How Much Is Parking at Riverbend Music Center?
Parking at Riverbend Music Center is included in the price of every ticket, you do not pay a separate parking fee at the gate for general admission lots.
All ticketholders for both Riverbend Music Center and PNC Pavilion events receive complimentary parking access in the surrounding Coney Island and Belterra Park lots. This is one of the most fan-friendly parking policies among major outdoor amphitheaters in the Midwest, and it applies to every seat tier from lawn GA to pavilion reserved.
Premier and priority parking is reserved for Season Ticket holders and VIP package members. These passes are not sold individually on a per-show basis through the box office. Third-party platforms such as SeatGeek and SpotHero list resale and pre-purchased premier parking passes for individual events, with prices typically ranging from $33 to $60 or more depending on demand and show size. On sold-out nights, third-party premier passes can sell for significantly more.
The bottom line: if you have a concert ticket, your parking is covered. Arrive early to secure a preferred spot, since parking is first come, first served until each lot fills.
Riverbend Music Center Parking Lots and Maps
Riverbend Music Center uses the sprawling parking infrastructure of the adjacent Coney Island amusement park and Belterra Park casino, spread across multiple named entry gates along Kellogg Avenue.
Coney Island lots are accessible through Gate 1, Gate 2, and Gate 4. Gate 2 at the Coney Island Main Entrance is the primary arrival point and sits closest to the venue’s main entry. Belterra Park lots to the east of the amphitheater are accessible via Gate 6, Gate 7, and Gate 8. Parking attendants at each gate direct cars to available spaces once you enter. Lot 9, located across from Gate 2 at the corner of Kellogg Avenue and Sutton Road, is designated for buses, Class B and Class C recreational vehicles, and rideshare pick-up.
Season Ticket holders have access to a dedicated priority lot at Gate 5, which requires an appropriate season pass to enter. General concert-goers should not attempt to use the Gate 5 lot without that credential.
Distances from the outer lots to the amphitheater gate can be substantial, fan reviews regularly note a walk of several hundred yards to over 600 feet from farther parking areas to the main entrance. Comfortable walking shoes are strongly advised, especially for fans parking in the Belterra Park lots on the east side. The official parking map is available on the Riverbend website at riverbend.org.
Premier and VIP Parking at Riverbend Music Center
Premier parking at Riverbend Music Center is tied to Season Ticket and VIP membership packages, there is no standard single-event premier lot that any concertgoer can purchase directly through the box office on a per-show basis.
Season Ticket packages include premium parking as a bundled benefit. The Insider Membership, priced from $750 per person, includes premium parking along with access to the First Star Logistics Club, a private entrance, and exclusive bars and restrooms. Private box suite packages also bundle premium parking with in-suite drink service and personalized name plates. These are multi-show seasonal commitments, not single-concert upgrades.
For fans attending a single show who want a closer spot, the practical option is to purchase a parking pass through third-party platforms such as SeatGeek, SpotHero, or Vivid Seats before the event. These passes are sold on a show-by-show basis, and average resale prices for premium spots have run around $33-$60 per event, with higher prices for major headliners. Buying in advance through these platforms is the best way to guarantee a close lot and avoid arriving to a full section.
VIP artist packages sold through tour operators do not include venue VIP parking, the First Star Club, or any venue amenity access, that distinction is explicitly noted in venue policy.
Can You Tailgate at Riverbend Music Center?
No, tailgating is strictly prohibited in all Riverbend Music Center, Coney Island, and Belterra Park parking lots.
The venue’s rules explicitly ban drinking alcoholic beverages in parking areas (in accordance with Ohio law), grilling, games, and any other activities that obstruct or distract traffic. This is a hard no across all lots and all events, there are no time windows or designated tailgate zones where these activities are permitted.
Fan reviews and forum posts confirm that security enforces this policy. Some past concerts by artists with strong tailgate cultures, such as Dead & Company shows, have seen informal private lots or spaces across the street from the venue operate independently, but these are not official venue-sanctioned areas and are not guaranteed to be available.
If you want to eat and drink before the show, plan to arrive, park, and head inside. Concessions inside the venue include Skyline Chili, Graeter’s ice cream, Donatos pizza (available for pre-order online), Raising Cane’s, and multiple bar locations. The venue accepts cash, credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay at all concession stands.
ADA and Handicap Parking at Riverbend Music Center
Accessible parking is available in all lots at Riverbend Music Center, and parking attendants stationed at each gate will direct patrons with accessibility needs to the appropriate locations.
Fans seeking the closest accessible parking to the main entrance should enter at Gate 2 at the Coney Island Main Entrance on Kellogg Avenue. Gate 2 provides the shortest walking distance from accessible spaces to the venue’s primary entry point. Accessible seating inside the venue is also available through all ticketing points of sale.
Patrons requiring drop-off rather than self-parking can be dropped off in Lot 9 by their driver, who is then directed by parking staff. For those arriving in larger accessible vehicles, the standard parking and drop-off procedures apply, attendants are present at all gates to assist. If you have specific accessibility needs, calling the venue directly at 513-232-6220 before show day is recommended to confirm current lot conditions and any event-specific accommodations.
Uber and Lyft Drop-Off at Riverbend Music Center
The official Uber and Lyft drop-off point at Riverbend Music Center is the pull-off lane on Kellogg Avenue at Gate 2 / the Coney Island Main Entrance. If pedestrian or vehicle traffic is heavy at drop-off, drivers will be routed into Gate 2 and then sent out via Gate 1 through a connecting road next to Lake Como.
For post-show pick-up, all rideshare passengers must wait in the designated Rideshare Lane located in Lot 9, at the corner of Kellogg Avenue and Sutton Road, across from the Coney Island Main Gate (Gate 9 area). Drivers stage in Lot 10, which police dedicate exclusively to Uber and Lyft approximately 30 minutes before a show concludes. Passengers who walk directly to Lot 9 and pin their location accurately will connect with their driver significantly faster than those waiting near the main gate.
Post-show surge pricing is a real factor at Riverbend. The venue holds close to 21,000 attendees, and when all those fans request rides simultaneously after a sold-out show, Uber and Lyft surge multipliers can be steep. If surge pricing is a concern, either request your ride before the final song ends, or wait 30-40 minutes inside or near the Belterra Park casino next door for the surge to settle. Fan experience consistently shows that patience immediately post-show saves both money and frustration on rideshare.
Shuttles and Public Transit to Riverbend Music Center
There is no official shuttle service operated by Riverbend Music Center from satellite lots or remote parking areas. All parking is located on-site across the Coney Island and Belterra Park lots along Kellogg Avenue.
Public transit options to Riverbend are limited due to the venue’s suburban location on Kellogg Avenue along the Ohio River. The official Riverbend website lists public transit information as a resource, but the venue is not directly served by a high-frequency bus line that is practical for most concert schedules. Fans coming from downtown Cincinnati face roughly an 11-mile journey via Kellogg Avenue, and rideshare remains the most practical non-driving option.
For fans traveling from out of town, nearby hotels can serve as a base from which rideshare is manageable. The venue recommends checking its Local Hotels page for proximity options. Groups arriving by bus or charter can use the dedicated bus and camper parking in Lot 9 across from Gate 2, which opens two hours before door time. Class A RVs are not permitted in Lot 9 and are directed to East Fork State Park instead, where electric and non-electric campground sites can be reserved in advance.
How Long Does It Take to Leave Riverbend Music Center After a Show?
Plan for 30 to 60 minutes to exit the Riverbend Music Center parking lots after a typical concert, with sold-out shows on Friday or Saturday nights pushing that to 60-90 minutes or more before you reach I-275.
Riverbend has a well-documented history of post-show traffic congestion on Kellogg Avenue. The venue draws close to 21,000 fans, and exits funnel onto a two-lane road before reaching I-275. The majority of the backup builds on the west side of the venue, where traffic backs up toward I-275’s Exit 72 at Kellogg Avenue, and on sold-out Friday nights, congestion has extended as far back as I-471. Fans who exit east toward I-275 Exit 71 (the New Richmond exit) typically experience shorter queues, since fewer drivers think to use the east approach.
Lots closer to the main Coney Island gate are slowest to clear because all cars from those sections funnel through the same bottleneck first. Fans parked in the Belterra Park lots on the east side (Gates 6, 7, 8) have a separate eastbound outlet and often clear faster on busy nights. One practical strategy noted by frequent attendees: walk over to the adjacent Belterra Park casino after the show and wait 30-40 minutes for the main wave of traffic to clear, by that point, the lots drain significantly and the drive to the interstate takes a fraction of the time.
Riverbend Music Center Parking Tips
Arrive at least 90 minutes before door time. Parking lots open two hours before the posted door time, and early arrivals get the closest spots since parking is first come, first served. On high-demand shows, Kellogg Avenue can start backing up 60-75 minutes before showtime, so leaving extra buffer prevents missing openers.
Use I-275 Exit 71 (New Richmond) if you are coming from the north, west, or Kentucky. Most drivers default to Exit 72 at Kellogg Avenue westbound, which creates the primary backup. Exit 71 gives you access to Kellogg Avenue from the east side, feeding into the Belterra Park lots and avoiding the worst of the westbound queue entirely.
If you have lawn tickets, park in the Belterra Park lots (Gates 6, 7, 8) on the east side. These lots are slightly farther from the main pavilion entry but put you closer to the east side lawn entrance and, critically, on the better side of the venue for a faster post-show exit.
Do not plan on tailgating, it is banned across all lots and is enforced. Head inside early, use the pre-order Donatos pizza option, and take advantage of the multiple bar stations to skip long concession lines mid-show. For rideshare users, set your pick-up pin to Lot 9 on Sutton Road before the show ends, and walk there immediately after the last song to beat the crowd surge to the rideshare lane.
Heading to a show? See our Riverbend Music Center bag policy for everything else you need to know before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is parking free at Riverbend Music Center?
Yes, parking is included in the price of every ticket for all Riverbend Music Center and PNC Pavilion events. You do not pay a separate parking fee at the lot entrance. Premier parking close to the main gate is reserved for Season Ticket and VIP package holders, but general admission lots are covered by your concert ticket.
Where do I park for a Riverbend Music Center concert?
Parking is available in the Coney Island lots accessed via Gate 1, Gate 2, and Gate 4, and in the Belterra Park lots via Gate 6, Gate 7, and Gate 8, all located along Kellogg Avenue. Attendants at each gate will direct you to available spaces. Gate 2 at the Coney Island Main Entrance is the primary and most central lot.
Can I buy parking in advance for Riverbend Music Center?
Yes. Third-party platforms including SeatGeek, SpotHero, and Vivid Seats sell pre-purchased parking passes for individual events. Buying in advance locks in your spot and can help you access premium or closer-in sections. Prices vary by show and typically range from $33 to $60 or more on the resale market.
Is there re-entry at Riverbend Music Center if I go back to my car?
No. There is no re-entry policy at Riverbend Music Center or PNC Pavilion for any event. Once you exit the venue, you will not be readmitted. Leave any items you need in your car before entering.
Where is the Uber and Lyft pick-up zone at Riverbend Music Center?
The official rideshare pick-up zone is in Lot 9, at the corner of Kellogg Avenue and Sutton Road, across from the Coney Island Main Gate (Gate 9 area). Drivers stage in the adjacent Lot 10, which Cincinnati police dedicate to rideshare staging approximately 30 minutes before a show ends. Walk directly to Lot 9 after the show and pin your location accurately to connect quickly.
Is tailgating allowed at Riverbend Music Center?
No, tailgating is strictly prohibited in all Riverbend Music Center, Coney Island, and Belterra Park parking lots. This ban includes drinking alcohol in the lots, grilling, and any games or activities that obstruct traffic. The policy is enforced by venue security and applies to all events.
Where do I park an RV or bus for a Riverbend concert?
Buses and Class B and Class C recreational vehicles park in Lot 9 across from Gate 2 at the Coney Island Main Gate. Class A RVs are not permitted in Lot 9 and are directed to East Fork State Park, where electric and non-electric campground sites can be reserved in advance. Lot 9 opens two hours before door time.
What is the fastest way to exit Riverbend after a show?
Park in the Belterra Park lots on the east side (Gates 6, 7, 8) and exit eastbound toward I-275 Exit 71 (New Richmond). This avoids the heavier westbound backup at Exit 72. Alternatively, wait 30-40 minutes inside the venue or at the adjacent Belterra Park casino after the show ends, the lots drain significantly once the main rush passes.
