Murrieta's New Open-Air Amphitheater Readies For First Concert

MURRIETA, CA — It's been more than a decade in the making, but on Saturday Murrieta's new Town Square Park Amphitheater will host its first public event — a free concert featuring a Beach Boys tribute band.

Surf City Legends will perform at 5:30 p.m. at the city-owned, open-air Amphitheater that is billed as the biggest of its kind in the region. The $6.9 million state-of-the-art facility can hold more than 750 attendees in its built-in tiered seating and 5,000 patrons total when including the grassy areas for picnic setups.

Big plans for the Amphitheater are ahead, according to Murrieta Mayor Scott Vinton.

“This site will be a game-changer for the city and a real boost for the downtown corridor,” Vinton said. “It provides an accessible, community gathering place to enjoy special events, concerts, performances, and so much more. It’s a venue that will amplify the arts in our city and bring people together.”

In addition to Saturday's free concert, the State of the City Address will be live-streamed from the site starting at 7 p.m. on June 29, and the city has plans to make the venue available for additional outside events later in the year. These may include both free shows and performances requiring paid admission, according to city officials. Fee schedules were being discussed during Tuesday night's City Council meeting.

A vast majority of the funding for the Amphitheater's construction was dedicated back in 2007 through targeted redevelopment dollars. However, the recession put the project on hold for more than 12 years.

Costs did increase over the decade, but those were addressed with park development fees and a generous gift from Waste Management, according to city officials.

Finally, on November 6, 2019, the city broke ground on the project with the construction bid going to Norco-based Act 1 Construction.

The pandemic slowed the project's progress, but on June 2 the Amphitheater was unveiled. The expansive open-air venue sits at Town Square Park, adjacent to the Murrieta Library, City Hall, the Police Department, and Fire Station 1. The park, located a block from Downtown Murrieta, houses the Veterans Memorial, which will soon include a Vietnam tribute, city officials said. In addition, the park draws thousands for events like the Annual Rotary Field of Honor and the Holiday Tree Lighting. Town Square Park is open to the public during daylight hours and for special evening events.

Note: The 5:30 p.m. concert will follow Murrieta's Father's Day Car Cruise.