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On a warm summer evening there are few better places in the Bay Area to hear live music than Frost Amphitheater. The venue is a grassy bowl sunk into the Stanford campus and ringed by tall trees, with the stage at the bottom and the crowd spread up the slopes on blankets. It has hosted commencements, a Soviet leader and more than a dozen Grateful Dead shows. After a long quiet stretch and a major renovation, it is again one of the busiest outdoor stages on the Peninsula.
This guide covers Frost's history, the 2019 renovation, how tickets and seating work, what you can bring and how to get there and home again.
History since 1937
Frost Amphitheater opened in 1937. It is named for John Laurence Frost, a member of Stanford's Class of 1935 who died of polio the year he graduated. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Frost, gave the amphitheater in his memory. Stanford Live credits the design to Thomas Church and Leslie Kiler, who shaped the natural landscape into a tiered bowl that carries sound well.
For most of the twentieth century Frost was the university's big outdoor room. It hosted Stanford's commencement ceremonies from 1938 to 1984. In 1992 Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev gave a prominent speech there. Music came too. The Grateful Dead played 14 shows at Frost between 1982 and 1989, still the venue's most famous run.
From the 1980s to the early 2000s the amphitheater was largely inactive as a concert venue. Students kept it in use. Since 2012 the student-run Stanford Concert Network has staged the Frost Music and Arts Festival each spring, with past headliners including Modest Mouse, MGMT, Flume and Glass Animals.
The 2019 renovation and reopening
Frost closed for renovation in 2016 and received its certificate of occupancy in April 2019. The work turned a grassy bowl with limited facilities into a touring concert venue. The main changes:
- A fully riggable stage designed by architect Chris Wasney, with a rock wall backdrop and a canopy for lights and scenery.
- A walk-through tunnel at the Lasuen Street entrance, so guests no longer climb over the berm.
- Tour-ready dressing rooms and a loading dock reached through a second tunnel, with a freight elevator to the stage.
- New restroom buildings near the entrance and at the back of the bowl, plus water refill stations.
- Accessible pathways and paved ADA seating areas.
- A park-like food and drink area called the Grove.
The first public concert after the reopening was the eighth Frost Music and Arts Festival on May 18, 2019, with co-headliners Kali Uchis and Jorja Smith. That summer the San Francisco Symphony played Tchaikovsky and Beethoven there and pop acts such as Lionel Richie and ODESZA followed. Frost was later one of the first venues to host in-person events after the COVID-19 closures.
Shows and tickets
Stanford Live, the university's performing arts presenter, runs Frost and books its season with partners. Goldenvoice co-presents many of the big touring shows. The season leans toward late spring through early fall, when evenings are dry and mild. Recent seasons have mixed rock, indie and electronic acts with jam bands. The 2026 lineup included Paul Simon, David Byrne, Goose and Dabin.
How to buy tickets:
- Start at Stanford Live. The Frost Amphitheater page lists upcoming shows and how each one is ticketed.
- Expect AXS for Goldenvoice shows. Stanford Live says select Frost shows are sold by Goldenvoice through AXS and those tickets carry AXS service fees. AXS tickets cannot be exchanged.
- Ask the ticket office. The Stanford Live ticket office at Bing Concert Hall, 327 Lasuen Street, handles questions by phone and email.
Every attendee needs a ticket, regardless of age. Goldenvoice shows are not eligible for the regular Stanford student and employee discounts. Shows go on rain or shine.
Capacity and seating
Stanford Live puts capacity at approximately 8,000 people. Shows use one of three layouts:
| Layout | How it works |
|---|---|
| General admission | All sections open for standing or lawn seating on approved blankets or stadium seats. No chairs except in the ADA section. |
| Fully reserved | Chairs with assigned seats in every section. |
| Reserved with GA lawn | Assigned chairs in the Meadow and Lower Bowl, with general admission on the Lawn. |
For general admission shows, the venue says lines may start forming at 10 a.m. and anyone arriving earlier may be asked to move. Overnight camping is not allowed.
What to bring and what to leave
Frost has a clear bag policy. Each person may bring one clear bag, backpack or fanny pack up to 12 by 12 by 6 inches, or a small non-clear clutch up to 6 by 9 inches. Lawn ticket holders can bring a blanket or towel no larger than 4.5 by 6 feet and one stadium chair or cushion without metal parts. Snacks are allowed in a clear one-gallon resealable bag.
Good to know
- One factory-sealed water bottle up to 32 ounces or 1 liter is allowed, as is an empty reusable bottle of the same size.
- No glass, coolers, picnic baskets, tents, umbrellas, strollers or outside alcohol.
- No aerosol cans, which includes spray sunscreen and bug spray. Bring lotion instead.
- Frost is a cashless venue. Food and drinks sold inside take cards and contactless payment only.
- The venue does not store banned items, so leave them in the car or at home.
Rules can change by show, so check the what to bring page before you leave.
Getting there
Frost is at 351 Lasuen Street in Stanford's arts district, near Bing Concert Hall, the Cantor Arts Center and the Anderson Collection.
By train
Caltrain is often the easiest choice. Stanford Live says the Palo Alto station is about a 20 minute walk from Frost and that shows end in time to catch Caltrain. Check the last train of the night before you go. Our getting to Palo Alto guide covers Caltrain service.
By car
Event parking is in designated lots near the corner of Lasuen Street and Campus Drive. Buy a parking pass with your ticket or on arrival if spaces remain. Prices vary by event, payment is by card only and all lots close one hour after the show ends. ADA parking is on Roth Way, entered from Palm Drive and in the Galvez Lot on a first come, first served basis with a valid placard or plate.
By bike
Permanent bike racks stand in front of Bing Concert Hall. Do not lock bikes to poles or temporary barricades. Our getting around guide covers bike routes from downtown.
Tips for a great show night
- Eat downtown first. University Avenue is about a 25 to 30 minute walk from Frost. Our food and drink guide has ideas.
- Bring a layer. Palo Alto evenings cool off quickly after sunset, even in summer. Our weather guide explains why.
- Pick your spot. The upper lawn gives a full view of the stage and more room to spread out. The lower bowl is closer to the sound.
- Stay the night. If you are coming from out of town, compare hotels near Stanford or read our guide to staying near Stanford.
For the rest of the year's concerts, festivals and community events, see our events guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many people does Frost Amphitheater hold?
Stanford Live puts the capacity at approximately 8,000 people. General admission shows use the whole bowl for standing and lawn seating, while reserved shows set out chairs with assigned seats.
Where do you buy Frost Amphitheater tickets?
Start at the Stanford Live website, which lists upcoming Frost shows. Many shows presented with partner Goldenvoice are ticketed through AXS and carry AXS service fees. The Stanford Live ticket office can answer questions by phone or email.
Where do you park for Frost Amphitheater?
Event parking is in designated lots near Lasuen Street and Campus Drive. You can buy a parking pass with your ticket or on arrival if spaces remain. Payment is by card only and all lots close one hour after the show ends.
Can you walk to Frost Amphitheater from Caltrain?
Yes. Stanford Live says the Palo Alto Caltrain station is about a 20 minute walk from Frost and that performances end in time to catch a train. Check the last train before you go.
What can you bring into Frost Amphitheater?
Frost has a clear bag policy, with one clear bag up to 12 by 12 by 6 inches or a small clutch per person. Lawn ticket holders can bring a blanket up to 4.5 by 6 feet. Sealed water bottles up to 32 ounces and empty reusable bottles are allowed, but glass, coolers and outside alcohol are not.