Nothing lifts those summer vibes quite like an outdoor concert — especially when it’s free! Luckily, Los Angeles is blessed with a winning combination of unrivaled talent, warm weather, and scenic locations.
Here are the best places to catch free live music in LA this summer:
Pershing Square Downtown Stage
Downtown LA
Saturdays, July 14 through August 18, 7:00pm
Celebrate summer in the city on Pershing Square’s lawn with a diverse selection of acts bridging classic rock to indie pop. Each event will also feature a bar serving beer and wine and a curated selection of food trucks.
Highlights for 2018: Indie popsters Best Coast go head-to-head with the Bangles (July 14); then, relive the heady days of post-punk with the Psychedelic Furs (July 21) or the English Beat (August 4).
Jazz at LACMA Series
Mid-Wilshire
Fridays, June 20 through August 31, 6:00pm
Grab a bottle of wine and a blanket and head down to LACMA for some live jazz on a warm summer’s night. For over 20 years, the Jazz at LACMA Series has showcased some of the greatest jazz musicians from Southern California, and this year’s lineup is no exception!
Highlights for 2018: Be sure to check out internationally renowned drummer Rayford Griffin (July 20) and the smooth sounds of the Bob Mintzer-Russell Ferrante Quartet (August 24).
Friday Night Music at The Original Farmers Market
Fairfax
Fridays, June 29 through August 31, 7:00pm
Enjoy farmers market fare and diverse musical acts, from Afro-Cuban Jazz to Rockabilly, on Friday nights at the Original Farmers Market.
Highlights for 2018: Watch Larry O. Williams switch things up between smooth jazz and serious funk (August 17).
Grand Performances at California Plaza
Downtown LA
Weekends, July 1 through August 18, Times vary
With a lineup of truly diverse local and international acts, Grand Performances celebrates community and inclusivity while providing ear-opening musical experiences.
Highlights for 2018: Dance the night away with outrageous funk pioneer Bootsy Collins at Bootsy Collins House Party (July 7).
KCRW’s Summer Nights
Los Angeles
Weekends, June 30 through September 6, Times vary
Join KCRW’s DJs as they soundtrack your summer nights at venues across Los Angeles, including One Colorado, Hammer Museum, Union Station, Chinatown, California African American Museum, and, new this year, KCRW Headquarters. Events will also include a range of other activities such as live video projections, interactive exhibits, vendors, vintage markets, and demonstrations. Hammer Museum nights also feature live musical performances.
Highlights for 2018: Sample a live set of Still Woozy’s wobbly electronic pop at the Hammer Museum (July 12).
Concerts on Canon in Beverly Canon Gardens
Beverly Hills
Thursdays, June 28 through August 30, 6:00pm
Enjoy an eclectic selection of live music in the leafy surrounds of Beverly Canon Gardens with Concerts on Canon, a long-running summer music series beloved by both local residents and guests from across LA. Seating is first come, first served, so come early and bring your own picnic to make the most of the night.
Highlights for 2018: Leslie Paula’s Latin band is the perfect soundtrack to a summer evening in Beverly Hills (August 16).
Concerts on the Green at Valley Cultural Center
Woodland Hills
Sundays from June 10 through August 19, 5:30pm
Bring a picnic to beautiful Lou Bredlow Pavilion in Warner Park and enjoy those warm California nights with this concert series that features a mix of Latin rhythms, emerging artists, and cover groups from the glory days of classic rock and pop.
Highlights for 2018: Bostyx features Boston frontman David Victor and promises the “power and polish of Boston as well as the sweet sounds of Styx in one amazing show” (August 5).
Off the 405 at the Getty Center
Brentwood
Select Saturdays, July 14 through September 15, 6:00pm
The Getty Center’s spectacular vistas are always breathtaking at sunset. Add a few live performances by some of today’s most exciting and innovative musicians (and maybe a glass of wine or two) and you couldn’t ask for a more perfect evening.
Highlights for 2018: Combo Chimbita’s “tropical futurist” vibes are a must (August 25) as are the West African-influenced indie pop sounds of Vagabon (September 15).
WeHo Arts Summer Sounds
West Hollywood
Select Sundays, July 22 through September 16, 5:00pm
Experience an eclectic selection of Latin, funk, and jazz in Plummer Park in West Hollywood, where you can relax under the trees or get up and dance the night away. RSVPs are not essential but recommended.
Highlights for 2018: Jungle Fire is a “10-piece TropiFunk juggernaut” inspired by legends such as Irakere, Ray Barretto, James Brown, Fela Kuti, and Manu Dibango (July 22).
Sunset Concerts at the Skirball
Brentwood
Thursdays, August 2 through August 30, 6:30pm
This year’s Sunset Concerts lineup features artists from around the globe that fuse traditional styles with modern pop. All events also offer food and a full-service bar from Zeidler’s Cart.
Highlights for 2018: Chill to the laid-back vibes of the Marias (August 9), or get up and groove to the Ethiopian funk of Gili Yalo (August 30).
Levitt Pavilion Free Concert Series
Westlake
Select days, June 30 through August 9, 7:00pm
Spend your summer nights in historic MacArthur Park with this concert series spanning an impressive array of musical genres and featuring acclaimed artists, emerging talent, and seasoned, award-winning performers. Food and drink vendors will also be present at the event.
Highlights for 2018: See colorful Mexico City electro-popsters Sotomayor perform alongside Puerto Rican “Caribbean soul” duo COASTCITY (July 13).
