5,000 Seat Amphitheater Proposed for Downtown Winston-Salem

A privately funded 5,000-seat amphitheater is coming to downtown Winston-Salem in Spring 2027.

Updated December 2025

The Amphitheater

The amphitheater will be constructed between the Benton Convention Center and First Baptist Church. The venue will host a mix of national touring acts and community events, such as the Winston-Salem Symphony, the International Black Theatre Festival, and university performances.

Who’s Behind the Project?

The project is 100% privately funded through a joint venture between Flow Automotives CEO Don Flow and Concert Stuff Group CEO Jim Brammer.

The Details

• Funds: The $25 million project is privately funded with no public money, tax breaks, or incentives. The amphitheater will cover all security costs, and no public debt will be incurred for any of the improvements.
• Lease: The venue will lease a 1-acre vacant parkland for back-of-house operations from the city for $1/month.
• Parking: The venue will use nearby surface lots and underused parking decks.
• Noise: Concerts will end by 11 PM to meet city noise ordinances.
• Tax Impact: Expected to generate ~$50,000 annually in property taxes.

What’s Next?

Project leaders are waiting for the city to adopt a revised noise ordinance that would establish measurable sound limits instead of relying on subjective interpretation.

• Zoom In: City Council is expected to consider a proposed revised ordinance in 2026, with a resolution in the first or second quarter of the year.
• Timeline: The amphitheater is projected to be completed by Spring 2027.

Big Picture

The idea of building an amphitheater downtown isn’t new—the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership had recommended it in their 2023 Comprehensive Plan.

The Partnership subsequently formed the Downtown Amphitheater Subcommittee, which researched amphitheaters in other communities. At the end of 2024, they approached Don Flow about the possibility of using a site he owned for the project.

• Benefits: An amphitheater could boost foot traffic and spending at nearby businesses, energizing the downtown area.
• Yes, but: Some citizens have raised concerns about parking, downtown noise, and effects on the nearby Crystal Tower residents, and the $1/month leasing agreement.