2023 Policies and Guidelines

Updated as of October 11, 2023

Know Before You Go

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all Wolf Trap visitors and staff, please see the policies for The Barns at Wolf Trap performances.

Policies

• All patrons agree to abide by The Barns at Wolf Trap health and safety protocols found at wolftrap.org/policies
• All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket.
• Patrons must sit in the seats for which they have tickets.
• Outside food or beverages may not be consumed inside the facility.
• Beverages are permitted inside the theater. Food is not permitted inside the theater.
• The Barns is a smoke-free facility. Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is permitted only in the designated area outside the main entrance.
• The use of recording equipment and cameras (with or without flash) during performances is prohibited unless coordinated through management and authorized by the artist(s).
• Late arrivals are normally seated between movements, acts, or numbers at the discretion of management and at the request of the artist(s).
• With the exception of service animals assisting disabled persons, pets are not permitted.
• Patrons may not stand in or block aisles or sightlines at any time during performances.
• Disturbing fellow patrons with loud conversation or inappropriate behavior is not permitted and may result in removal from the performance without a refund.
• All cell phones and electronic devices must be silenced during the performance.
• Firearms are prohibited.
• Resale of tickets on Wolf Trap Foundation property is strictly prohibited.
• Violation of The Barns at Wolf Trap House Rules may result in removal from the performance without refund and/or prosecution.

Ticketing

• Tickets are available via wolftrap.org.
• The Barns box office is open Monday - Saturday: 12 PM to 4 PM (open till 9 PM on performance nights) and Sunday: open 2 hours before performance.
• Accessible seating can be purchased at wolftrap.org or by calling 703.255.1868.
• All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket.
• If you need assistance, please contact Wolf Trap Patron Services at patronservices@wolftrap.org or 703.255.1868.

Know Before You Go

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all Wolf Trap visitors and staff, National Park Service security staff will be inspecting all items entering and reentering the ticketed area. Please see the following new size limits of coolers, containers, and bags allowed within the venue. Wolf Trap patrons are permitted to bring food and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Below is a list of prohibited items not allowed in the Filene Center.

• Maximum cooler size: Allowable cooler size is no larger than 18”x 16” x 12”
• Coolers with wheels are allowed as long as they do not exceed size limits.
• Maximum bag size (including suitcases, duffel bags or backpacks) is no larger than 14”x 13” x 10”
• No more than two items per person. Blankets, ground cloths, and purses are allowed and do not count toward the two item per person limit.

• All containers and packages will be inspected. This includes coolers, baskets, tote bags, purses, diaper bags, strollers, and any and all other containers.
• Security screening and inspections will be done at all Filene Center entrances prior to scanning your tickets. Patrons will also be asked to walk through metal detectors.

• Weapons including but not limited to firearms, projectile weapons, ammunition, bladed, edged, or sharp tools or implements, club-like items and striking devices, explosives or combustible chemical compounds and mixtures, and disabling chemicals such as mace or pepper spray
• Wagons and carts (coolers with wheels are allowed as long as they do not exceed size limits)
• Candles, bug repellant burning coils, anything that has a fire or flame
• Pets (except service animals)
• Grills
• Beer kegs
• Athletic equipment (e.g., balls and flying discs) and bicycles, scooters, or skates
• Tents or canopies 
• Umbrellas over six feet in diameter
• Drones or other flying apparatus

• Seating on the lawn at the Filene Center is general admission and on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
• There is a section in the back of the lawn designated for patrons using lawn chairs. This includes legless beach chairs. Lawn chairs with small attached canopies are allowed. Seat cushions with back support may be used anywhere on the lawn, and are available for rent at the Wolf Trap Gift Shop on the plaza.
• Should official government imposed capacity guidelines change, Wolf Trap Foundation reserves the right to reseat patrons.
• If you need assistance, please contact Wolf Trap Patron Services at patronservices@wolftrap.org or 703.255.1868. 

General Performance & Attendance Information

• All sales are final. Performances, schedules, programs and artists are subject to change.
• No refunds will be given unless a performance is cancelled in its entirety, with no replacement performance scheduled. Performances take place in all-weather, including rain or shine. Patrons should come prepared for the elements. In the unlikely event that a performance is cancelled due to extreme weather conditions, Wolf Trap Foundation will notify ticket buyers by email and post an alert on the homepage of wolftrap.org.
• Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of management.
• Patrons may bring their own food and alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy at picnic tables around the Park, and on the lawn.  
• Visitors with in-house seating may not take food to their seats. Visitors are welcome to purchase food inside the ticketed area, but must consume it on the Plaza or on the picnic tables located to the left and right of the Filene Center, or outside the Filene Center gates.
• Directions to the Filene Center may be found here. Parking is free, but limited.
• The Wolf Trap Express Shuttle, operated by Fairfax Connector, offers roundtrip service from the McLean Metro Station (Silver Line) to all Filene Center summer performances. More info
• Courtesy shuttle cart rides provided by NPS personnel will be limited to visitors with accessibility needs only.
• All Wolf Trap venues are smoke-free facilities. Smoking, including E-cigarettes, are only permitted outside the venues more than 25 feet from the gates.