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Young Artists Vocal Competition, University of Redlands, Redlands, CA | Apr 19, 2026

Redlands Bowl is a historic outdoor amphitheater known for hosting one of the nation’s longest-running free summer music festivals. Nestled within Smiley Park, the venue offers a picturesque setting. Residents and visitors gather for live concerts, theatrical performances, and cultural events.

The Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival features orchestras, jazz bands, dance productions. Family-friendly entertainment, all presented in an open-air environment. Its mission of making the performing arts accessible to everyone has made it a cherished community tradition for decades.

Whether you’re enjoying an evening concert or a seasonal celebration. The Redlands Bowl delivers a memorable cultural experience under the Southern California sky.

Location & Picturesque Setting

The Redlands Bowl sits at 25 Grant Street within the beautiful Smiley Park Historic District. This prime location anchors the heart of the city’s civic and intellectual life. The amphitheater shares its park setting with the A.K. Smiley Public Library and the Lincoln Memorial Shrine. Towering trees and expansive lawns surround the intimate outdoor stage. This peaceful environment provides the perfect conditions for evening performances.

Locate the bowl in the center of the historic district.
Walk easily between three major cultural landmarks.
Find natural shade as the sun sets over the valley.
Join thousands of visitors on the expansive park lawns.
Enjoy professional performances in an intimate outdoor setting.

A Visionary Founder | Grace Stewart Mullen

Grace Stewart Mullen founded the Redlands Community Music Association in 1923. She envisioned a world where performing arts remained accessible to everyone. Mullen drew inspiration from her experiences at the Hollywood Bowl. She organized the first concert season at a small bandstand in Smiley Park. Her dedication built a stable institution that thrives over a century later.

Believe in the power of free public performances.
Attend concerts regardless of your ability to pay.
Honor the legacy of the festival’s visionary founder.
Experience a tradition that began in the summer of 1924.
Appreciate the stability of only three directors in a century.

The Prosellis | An Architectural Landmark

The current amphitheater structure is not the original bandstand. It was built in 1929 through the generosity of local philanthropists Florence R. and Clarence G. White. The Whites were new residents of Redlands. They gifted the structure to the community as a thank offering.

The building is named the “Prosellis.” This is a word invented by the community specifically for this structure. It comes from Latin, loosely meaning “before the seats.” Architect Herbert J. Powell designed the Prosellis. Powell was a graduate of the University of Redlands and also designed the university’s chapel.

Architect Herbert J. Powell designed the Prosellis to complement the nearby library. The structure features a poured concrete foundation and smooth exterior walls. A gabled roof crowns the center section while flat roofs cover the sides. Sculptor Merrill Gage added beautiful reliefs depicting musical figures and regional nature. These artistic details honor both the performing arts and the surrounding California landscape.

Spot triangular shapes representing the three major local mountain peaks.
Read Clarence White’s dedication on the south side of the building.
Find the prayer by Florence Fisk White inscribed on the north wall.
Look for the famous “Without vision a people perish” motto above the stage.
Observe the intricate carvings of plants and animals from the region.

The Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival

The Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival defines the venue’s identity as a national treasure. It remains the oldest continuously running summer music festival in the United States with no admission charge. The festival runs each year from late June through the end of August. These free performances attract approximately 100,000 visitors to the park every summer. Over 300 talented musicians take the stage during a single season.

Attend world-class performances on Tuesday and Friday evenings.
Arrive by 8:00 p.m. to catch the start of each show.
Enjoy between 18 and 20 unique productions every summer.
Watch for additional special performances on select dates.
Join thousands of neighbors for an evening under the stars.

The programming is astonishingly diverse. Audiences enjoy a wide range of genres. The season lineup often includes:

Symphony orchestras performing classical masterpieces
Ballet companies presenting full-length productions
Broadway musicals and show tunes
Opera performances featuring professional singers
Tribute bands honoring music legends
Jazz, blues, and swing ensembles
World music artists from various cultures
Patriotic pops concerts for Independence Day
The annual Young Artists Concerto Competition winners
A spectacular Fireworks Finale with the Redlands Symphony

The Concert Experience | What to Expect

Attending a concert at the Redlands Bowl offers a unique and cherished experience for all. The atmosphere remains relaxed, family-friendly, and welcoming to every guest. No tickets are ever required because admission is always completely free. The festival relies entirely on the generosity of its audience and local sponsors. Families often arrive early with picnic dinners to claim their favorite spots on the grass.

Secure bench seating for 5,000 people on a first-come, first-served basis.
Bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the surrounding open lawns.
Contribute to the free-will offering collected during each intermission.
Note the closure of Eureka Street between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Plan for extra walking time from nearby street parking on show nights.

The Red Shirts | Dedicated Volunteers

A dedicated corps of volunteers ensures the Redlands Bowl runs smoothly every night. These essential helpers form the heart of the Bowl family and support every performance. The late Jim Gebara, husband of longtime director Marsha Gebara, started this tradition. Their presence creates a welcoming atmosphere for the thousands of guests who attend. These friendly faces represent the community’s deep commitment to the arts.

Look for the “Red Shirts” greeting attendees at every entrance.
Friendly volunteers distribute programs to arriving guests.
Dedicated ushers collect the free-will offerings during intermission.
Experienced staff members answer questions about the summer schedule.
Local citizens donate their time to keep the festival free for all.

Beyond Summer | Year-Round Community Use

The Redlands Bowl serves the community as a vibrant hub all year round. It hosts a variety of events beyond the famous Summer Music Festival. Local organizations and schools regularly utilize this historic space for gatherings. The venue provides a grand stage for concerts and seasonal celebrations. It remains a central fixture of civic life in every season.

Local Redlands high schools hold their graduation ceremonies at the Bowl.
Generations of students celebrate this traditional rite of passage.
The Redlands Shakespeare Festival brings classic drama to the stage.
Community groups host diverse gatherings and special celebrations.
Various musical acts perform throughout the year in the open air.

The Mission Gables House

The Redlands Community Music Association saved the Mission Gables House from certain demolition in the 1990s. This 7,500-square-foot home sits directly southeast of the Redlands Bowl. The association purchased the uninhabitable structure from the city and completed a total renovation. This massive project cost over $1.8 million to restore the building’s historic charm. Today, the home serves as the executive office space for the entire association.

The association renovated the home to prevent its destruction.
Large-scale excavation added essential restrooms for public events.
The building overlooks the Bowl from its prime southeast location.
Staff members manage festival operations from these historic offices.
Modern updates preserve the integrity of the original structure.

Educational Programs & Community Outreach

The Redlands Bowl Performing Arts organization is committed to education. It provides valuable programs for young people.

Children’s Workshops

The Redlands Bowl offers vibrant children’s workshops throughout the summer season. Many world-class headliners from the main stage lead these educational sessions. The Children’s Music Festival Workshops run twice a week from July through August. These programs introduce young audiences to the magic of the performing arts. Every session remains completely free for the community.

Workshops welcome all children between the ages of 4 and 12.
Parents or guardians must accompany their children during the event.
Participants attend these sessions without any prior reservation.
Famous performers share their musical talents with the students.
Kids engage in hands-on activities twice every single week.

Young Artists Concerto Competition

The Young Artists Concerto Competition nurtures emerging musical talent through a rigorous spring selection process. Vocal and instrumental performers compete for a chance to shine on the historic stage. Winners appear as featured soloists with a full orchestra during the Summer Music Festival. This prestigious program has launched many successful professional careers over the decades. It remains a cornerstone of the festival’s commitment to the next generation of performers.

Compete in vocal or instrumental categories each spring.
Win a coveted spot as a featured summer soloist.
Perform live with a professional symphony orchestra.
Receive scholarship prizes from the Associates of the Redlands Bowl.
Launch a professional career through this high-profile showcase.

Preserving a Legacy

The Redlands Bowl is owned by the City of Redlands and is considered a public park. It is operated by Redlands Bowl Performing Arts (RBPA) , a non-profit organization. The association holds an exclusive lease to use the Bowl during summer months.

The Redlands City Council provides critical support for every festival season. The city approves essential in-kind services to ensure public safety and security. These measures include equipment, police staffing, and fire department standby. Generous individuals, local businesses, and foundations fund the entire program through donations. This deep community commitment keeps the music playing free for everyone.

Two police officers remain posted at every single performance.
A fire engine stays on standby during special fireworks nights.
The Associates of the Redlands Bowl raise 20 percent of the budget.
This support group has funded the festival since the 1950s.
Annual fundraisers help the organization meet its financial goals.

Interesting Historical Notes

The Redlands Bowl maintains a rich and colorful history that spans over a century. During World War II, the music festival bravely continued despite the global conflict. Organizers prepared altered lighting arrangements to comply with strict blackout regulations. This resilience ensured that the music never stopped for the community. The Bowl remains a symbol of local endurance and cultural dedication.

The original bandstand sat east of the current Prosellis site.
That first structure occupied the land where the Lincoln Shrine stands today.
Workers moved the original bandstand to make room for new construction.
A private owner converted the historic bandstand into a local residence.
The original structure still stands as a house on Grant Street.

“A Treasured Historic Amphitheater in the Heart of Redlands, California”

A Century of Music and Community

The Redlands Bowl stands as a true American treasure. For over 100 years, it has fulfilled Grace Stewart Mullen’s vision of arts for everyone. The festival weathered wars, economic hardship, and changing times. Through every challenge, the music played on for the community. This vision created a place where everyone belongs.

Families spread blankets on the grass as the sun sets.
Children dance freely near the historic stage.
Grandparents hum familiar tunes under the stars.
Music unites the entire audience for a few hours.
The community sustains this legacy for future generations.

Visiting Redlands Bowl

Maximize your experience at the Redlands Bowl by planning ahead for the summer season. The festival runs from late June through August with a diverse performance lineup. Visit the official website at redlandsbowl.org to view the full schedule. Arriving early ensures you secure a prime bench seat or a comfortable spot on the grass. Many families make the evening special by packing a picnic dinner to enjoy before the show.

Bring a warm sweater or light jacket for cool summer evenings.
Pack a blanket or lawn chair for comfortable seating on the grass.
Visit nearby downtown Redlands restaurants for a pre-show meal.
Donate generously during the intermission free-will offering to support the arts.
Help keep this historic landmark beautiful by respecting the park grounds.

Experience the magic of the Redlands Bowl. Join the thousands who gather each summer. Discover why this historic amphitheater holds such a special place in the hearts of all who visit. The music is free. The memories are priceless.

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Phone: (909) 793-7316
Website: redlandsbowl.org
Address: Redlands Bowl, 25 Grant St, Redlands, CA 92373
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