Xfinity Theatre is a 30,000-capacity indoor/outdoor amphitheater at 61 Savitt Way, Hartford, CT 06120, and as of 2026 it has officially changed its name back to The Meadows Music Theatre.
It’s the same venue most people still search “Xfinity Theatre,” so if that’s on your ticket, you’re in the right place. The bag policy is strict (clear tote or small clutch only), parking is on-site, and the biggest headache isn’t getting in it’s the post-show traffic when the full crowd exits onto I-91 and I-84 at once. Below: seating, bag rules, parking, drive times from across Hartford County, and how to skip the gridlock entirely.
Key Takeaways
- Name change: The venue is now officially The Meadows Music Theatre (it was Xfinity Theatre from 2013–2025). Same place, same address.
- Location: 61 Savitt Way, Hartford, CT 06120 — just off I-91 and I-84 in Hartford’s North Meadows.
- Capacity: ~30,000 — roughly 7,500 covered pavilion seats plus ~22,500 on the lawn.
- Bag policy is strict: clear tote (max 12″x6″x12″) or a small clutch (6″x9″) only. All bags are searched.
- The real headache is leaving: a 30,000-person amphitheater empties onto two highways at once — post-show traffic is the #1 complaint.
- Smart local option: a pre-booked car service drops you at the gate and picks you up after, skipping the lot chaos and the drive home after a few drinks.
What is Xfinity Theatre in Hartford — and why is it now called The Meadows Music Theatre?
Xfinity Theatre is Hartford’s large indoor/outdoor amphitheater at 61 Savitt Way, and in 2026 it officially reverted to its original name, The Meadows Music Theatre. The venue opened in the mid-1990s as The Meadows and has cycled through several corporate names over the years the ctnow.com Meadows Music Theatre, the New England Dodge Music Center, Comcast Theatre, and then Xfinity Theatre from 2013 to 2025. It’s owned by the City of Hartford and operated by Live Nation. If your ticket, calendar reminder, or an old bookmark still says “Xfinity Theatre,” don’t worry it’s the same venue at the same spot; only the name on the marquee has changed. Because the rename is recent, most search traffic and even some ticketing sites still use “Xfinity,” so you’ll see both names used interchangeably for a while. For the rest of this guide, we’ll use both so there’s no confusion.
- Current official name: The Meadows Music Theatre (as of 2026)
- Former names: Xfinity Theatre (2013–2025), Comcast Theatre, New England Dodge Music Center, ctnow.com Meadows Music Theatre
- Owner / operator: City of Hartford / Live Nation
- Type: Outdoor amphitheater in summer, indoor theater in the cooler months
For the current show calendar and event-specific rules, check the official Live Nation venue page for The Meadows Music Theatre — it’s the authoritative source for dates, times, and policy changes.
Venue quick facts at a glance:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Official name (2026) | The Meadows Music Theatre |
| Also known as | Xfinity Theatre (2013–2025) |
| Address | 61 Savitt Way, Hartford, CT 06120 |
| Box office | (860) 548-7370 |
| Capacity | ~30,000 (≈7,500 pavilion + ~22,500 lawn) |
| Operator | Live Nation |
| Highways | I-91 & I-84 |
| Season | Outdoor summer / indoor cooler months |
Where is Xfinity Theatre located and how do you get there?
The venue sits at 61 Savitt Way, Hartford, CT 06120, in the city’s North Meadows area with direct access from both I-91 and I-84 — which is exactly why it draws crowds from across Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. From most of Hartford County, it’s a short drive: roughly 10–20 minutes from West Hartford, Glastonbury, Farmington, Manchester, or Avon depending on traffic. The highway access makes getting in fairly easy; the challenge is that tens of thousands of people arrive and leave in tight windows around showtime, so the roads and lots bottleneck fast. If you’re driving yourself, arriving early (gates typically open 90 minutes to a couple hours before showtime) is the single best move to beat the crush. If you’d rather not deal with it at all, this is the point in the night where a lot of locals hand the driving off to a car service.
Approximate drive times to the venue:
| From | Approx. drive time |
|---|---|
| Downtown Hartford | ~5–10 min |
| West Hartford | ~10–15 min |
| Glastonbury | ~15 min |
| Farmington / Avon | ~15–20 min |
| Manchester | ~15 min |
Times vary heavily on event nights — build in a buffer.
What is the seating like at Xfinity Theatre / The Meadows?
The venue seats about 30,000 people total, split between a covered pavilion (around 7,500 reserved seats) and a large open lawn (around 22,500). The reserved sections are numbered, and the lawn is general admission, so your experience depends a lot on which you pick. The pit, right up against the stage, is the most coveted spot when it’s open. Reserved sections 100–300 sit on flatter ground closest to the stage, while 400 and up rise on an incline for a wider view. The lawn is the budget-friendly, laid-back choice — bring a blanket, though check current rules on lawn chairs for your specific show. VIP box suites sit elevated behind the reserved area. Because it’s an amphitheater, the covered pavilion offers weather protection while the lawn is fully open-air.
- Pit: closest to the stage, standing, only open for select shows.
- Sections 100–300: reserved, flat area nearest the stage.
- Sections 400–800: reserved, on an incline for a broader view.
- Lawn: general admission, relaxed, most affordable.
- VIP box suites: private, elevated, behind reserved seating.
What is the bag policy at Xfinity Theatre?
The venue enforces a strict clear-bag policy: you can bring a clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC tote no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, and/or a small clutch no larger than 6″ x 9″. No other bag types are allowed, and all bags are subject to search — often with metal detectors — before entry. This is the single most common thing people get caught out on, so plan your bag before you leave home rather than at the gate. A few other rules worth knowing: outside food is generally permitted if it’s in a gallon-size plastic bag, and one factory-sealed bottle of water (up to one liter) is typically allowed, though this can be subject to artist approval. Coolers, glass, alcohol, professional cameras, and signs larger than 8.5″x11″ are not permitted.
Allowed vs. prohibited — quick reference:
| Allowed | Prohibited |
|---|---|
| Clear tote ≤ 12″x6″x12″ | Non-clear bags, backpacks, large purses |
| Small clutch ≤ 6″x9″ | Coolers |
| Outside food in a gallon bag | Glass bottles & thermoses |
| One sealed water bottle ≤ 1L | Outside alcohol |
| Small blankets, lawn chairs (check show) | Professional cameras, drones, laser pointers |
| Service animals | Signs larger than 8.5″x11″ |
- Smoking: prohibited in the pavilion and covered areas; check current lawn rules.
- Re-entry: not permitted once you leave.
Policies shift by event and season, so before a show it’s worth cross-checking the venue’s current guidelines alongside the wider Connecticut events calendar on CTvisit, the state’s official tourism site, to plan your night around what else is happening in Hartford.
What are the parking and traffic like — and how do you avoid the post-show gridlock?
Parking is available on-site with general and premier options, but the honest reality of a 30,000-capacity amphitheater is that getting out after the show is the worst part of the night. When a full house empties at once onto I-91 and I-84, the lots and ramps clog for 45 minutes to well over an hour. Tailgating before the show is a local tradition, which is fun going in but adds to the crunch coming out. If you’re set on driving, park facing the exit, leave a song or two early if you can stand to, and be patient.
The alternative that a growing number of Hartford-area concertgoers choose is skipping the lot entirely: a car service drops you right at the entrance and picks you up at a set meeting point afterward, so you’re not hunting for your car in the dark or idling in a parking-lot conga line. It also removes the drink-and-drive question entirely.
Ways to beat the traffic:
- Arrive early — gates open 90 min to 2 hrs before showtime; get in before the rush.
- Park strategically — nose-out toward the exit lane you’ll actually use.
- Consider public transit — the venue is served by bus routes and isn’t far from Hartford’s train station.
- Book a car service — drop-off at the gate, pickup after, zero parking or driving. See special event & concert transportation for group options.
- Leave a beat early (optional) — ducking out before the encore beats the wall of traffic.
Should you drive or book a car service to Xfinity Theatre?
For many Hartford-area concertgoers — especially groups, date nights, or anyone planning to drink — a pre-booked car service is the lower-stress, safer choice, while solo budget-minded fans who don’t mind the traffic may prefer to drive and park. The math is simple: driving yourself means parking fees, post-show gridlock, and a sober designated driver; a car service means you’re dropped at the gate, picked up after, and everyone can actually enjoy the night. For a group splitting the cost, a single executive SUV or van often works out reasonable per person and removes every logistical headache. MKC Limo provides special-event and concert transportation across Hartford County, so a night at The Meadows can start and end at your door in West Hartford, Glastonbury, Farmington, or the surrounding towns.
Use this quick framework to decide:
| If you’re… | Best option |
|---|---|
| A group of 3+ heading to the same show | Car service (SUV/van) — split cost, no DD needed |
| Planning to drink at the concert | Car service — safest, no drive home |
| On a date or celebrating an occasion | Car service — door-to-gate, no parking hassle |
| Solo, budget-focused, traffic-tolerant | Drive + economy parking |
| Coming from outside CT for a big show | Car service from your hotel — skip unfamiliar roads |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Xfinity Theatre the same as The Meadows Music Theatre?
Yes. It’s the same venue at 61 Savitt Way, Hartford. It was called Xfinity Theatre from 2013 to 2025 and officially reverted to The Meadows Music Theatre in 2026. Most people still search “Xfinity Theatre,” so both names refer to the same place.
What’s the capacity of Xfinity Theatre in Hartford?
About 30,000 people total — roughly 7,500 in the covered pavilion and around 22,500 on the outdoor lawn. That makes it one of the largest amphitheaters in the country when the full venue opens in summer.
What bags are allowed at Xfinity Theatre?
Only a clear tote no larger than 12″x6″x12″ or a small clutch no larger than 6″x9″. All other bags are prohibited, and every bag is searched at entry. Plan your bag before you arrive to avoid being turned away at the gate.
How far is Xfinity Theatre from West Hartford or Glastonbury?
It’s a short drive — roughly 10–15 minutes from West Hartford and about 15 minutes from Glastonbury under normal conditions, via I-91 or I-84. Event-night traffic can add significant time, especially when leaving.
Is parking hard at Xfinity Theatre?
Getting in is manageable, but leaving is the real challenge — a full 30,000-capacity crowd exits onto two highways at once, causing 45+ minutes of gridlock. Arriving early or booking a car service for drop-off and pickup are the best ways to avoid it.
Can MKC Limo take me to a concert at Xfinity Theatre?
Yes. MKC Limo offers concert and special-event transportation throughout Hartford County, including door-to-gate drop-off and post-show pickup at The Meadows Music Theatre. Call 203-996-5504 to arrange a ride for your group.
Last updated: July 28, 2026 What changed: Initial publication. Confirmed the venue’s 2026 name change from Xfinity Theatre back to The Meadows Music Theatre; verified capacity (~30,000), address (61 Savitt Way), seating layout, and the current clear-bag policy against venue and operator sources.
Added quick-facts and allowed/prohibited-items tables, and linked to the official Live Nation venue page and CTvisit. For event-specific rules, always check the official venue site before you go.
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