Frequently Asked Questions | Wolf Trap
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Frequently Asked Questions

Wolf Trap operates 3 venues—the Filene Center, The Barns at Wolf Trap, and Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods. All are in close proximity, but each venue has a distinct location, address, parking instructions, and house rules. If you are attending a Wolf Trap performance, please double check your tickets or the individual performance page on wolftrap.org to ensure you arrive at the correct time and location for your show! If you have a question not answered here, please contact Wolf Trap by email at patronservices@wolftrap.org, or by phone at 703.255.1900.


Ticketing and Seating

Tickets for all Wolf Trap venues may be purchased online, in person at the Box Office, or by phone at 703.255.1868. To purchase accessible seating, please call 703.255.1868.

Wolf Trap can only guarantee tickets purchased through Wolf Trap’s website wolftrap.org and Box Office (Wolf Trap’s official and only authorized vendor is Tickets.com). Purchasing tickets through third-party ticket brokers, such as StubHub or individuals reselling their tickets, are NOT guaranteed by Wolf Trap and patrons assume full risk for potentially fraudulent tickets purchased or obtained through unauthorized vendors.

All people, regardless of age, must have a ticket for ticketed performances at the Filene Center and The Barns at Wolf Trap. Children under 2 years of age are admitted free to Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods but still require a ticket. Schedule, program, artists, and price are subject to change. See Wolf Trap’s ticket policies.
The Barns at Wolf Trap Box Office is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 12 PM – 4 PM. The Filene Center Box Office is currently closed due to construction. Please visit wolftrap.org/boxoffice for more information.
Wolf Trap has two Box Office locations, which are open at different times throughout the year.

Filene Center, 1551 Trap Road: Patrons may pick up already-purchased tickets at Will Call during Box Office hours. During daytime hours, short-term parking is available by the Filene Center Box Office. On performance nights, the Box Office opens 90 minutes prior to every performance. Patrons may park as directed by a Ranger. A photo ID and confirmation number are needed to claim tickets.
The Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap Road: Patrons may pick up already-purchased tickets at Will Call located at the Box Office during regular Box Office hours. On performance nights, the Box Office opens 90 minutes prior to the performance. Ample parking is available at The Barns at Wolf Trap. A photo ID and confirmation number are needed to claim tickets.
Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods: Pre-purchased tickets left at Will Call may be picked up the morning of the performance at the kiosk located in the Meadow. Day of show tickets, if available, may be purchased at the kiosk with cash or credit card.
No, all fees are waived when purchasing tickets in person at the Box Office.
No, all sales are final. Refunds will not be given unless a performance is cancelled in its entirety, and a replacement performance is not scheduled.

A benefit of being a Wolf Trap member is the ability to exchange tickets. Contact the membership team at 703-255-1927 or give@wolftrap.org to become a member and take advantage of this special benefit.
Only Wolf Trap members can exchange tickets. Contact the membership team at 703-255-1927 or give@wolftrap.org to become a member and take advantage of this special benefit.
Performances are rain or shine, except in rare cases of extreme weather. Patrons may upgrade their lawn seats for in-house seats and pay the difference in price at the Box Office, subject to availability. If a show is sold out in-house, patrons should come prepared for the elements. Please note there are no refunds, exchanges, or rain checks given to ticket holders due to inclement weather.
Wolf Trap Foundation members enjoy exclusive access to ticket presales before they go on sale to the general public. Visit wolftrap.org/support, contact the membership team at 703-255-1927 or give@wolftrap.org to become a member and take advantage of this special benefit.
Watch this video for step-by-step instructions.
The quickest and most accurate way to check ticket availability is online at wolftrap.org. Click the “Get Tickets" button on an individual performance page and select “View Seat Map” to check availability. Ticket availability is dynamic and changes as blocks of tickets are released, patrons upgrade their tickets, or members exchange. We encourage patrons to keep an eye on Wolf Trap’s social media channels for updates on ticket availability for sold-out performances.
Filene Center and The Barns at Wolf Trap:
All persons, regardless of age, must have a ticket. Ticket prices are the same for adults and children. At the Filene Center, take advantage of Wolf Trap’s Young at Arts initiative.
Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods:
All persons, ages 2 and up, must have a ticket. Children under 2 are admitted free with an adult.
Yes, the Filene Center, The Barns at Wolf Trap, and Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods have accessible seating for patrons with disabilities. Learn more or please call 703.255.1868 to purchase accessible seating.
Many Wolf Trap performances have assigned seats, but in some instances, venue tickets are sold as “general admission.” A general admission ticket gains admittance to a performance with no designated, or reserved, seating and is available on a “first come, first served” basis.

Filene Center: Seating on the lawn is always general admission, and available on a “first come, first served” basis. Each season, one or two shows may be fully general admission.”
The Barns at Wolf Trap: For general admission shows at The Barns, the chairs are cleared from the main floor to allow room for dancing. Reserved seating remains in the upper balcony.
Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods: All performances are general admission.
View this video for step-by-step instructions to retrieve your tickets.
Please go to wolftrap.org/mytickets and select "Forgot Password?"
Yes, tickets can be digitally forwarded. Please view this video for instructions.
It’s easy to retrieve and download forwarded tickets. Please view this video for step-by-step instructions.

Coming to a Show

Filene Center: Start times vary for each performance. Park gates typically open 90 minutes prior to showtime (unless otherwise noted on a performance page). All patrons are admitted into the Park when gates open. Because lawn seating is “first come, first served" patrons often line up at the gates prior to opening to get their preferred spot.

Patrons with reserved (in-house) seating can access their assigned seats when the house opens 30 minutes before the show.
The Barns at Wolf Trap: The Barns' lobby and bar—which serves artisanal starters, handcrafted flatbreads, desserts, and more, plus a wide variety of beverages—opens 90 minutes prior to showtime. The doors to the theater open 30 minutes before the show.
Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods: Seating opens at 10 AM and performances start at 10:30 AM.
Directions to all Wolf Trap venues can be found here. Wolf Trap operates three venues within a quarter mile of each other. Be sure to check your performance ticket or wolftrap.org to ensure that you’re traveling to the correct venue. Parking is free for all venues.
Filene Center: Parking is free but limited. We encourage you to carpool, use rideshare services, or to take the Wolf Trap Express Shuttle to avoid and reduce traffic. The Wolf Trap Express Shuttle offers roundtrip service from the McLean Metro Station (Silver Line) for summer performances.

Wolf Trap’s Rideshare and Taxi drop-off and pick-up area is located in the pull-off area on the west side of Trap Road, opposite the marquee. For safety reasons, do not attempt to cross Trap Road. Please use the Pedestrian Tunnel under Trap Road to access the Rideshare and Taxi drop-off and pick-up area.
Filene Center: All Wolf Trap performances are held rain or shine, and patrons should come prepared for the elements. Lawn ticket holders may upgrade to in-house seats and pay the difference in price, subject to availability. Lawn ticket holders cannot move into the house unless they have upgraded their tickets at the Box Office. Refunds, exchanges, or rain checks are not given due to inclement weather.

In the unlikely event that a performance is cancelled due to severe weather, ticket buyers will be notified via email, social media, and an alert on wolftrap.org.
The Barns at Wolf Trap: In the unlikely event that a performance is cancelled, ticket buyers will be notified via email and an alert on the homepage of wolftrap.org.
Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods: Performances may be cancelled due to inclement weather. Decisions regarding show cancellations are made 60 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the show. Cancellation information will be posted on wolftrap.org and social media.
Filene Center: Yes! One of the more unique aspects of Wolf Trap is that we encourage patrons to bring their own food and beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) to enjoy in picnic areas or on the lawn.

Patrons with covered (in-house) seats may bring water and beverages in reusable Wolf Trap Cups into the covered seating area. Wolf Trap Cups may be purchased at the Gift Shop and Concessions. Patrons are invited to reuse their previously purchased Wolf Trap Cups for multiple seasons.

Coolers no larger than 18”x 16” x 12” are allowed. Kegs are not permitted. A wide variety of meals, snacks, and drinks are also available to purchase at Concessions on the Plaza or enjoy a sit-down buffet dinner at Ovations, Wolf Trap’s on-site restaurant.
The Barns at Wolf Trap: A full bar with specialty drinks, artisanal starters, handcrafted flatbreads, desserts, and more opens 90 minutes before each performance. Drinks are allowed at your seat during the show. Outside food and drinks are not permitted. View menu.
Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods: Patrons are not permitted to eat or drink (with the exception of water) in the theater. Picnic tables are available throughout the meadow to enjoy a picnic before or after the show.
Filene Center: All beverages (except water) must be in a Wolf Trap Cup with a lid if you are seated in-house. The Filene Center is an outdoor venue enjoyed by thousands of people almost nightly during the summer months. Wolf Trap Cups with lids allow patrons to enjoy drinks at their seats while keeping the in-house seating area clean and critter-free.
Filene Center: Security screenings are required at all Filene Center entrances. Prior to ticket scanning, patrons pass through EVOLV Technology metal detectors. While most containers are scanned during screening, some items may require additional inspection.

Coolers can be no larger than 18" x 16" x 12" (48 quarts). Wheeled coolers are allowed if they do not exceed size limits. Bags, including suitcases, duffel bags, or backpacks, can be no larger than 14"x 13" x 10". A maximum of two items is allowed per person. Blankets, ground cloths, and purses are allowed and do not count toward the two-item limit.
The Barns at Wolf Trap and Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods: For safety reasons, Wolf Trap reserves the right to inspect bags and other items brought into the theaters.
Except for service dogs assisting patrons with disabilities, pets are not permitted.
Yes, chairs are only allowed in a limited area at the top of the lawn. A sign on the lawn indicates where chairs can be placed; chairs are not permitted past the sign for safety reasons. Chairs include legless beach chairs. Lawn chairs with small, attached canopies are allowed.

Seat cushions with back support may be used anywhere on the lawn and are available for rent at the Wolf Trap Gift Shop on the Plaza. If you have a question about chairs, the on-site ushers can help.
• Weapons including but not limited to firearms, projectile weapons, ammunition, bladed, edged, or sharp tools or implements, club-like items and striking devices, explosives or combustible chemical compounds and mixtures, and disabling chemicals such as mace or pepper spray
• Wagons and carts (coolers with wheels are allowed as long as they do not exceed 18" x 16" x 12" size limit)
• Candles, bug repellant burning coils, anything that has a fire or flame
• Pets (except service animals)
• Grills
• Beer kegs
• Athletic equipment (e.g., balls and flying discs) and bicycles, scooters, or skates
• Tents or canopies
• Umbrellas over six feet in diameter
• Drones or other flying apparatus
• Inflatable seating (e.g., sofas and chairs)
For lost items at the Filene Center and Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, please email NPS_NCR_WOTR_Lost_and_Found@nps.gov. For The Barns at Wolf Trap, please email barnslostandfound@wolftrap.org.
Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the management on site. Lawn seating is “first come, first served” and may be limited for sold-out shows.
All Wolf Trap venues are smoke-free facilities. Smoking, including E-cigarettes, is only permitted at least 25 feet outside of the venue’s gates or doors.

On the Lawn

Yes, but lawn seating is “first come, first served,” so the earlier you arrive, the better choice of views. Additionally, the lawn has screens and its own sound system so the experience is not diminished.
Yes, chairs are only allowed in a limited area at the top of the lawn. A sign on the lawn indicates where chairs can be placed; chairs are not permitted past the sign for safety reasons. Chairs include legless beach chairs. Lawn chairs with small, attached canopies are allowed.

Seat cushions with back support may be used anywhere on the lawn and are available for rent at the Wolf Trap Gift Shop on the Plaza. If you have a question about chairs, the on-site ushers can help.

During and After the Show

Gates open 90 minutes before showtime, so we recommend arriving early to ensure you don’t miss a moment of the performance. Exact set times can vary by event. Not all shows have opening acts, but when they do, the opener typically starts at the posted showtime. The headliner takes the stage after the opening act.

For the most up-to-date schedule, check the event details on our website or refer to your "Know Before You Go" email closer to the show date.
Patrons are welcome to bring their cell phone or a small personal camera to take pictures before the performance starts. Personal photography (cell phone or point-and-shoot cameras) during the show is at the discretion of the artist. Many artists do not permit patrons to take photos during their shows and we ask that patrons respect their policy. Please check your “Know Before You Go” email or ask an usher to confirm the photo policy for a performance.

Professional cameras, and audio and video recording are never permitted unless previously authorized by both Wolf Trap and artists’ personnel. If you are a member of the press, please contact the Media Relations department in advance of the performance.
The Lost and Found is located at the Ranger Station at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. The ranger station is located to the right of the Filene Center main gate. It is open from 4 PM to midnight on show days.

For more information, please email NPS_NCR_WOTR_Lost_and_Found@nps.gov for any items lost at the Filene Center.
Unfortunately, Wolf Trap is unable to grant backstage access or facilitate patron access to artists or their management. Artist meet-and-greets are organized at the discretion of the artist and the artist’s management.
At Wolf Trap, we want every patron to have a memorable concert experience. If something is disrupting your enjoyment—whether it’s sound levels, seating concerns, or patron behavior—please don’t hesitate to notify the nearest usher. Our trained staff is ready to assist and ensure you have the best possible experience.
By purchasing a ticket to Wolf Trap, you agree to comply with health and safety policies in place at the time of the performance. Please check the policies and guidelines page prior to your performance for the most up-to-date information.
If you have additional questions, please contact Wolf Trap by email at patronservices@wolftrap.org. Your question will be answered as quickly as possible.
© Wolf Trap Foundation - A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization. All Rights Reserved.