Filene Center

The Filene Center is accessible by car and public transportation. View directions to the Filene Center. Wolf Trap operates three venues within a quarter mile of each other. Be sure to check your performance ticket or wolftrap.org to ensure that you’re traveling to the correct venue. 

Wolf Trap is Metro accessible. Take the Wolf Trap Shuttle to avoid and reduce traffic. The Wolf Trap Shuttle offers roundtrip service from the McLean Metro Station (Silver Line) for summer performances.

Wolf Trap’s Rideshare and Taxi drop-off and pick-up area is located in the pull-off area on the west side of Trap Road, opposite the Filene Center entrance. For safety reasons, do not attempt to cross Trap Road. Please use the Pedestrian Tunnel under Trap Road to access the Rideshare and Taxi drop-off and pick-up area.

At the Filene Center, parking is free but limited. We encourage you to carpool, use rideshare services, or to take the Wolf Trap Shuttle from McLean Metro Station.

Filene Center performances are held rain or shine, and patrons should come prepared for the elements. Lawn ticket holders may upgrade to in-house seats and pay the difference in price at the Box Office, subject to availability. Lawn ticket holders cannot move into the house unless they have upgraded their tickets at the Box Office. Refunds, exchanges, or rain checks are not given due to inclement weather.

In the unlikely event that a performance is canceled due to severe weather, ticket buyers will be notified via email, social media, and an alert on wolftrap.org.

The Filene Center Box Office is open Monday through Friday 12–4 PM or until 9 PM on performance nights, and Saturday and Sunday 1–9 PM on performance days only.

Please visit wolftrap.org/boxoffice for more information.

Wolf Trap has Box Office locations at the Filene Center and The Barns at Wolf Trap, which are open at different times throughout the year.

Patrons may pick up pre-purchased tickets at Will Call during Box Office hours. During daytime hours, short-term parking is available by the Filene Center Box Office at 1551 Trap Road. On performance nights, the Box Office opens 90 minutes prior to every performance. Patrons may park as directed by a Ranger. A photo ID and confirmation number are needed to claim tickets

Yes, all persons, regardless of age, must have a ticket for performances and festivals at the Filene Center. Ticket prices are the same for adults and children. At the Filene Center, take advantage of Wolf Trap’s Young at Arts initiative to receive a free youth ticket for each adult ticket purchased.

Most Wolf Trap performances have assigned seats, but in some instances, venue tickets are sold as “general admission.” A general admission ticket gains admittance to a performance with no designated (reserved) seating and is available on a “first come, first served” basis.

Seating on the lawn is always general admission and available on a “first come, first served” basis.

Start times vary for each performance. Park gates typically open 90 minutes prior to showtime (unless otherwise noted on a performance page). All patrons are admitted into the Park when gates open. Because lawn seating is “first come, first served," patrons often line up at the gates prior to opening to get their preferred spot.

Patrons with reserved (in-house) seating can access their assigned seats when the house opens 30 minutes before the show.

Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the management on site. Lawn seating at the Filene Center is “first come, first served” and may be limited for sold-out shows.

Yes! One of the unique aspects of Wolf Trap is that patrons are encouraged to bring their own food and beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) to enjoy in picnic areas or on the lawn. Coolers no larger than 18”x 16” x 12” are allowed. Kegs are not permitted.

A wide variety of meals, snacks, and drinks are available to purchase at Meadow Commons and Plaza Concessions or enjoy a sit-down buffet dinner at Ovations, Wolf Trap’s on-site restaurant.

Patrons with covered (in-house) seats may bring water bottles and beverages in reusable Wolf Trap Cups into the covered seating area. Wolf Trap Cups may be purchased at the Gift Shop and Concessions. Patrons are invited to reuse their previously purchased Wolf Trap Cups for multiple seasons.

All beverages (except water) must be in a Wolf Trap Cup with the lid on when seated in-house. The Filene Center is an outdoor venue enjoyed by thousands of people almost nightly during the summer months. Wolf Trap Cups with lids allow patrons to enjoy drinks at their seats while keeping the in-house seating area clean and critter-free.

Security screenings are required at all Filene Center entrances. Prior to ticket scanning, patrons pass through EVOLV Technology metal detectors. While most containers are scanned during screening, some items may require additional inspection.

Coolers can be no larger than 18" x 16" x 12" (48 quarts). Wheeled coolers are allowed if they do not exceed size limits. Bags, including suitcases, duffel bags, or backpacks, can be no larger than 14"x 13" x 10". A maximum of two items is allowed per person. Blankets, ground cloths, and purses are allowed and do not count toward the two-item limit.

• 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 18" x 16" x 12" size limit)
• 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
• Inflatable seating (e.g., sofas and chairs)

Except for service dogs assisting patrons with disabilities, pets are not permitted in the Filene Center.

Yes, but lawn seating is “first come, first served,” so the earlier you arrive, the better choice of views. Additionally, the lawn has screens and its own sound system so the experience is not diminished.

Yes, chairs are only allowed in a limited area at the top of the lawn. A sign on the lawn indicates where chairs can be placed; chairs are not permitted past the sign for safety reasons. Chairs include 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. If you have a question about chairs, the on-site ushers can help.

Gates typically open 90 minutes before showtime, so we recommend arriving early to ensure you don’t miss a moment of the performance. Exact set times vary by event. Not all shows have opening acts, but when they do, the opener typically starts at the posted showtime. The headliner takes the stage after the opening act.

For the most up-to-date schedule, check the event details at wolftrap.org or refer to your "Know Before You Go" email closer to the show date.

Patrons are welcome to bring their cell phone or a small personal camera to take pictures before the performance starts. Personal photography (cell phone or small point-and-shoot cameras) are allowed during the show at the discretion of the artist. Many artists do not permit patrons to take photos during their shows and we ask that patrons respect their policy. Please check your “Know Before You Go” email or ask an usher to confirm the photo policy for a performance.

Professional cameras, and audio and video recording are never permitted unless previously authorized by Wolf Trap Foundation and artists’ management. If you are a member of the press, please contact Wolf Trap’s Media Relations in advance of the performance.

Wolf Trap is unable to grant backstage access or facilitate patron access to artists or their management. Artist meet-and-greets are organized at the discretion of the artist and the artist’s management.

We want every patron to have a memorable concert experience. If something is disrupting your enjoyment—whether it’s sound levels, seating concerns, or patron behavior—please don’t hesitate to notify the nearest usher. Our trained staff is ready to assist and ensure you have the best possible experience.

The Lost and Found is located at the Ranger Station at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. The Ranger Station is located to the left of the Filene Center Main Gate. It is staffed from 4 PM to midnight on show days.

For more information, please email NPS_NCR_WOTR_Lost_and_Found@nps.gov for any items lost at the Filene Center.

If you have additional questions, please contact Wolf Trap by email at patronservices@wolftrap.org. Your question will be answered as quickly as possible.