Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts

What Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts does

Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (legal entity: Friends of the Levitt Pavilion, Inc.) operating an outdoor performing arts amphitheater on the banks of the Saugatuck River in Downtown Westport, Connecticut. Founded by the Westport community in 1973 and presenting its first season in 1974, the venue produces a '50+ Free Shows under the Stars' annual series spanning music, dance, comedy, film, theatre, circus, and children's programming, complemented by paid Stars-on-Tour concerts featuring GRAMMY winners and nominees and an annual fundraising Gala. The 2014 completion of a $9.5 million capital campaign delivered a new stage, roof, Jaffe-Holden sound system, sloped lawn, hospitality building, and RiverWalk access. The venue attracts 75,000+ patrons annually and operates seasonally from April through October.

The organization runs a hybrid monetization model. Free shows are accessed via online reservation or on-site box office (no food/drink restrictions); paid events (Stars-on-Tour and the Gala) are sold through the OvationTix/AudienceView ticketing platform with tiered pricing, member discounts, and a $4 facility fee (waived for members). Membership is structured in eight annual tiers from Senior/Student ($50) to Season Supporter ($10,000), conferring pre-sale access, discounts, and priority holds on the free-show reserve. Corporate sponsorships span full-series (7-9 nights), mini-series (3-5 nights), and single-event packages. Funding is further diversified across individual donations, foundation grants (Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, Arthur & Claudia Cohen Family Foundation, David & Geri Epstein Private Foundation), state arts agencies (CT Humanities, CT DECD/Office of the Arts), the National Endowment for the Arts, the Town of Westport, on-site concessions, and venue rental.

The operational footprint is small (1-10 employees), supported by an extensive partner ecosystem that includes local radio stations (WEBE 108, WFUV, WSHU, WPKN), regional media (Westport Magazine/Moffly Media, 06880/Dan Woog), and cultural alliances (Fairfield County Cultural Alliance, Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce). Technology is concentrated on the ticketing/membership platform and venue infrastructure; there is no disclosed app, no AI/ML capability, and no API surface. Strategic positioning is that of a community-owned cultural institution with strong brand recognition (NYT recognition as the most ambitious free festival in the Northeast) rather than a scaled entertainment business.

Name

Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts

Legal name

Friends of the Levitt Pavilion, Inc. d/b/a Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts

Website

https://levittpavilion.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit outdoor amphitheater in Westport, Connecticut, founded in 1973, that produces 50+ free concerts per season plus paid Stars-on-Tour events and an annual Gala, serving 75,000+ Connecticut and Metro New York patrons.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711), Musical Groups and Artists (711130)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor Amphitheater & Open-Air Venue Operations (MPAGALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

VIP, Hospitality & Premium Experiences (MPAGAAAK), VIP Hospitality & Client Entertainment (Boxes, Suites, Hosted Experiences) (MPAGAHAG), Rooftop Bars & Outdoor Nightlife Venues (MPAGAIAF)

Keywords

• Outdoor performing arts
• Live concert venue
• Nonprofit arts programming
• Community arts events
• Ticketed concert series

Headquarters

HQ city

Westport

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership subscriptions: Annual membership program with multiple tiers ($50-$10,000) offering benefits including pre-sale access, member discounts on paid events, waiver of facility fees, and access to member ticket reserves for free shows.
2. Donations and charitable contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting free programming and year-round operations. The organization fundraises throughout the year as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
3. Corporate sponsorships: Season sponsorships, individual event sponsorships, and advertising opportunities. Includes full-series packages (7-9 nights), mini-series (3-5 nights), single event sponsorships, and custom naming opportunities.
4. Paid ticket events: Stars-on-Tour series (ticketed benefit events) and annual Gala with tiered ticket pricing ($63.50-$1,000 single tickets) and packages ($2,500-$25,000). Proceeds underwrite free programming.
5. Concession sales: On-site bars (with 21+ age verification) and food trucks at events generate revenue while supporting patron experience.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit outdoor performing arts venue in Westport, Connecticut that produces a signature series of more than 50 free concerts per season plus ticketed benefit concerts (Stars-on-Tour series) and an annual fundraising Gala. Programming spans music, dance, comedy, film, theatre, circus, and children's programming, featuring GRAMMY winners and nominees alongside local and international touring acts. The venue also offers tiered annual memberships, corporate sponsorship packages, and on-site concessions, supported by an outdoor amphitheater with a Jaffe-Holden world-class sound system and the OvationTix/AudienceView ticketing platform.

Product overview

Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit outdoor performing arts venue that produces one of the largest and longest-running outdoor performing arts series in the nation. The organization operates two primary event categories: the signature "50+ Free Shows Under the Stars" series offering free-ticket performances, and the "Stars-on-Tour" paid-ticket concert series. Additional offerings include an annual Gala fundraising event, seasonal Membership program with tiered benefits, and corporate Sponsorship packages. Programming spans music, dance, comedy, film, theatre, circus, and children's programming, featuring GRAMMY Award winners and nominees alongside rising stars and local artists.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 50+ Free Shows Under the Stars Series The signature outdoor concert series featuring free-ticket performances across multiple genres including music, dance, comedy, film, theatre, circus, and children's programming. The 2026 Season includes over 50 shows presented free-of-charge to the Connecticut and Metro New York community.
• Stars-on-Tour Series Ticketed concert events featuring acclaimed and award-winning artists including GRAMMY winners and nominees, rising stars, and international touring acts. Proceeds from these events help underwrite free programming.
• Annual Gala Annual fundraising event combining a cocktail party with a concert performance. The 2026 Gala features Bonnie Raitt, with various sponsorship tiers from Silver Circle ($2,500) to Diamond Circle ($25,000).
• Membership Program Seasonal membership tiers offering benefits including pre-sale access, discounted pricing on paid-ticket events, and access to a limited member reserve of free tickets. Tiers range from $50 Senior/Student to $10,000 Season Supporter.
• Corporate Sponsorship Packages Sponsorship opportunities including full series packages (7-9 night), mini-series (3-5 night), singular event sponsorship, and season lead/supporting sponsorships for the free show series and Stars-on-Tour events.
• On-Site Concessions On-site bars with 21+ age verification and food trucks at events for refreshment sales to attendees.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Town of WestportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner providing support through Parks & Recreation, Public Works, and Office of Information Technology departments.
• Interstate (Lumber)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerSeason Sponsor providing corporate sponsorship support.
• Leifer PropertiesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSeason Sponsor and event sponsor (The String Queens), providing corporate sponsorship support.
• Coastal Bridge AdvisorsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSeason Sponsor and show sponsor for The Revivalists event.
• Berkowitz and Hanna LLCmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSeason Sponsor providing corporate sponsorship support.
• WEBE 108majorGTM or Marketing PartnerRadio station media sponsor providing promotional support.
• WFUVmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPublic radio station media sponsor providing promotional support.
• WSHUmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPublic radio station media sponsor providing promotional support.
• WPKNmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPublic radio station media sponsor providing promotional support.
• Westport Magazine / Moffly MediamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal media sponsor providing promotional coverage.
• 06880 / Dan WoogminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal media contributor providing promotional coverage.
• Fairfield County Cultural Alliance / FC BuzzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional cultural organization providing programmatic support and collaboration.
• OvationTix (AudienceView)coreTechnology or IntegrationTicketing platform provider for online ticket sales, membership management, and box office operations.
• Backline CareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health and wellness resources for music industry professionals. $1 from every Andy Frasco & The U.N. ticket sold is donated to this charity.
• Westport-Weston Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal business organization providing community support and collaboration.
• Westport Young Woman's LeagueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal women's organization providing community support.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Tanglewood (Boston Symphony Orchestra): Tanglewood is a major outdoor summer concert venue operated by the BSO, hosting orchestral, pop, and jazz performances with a mix of ticketed and free lawn seating. Its outdoor amphitheater format, multi-genre programming, and membership/donor-supported nonprofit model closely parallel Levitt's operating approach.
• SummerStage (City Parks Foundation): SummerStage is a free outdoor performing arts series in Central Park and other NYC venues presenting music, dance, theater, and family programming. It shares Levitt's free-community-access mission, multi-genre outdoor format, and nonprofit funding model anchored by sponsorships and grants.
• Ravinia Festival: Ravinia is one of the oldest outdoor music festivals in North America (est. 1904), operating a nonprofit amphitheater presenting a wide range of performing arts across genres. It uses a similar mixed model of paid ticketed concerts and free/affordable community programming, supported by memberships and corporate sponsorships—making it the closest structural peer to Levitt.
• Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater: Meijer Gardens operates a 1,900-seat outdoor amphitheater in Grand Rapids, MI presenting a summer concert series across pop, rock, country, and classical genres. The comparable outdoor amphitheater format, mixed ticketed/free programming, and nonprofit cultural institution funding model make it a strong peer.
• Britt Music & Arts Festival: Britt Festival is an outdoor performing arts venue in Jacksonville, OR presenting concerts, dance, and theater across genres with a mix of ticketed and free programming. Its amphitheater-based seasonal model, multi-genre programming, and nonprofit community-supported operations are closely comparable to Levitt.
• Stern Grove Festival: Stern Grove Festival is a San Francisco nonprofit presenting a free outdoor performing arts summer concert series in a park setting since 1938. Its free-admission, multi-genre, donor-and-sponsor-supported outdoor amphitheater model is highly analogous to Levitt's community-access mission and seasonal format.
• Koka Booth Amphitheatre: Koka Booth Amphitheatre is a regional outdoor performing arts venue in Cary, NC presenting concerts, festivals, and community events. It shares Levitt's amphitheater format, multi-genre programming, and corporate sponsorship-driven operating model in a comparable community-serving context.
• Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park: The Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago presents free outdoor performing arts concerts year-round at a purpose-built amphitheater with world-class architecture. It shares Levitt's free-access community programming model, outdoor amphitheater format, and dependency on corporate sponsorships and grants.
• Wolf Trap (Filene Center): Wolf Trap operates an outdoor amphitheater within a national park presenting performing arts across genres with a mix of ticketed concerts and free/community programming. As a nonprofit cultural venue with similar patron scale and amphitheater format, it is directly comparable to Levitt's outdoor venue model.

Broad incumbents

• Hollywood Bowl: Hollywood Bowl is a large-scale outdoor amphitheater operated by the LA Philharmonic presenting orchestral, pop, and jazz programming with ticketed and subscription-supported operations. While much larger in scale, it shares the outdoor amphitheater format and nonprofit performing arts presenter model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-levitt-pavilion-for-the-performing-arts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts