About this Location

Facility Overview

The Upper Concourse Parking lot is an essential, designated parking area located on the grounds of the iconic PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey (Exit 116 on the Garden State Parkway). Serving as one of the closest and most convenient parking sectors to the main amphitheater gates, this open-air surface facility is engineered to provide streamlined vehicle access for concert attendees, event VIPs, and seasonal visitors. Because it is a sprawling open-air lot with no overhead structures, it offers unlimited vertical clearance, making it exceptionally accommodating for standard passenger sedans, large pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, and passenger vans.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned directly adjacent to the amphitheater\'s upper entry plaza, this parking area places drivers just a short 2 to 5-minute walk from security checkpoints, box offices, and venue concession stands. Key nearby destinations and attractions include:

PNC Bank Arts Center: New Jersey’s premier outdoor amphitheater, hosting major summer concert tours, comedy shows, and cultural festivals.
New Jersey Vietnam Veterans\' Memorial & Vietnam Era Museum: Situated immediately on the grounds of the arts center complex, open year-round for visitors and historical tours.
Telegraph Hill Park: Offering picturesque scenic grounds, wooded walking trails, and historic viewpoints directly surrounding the amphitheater.
Holmdel Park & Historic Longstreet Farm: Located just a brief 8-minute drive south, featuring walking trails, fishing ponds, and a living history farm.
Bell Works (Holmdel): The renowned former Bell Labs revitalization hub featuring dining, shopping, and co-working spaces, just 10 minutes west.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Access to the Upper Concourse Parking lot is remarkably direct, connecting seamlessly from the Garden State Parkway via dedicated ramp lanes at Exit 116. On major concert dates, Holmdel Police and venue traffic management personnel oversee dedicated one-way routing to steer traffic smoothly into designated concourse parking lanes. Exiting immediately following major amphitheater events follows coordinated outflow patterns onto northbound and southbound Garden State Parkway feeder ramps, helping drivers bypass local township traffic. While the venue is primarily vehicle-dependent, seasonal charter buses, shuttle packages from regional hubs, and rideshare pickup/drop-off zones operate nearby within the venue campus.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Direct Gate Proximity: Significant reduction in walking distance compared to outer general and overflow grass parking fields.
Open-Sky Layout: No low-clearance garages, easily handling tall passenger vehicles, roof racks, and oversized SUVs.
ADA Accessible Spaces: Clearly designated accessible parking stalls positioned near paved, step-free access paths leading to amphitheater turnstiles.
Active Traffic Staffing: Uniformed parking marshals on duty before and during events to direct vehicular flow and parking alignment.
Security & Illumination: High-powered evening floodlighting throughout the lot and an active law enforcement/security presence during events.
Mobile & Ticketed Access: Integrates directly with Live Nation, Ticketmaster, and venue parking passes for rapid digital scanning at entry points.

Ideal For

Concertgoers & Amphitheater Guests: Fans attending headline summer tour dates seeking expedited entry and closer walking routes to the seats or lawn.
Families & Visitors with Mobility Needs: Those requiring level, paved walkways and proximity to main concourse amenities and first-aid stations.
Museum & Memorial Attendees: Visitors exploring the adjacent Vietnam Era Museum and historic memorial grounds.
Tailgaters & Early Arrivals: Patrons looking to secure prime parking positions prior to evening event gate openings.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Pre-Purchase Parking Passes: For sold-out concerts, concourse and premier parking spaces fill rapidly; ensure your parking reservation is secured in advance via your ticketing platform.
Arrive Early: Peak traffic congestion on the Garden State Parkway around Exit 116 usually intensifies 60 to 90 minutes prior to showtime; arriving early ensures hassle-free entry.
Note Your Aisle & Marker: After parking, make a mental note or take a photo of nearby light poles and landmarks to easily locate your vehicle after nightfall.
Follow Traffic Marshals on Egress: Post-show traffic is strictly directed by State Police and local officers; follow posted lane assignments toward your desired northbound or southbound highway routes.