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https://raleighnc.gov/community/improving-your-future-great-evenings
10/28/2026 3:05 pm

aerial photo of red hat amp

Improving Your Future Great Evenings The Latest on Expansion and Improvements at The Complex

Red Hat Amphitheater was originally built on land intended for the expansion of Atlantic Union Bank Convention Center. With the convention center now at capacity, the City is relocating the amphitheater one block south to make room for more flexible event space, rooftop terraces, and outdoor spaces. 

Construction of the new amphitheater is well underway. Convention center expansion and construction of a 600-room Omni Hotel, including a 20,000-square-foot ballroom and 60,000 square feet of meeting space are also on the horizon. Check back here for updates as things progress!

The Latest:

  • The new Red Hat Amphitheater site is coming along! The building has a roof and lots of plumbing, electrical and mechanical work is underway. Outside, the concrete is being poured for the seating bowl, the box office is under construction, and the steel gates along the perimeter are going up. The new venue is set to open this coming June for the 2027 season.
  • A ceremony was held on April 21, 2026 to officially open the new Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts’ Lichtin Plaza. The redesigned plaza provides a more welcoming and accessible entrance to the popular live-performance venue. Improvements include a dedicated drop-off lane, new wheelchair-accessible ramps, and expanded greenspace.
  • The Atlantic Union Bank Convention Center released renderings of the interior of the new building, highlighting the versatile new 50k sq. ft. flex hall and 18k sq. ft. ballroom among other great new spaces to come.
  • The surface parking lots across the street from Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts have closed to make way for construction of the Omni Hotel.
    • Visitors are encouraged to park in the nearby Performing Arts Parking Deck, the second level of which is reserved for guests with disability placards and license plates.
    • There is an accessible loading area in front of the performing arts center for drop off/pickup.
  • One block of South Street between Dawson and McDowell has permanently closed.
  • The final show at the original Red Hat Amphitheater was held Oct. 23. The process of decommissioning the site has begun. This involves removing equipment and infrastructure, and preparing the site for its next use - the expansion of the Atlantic Union Bank Convention Center. Details regarding the groundbreaking will be available soon.
  • On Oct. 5, a time capsule containing items preserving the history of the original Red Hat Amphitheater was buried at the new site. The items commemorate the nearly 1,000 events hosted at the venue and include signage and artwork, a vinyl record player and records from featured artists, apparel, concert posters, an original seat, and other memorabilia from Red Hat Amphitheater's history. The capsule also contained letters from city leaders, a collection of photos, and notes from some of Raleigh’s current residents.

Helpful Links

Creating New Paths

As shown below, much of the South Street traffic is now using Lenoir Street (one block north) to get to and from downtown.

There are some exciting projects under consideration for getting around downtown. Read about our Strollway plans that will come through this section of downtown. 

South street detour map

Project Details and FAQ

Get details on the relocation and expansion project by visiting the Red Hat Amphitheater site!