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Our performances are always FREE and all we ask is that you bring something comfortable to sit on, a plastic bottle of water, if you think you might get thirsty, something warm to wear when the evening air turns a little chilly and a mindset to enjoy a lovely concert. There is a non smoking policy on the grounds of the band shell. We have many patrons that are allergic to smoke and are too infirm to move to another section of the grounds easily. We appreciate your cooperation.

We are also please to announce that we will be having a special section for our dog lovers to be able

to come to the band shell and enjoy the music.

Important Information

Performances start at 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.

We have handicap-only parking next to the band shell and everyone else can park in parking lot East at the top of the hill.

We now will have a special section designated to our patrons and their dogs.

Our History

The Manchester Bicentennial Band Shell was conceived as a living memorial of the nation's celebration of its 200th Birthday in 1976. The Band Shell facility represents a special model of community life.

The State of Connecticut and its agency, Manchester Community College, provided the land, by a forty-year lease to the Town of Manchester. The building is owned by the Town and was built by private funds. We have now entered into a ten year lease to continue bringing you awesome music at a great venue all summer. The Band Shell Board of Directors manages the programming of the summer concerts.

The first concerts were presented in the summer of 1977 and for the past forty years have become a regular part of Manchester's summer season. The number of concerts has varied over the years from the first season of ten performances to 43 in 1986. In 2015, over 10,000 attended 17 concerts. Performers have come from all over the world as well as from Manchester to entertain our audiences during the last quarter of a century.