Last Updated July 31, 2024 by Brady Goodman-Williams
It's officially summer, so let's take a break from overpriced tickets and cover charges.
Here's an all-inclusive list of LA's free recurring concerts and festivals this season! Get ready to expand your social calendar, jam out, and save some money at one (or all) of these free performances in Los Angeles!
Photo via Wehoville
It's not often you find something free in West Hollywood, so don't miss the Summer Sounds Concert Series in Plummer Park this year. All concerts are open to the public, and take place on Sundays from 4 - 6:30 PM. Bring your picnic supplies and enjoy Latin ska, New Orleans funk, high energy DJ sets, and more.
See the full lineup here.
Photo: Pershing Square, Gary Leonard via DTLA News
Don’t miss out on Pershing Square’s free summer concert series, with performances from artists like The Plain White T’s and Ying Yang Twins! At 3PM on select summer Saturdays and Sundays, head to the heart of DTLA for a full bar, food trucks, art vendors, and a guaranteed good time!
See the full lineup here.
Photo: Summer of Salsa at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes
Dance under the stars with some of LA’s top salsa bands at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes! La Plaza’s summer concert series features live salsa musicians on select summer Fridays at 7PM. Bring a chair, grab a drink, and immerse yourself in the infectious rhythms of salsa bands such as Son Mayor and Club Mambí.
See the full lineup here.
Photo: Summer Concerts at The Original Farmers Market
Check out The Original Farmers Market’s summer of sensational sounds every Thursday from June through August! The concerts feature a variety of artists playing everything from funky jazz to 60s beach party music to hip-hop reggae fusion. And while you’re at it, check out The Farmers Market’s local artisan bakeries, markets, and fresh produce stands.
See the full lineup here.
Photo: Free Concerts on the Redondo Beach Pier
Drive South to Redondo Beach for their annual summer concerts on the pier series. Their Tribute Thursdays feature an assortment of rock cover bands ranging from Grateful to the Core to Twisted Gypsy, while Saturday nights feature local indie, pop, and rock artists. Watch the sunset, feel the summer breeze, and dance the night away!
See the full lineup here.
Photo: Levitt Pavilion
Experience a sonically-charged slate of 10 free concerts featuring 3-4 rising and award-winning artists in a diverse range of genres – Latin rock, soul, indie pop, electronic, funk, cumbia, ska, Afrobeat, folk, reggae, and jazz – plus, immersive cultural celebrations every weekend. Pack your picnics and lawn chairs, and get ready for some sweet beats!
See the full lineup here.
Photo: KCRW Summer Nights
The KCRW Summer Nights series returns to the Union Station, CAAM Museum, Century Park, Descanso Gardens, KCRW HQ, Bowers Museum, The Music Center, and more amazing locations. This year's free all-ages outdoor performances include shows from a rotating list of your favorite KCRW DJs like Novena Carmel and Jeremy Sole, plus Grammy-winning Guatemalan singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno, Chicago-based indie rock band Dehd, and more!
See the full lineup here.
Photo: Manhattan Beach Concerts in the Park
The South Bay's favorite annual concert series is back for another round of fantastic free shows at Polliwog Park Amphitheatre. This summer’s lineup includes tributes to classic rock legends like the Psychedelic Summer Band and The Matt Mauser Big Band, whose frontman was a finalist on America’s Got Talent. We recommend arriving early so you can secure a prime spot in the coveted lawn seating area. Bring some blankets, snacks, and some low-backed chairs, and get ready to let the sounds of summer wash over you.
See the full lineup here.
The Skirball welcomes LA music lovers to the 27th season of Sunset Concerts. This summer's lineup specifically “explores the diaspora and identity of African and Caribbean artists whose music warmly embraces humanity’s inherent right to freedom.”
See the full lineup here.
Photo: off the 405
One of the most stunning museums in the city (if not the world) is opening its doors after dark again for its annual series of free musical performances. The Getty brings together a range of artists to transform the museum's grounds into a grand stage lit by the glow of the sunset. Held on Saturdays in June, July, and August, the Getty's concert series invites artists to respond to the museum's unique architecture and gardens while forging new connections to the collections and exhibitions through music and performance.
See the full lineup here.
Photo: Marina del Rey Free Summer Concerts
Summertime offers a lot of fun opportunities on the Westside, and one of our favorite ways to vibe out in the summertime is at Marina del Rey's Free Summer Concert Series. Grab your family, a picnic dinner, and a blanket or low-profile beach chairs, and make your way to Burton Chace Park for this popular event series featuring an eclectic mix of symphonic and pop concerts.
See the full lineup here.
Photo: The Music Center via Facebook
Currently on hiatus. Check here for updates.
Photo: Music at LACMA
The Department of Music Programs, a seven-time national winner of the ASCAP/Chamber Music America Award for Adventurous Programming, annually presents over one hundred concerts featuring leading international and local ensembles in programs of classical, jazz, Latin, and new world music. If you can't make it IRL, concerts are broadcast on KJAZZ (88.1 FM) every Sunday evening from 7 - 9 PM and include interviews with featured performers.
See the full lineup here.
Photo: Grand Performances at California Plaza
Grand Performances, L.A.’s premier free outdoor summer performing arts presenter, is known for providing Angelenos with an eclectic mix of high-quality performances from world-renowned artists across genres. With programming reflective of the many cultural interests of people across the region, GP hosts America's most diverse audience. All are welcome to enjoy GP's unique, awe-inspiring venue nestled under the spectacular Downtown skyline!
See the full lineup here.
Photo: NoHo Summer Nights
In conjunction with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Council District 2, VCC is proud to present NoHo Summer Nights, a four-week, free concert/outdoor movie screening series. NoHo Summer Nights run on Saturday nights at North Hollywood Park, on the corner of Magnolia and Tujunga next to the Amelia Earhart Library. Enjoy live music and experience the arts with family and friends.
See the full lineup here.
