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Outdoor concerts are a wonderful way to enjoy summer in Los Angeles. Here are some of the best extended music series over the summer. For single weekend music festivals consult the Los Angeles Music Festivals Guide.
Some of these are ticketed venues, but many of they are free.
1. Grand Performances Summer Festival
Grand Performances’ summer series at California Plaza in Downtown Los Angeles presents world-class, world-renowned artists along with some of the finest homegrown talent. Food and beverages available for purchase.
When: June through October
Where: California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., Downtown Los Angeles
Cost: FREE
Metro: Red Line to Pershing Square
Info: 213-687-2159, www.grandperformances.org
More: Profile of Grand Performances More »
2. Music Spotlight Series at Universal CityWalk
Live bands and DJ performances are scheduled Friday through Sunday at the “5 Towers” stage at Universal CityWalk throughout the summer.
When: Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, July through Labor Day Weekend
Where: 5 Towers Stage, Universal CityWalk, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
Cost: Free
Parking: $10 and up
Metro: Red Line to Universal City Station, free shuttle to CityWalk Info: www.CityWalkHollywood.com
3. Pershing Square Summer Concert Series
Six weeks of free outdoor evening and lunchtime concerts four days a week on Pershing Square featuring a variety of musical genres and performers. Concerts are free with lawn seating.
When: July through August, Thursday through Sunday
Where: Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive St. Downtown Los Angeles
Metro: Red or Purple Line to Pershing Square
Cost: FREE
Info: 1-888-527-2757, www.laparks.org/pershingsquare/
More: Things to Do in Downtown Los Angeles
4. Twilight Dance and Music at the Santa Monica Pier
The Annual Thursday Twilight Music and Dance Series at Santa Monica Pier feature some of LA’s favorite hometown and visiting bands.
When: Thursdays, End of June or beginning of July through August
Where: Santa Monica Pier
Cost: Free
Parking: 1550 Pacific Coast Highway Lot for a fee, no parking on the Pier
Info: (310) 458-8900, santamonicapier.org/twilightconcerts/
More: Things to Do in Santa Monica
5. Hammer Summer of Soul and JazzPop
The Hammer Museum at UCLA presents a free summer concert series on Thursday evenings throughout the summer. July is Summer of Soul, and August is the JazzPop series.
When: Thursdays, July- August
Where: Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles 90024
Cost: Free
Info: http://hammer.ucla.edu/programs-events
6. Live Music at Hollywood & Highland
At Tuesday Wine and Jazz evenings in the Babylon Courtyard at Hollywood & Highland the music is free and bar sales benefit Project Angel Food.
When: June through August, Tuesdays 7-9 pm
Where: Babylon Courtyard at Hollywood & Highland Center, corner of Hollywood and Highland, Hollywood, CA 90028
Cost:: Free
Metro: Red Line to Hollywood & Highland
Info: www.hollywoodandhighland.com
More: Hollywood & Highland Visitor Guide
7. Levitt Pavillion Free Music Under the Stars in Pasadena
The Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena hosts free concerts during the summer at the historic band shell at Memorial Park in Old Pasadena. The free concerts are in a variety of musical genres, with Wednesdays reserved for special children’s performances.
When: Mid-June through August, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, Wed 7 pm Children’s Night, Festival activities begin 2 hours before the concert.
Where: Levitt Pavilion, Memorial Park, 85 E. Holly St, Pasadena, CA
Cost:: Free
Metro: Gold Line to Memorial Park
Info: www.levittpavilionpasadena.org
8. Levitt Pavilion Macarthur Park
The Levitt Pavilion in MacArthur Park, just west of Downtown LA, hosts free concerts during the summer. The free concerts are in a variety of musical genres.
When: Mid-June through August, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, Wed 7 pm Children’s Night, Festival activities begin 2 hours before the concert.
Where: Levitt Pavilion, MacArthur Park, W. 6th Street & S. Park View Street, Los Angeles, CA 90057
Cost:: Free
Metro: Red or Purple Line to Westlake/MacArthur Park Station
Info: www.levittpavilions.org/los_angeles
9. Summer Sessions Outdoor Music and Garden Concerts for Kids at the Getty Center
Saturdays in July, the Getty Center offers its Saturdays Off the 405 concert and DJ series. Select Saturdays in July and August, the Museum presents Garden Concerts for Kids. Food and beverages are available on site.
When: July – August
Where: The Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Cost: Free
Parking: $15, free after 5 pm, tram to museum
Info: www.getty.edu, (310) 440-7300
10. Sizzling Summer Nights
LA’s top Latin bands perform at the Autry National Center in Griffith Park starting at 6:30 pm; There are salsa lessons during intermission; children’s dance floor
When: 6 Thursdays in July and August, 6:00 pm
Where: Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles
Cost: regular museum admission applies; Free for members
Info: 323-667-2000, www.autrynationalcenter.org
More on Visiting the Autry
11. LA County’s Free Concerts in Public Places
LA County’s Free Concerts in Public Places is a diverse schedule of free public concerts in community venues in all the districts of Los Angeles County.
When: May through October, (click on each month on the website)
Where: Various locations throughout LA County
Cost: FREE
Info: http://lacountyarts.org/free.html
12. S.A.M. Summer and Music in Long Beach
A compilation of festivals and musical events in Long Beach over the summer including Twisted at the Pike and Busker Fest. Check the website for current events.
When: June through August
Where: Various venues in Downtown Long Beach
Cost: Mostly Free
Metro: Blue Line to 1st Street Station
Info: www.summerandmusic.com
13. Summer Concerts at the Grove
Wednesday night concert series for four weeks at the Grove shopping center near the LA Farmers Market in the Fairfax District.
When: Wednesdays, 2nd week in July through the first week in August
Where: The Grove, 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles
Cost: Free
Info: www.thegrovela.com
Check out the visitors guides to The Grove and the LA Farmers Market
14. Jazz on the Lawn Concert Series
Free Sunday jazz series on the lawn at City Hall in Santa Monica in August.
When: Sundays in August, 5-7 pm
Where: City Hall lawn, 1685 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90401
Cost: Free
Info: calendar.smgov.net/city/eventcalendar.asp
15. Free Summer Folk Music at the Peter Strauss Ranch
The second Sunday of month from June through September, you can enjoy folk music concerts set in an old west movie set at the Peter Strauss Ranch near Agoura Hills. The free summer concerts are a project of the Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival
When: June – Sept, 2nd Sunday of the month, 3-5 pm
Where: Peter Strauss Ranch, check the website for directions
Cost: FREE
Info: www.topangabanjofiddle.org
16. Long Beach Municipal Band and Concertin the Parks Series
The Long Beach Municipal Band is the longest surviving, municipally-supported band in the country. It celebrated its 100th birthday in 2009. Bring your picnic basket, blankets, and lawn chairs.
Long Beach also hosts a Concert Series with guest bands in various parks and at Rancho Los Cerritos .
When: July through August, various days and times
Where: Various locations located throughout the city
Cost: FREE
Info: 562-570-3524, Municipal Band, Concerts in the Parks
More: Things to Do in Long Beach
17. KCRW Summer Nights
LA public radio station KCRW sponsors a series of summer concerts on Thursdays and Saturdays throughout the summer at multiple locations including the Hammer Museum,Annenberg Space for Photography, Grand Park, Chinatown, One Colorado in Pasadena and the Santa Monica Pier.
When: July – Sept
Where: Various locations
Cost: Free
Info: http://summernights.kcrw.com
18. Marina del Rey Free Concert Series
Free waterfront, outdoor concerts at Burton W. Chace Park in Marina Del Rey for Symphonic Thursdays and Pop Saturdays. Lawn seating. Bring blankets and low back chairs. Also check the Marina del Rey calendar for weekend Fisherman’s Village concerts starting in May and Community Jazz Band concerts.
When: Thursdays and Saturdays, July and August, 7 – 9 pm
Where: Burton W. Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Cost: Free
Parking: Free on site
Info: www.visitmarinadelrey.com
19. Annual Music by the Sea Concert Series
Free Sunday afternoon outdoor concert series with a variety of musical genres overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Bring a picnic, a blanket, family, and friends. Spend the afternoon shopping, listening, and dancing to music.
When: Sundays on July, 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm
Where: Point Fermin Park, 807 Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro
Cost: FREE
Info: 1-888-LA PARKS (527-2757), www.musicbythesea.org
20. Redondo Beach Concert Series
Free concerts on the Redondo Beach Pier. Bring your beach chair.
When: Thursdays and Saturdays in July and August, 6-8 pm
Where: Redondo Beach Pier, Redondo Beach, CA
Cost: Free
Parking: Pay structure at 100 W. Torrance Blvd., Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Info: www.redondopier.com More »
21. Sundays on the Beach in Hermosa Beach
When: Sundays in August, noon – 8 pm
Where: South side of Hermosa Beach Pier, Hermosa Beach, CA
Cost: Free
Info: www.southbayevents.com/events/concerts.asp
22. Manhattan Beach Summer Concerts In The Park
When: Sundays, 5-7 pm, last week in June through Labor Day weekend
Where: Polliwog Park, 1601 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Cost: Free
Info: http://www.ci.manhattan-beach.ca.us
23. El Segundo Summer Concerts In The Park
When: Select Sundays, 4 pm, mid-June – early August
Where: Library Park on Main Street in El Segundo, CA
Cost: Free
Info: www.southbayevents.com/events/concerts.asp
24. Annual International Laureates Music Festival
The acclaimed I Palpiti Orchestral Ensemble of International Laureates from 20 countries is featured in solo, chamber, and orchestra concerts with a Grand Finale at the Disney Hall.
When: 2 weeks in July or August, various times
Where: Various locations in Beverly Hills and LA
Cost: $Free – $250
Info: 310-205-0511, www.ipalpiti.org
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