The Greek Theatre in Griffith Park: Its History and How a Show Night Works
What is the Greek Theatre?
The Greek Theatre is an outdoor concert venue in Griffith Park at 2700 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027. It was dedicated in 1930, it is owned by the City of Los Angeles, and it is operated by ASM Global. It holds about 5,900 people.
Who paid for the Greek Theatre?
Like Griffith Observatory, the Greek began with Griffith J. Griffith. In 1896 he gave more than 3,000 acres to the City of Los Angeles to create Griffith Park. In 1916, with his health failing, he wrote a will that left money for two projects: an observatory and a Greek theatre. Griffith died in 1919, and his estate paid for both.
Like Griffith Observatory, the Greek began with Griffith J. Griffith.
When did the Greek Theatre open?
The cornerstone was laid in 1928, and the theatre was dedicated on September 25, 1930. It was designed by the Los Angeles firm Norton and Wallis, working with architect Frederick Heath of Tacoma, Washington.
The first performance came the next summer, on June 26, 1931, in front of a crowd of 4,000. In its early years the theatre was used only now and then, and during World War II it served as a barracks.
How did the Greek become a concert landmark?
Since the 1950s, promoters and entertainment companies have worked with the City of Los Angeles to keep the venue running and updated. One concert became a famous record. Neil Diamond's concert at the Greek on August 24, 1972 became the live double album Hot August Night.
More recently, the historic preservation firm Page and Turnbull led a multi-year renovation that was finished ahead of the Greek's 90th anniversary. The work restored the entry doors and the green-glazed tile roof.
How does a show night at the Greek work, step by step?
- Buy your ticket and decide how you will get there. Parking at the Greek is the part that takes planning, so choose it when you buy your ticket.
- Pick one of four ways in.
- Park at the venue. The Greek sells parking ahead of time online, and says it is likely to sell out. When online parking is gone, more may be sold on site. Day-of payment is by credit card only, no cash.
- Take the shuttle. The shuttle leaves from the Pony Ride Train Lot at 4400 Crystal Springs Drive, at Crystal Springs Drive and Los Feliz Boulevard. Shuttle passes are sold per person, and each one covers parking at that lot and a wristband for the ride to and from the venue.
- Ride the DASH. The LADOT DASH Observatory/Los Feliz bus goes right to the venue. After the show, buses leave 10 minutes after it ends and run to the Vermont/Sunset Metro station.
- Get dropped off. Rideshare drop-off and pickup is in Lot C at Vermont and Commonwealth. Tell your driver to come in on Vermont Avenue.
- Arrive early. The Greek strongly recommends it.
- Head home with a plan. If you are taking Metro home, check the last train time from Vermont/Sunset before the show.
What are the easy mistakes to avoid?
- Buying parking on a resale site. The Greek says parking passes bought through Ticketmaster, AXS, StubHub or other resale platforms cannot be verified. Buy parking from the Greek's own parking page.
- Bringing only cash. Parking sold on the day of the show is credit card only.
- Counting on the free parking around the Greek. Griffith Observatory notes that the free parking around the Greek is not available after 1 p.m. on concert evenings.
- Forgetting the traffic on the bus. The DASH still runs on concert nights, but the Observatory says traffic may slow it down.
- Not asking about accessible parking. Accessible parking is behind the box office, with very limited space, and in Lots B, C and G. The accessible drop-off area is in front of the box office.
What should Los Feliz neighbors know on a show night?
On show nights, the parking lot entrances are off Vermont Avenue, the shuttle runs from the Crystal Springs side of the park, and the DASH bus that carries concertgoers also serves Hillhurst Avenue in Los Feliz Village and Griffith Observatory. If you are visiting the Observatory on a concert evening, Griffith Observatory suggests checking the Greek's calendar first, since concerts affect parking and the buses there too.
Show dates, times and parking details change for every event, so the Greek's own website is the place to check for the night you go.
Where else can you find things to do in Los Feliz?
The Greek is one stop in a full Los Feliz weekend. Our guide to free things to do in Los Feliz covers more of Griffith Park, and our history of the Vista Theatre on Sunset Drive covers the neighborhood's movie house. For this week's concerts, markets and community nights, see the Los Feliz events calendar, and if you host something nearby you can add your event for free.
Los Feliz Events is a free community calendar for Los Feliz, Los Angeles, from Rooster Homes™, the Los Angeles real estate brokerage led by Brandon S. Arlington and Sarah Arlington. If you are thinking about buying or selling a home in Los Feliz, you can contact Rooster Homes. We are always glad to talk about the neighborhood.
Questions people ask
When did the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles open?
The Greek Theatre was dedicated on September 25, 1930, and its first performance was on June 26, 1931, in front of a crowd of 4,000.
Who owns the Greek Theatre?
The Greek Theatre is owned by the City of Los Angeles and operated by ASM Global.
Where is the Greek Theatre shuttle?
The Greek Theatre shuttle leaves from the Pony Ride Train Lot at 4400 Crystal Springs Drive in Griffith Park. Passes are sold per person and include parking at that lot.
Can you take the DASH bus to the Greek Theatre?
Yes. The LADOT DASH Observatory/Los Feliz bus goes to the venue, and after the show it runs to the Vermont/Sunset Metro station.
Where is the Greek Theatre?
The Greek Theatre is at 2700 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027, in Griffith Park.
Everything else coming up is on the Los Feliz events calendar.
