The City of Carson’s new amphitheater, which is part of...

The City of Carson’s new amphitheater, which is part of a 13,000-square-foot facility, is part of the largest outdoor space in the South Bay. The amphitheater, together with a neighboring courtyard area, provide a central gathering space to host artistic performances, cultural events and community celebrations reflecting the community’s diversity and vibrancy. (Photo courtesy of the City of Carson)

Located across from the amphitheater, the courtyard offers an intimate...

Located across from the amphitheater, the courtyard offers an intimate setting and can be booked in conjunction with the amphitheater or separately for smaller events. An attractive water feature is the centerpiece of courtyard area, which can seat approximately 250 people for an event. (Photo courtesy of the City of Carson)

Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes and Mayor Pro Tem Cedric L. Hicks...

Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes and Mayor Pro Tem Cedric L. Hicks Sr., holding the ceremonial oversized scissors, are joined (from left) by Council Member Arleen Bocatija Rojas, Council Member Jim Dear and Treasurer Monica Cooper as they prepare for the ribbon-cutting ceremonial at Thursday’s Grand Opening of the City of Carson’s Amphitheater and Courtyard. (Photo courtesy of the City of Carson)

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The City of Carson’s new amphitheater, which is part of a 13,000-square-foot facility, is part of the largest outdoor space in the South Bay. The amphitheater, together with a neighboring courtyard area, provide a central gathering space to host artistic performances, cultural events and community celebrations reflecting the community’s diversity and vibrancy. (Photo courtesy of the City of Carson)

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Carson has unveiled its new 1,000-seat amphitheater, with a corresponding event center, to the community after three years of project refining and construction. The $10 million project will bring “world-class performances, community celebrations and cultural transitions” to Carson, said Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes.

The 13,000 square-foot amphitheater includes a large stage, a pergola, two event areas, a shade sail for the neighboring preschool and an open parking lot.

“This is a truly amazing asset for the city,” Leah Skinner, president of the Carson Chamber of Commerce, said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 23. “The potential for bringing in event space (and) our hotel next door will definitely be feeling the benefits. (It will bring) amazing opportunities for our community to have social events.”

Skinner also noted that this amphitheater is the largest event center in the South Bay.

“This is definitely a world-class venue,” she said. “It’s very difficult to find large event venues in smaller communities like this.”

Dianne Thomas, chair of the Planning Commission, said the new amphitheater brings the city one step closer to achieving its mission of drawing people to Carson.

“We are known to have a philosophy, to have a mission statement that says, ‘We want people to come to Carson. Let Carson be a place of destination,’” Thomas said. “And so in order to do that, you have to have something in your city that will attract others and allow them to come.”

In addition to drawing outside visitors to Carson, Davis-Holmes emphasized how the amphitheater will allow current residents to have more opportunities within their own city.

“I think it’s important for our city residents to know that whatever you need, the city of Carson provides,” Davis-Holmes said. “You don’t need to go to Torrance, you don’t need to go to Manhattan Beach. I always say I want my residents to live, work and play in the great city of Carson.”

Anyone interested in booking the amphitheater for future events can do so by contacting the Carson Event Center at 310-835-0212.

Originally Published: October 24, 2025 at 3:35 PM PDT