Free outdoor summer concerts in Los Angeles are brewing, and everyone’s asking the golden question: where can I find free summer concerts in Los Angeles? Well, the problem here is not finding the plethora of free summer concerts LA has to offer, it’s choosing which ones to attend.
Beware, you might have to clone yourself or learn how to astral project to another plane if you want to fully take advantage off all the free live music popping off in Los Angeles this summer!
Where to Catch the Best Free Summer Concerts in LA?
From the heart of Los Angeles all the way to the West Side, we got you! Without further adieu, here’s our selections for best free summer concerts in Los Angeles.
1. LEVITT PAVILION
Do you feel that? That’s the sound of free summer concerts in Los Angeles calling your name! Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles has announced its 2019 Summer Concert Series Lineup! Packed with almost 150 acts, the 2019 Levitt Pavilion summer concerts will kick off its highly anticipated 2019 summer concert season on Saturday, June 9! The concert season will run all the way through September 2!
Dates: June 1 – Sept. 1
Recommended: Draemings, Flor de Toloache, Jen Awad, Boogaloo Assassins
Location: MacArthur Park, East Los Angeles
Vibe: This is where all the real Angelenos go. If you’re from here, you know and love the Levitt.
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2. FIGFEST at FIGAT7TH
Taking place at FIGat7th, Downtown L.A.’s premier, open-air shopping, dining, and lifestyle destination — this year’s FigFest will feature Grimy Goods’ faves Cherry Glazerr! AND hosting the evening will be our editor Sandra Burciaga Olinger!
Dates: Every Friday in June
Recommended: Cherry Glazerr, Buscabulla with Reyna Tropical
Location: MacArthur Park, East Los Angeles
Vibe: City life, city lights and high rises. So downtown LA!
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3. SKIRBALL SUNSET CONCERTS
The annual outdoor summer concerts series is one of our favorites that we look forward to each year. Skirball has always been known for showcasing emerging talents and established artists from Los Angeles and around the globe. The bands they book represent different lands and cultures, always bringing the party with their vivid selection of sounds.
Dates: Thursday evenings, July 18-August 22
Recommended: Gabby Moreno, The Klezmatics, Cha Wa
Vibe: West side hippies meets Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Location: Skirball Cultural Center, West Los Angeles
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4. KCRW SUMMER NIGHTS AT HAMMER MUSEUM
In partnership with the Hammer Museum, KCRW is back with three nights of live music and DJ sets as part of KCRW’s Summer Nights series! While you’re at the Hammer catching these dope free summer concerts, be sure to check out their latest exhibition — Sarah Lucas: Au Naturel, the first American survey of one of the UK’s most influential artists.
Dates: Thursdays, July 11, 18 & 25
Recommended: Wild Belle
Vibe: Sophisto-hip and college students
Location: Hammer Museum, Westwood (West LA)
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5. SATURDAYS OFF THE 405
The gorgeous Getty is back with its annual free summer concerts series, Saturdays off the 405. While this series focuses more on indie acts, as opposed to global music (unlike Levitt, Skirball, etc.), it’s still one of our favorites; especially if you love discovering lesser-known independent bands and singers. Pair the lineup with the stunning architecture, gardens and exhibits of the Getty Center, and you have yourself a must-attend series!
Dates: Select Saturdays, May 18 – Sept. 14
Recommended: Ex Hex, San Cha, Cate Le Bon
Vibe: Hip. The east side hipster come out for this one.
Location: Getty Cetner, Museum Courtyard, West LA
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6. MARINA DEL REY SUMMER CONCERTS
The Marina del Rey free summer concert series offers more than just music, you also get that cool California coastal breeze! Set in Burton Chace Park, the stage is surrounded on three sides by the water. The Marina Del Rey summer concert series features pop, alt-rock, indie, folk, classical and opera.
Dates: Select Thursday and Saturdays
Recommended: Jenny & The Mexicats, Kronos Quartet
Vibe: Grab your flip flops, super chill beach vibes
Location: Burton Chace Park, Marina Del Rey (West LA)
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7. PERSHING SQUARE DOWNTOWN STAGE
Celebrating 11 years of free summer concerts in Los Angeles, the Pershing Square Downtown Stage is another favorite of ours. This year’s summer concerts series will kick off July 11 and run all the way through August 17. Bonus! It’s more than just the Downtown Stage — from Summer Splash Day to Friday Night Movies and Wednesday’s Farmers Market — it’s no surprise Pershing Square is the place to be for free summer concerts in LA.
Dates: Saturdays, July 11 – Aug. 17
Location: Pershing Square, Downtown Los Angeles
Vibe: This is the heart of downtown LA! Historic.
Recommended: Sheila E. and Pimps of Joytime, The Record Company, ZZ Ward, REO Speedwagon
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8. KCRW SUMMER NIGHTS AT KCRW Headquarters
Ever wanted to see the fancy KCRW headquarters in Santa Monica? Now’s your chance, and them some! This summer, KCRW will host a Summer Nights series in their home (aka outdoor area / courtyard). In addition to some great acts, there will be food trucks, summer cocktails and even an advance film screening happening in the courtyard theater AND a Beat Swap Meet.
Dates: Saturdays, Aug. 3, 10 & 17
Location: KCRW Headquarters, Santa Monica
Vibe: Fancy beach chill
Recommended: Black Pumas, Y La Bamba, Andrew Bird
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9. Twilight On the Pier
Free shows at the Santa Monica Pier are back! While it won’t be the same as the days when Khalid almost broke the pier, it will be the same fun! The lineup is amazing and full of culture. In partnership with KCRW, you know it’s gonna be good! Best of all, it’s at the historic Santa Monica Pier! Make and entire day of it! Beach + rides + music = YASSSS!
Dates: Wednesdays, Aug. 21 – Sept. 25
Location: Santa Monica Pier
Vibe: Beach vibes all the way, with a lot of tourists
Recommended: Jen Awad, Helado Negro, A-Wa
More Free Summer Concerts in Los Angeles
Summer Nights in the Garden at Natural History Museum (Expositison Park
Wednesday Lunchtime at Perching Square (DTLA)
Thursday Concerts on Spring (DTLA)
FREE LOS ANGELES CONCERTS WEEKLY
Los Angeles is a gold mine for free concerts. Check out the venues below for free shows every week, and not just during the summer!
- The Echo / Echoplex (usually Mondays)
- It’s A School Night (Mondays)
- Bootleg Theater (usually Mondays)
- Love Song (all live music is free, various nights)
Find more free concerts in Los Angeles here!
