SEE YOU AT THE SHELL!

The Overton Park Shell presents a signature series of free concerts, ticketed events, and more… It’s perfect for the whole family, so grab a chair or blanket and join us on our lawn. Let the entertainment begin! Read below to learn more about what you should expect from our visitor experience at The Shell. 

  • We are located in the heart of Overton Park in Midtown, Memphis. To find us, enter the park from one of the Poplar Avenue entrances and follow the wayfinding signs that directs you to The Shell. You cannot access the Shell from the East Parkway side of the park.

    Our address is 1928 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104.

  • There is free parking throughout Overton Park. There are also tow away zones and fire lanes that are clearly marked by signs. Please make sure you’re not parked in one of these, or you will receive a ticket or have your car towed.

    Please park politely and remember: no parking on the grass.

    If you park on the street in the surrounding neighborhoods, please do not block private driveways, litter, or walk through anyone’s lawn. We want to ensure that The Shell is an enjoyable experience for our neighbors, too!

  • Lawn seating is available on a first come, first served basis, subject to availability. Lawn chairs and blankets are strongly encouraged.

    Please arrive early to ensure your admittance. As a courtesy to others, we regret that you may not hold space for friends and family.

    A limited number of bench seats are reserved for patrons who are physically challenged. Please respect their limited seating options and ensure that bench seating is available for those who need it.

  • Our community area offers food trucks (rotating nightly), the ShellBar, MEMPopS, and carbonated beverages/water for sale.

    Coolers and picnics are always welcome during our free music concert series. However, outside food and drinks are not allowed at ticketed events.

    Through a partnership with Clean Memphis, we have installed two brand-new water bottle refill stations/water fountains on site: between the Shell Shop and bathrooms at the Veterans Drive entrance, and near the Museum Drive bathrooms at the top of the hill.

  • Alcohol is permitted for patrons 21 years old or older. No glass bottles allowed. Drinks are available for purchase at the Shell Bar. You may bring your own beverages during our free concert series. Outside food and beverage is NOT permitted at ticketed events.

    The Shell Bar located at stage right for your convenience. During ticketed events, additional pop-up bars will be located throughout the venue.

  • As a courtesy to other music lovers, please refrain from smoking/vaping on The Shell main lawn. For your convenience, The Shell now has a smoking/vaping area located at the top of the hill (not on the main lawn).

  • We are 100% wheelchair accessible thanks to a grant from the H.W. Durham Foundation. We are also Certified Sensory Inclusive by KultureCity. This initiative promotes an accommodating and positive experience for all guests and fans with a sensory issue that visits The Shell. Please download KultureCity’s app to learn more and visit Shell Shop to check out a Sensory Bag.

    The Overton Park Shell has also partnered with DeafConnect of the Midsouth to provide American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreters during many of our concerts and events, thanks to a grant from the Tennessee Disability Coalition. Visit each event or concert's specific page on our website to confirm an interpreter will be available

  • Visitor experience is our #1 priority, so when we are forced to make a weather call, here’s how we make that decision:

    Will our guests be safe?

    • If the lawn gets too wet, the hill can get very slippery and our dance floor and surrounding areas, such as our Food Truck Pad, may flood.

    Will our artists and staff be safe?

    • Since our stage is uncovered, sound-checking or performing in inclement weather is incredibly unsafe as well as irreparable damage to instruments and equipment. Additionally, it takes 3 hours to set our stage for our production each concert, so if weather hits from noon-4pm, it can become impossible to set the stage in time for a 7 or 7:30pm performance.

    Our inclement weather partner is the National Weather Service Memphis who gives us pinpoint forecasts throughout a day where inclement weather is occurring. We value their expertise and guidance for making these critical decisions. The Shell never takes cancellations lightly, but from time-to-time, it is the right thing to do. Even when we are forced to cancel, we still pay our artists, our production team, and our security staff to ensure we put the people behind our mission FIRST! For more information or questions, our Shell Team is always available to chat: info@overtonparkshell.org

  • During our free concerts, dogs on a leash are welcome but must remain in THE PUPPY BAR (outside the main lawn seating area, behind the sidewalk). Please remember to clean up after your pets to avoid any messy accidents.

    Pets are NOT permitted during ticketed events.

    Dear Shell Doggies,

    Exciting news for you and your humans! We've partnered with Germantown Parkway Animal Hospital and the incredible artist Rob Gonzo to bring you THE PUPPY BAR! You probably remember running around in "the dog area" at the Shell, wishing you had a place that felt like it was made just for you; maybe a walk up bar that offered you tasty treats, or a bowl of water.

    Well that time has come, our furry friends! Your human can finally treat you to an experience like no other--all while enjoying their favorite band on our historic stage. So be on the lookout for THE PUPPY BAR, visit our Bark-tenders for tasty treats, the next time you come hang out with us!

  • When attending ticketed events at the Shell, please note the following:

    Outside food and drink is prohibited

    Pets are prohibited

    There are two (2) entrances/box offices: one off of Veterans Drive/across from the Zoo entrance, and another at the top of the hill behind the Brooks Museum.

  • Memphis Area Rapid Transit System (MATA) runs bus routes 50 Poplar and 53 Summer with stops on either side of Overton Park. The 50 Poplar stops closest to The Shell.

  • No person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, religion, or sex shall be excluded from participation in, or be denied benefits of, or otherwise be subject to discrimination of services, programs, and employment provided by the Overton Park Shell.

  • Taking photographs, audio and video recording (including camera phones) are prohibited at performances for copyright reasons, unless otherwise noted.