Worth Its Salt: Morton Amphitheater is open, and it’s built for the ultimate night out

by Madison Russell

For Riverside’s newest venue, the concert is only part of the draw. At Morton Amphitheater, visitors are encouraged to arrive early and stay late in an atmosphere where the experience goes beyond who’s on stage.

The venue’s grand opening is the first day of June, with a community preview night featuring the band Summer Breeze. Two nights later, Kesha kicks off the official concert season. “The excitement gives me goosebumps,” says Tim Burris, general manager of Morton Amphitheater. “The City of Riverside and Mayor Kathy Rose and her team have been so supportive.”

The venue was designed with the full evening in mind. Before visitors even reach their seats, they’re surrounded by beautifully landscaped grounds with open green spaces, picnic tables, lounge chairs and food and beverage options encouraging them to come early and hang out before the show.

Photography courtesy of Morton Amphitheater.

“It almost opens up to another venue,” Burris says. “There’s so much space to hang out in and places to eat. You can come have a drink or two and a meal and make this your night out instead of stopping anywhere else.”

Morton also offers luxury box packages for anyone looking to elevate the experience: four-, eight-, and 12-person suites with in-seat service, dedicated waitstaff, reserved parking and access to the exclusive Vinyl Room lounge, a quieter, club-style atmosphere.

Still, Burris emphasizes that the venue was built to feel premium at every ticket level. The lawn area sits close to the stage, bar and concession access is always nearby, and the open layout avoids the disconnected feeling that can come with larger outdoor venues.

The summer’s concert lineup is brimming, with shows booked through mid-October. “No matter what your musical taste is, we’ve got something for everybody,” Burris says. The venue is operated by Live Nation, and Burris adds that Morton is already shaping up to be one of the busiest new amphitheaters in its debut year.

Looking ahead, Burris hints at programming beyond concerts. Festival-style events are already on the radar, and the venue is preparing to host a July 3 World Cup viewing event. The Vinyl Room can also be privately rented for corporate and special events.

Burris’ advice for visitors: plan ahead, then sit back and relax. “You literally can create an evening a la carte all to yourself,” he says. “Pre-buy your parking, buy your ticket, do your upgrades. Then, a month later, just show up. It’s almost like a one-night vacation.”

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