Quick answer
Concord Pavilion, now named Toyota Pavilion at Concord, is a short drive from Antioch over Kirker Pass Road, and general parking comes with your ticket. Without a car, ride BART from Antioch to Concord and take the venue's free shuttle. Pick the lawn for a relaxed night or reserved seats for a view of the stage.
This guide covers the drive and the BART route, parking, the lawn and the seats, the venue's rules, and how to plan a concert weekend for a group staying in Antioch. Shows and on-sale dates change every year, so check the official site for this year's lineup and dates.
Key takeaways
- Concord Pavilion, now called Toyota Pavilion at Concord, is a short drive from Antioch on Highway 4 and Kirker Pass Road, and general parking comes with your ticket.
- Without a car, take BART from Antioch to Concord station, then the venue's free shuttle, which starts when the lots open and runs until about an hour after the show.
- The lawn is first come, first served, outside chairs are not allowed, and you can rent a lawn chair; small blankets are fine.
- Bags must be clear and no larger than 12 by 12 by 6 inches, the venue is cashless, there is no re-entry and no tailgating.
- A large rental in Antioch lets a group share rides, eat together before the show and skip the late drive home.
In this guide
Getting there from Antioch
Driving is the simplest option for a group: head west on Highway 4 and take Kirker Pass Road south over the hills to the venue on the north side of Concord. In normal traffic it usually takes under half an hour.
The catch is show-night traffic. Thousands of people arrive in the same window, and the last stretch of Kirker Pass Road gets slow as lots fill. Leave earlier than you think you need to, especially for a sold-out show, and plan on a slow exit afterward.
By BART and shuttle. Antioch and Concord stations are both on BART's Antioch to SFO/Millbrae line, so there is no transfer. The venue's FAQ says: "Take BART to the Concord Station," then "Take the FREE Corinthian Shuttle to the Pavilion." It adds that "the FREE shuttle services generally begin when the parking lots open 2 hours before show time," that "buses start returning to BART within 20 minutes after the concert," and that "the last bus leaves about one hour after the event ends."
BART's Antioch station page lists daily parking at $3.40 a day. Before you commit to the train, check the last train back to Antioch for your date on BART's site, since a late encore plus a shuttle ride can run close to the end of service.
By rideshare. The venue says rideshare cars "should enter through Gate B," with drop-off in C-lot. Drivers should pull all the way in and keep out of the bus zone. Expect surge pricing and a wait for pickups after the show.
| Option | What it costs | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive and park | General parking comes with your ticket; paid upgrades by show | Groups with a designated driver | Slow exit after the show |
| BART and free shuttle | BART fare plus $3.40 daily parking at Antioch station | Groups who want to drink or skip driving | Last shuttle about an hour after the show; check the last train |
| Rideshare | Varies; surge pricing likely | Small groups, one-way trips | Long waits for pickup at Gate B |
Parking at the venue
General admission parking is included with your ticket, so most groups only need to decide whether an upgrade is worth it.
The venue's parking page lists these upgrades, sold by show:
- Reserved Premier Parking: a space held in the Premier C lot, limited to 25 spaces, cars only.
- Premier Parking: a space in the Premier lot "that is held for you until show time."
- EZ-Out Parking: "the closest section of our General Parking that will allow for a quick in & out."
- Premier Parking for limos and RVs: a space held until show time, with no overnight parking.
The page lists no prices, so check the current price on their site for your show. The venue's pages give two answers on lot hours: one says lots "generally open 2 hours before show time," another says an hour before the scheduled gate time. Gates usually open 60 to 90 minutes before showtime, per the venue, so check your event page for the exact times.
Two rules catch groups out. The venue says "no tailgating is allowed here at Toyota Pavilion at Concord," and there is no overnight parking. Accessible parking is in A-lot, entered through Gate B, with a state-issued placard or plate.
Lawn or seats?
Choose the lawn for a lower price and a picnic feel, and reserved seats for a clear view of the stage and a spot that is yours all night.
The reserved seats sit under the pavilion's roof, closer to the stage, with a numbered seat for each person. They suit groups with older relatives, anyone who wants shade or shelter, and fans who want to be close to the stage.
The lawn spreads up the slope behind the seats. The venue's FAQ says "the lawn is always first come, first serve" and "there are no assigned seats on the lawn." For a group, that means arriving early so you can spread out together.
The lawn rules are strict, so read them before you pack:
- Chairs: the FAQ lists "No Lawn Chairs of any size." Instead, "lawn chairs are available for rent for most shows and must be turned in at the end of the event." You can reserve them ahead through the venue's upgrades page.
- Blankets: small blankets are allowed.
- Weather: "The show will go on whatever the weather." Ponchos, rain coats and small umbrellas are allowed. Evenings can cool off after sunset, so bring a layer.
| Lawn | Reserved seats | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat | First come, first served | Assigned |
| Cover | Open sky | Under the pavilion roof |
| Group seating | Arrive early to sit together | Buy together to sit together |
| Chairs | Rent at the venue; no outside chairs | Built in |
| Best for | Friends, picnics, a relaxed night | Older guests, big fans, uncertain weather |
What to bring and what to leave home
The venue checks bags and runs metal detectors, so pack to its list and you will get in faster.
Bags. Clear plastic bags no larger than 12 by 12 by 6 inches, or a small wristlet or handheld wallet no larger than 6 by 9 inches. The FAQ says no purses, no coolers or ice chests and no picnic baskets.
Food and water. Picnic food is allowed "in clear 1 gallon size bag," along with "Factory Sealed plastic bottles 1 liter or less in size (nonalcoholic ONLY)." No alcohol, cans or glass bottles. Food and drinks are also sold inside.
Payment. "We're a cash-free venue," the venue says. Guests with only cash can exchange it for a card for free at Guest Services in the East Plaza.
Kids. "Children 2 and under do not require a ticket, but must sit on a parent's lap." The venue says all events are all ages.
Re-entry. "Re-entry is not permitted at Toyota Pavilion at Concord." If you leave, you need a new ticket to get back in.
Accessibility. Service dogs are permitted. For an interpreter, call the box office at 925-676-8742 at least two weeks ahead; for assisted listening devices, call two days before.
Here is a simple packing list for each person: a clear bag, a sealed water bottle, a picnic in a clear gallon bag, a small blanket for lawn tickets, a light jacket, a phone with your tickets loaded and a card for purchases.
A concert weekend plan for a group
Treat the show as the center of a weekend: a slow day before it, an early dinner at the house, and a lazy morning after.
Show day. Spend the morning outdoors close to home. Mount Diablo State Park is nearby for a hike with views across the region, or spend a few hours on the water with our guide to Delta boating and fishing near Antioch. Head back to the house by mid-afternoon, eat an early dinner together, pack the clear bags, and leave so you arrive as the lots open.
After the show. Expect a slow exit. If you drove, give it time rather than racing for the gate. If you took BART, head straight for the shuttle line.
The next day. Sleep in, cook a big breakfast and talk about the setlist. Our guide to things to do in Antioch has ideas for a relaxed afternoon before everyone heads home, and What's on in Antioch lists other events around your dates.
Where to stay
For a group, a large rental in Antioch is the easy choice: it is close to the venue, everyone sleeps under one roof, and nobody drives home late across the Bay Area.
The Antioch House has six bedrooms and sleeps up to 15, with a fireplace, a coffee bar and a kitchen and dining area for that pre-show dinner. It suits a group of friends seeing a band, a family taking teenagers to their first big concert, or a birthday weekend built around a show. Well-behaved pets can come too: up to 3, with a $100 pet fee per stay, and service animals are always free.
When you book directly with us, our Check-in Promise applies: "If your group can't get into the home at check-in and we can't get you in within one hour of your call, we refund your first night."
See our Antioch destination page for more about the area, or browse group getaways for ideas on planning the rest of the weekend.
The bottom line
From Antioch, Concord Pavilion is an easy trip: drive over Kirker Pass Road with parking included in your ticket, or take BART to Concord and the free shuttle. Choose reserved seats for a view and cover, or the lawn for a relaxed night, and remember that outside chairs are not allowed. Pack a clear bag, a sealed water bottle and a small blanket, arrive as the lots open, and check the official site for this year's shows and times.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Concord Pavilion from Antioch?
It is a short drive west on Highway 4 and then over Kirker Pass Road, usually under half an hour in normal traffic. Allow more on show nights, when traffic backs up near the venue.
Can you take BART to Concord Pavilion?
Yes. Antioch and Concord stations are on the same BART line. From Concord station, the venue's FAQ says to take the free Corinthian Shuttle, which generally starts when the parking lots open 2 hours before show time. The last bus leaves about one hour after the event ends.
Is parking free at Concord Pavilion?
The venue says general admission parking comes with your ticket. Premier, Reserved Premier and EZ-Out parking are paid upgrades sold by show; check the price on the venue's parking page for your date.
Can I bring a chair to the lawn at Concord Pavilion?
No. The venue's FAQ lists no lawn chairs of any size. You can rent a lawn chair for most shows, in advance through the upgrades page or at the venue, and small blankets are allowed.
What bags are allowed at Concord Pavilion?
Clear plastic bags no larger than 12 by 12 by 6 inches, or a small wristlet or handheld wallet no larger than 6 by 9 inches. Purses, coolers and picnic baskets are not allowed.
Can I bring food and water into Concord Pavilion?
The FAQ allows picnic food in a clear 1-gallon bag and factory-sealed plastic bottles of 1 liter or less, nonalcoholic only. No alcohol, cans or glass.
Do kids need tickets?
The venue says children 2 and under do not need a ticket but must sit on a parent's lap. Shows are all ages.
