What kind of music does your family like to listen to? Here is a list of all the different summer concert series that are offered in the Los Angeles area. Click on our event calendar for a full listing.
1. Pershing Square Summer Concerts
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Where: Pershing Square Downtown Stage
This six-week concert series happens on the Downtown Stage, four days a week. Wednesdays features lunchtime concerts, Thursdays are for Tribute bands (take the kids to hear Led Zepagain or the Who Revue), Saturdays features local bands (big ones too, like X and Boingo Dance Party) and Sundays are for some spicy Salsa. Picnic or purchase food at the “Square” from food trucks and the Farmers Market. Shows begin at different times, depending on the day. Check our calendar for details.
2. The Autry Sizzling Summer Nights
Thursdays 6 PM – 9 PM
Where: The Autry in Griffith Park
Latin bands play the Autry Plaza in a casual setting that is great for dancing. A taco and drink bar opens at 6:00 pm, serving up the best margaritas in Griffith Park, and the museum stays open until 8:00 pm. Complimentary dance lessons and a separate dance floor for kids guarantee fun for the whole family. $10 Adults, $4 Kids, kids under 3 are free. Check our calendar for details.
3. Big!World!Fun! Family Series
Saturdays 10 AM
Where: Ford Amphitheatre
The amazing concerts at the Ford Amphitheatre are free for kids under 12 and are an eclectic mix of world music and dance performances that usually go behind the music or dance to show kids how to do it themselves (from opera to African dancing) and give a history of the art and culture. Tickets (free for kids, $5 for adults) are required. Come early for the free art projects, stay after the show to meet the artists. Two things to note: bring $1 for parking, and the parking is stacked, so there’s no early exiting. Check our calendar for details.
4. Hollywood Bowl Summersounds
Monday – Friday, 10 AM and 11:15 AM
Where: Hollywood Bowl
For kiddos 3-9, SummerSounds is held at the iconic Hollywood Bowl and features live music performances and art workshops. The programs are held twice a day, at 10:00 am and 11:15 am, Monday through Friday. Admission is$7/music performance, $5/art workshop. Check our calendar for details.
5. LACMA Concert Series
Fridays 6 PM – 8 PM, Saturdays 5 PM – 7 PM
Where: Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The LACMA presents two free nights of music every week through fall that are perfect for families: Jazz on Fridays (6:00 pm – 8:00 pm) at the BP Grand Entrance, June 7 through Sep 27. And Latin Sounds on Saturdays (5:00 pm – 7:00 pm) at the Dorothy Collins Brown Amphitheater, June 8 through August 31, with music from Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Cuba, and Los Angeles. Bring picnics (or pick up goodies here and a blanket and kids are free to roam, play and dance as they listen. Check our calendar for details.
6. The Getty Museum Garden Concerts for Kids
Saturdays and Sundays 4 PM – 5:30 PM
Where: The Getty Center
Providing free outdoor music concerts with some of the best kindie music around, the series kicks off with The Okee Dokee Brothers on August 3. Come early for the art, playing in the garden and rolling down the hill (trust us, your kids will spend time rolling down the hill, so just plan on it). They provide the blankets and there are several restaurants and snack carts on the premises, so you don’t have to bring anything! Parking is $15 and fills up fast on concert days. Check our calendar for details.
7. Santa Monica Pier Twilight Dance Series
Thursdays 7 PM – 10 PM
Where: Santa Monica Pier
Ride the carousel and Ferris wheel, have dinner, then stay for the free music and dancing on by water. Thousands of people flock to this Thursday night concert series every week featuring performers from all corners of the globe. Check our calendar for details.
8. Descanso Gardens Music on the Main
Thursdays 6 PM
Where: Descanso Gardens
For 10 cool Thursday evenings, the Gardens will be alive with live performances from some of best jazz artists in the Southland. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring blankets and a picnic for the show. Seating is first-come, first-served. Free with Garden admission. Check our calendar for details.
9. Concerts in the Park at Arboretum
Arboretum Summer Nights: Select Fridays, 6 PM – 8 PM
Pasadena POPS: 7:30 PM
Where: The Arboretum
The Arboretum offers both a unique concerts setting, and an incomparable accompaniment to the evening concerts – the calling of the peacocks. There’s no more beautiful spot to enjoy an evening picnic and some live music. The Pasadena POPS plays one concert a month from June-September ranging from Bernadette Peters to the Beatles (tickets range from $20-$88) and the Arboretum also offers Arboretum Summer Nights ($3-$5) on select Fridadays in July and August, which features a variety of music types along with kid’s activities.Check our calendar for details.
10. Redondo Beach Concerts on the Pier
Thursdays and Saturdays, 6 PM
Where: Redondo Pier
Every Saturday and Thursday during the summer, Redondo Beach hosts their “Summer of Music” free concerts on the pier. The music might be rockin’ rockabilly, classic R&B or cool jazz. Whatever it is, it’s the perfect way to cool off and wind down after a day at the beach. Check our calendar for details.
