{{Short description|Open-air theater in Huntsville, Alabama}} {{Use American English|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox venue | name = Orion Amphitheater | image = File:Orion Amphitheater exterior.jpg | caption = The exterior of the Orion Amphitheater in October, 2024 | address = 701 Amphitheater Drive NW | city = Huntsville, AL 35806 | coordinates = {{coord|34|44|03.7|N|86|40|05.7|W}} | capacity = 8000<ref name="official-website-about-us"/> | opened = 2022<ref name="official-website-about-us"/> | website = {{url|https://theorionhuntsville.com/}} | owner = | operator = | type = Amphitheater | event = Music and concerts | architect = David M. Schwarz Architects, Inc. }}
The '''Orion Amphitheater''' is an amphitheatre in the MidCity District of Huntsville, Alabama.
The amphitheater, which cost $40 million to build, is owned by the city of Huntsville.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wake |first1=Matt |title=Group behind Orion Amphitheater secures $50 million in new funding |url=https://www.al.com/news/2022/02/group-behind-orion-amphitheater-secures-50-million-in-new-funding.html |access-date=29 October 2024 |work=AL.com |publisher=Advance Local |date=22 February 2022 |language=en}}</ref> It was designed by David M. Schwarz Architects, Inc.,<ref name="DMSAS-Amphitheater">{{cite news |title=NEWLY CONSTRUCTED ORION AMPHITHEATER IN HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA DESIGNED BY DAVID M. SCHWARZ ARCHITECTS PREPARES FOR THE FIRST WALTZ, GRAND OPENING CONCERT |url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bwh&AN=202205031000PR.NEWS.USPR.DC41951&site=eds-live&scope=site |access-date=26 October 2024 |work=PR Newswire US |date=3 May 2022}}</ref> and is run by the Huntsville Venue Group, a division of Mumford & Sons keyboardist Ben Lovett's Venue Group.<ref name="Rolling-Stone-Huntsville">{{cite news |last1=Freeman |first1=Jon |title=Huntsville, Alabama Is Rethinking the Amphitheater Experience |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/huntsville-alabama-orion-amphitheater-1234580158/ |access-date=29 October 2024 |work=Rolling Stone |date=8 September 2022}}</ref>
The amphitheater opened in 2022, on the weekend of May 13th through 15th. The grand opening event, titled "The First Waltz", featured performances by Brittany Howard, the Drive-By Truckers, Emmylou Harris, Jason Isbell, John Paul White, Mavis Staples, St. Paul and The Broken Bones, and others.<ref name="DMSAS-Amphitheater"/><ref name="Rolling-Stone-Huntsville"/>
In 2024, the Orion Amphitheater was nominated for the ''Outdoor Concert Venue of the Year'' award in Pollstar's 36th annual awards.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wake |first1=Matt |title=Is this Alabama outdoor music venue the best in North America? |url=https://www.al.com/life/2024/11/is-this-alabama-outdoor-music-venue-the-best-in-north-america.html |access-date=14 November 2024 |work=AL.com |publisher=Advance Local |date=14 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
== Artist garden ==
The Orion staff manage a garden located in a small meadow behind the amphitheater. The fruits, vegetables, and herbs that are grown in the garden are used in on-site catering and cocktails. The garden is also used as a place for relaxation by Orion staff and visiting musical artists.<ref name="VN-artist-garden">{{cite news |last1=Pearl |first1=Wendy |title=2024 Excellence In Concessions: Orion Amphitheater Artist Garden |url=https://venuesnow.com/2024-excellence-in-concessions-orion-amphitheater-artist-garden/ |work=Venues Now |date=19 August 2024}}</ref>
Orion manager Ryan Murphy had previously established a similar garden at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre in Florida while he was a manager there.<ref name="VN-artist-garden"/>
== See also == * List of contemporary amphitheaters
== References == <references>
<ref name="official-website-about-us">{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://theorionhuntsville.com/about-us/ |website=The Orion Amphitheater |access-date=26 October 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
</references>
== External links == * {{Official website|https://theorionhuntsville.com/}}
{{Music venues of Alabama}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Amphitheaters in the United States Category:Buildings and structures in Huntsville, Alabama Category:2022 establishments in Alabama Category:Music venues in Alabama