Darien Lake Amphitheatre — Attraction in Town of Darien

I have had the pleasure of attending numerous concerts at the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, an experience that has left me with a wealth of unforgettable memories. My concert journey at this venue is as varied as it is extensive, ranging from sitting up close under the sheltered roof to dancing the night away on the lawn surrounded by family and friends.

Over the years, I've been fortunate enough to witness a diverse array of bands and artists perform live. This impressive lineup includes the melodic sounds of Josh Groban, the unique beats of Dave Matthews Band, the dynamic energy of Post Malone, and the iconic Canadian rock of The Tragically Hip. Additionally, I've experienced the powerful performances of bands like Incubus, the legendary Allman Brothers Band, the timeless Rush, the incomparable Tom Petty, and the eclectic jams of Phish, among many others.

Throughout this time, the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center has not only maintained its status as a premier concert venue but has also continually enhanced the experience for concertgoers. It's a place that holds a special spot in my heart, encapsulating the essence of live music and the joy it brings.

Darien Lake Performing Arts Center is a popular concert venue located in Darien Center, New York, which is part of the larger Darien Lake Resort. This venue is known for hosting a variety of musical performances, ranging from rock and pop to country and classical concerts. It has been a staple in the Western New York entertainment scene for many years.

Location and Capacity: The Performing Arts Center is situated within the Darien Lake Resort, which also includes a theme park, a water park, and a hotel. The venue itself has a large seating capacity, accommodating thousands of spectators, with both covered and lawn seating areas.

Performance History: Over the years, the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center has hosted numerous high-profile artists and bands, making it a significant stop for many national and international tours. The range of artists that have performed there is quite diverse, appealing to various musical tastes and genres.

Facilities and Amenities: The venue is equipped with various amenities to enhance the concert-going experience. These include food and beverage stalls, merchandise booths, and ample parking. The layout is designed to offer good sightlines and acoustics, ensuring a quality experience for attendees.

Events and Festivals: Besides individual concerts, the center also hosts music festivals and special events, attracting large crowds. These events often feature multiple artists and can span several days.

Community Impact: The Darien Lake Performing Arts Center is an important cultural and economic contributor to the Western New York area. It not only provides entertainment but also stimulates local businesses and tourism.

Accessibility: The venue is known for being accessible to a wide range of visitors, including those with disabilities. It provides services to ensure that all guests can enjoy the events comfortably.

Seasonal Operations: The concert season at the Performing Arts Center typically aligns with the warmer months, given the outdoor nature of the venue. This usually means a packed schedule of events from spring through early fall.

The Darien Lake Performing Arts Center is a significant landmark for music and entertainment in the region, offering a unique and enjoyable experience for concert-goers and playing a vital role in the local...

Giving a three star review on my experience with the Amphitheater only. Any place that holds concerts with amazing bands can be amazing. Parking for this place is a nightmare. You can be 5 minutes away looking at the lot but be an hour or more away trying to enter. It is Police controlled at the closest cross street. Once you enter which is not controlled and it’s free to enter it’s a free for all, I just went and parked on the grass by the entrance just to park however its at least a 30 minute walk to the venue where there are no clear signs where to go. We apparently tried to enter a VIP area only to be yelled at. Leaving the property is worse as you’re stuck with everyone else. We waited and slept for like 30 mins before leaving as we could see no one was going anywhere, we thankfully we allowed to drive over some hill and ditch to allow us to exit. Which was also Police controlled. Even though they wonderfully provide porta potties in the lot people go wherever they can, bushes, on the lot, anywhere. And please watch out for the traffic guards as we watched quite a few yell and scream at people for standing or tailgating or walking to their cars I guess not in a “designated pedestrian lane” which is not made clear to keep pedestrians safe. However when people are siting and hanging out of the open vehicle windows or cutting everyone off to get out they do not have an issue.

The venue has lines for those with bags however they have a line for those with no bags however if you bring a blanket and such it will be searched, if you have a bag and are in this line you will be removed. They adhere to their bag policy for sizing and if it’s larger you will be forced to check your bag.

Once inside the machines do not seem at accept Canadian cards, I tired a multiple cards and nothing worked and they cannot accept cash. While it didn’t come to my attention at the time to add my card to Apple Pay to tap I suggest you do so to avoid issues and embarrassment.

There are washrooms and drinks past the lower level seating, if you have tickets below please do not wait in line for first washroom you find.

If you have pit tickets you enter through the centre for a wristband and it appears it’s not completely blocked off to the right and left and people with seat tickets can enter the pit area making it more crowded than it should be.

The drink and merch staff were amazing and very accommodating and friendly and security did a wonderful job keeping everyone safe.

We will return based on artist however will be prepared as this was our first event...

We were at Darien Lake for the Jason Aldean concert on Saturday, August 27, 2022. We arrived at a decent time, and were flagged to a parking lot in the next county. Why didn't I have a choice where I parked? When my husband questioned the parking attendants why we had to park so far away, they couldn't give us a good answer. They were following protocol from management, who we would have loved to meet to voice our opinions even further. What was management doing -- avoiding the confrontation she might receive?!

Once our 20 minute walk from the parking lot in the next county brought us to the entrance, we proceeded to walk around the park. For the most part, the bathrooms were clean and usable. In the bathroom near the Pirate Ship, the paper towel dispenser needed to be refilled. We didn't see any bathroom attendants around at all. The first place we decided to get a snack was at the concession stand close to the entrance. We ordered a pop and a soft pretzel. No complaints with the food but when we asked if we could have a top and a straw for the drink, the worker said, "Sorry we don't have any tops and the only straws we have are for the slurpeees." Is there a reason for that?

Back to the concert -- it was incredible and I hope Jason Aldean comes back next year!! After the concert came the real excitement!! Are you sitting down and ready for this?! Following the parade of drunk staggering individuals, we needed to use the bathroom. We stopped at a group of 2 portable bathrooms. We had to wait for a good 20 minutes. Both bathrooms had no toilet paper and were disgusting!! Proceeding to our vehicle, we were in line for over an hour waiting to exit the park. The drunk staggering individuals actually provided some comic relief as we waited in the line.

If Darien Lake seriously would like to stay in business, I would recommend that you take these reviews and sit down with the management group and change. After reading MANY negative reviews, it seems to me they just sweep them under the carpet. The canned comment, "Thank you for your review. We will forward to management." is an example of that. Thank you for listening and I hope my next experience at Darien Lake is...