The Meadows Music Theatre (Xfinity Theatre)
Hartford's Meadows Music Theatre is Connecticut's largest outdoor amphitheater. It holds up to about 30,000 people. That's a covered pavilion of about 7,500. Plus a huge lawn of about 22,500. It was known as the Xfinity Theatre from 2014 until its rename back in December 2025. It's the state's summer home for the biggest tours.
A stadium-level act touring Connecticut in summer? It likely plays this big shed in Hartford. It's had a lot of names over the years. In late 2025, it came full circle. Let's start there.
Xfinity Theatre or The Meadows? A quick note on the name
Most people still search for this place as the Xfinity Theatre. That was its name from 2014 to 2025. In December 2025, Live Nation renamed it back to its original name, The Meadows Music Theatre. Over the decades it's had other names too. The CTNow.com Meadows Music Theatre. The New England Dodge Music Center. The Comcast Theatre. It opened as the Meadows, and now operates as the Meadows again. We use the current name here. Just know it's the same place.
The amphitheater (about 30,000)
The Meadows is one of the largest amphitheaters in the country. Its reported capacity is about 30,000. That's roughly 7,500 reserved seats under the covered pavilion. Add about 22,500 more on the open lawn. That size is why it draws big pop, rock, country, and hip-hop tours each summer. Few other Connecticut venues can hold a crowd this big.
Best for: the biggest summer tours and a classic lawn-seat experience.
Never miss a Meadows show
See every upcoming Meadows Music Theatre (Xfinity) show, plus 40+ Connecticut venues, in the free CT Concert Center app.
Download on theApp StoreA bit of history
The venue opened in 1995 as the Meadows Music Theatre. Hootie & the Blowfish played the first show, on July 9, 1995. Live Nation, then called SFX, bought it in 1997. It has anchored the region's summer concerts ever since. It went through a long string of corporate naming deals. Now it's come back to where it started.
Planning your visit
- Getting there: the amphitheater sits just off I-91 in Hartford's Meadows district. Arrive early. Lot traffic builds before big shows.
- Lawn vs. pavilion: the covered pavilion has reserved seats and weather protection. The lawn is cheaper. Bring a blanket.
- The rest of the capital: see our guide to live music in Hartford. Also see the live Hartford events list.
Meadows / Xfinity Theatre FAQ
Is it still the Xfinity Theatre?
It was renamed back to The Meadows Music Theatre in December 2025. Same venue.
How big is it?
About 30,000 total: about 7,500 in the pavilion, about 22,500 on the lawn.
When did it open?
1995, with Hootie & the Blowfish.
How do I find upcoming shows?
The free CT Concert Center app lists every show here in one feed.