Willie Nelson headlined its first major concert that summer.

It suits almost anyone in Vail on a summer evening. Families bring a blanket for the free concerts, dance and classical audiences come for the festivals, and music fans get touring headliners in a venue that holds about 2,600 people rather than an arena crowd.

What's on

The season mixes free and ticketed nights. Bulleit Hot Summer Nights is the free concert series, running since the venue's first summer. Amp Summer Concerts bring touring acts booked with AEG Presents, the Vail Dance Festival and the Bravo! Vail Music Festival's visiting orchestras fill much of the summer, and Mountains of Music plays during the GoPro Mountain Games. Après at The Amp is a spring concert weekend in April, not a bar. The venue also hosts community events such as high school graduations.

Pavilion or lawn

The covered pavilion holds 1,326 reserved seats in four sections, and a roof shelters it and the stage from Vail's frequent afternoon showers. The lawn is first come, first served and uncovered, so bring a layer. You may bring your own food and a small cooler, blankets and low lawn chairs, but not outside alcohol or pets. The FAQ lists the limits.

Getting there

The Amp sits beside Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Ford Park, a short walk east of Vail Village. The simplest approach in summer is to park in the Vail Village structure, which is free after 3 p.m., and walk over. The free Town of Vail bus also runs there. The small Ford Park lot charges on event nights and fills early, and golf carts shuttle guests down the path before and after shows.

Tickets and private events

Buy through the official sellers: ticketsvail.com for Vail Valley Foundation concerts, vaildancetickets.org for the dance festival and bravovail.org for Bravo! Vail. The venue warns that tickets from other sites may cost more or be invalid, and all sales are final. The whole venue, the Social Courtyard (up to 160 guests) or the Borgen Family Patrons Plaza (up to 100) can be rented for weddings, receptions and corporate events, with in-house catering.

Food and drink inside

Gore Creek Concessions runs the venue's food and bars, from pretzels and burgers to wine, beer and cocktails. It is cashless, and it serves from the time gates open until the end of a concert, or until intermission at dance and Bravo! performances.

Sources: venue information, history, policies, concessions, rent the Amp, Après at The Amp. Checked September 23, 2026.

Music Venues
Phone: (970) 845-8497

Business Hours

Today
Monday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Where is the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater?+
In Ford Park at 540 South Frontage Road East, Vail, next to Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and a short walk east of Vail Village. From the Vail Village parking structure, head east past the softball fields and follow the paved path down to the venue, or take the Gore Creek Trail.
Q. Are there free concerts?+
Yes. Bulleit Hot Summer Nights is a free concert series at the Amp each summer, with a free bike valet at the entrance. Check the calendar on grfavail.com for this year's dates and line-up.
Q. Where should I buy tickets?+
From ticketsvail.com for Vail Valley Foundation concerts, vaildancetickets.org for the Vail Dance Festival and bravovail.org for Bravo! Vail, or at the box office. Tickets from other sites may be more expensive or invalid. All sales are final with no refunds or exchanges, and every child over two needs a ticket.
Q. When is the box office open?+
In season (roughly June to mid-September) the box office beside the venue is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., or through intermission on performance evenings. It closes for winter, when tickets are sold at the Vilar Performing Arts Center box office in Beaver Creek. Phone 970-845-8497.
Q. How does parking work?+
Summer parking in the Vail Village and Lionshead parking structures is free when you enter after 3 p.m. (until 4 a.m.), and both are a short walk or free bus ride from the Amp. The Ford Park lot charges $20 on event nights, payable by credit card only, and there is limited paid parking at the soccer field. Golf carts run between the top of the path and the venue before and after shows.
Q. Is the seating covered?+
The stage and the 1,326-seat pavilion are under a large roof. The lawn is uncovered and first come, first served, and Vail often gets brief afternoon and evening showers.
Q. What can I bring?+
Food, a personal cooler no larger than 18 quarts, empty water bottles, sealed non-alcoholic drinks, blankets or tarps up to 5 by 7 feet, umbrellas and lawn chairs no more than 5 inches off the ground. Outside alcohol, pets (except service animals), smoking and vaping, and oversized bags are not allowed.
Q. Is there food and drink at the venue?+
Yes. Gore Creek Concessions sells snacks, grill food, beer, wine and cocktails. It is 100% cashless and open from gates to the close of concerts, or to intermission for Bravo! Vail and the Vail Dance Festival.
Q. When do gates open?+
One hour before showtime unless your ticket says otherwise.
Q. Can I rent the Amp for a private event?+
Yes. The full venue holds about 2,600 guests, the Social Courtyard up to 160 and the Borgen Family Patrons Plaza up to 100, with in-house catering available. Use the inquiry form on grfavail.com or email info@vvf.org.