While every other blog and weekly is listing every free summer concert series under the sun, we here at Grimy Goods like to weed out the crap and deliver only the best handpicked selections. You won’t find any generic bar bands on this list or family fun day Journey cover bands, but you will discover and enjoy some epic live music. From world beats to indie and yesteryear icons to pop, here at the best free summer concerts series in Los Angeles. Celebrate summer solstices with live music!
1. Twilight Concert Series at Santa Monica Pier
Soft sand, the historic Santa Monica Pier and the gorgeous Pacific in front of you. What more could you as for!
Dates: July 10 – Sept. 11
Recommended: Cults, Jagwar Ma, The Zombies
Get more info!
2. Summer and Music in Downtown Long Beach
A sustainable concert series with eco-conscious outdoor venues, and a bangin’g line-up!
Dates: June 28 – Sept. 6
Recommended: Allah-Las, De Lux, Greater California
Get more info!
3. Saturdays OFF the 405
Produced by Spaceland Presents. That’s kind of all you need to know that it’s gonna be quality indie!
Dates: May 17 – Sept. 13
Recommended: Kuenta i Tambú, Caught a Ghost, Kan Wakan
Get more info!
4. Skirball Sunset Concerts
Set in a gorgeous central courtyard, this most dynamic lineup spans from the Americas to Africa!
Dates: July 24 – Aug. 28
Recommended: Noura Mint Seymali, The Haden Triplets, Flaco Jiménez and Max Baca & Los Texmaniacs
Get more info!
5. Pershing Square Downtown Stage
In the heart of historic downtown Los Angeles, a ride on the Red Line is your best way to get here!
Dates: July 12 – Aug. 16
Recommended: Dead Sara, The Orchestra, The English Beat
Get more info!
6. Marina Del Rey Summer Concerts
Another beachside concert series. It doesn’t get any more Southern California lifestyle than this.
Dates: July 10 – Aug. 30
Recommended: Yuna, Blue Oyster Cult, Roberta Flack
Get more info!
7. FIGat7th Downtown Festival
It was a hit last summer for its inaugural year, and now it’s back! Shop, eat and see top-notch live music.
Dates: July 18 – Aug. 22
Recommended: The Internet, Las Cafeteras, Fool’s Gold
Get more info!
8. Friday Flights at the Getty
Artsy fartsy and made to tantalize your aural and visual senses. Get all intellectual at these live shows!
Dates: May 30 – Aug. 8
Recommended: Liars, No Age, Mikael Jorgensen
Get more info!
9. Levitt Pavilion, MacArthur Park
This one’s great for the family! Enjoy a fresh tamale or paleta form the many street vendors offering Mexican treats.
Dates: June 8 – Aug. 30
Recommended: Peaking Lights, Very be Careful, La Santa Cecilia,
Get more info!
10. Grand Performances at California Plaza
If you like to shake those hips, this concerts series has all the fun beats to dance the night away.
Dates: June 13 – Sept. 13
Recommended: DâM-FunK, The Decoders, Quetzal
Get more info!
BONUS:
Del Mar Summer Concerts Series
Not exactly Los Angeles, but you can’t deny how awesome this concert series is and it’s just a fun coastal train ride away!
Dates: July 18 – Aug. 31
Recommended: Weezer, Steel Pulse, Counting Crows, MAGIC!, Steve Aoki and more!
Get more info!
HONORABLE MENTION:
Country in the City at Century Park
Presented by KCRW, enjoy a boot-scootin dose of country music inspired by the Annenberg Space for Photography’s newest exhibit, “Country: Portraits of an American Sound.”
Dates: July 19 – Aug. 22
Recommended: Gregg Allman, Shelby Lynne, Nikki Lane
Get more info!
