Artemis Thomas-HansardMerely trying to survive in Los Angeles is enough to drain your pockets (and then some). Luckily, this summer, there's a lot of fun that comes free — maybe enough to remind you why you still live here, despite your bank account's suffering.
Check out our list below for an entire season of festivals and concerts that'll cost you a whole lot of nothing (except for parking — we are in L.A., after all).
Note: For links to all venue websites, scroll to the bottom of the list.
[Update: Since this list was originally published, we have added dates and performers for Levitt Pavilion in MacArthur Park, June 17-Sept. 10.]
Friday, May 26
LACMA: Jazz at LACMA — Dwight Trible
The Original Farmers Market: Friday Night Music — Ride the Tide
Saturday, May 27
LACMA: Latin Sounds — Conjunto Oye!
Fiesta Hermosa (Day 1)
Sunday, May 28
LACMA: Sundays Live — Ed & Mari Edelman Chamber Music Institute
Fiesta Hermosa (Day 2)
Monday, May 29
Fiesta Hermosa (Day 3)
California Sol: Memorial Day Rooftop Party at Ace Hotel DTLA
Thursday, June 1
Concerts on Cañon — TBA
Ford JAM Sessions (Newhall) — African Dance and Drums
KCRW Summer Nights (Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara) — DJ Mathieu Schreyer
Chinatown After Dark (lineup TBA)
Friday, June 2
Grand Performances at California Plaza — Gospel Lunch
Grand Performances at California Plaza — William Close and the Earth Harp Collective
LACMA: Jazz at LACMA — Jacques Lesure
The Original Farmers Market: Friday Night Music — Otis Hayes Motown Review
Lummis Day Festival (Day 1)
Chico Mann and Captain Planet play KCRW's Summer Nights concert series at One Colorado in Pasadena on Saturday, June 3.; Credit: Azul Amaral
Saturday, June 3
Grand Performances at California Plaza — William Close and the Earth Harp Collective
KCRW Summer Nights (One Colorado) — Chico Mann & Captain Planet, DJ Marion
LACMA: Latin Sounds — Dr. Bobby Rodriguez Latin Jazz
Lummis Day Festival (Day 2)
Sunday, June 4
LACMA: Sundays Live — UCLA Comrades
Lummis Day Festival (Day 3)
Sunday Jump: Asian Pacific American Heritage Show
Thursday, June 8
Concerts on Cañon — Eric E. Ensemble
Friday, June 9
LACMA: Jazz at LACMA — Bruce Babad Quintet
The Original Farmers Market: Friday Night Music — Upstream
Saturday, June 10
Getty Center: Off the 405 — White Fence
LACMA: Latin Sounds — Grupo Falso Baiano
Sunday, June 11
Concerts on the Green — The Platters
Grand Performances at California Plaza — The Secret City
LACMA: Sundays Live — Capitol Ensemble
Monday, June 12
Amoeba Music Hollywood — Nick Hakim
Kevin Morby performs at Amoeba on Saturday, June 15.; Credit: Adarsha Benjamin
Thursday, June 15
Amoeba Music Hollywood — Kevin Morby
Concerts on Cañon — The Tokens
Friday, June 16
Getty Center: Friday Flights — TBA
LACMA: Jazz at LACMA — Wolfgang Schalk
The Original Farmers Market: Friday Night Music — International Swingers
Saturday, June 17
Grand Performances at California Plaza — L.A. X GDL: Gaby Moreno, Caloncho
KCRW Summer Nights (One Colorado) — Chicano Batman, DJ Anthony Valadez
LACMA: Latin Sounds — Opa Opa
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — The Mexican Standoff, Nancy Sanchez, Sin Color
Sunday, June 18
Concerts on the Green — Ticket to Ride: Tribute to The Beatles
LACMA: Sundays Live — Pianist Daniel Schlosberg
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Cumbia Cosmica
Wednesday, June 21
Make Music Los Angeles
Thursday, June 22
Concerts on Cañon — Amber and Smoke
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — The Blasters
Twilight Concerts at the Pier — Khalid, Bibi Bourelly
Friday, June 23
Grand Performances at California Plaza — Long Beach Opera: Frida
LACMA: Jazz at LACMA — Clayton Cameron Sextet
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Tank and the Bangas, Sweet Crude
The Original Farmers Market: Friday Night Music — Viva! Featuring Artie Webb and Dan Weinstein
Saturday, June 24
Getty Center: Off the 405 — La Luz
Grand Performances at California Plaza — Miguel Atwood-Ferguson: Suite for Ma Dukes
KCRW Summer Nights (Ctrcity Anaheim) — DJs Dan Wilcox and Valid
LACMA: Latin Sounds — Ciro Hurtado
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Kinky
Sunday, June 25
Concerts on the Green — Which One’s Pink?: Tribute to the Music of Pink Floyd
LACMA: Sundays Live — Pianist Frederic Chiu
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Kiddle Karoo
Sun Sets Concerts at Calabasas Lake — Cold Duck
Tuesday, June 27
LACMA: Sundays Live Tuesday Special — Lyris Quartet
Thursday, June 29
Concerts on Cañon — Act Three
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — The Buttertones, Pinky Pinky
Twilight Concerts at the Pier — Le Maitre, Coast Modern
Friday, June 30
LACMA: Jazz at LACMA — Angie Wells
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Vieux Farka Toure
The Original Farmers Market: Friday Night Music — Floyd & the Flyboys
Saturday, July 1
Grand Performances at California Plaza — Hip-Hop: First Peoples, New Voices
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Chico (with fireworks)
Sunday, July 2
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Jessica Fichot
Tuesday, July 4
Concerts on the Green — July Fourth Fireworks Extravaganza with San Fernando Valley Symphony Orchestra
Grand Park 4th of July Block Party
Thursday, July 6
Concerts on Cañon — Rod Lightning and The Thunderbolts of Love
Ford JAM Sessions (Newhall) — Pacific Island Dance
KCRW Summer Nights (Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara) — DJ Karene Daniel
KCRW Summer Nights (Hammer Museum) — TBA
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — The Regrettes, The Tracks
Chinatown After Dark (lineup TBA)
Friday, July 7
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Western Standard Time
The Original Farmers Market: Friday Night Music — James Intveld
Saturday, July 8
Grand Performances at California Plaza — Rahim AlHaj: Letters From Iraq, Asher Shasho Levy
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — The Suffers
Pershing Square: Downtown Stage Saturday Concert Series — TBA
Sunday, July 9
Concerts on the Green — Mirage: Visions of Fleetwood Mac
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Bob Baker Marionettes
West Hollywood Summer Sounds: Jack's Cats
Sunday Jump: Asian Pacific American Heritage Show
Monday, July 10
Claremont Concerts in the Park — Cold Duck
Wednesday, July 12
Pershing Square: Wednesday Lunchtime Concerts — TBA
Jah9 performs on Santa Monica Pier on Thursday, July 13.; Credit: Courtesy Twilight Concerts
Thursday, July 13
Concerts on Cañon — The Hodads
KCRW Summer Nights (Hammer Museum) — TBA
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — La Resistencia, The Paranoias, Ghetto on Phyre
Twilight Concerts at the Pier — Marcia Griffiths, Jah9
Friday, July 14
Getty Center: Friday Flights — TBA
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — La Chamba
The Original Farmers Market: Friday Night Music — Jennifer Keith Quintet
Saturday, July 15
Grand Performances at California Plaza — L'orchestre Afrisa International featuring Ricardo Lemvo
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Dos Lobos: David Hidalgo & Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos
Pershing Square: Downtown Stage Saturday Concert Series — TBA
Sunday, July 16
Concerts on the Green — Surf City All Stars: Featuring Original Beach Boy, David Marks
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Silk Road
Sun Sets Concerts at Calabasas Lake — Hamid Cooper
Monday, July 17
Claremont Concerts in the Park — Silverados
Ford JAM Sessions — Hip-Hop Dance
Wednesday, July 19
Pershing Square: Wednesday Lunchtime Concerts — TBA
Eric Burdon performs with The Animals on Santa Monica Pier on Thursday, July 20.; Credit: Courtesy Beautiful Day Media
Thursday, July 20
Concerts on Cañon — Les Zazous
KCRW Summer Nights (Hammer Museum) — TBA
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Brainstory
Twilight Concerts at the Pier — Eric Burdon & the Animals, Mr. Elevator, Rusty's EAC
Friday, July 21
Grand Performances at California Plaza — Sidestepper, Buyepongo
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — MNDSGN
The Original Farmers Market: Friday Night Music — Elliott Caine
Saturday, July 22
Grand Performances at California Plaza — Her Voice: Riffat Sultana, Meklit, Ulali
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Jungle Fire
Pershing Square: Downtown Stage Saturday Concert Series — TBA
Sunday, July 23
Concerts on the Green — Billy Joel 2 Elton John (Tribute), the Gay Men’s Chorus
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — The Hollow Trees
Monday, July 24
Claremont Concerts in the Park — Woodie and the Longboards
Ford JAM Sessions — Musical Sing-Along
Wednesday, July 26
Pershing Square: Wednesday Lunchtime Concerts — TBA
Thursday, July 27
Concerts on Cañon — Tom Nolan Band
KCRW Summer Nights (Hammer Museum) — TBA
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Thee Commons
Skirball Sunset Concerts — American Tune Featuring Sean Watkins & Friends: A Singer-Songwriter Celebration of Paul Simon
Twilight Concerts at the Pier — Miami Horror, Cleopold
Friday, July 28
Grand Performances at California Plaza — La Linea
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound
The Original Farmers Market: Friday Night Music — La Charanga Cubana
Saturday, July 29
Getty Center: Off the 405 — Steve Gunn
Grand Performances at California Plaza — Mothership Landing: Funk and the Afrofuturist Universe of '77
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Baio
Pershing Square: Downtown Stage Saturday Concert Series — TBA
Sunday, July 30
Concerts on the Green — Queen Nation: A Tribute to the Music of Queen
Grand Performances at California Plaza — Peter & the Wolf: The Classical
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Twinkle Time
West Hollywood Summer Sounds — Delta Nove
Monday, July 31
Claremont Concerts in the Park — Neon Nation
Ford JAM Sessions — Celtic Dance
See next page for August and September concerts.
Amoeba Music Hollywood
Claremont Concerts in the Park
Concerts on Cañon
Concerts on the Green
Downtown Long Beach Summer and Music
Ford JAM Sessions
Getty Center and Getty Villa (Off the 405, Friday Flights, Villa Play Readings)
Grand Performances at California Plaza
Hermosa Beach Summer Concerts
KCRW Summer Nights
LACMA (Jazz at LACMA, Latin Sounds, Sundays Live)
Levitt Pavillion (MacArthur Park and Pasadena)
The Original Farmers Market Friday Night Music
Pershing Square Summer Concert Series (Wednesday Lunchtime Concerts, Jazz on Spring, Downtown Stage Saturday Concert Series)
Skirball Sunset Concerts
Sun Sets Concerts at Calabasas Lake
Twilight Concerts at the Pier
[
Valerie June performs on Santa Monica Pier on Thursday, Aug. 3.; Credit: Courtesy the artist
Wednesday, Aug. 2
Pershing Square: Wednesday Lunchtime Concerts — TBA
Thursday, Aug. 3
Concerts on Cañon — Big Butter Jazz Band
Ford JAM Sessions (Newhall) — Caribbean Dance
KCRW Summer Nights (Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara) — DJ Raul Campos
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Leslie Stevens & the Badgers, Moonsville Collective
Skirball Sunset Concerts — Ibibio Sound Machine
Twilight Concerts at the Pier — Valerie June, Irma Thomas
Chinatown After Dark (lineup TBA)
Friday, Aug. 4
Ford JAM Sessions (San Fernando) — Caribbean Dance
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Boogaloo Assassins
The Original Farmers Market: Friday Night Music — Bad Haggis
Saturday, Aug. 5
Grand Performances at California Plaza — Dorian Wood: Entre les Etoiles (Among the Stars), Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole
KCRW Summer Nights (Chinatown) — DJs Jeremy Sole and Garth Trinidad
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — New Breed Brass Band
Pershing Square: Downtown Stage Saturday Concert Series — TBA
The Who Generation perform at Concerts on the Green on Sunday, Aug. 6.; Credit: Courtesy the band
Sunday, Aug. 6
Concerts on the Green — The Who Generation: Tribute to The Who
Grand Performances at California Plaza — Peter & the Wolf: Big Funky Jazz Band
Hermosa Beach Summer Concerts — Robert Randolph and the Family Band, The Reluctant Apostles featuring Katey Sagal
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Lucky Diaz & the Family Jam Band
Sunday Jump: Asian Pacific American Heritage Show
Monday, Aug. 7
Claremont Concerts in the Park — Night Blooming Jazzmen
Ford JAM Sessions — Bollywood Dance
Wednesday, Aug. 9
Pershing Square: Wednesday Lunchtime Concerts — TBA
Thursday, Aug. 10
Concerts on Cañon — Leslie Paula and the Latin Soul Band
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Buyepongo
Skirball Sunset Concerts — Delgres
Twilight Concerts at the Pier — Mon Laferte, Buscabulla
Friday, Aug. 11
Ford JAM Sessions (San Fernando) — Celtic Dance
Grand Performances at California Plaza — Gospel Lunch
Grand Performances at California Plaza — Septeto Santiaguero
KCRW Summer Nights (Union Station) — DJs Anthony Valadez and Valid
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Vaud and the Villains
The Original Farmers Market: Friday Night Music — Bill Watrous Quartet and Rob Stoneback
Saturday, Aug. 12
Grand Performances at California Plaza — Hamed Nikpay
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — La Misa Negra
Pershing Square: Downtown Stage Saturday Concert Series — TBA
Sunday, Aug. 13
Concerts on the Green — Stayin’ Alive: Tribute to the Bee Gees
Grand Performances at California Plaza — Peter y La Loba: Lucky Diaz & The Family Jam Band
Hermosa Beach Summer Concerts — Everclear
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Jazzy Ash
Sun Sets Concerts at Calabasas Lake — The Stars of Beatlemania!
Monday, Aug. 14
Claremont Concerts in the Park — The Ravelers
Ford JAM Sessions — Line Dance
Warpaint perform at Santa Monica Pier on Thursday, Aug. 17.; Credit: Mia Kirby
Wednesday, Aug. 16
Pershing Square: Wednesday Lunchtime Concerts — TBA
Thursday, Aug. 17
Concerts on Cañon — Stephen Wise Temple Singers
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Dutty Artz with Discos Barba Azul and Mexican Sonideros
Skirball Sunset Concerts — Daymé Arocena
Twilight Concerts at the Pier — Warpaint
Echo Park Rising (Day 1)
Friday, Aug. 18
Grand Performances at California Plaza — Daymé Arocena
Grand Performances at California Plaza — Cameron Graves
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Mariachi Divas
The Original Farmers Market: Friday Night Music — Sharon Marie Cline and the Bad Boyz of Jazz
Echo Park Rising (Day 2)
Saturday, Aug. 19
Grand Performances at California Plaza — Daedalus Grooves for COLA20
KCRW Summer Nights (California African-American Arts Museum) — DJs Aaron Byrd and Garth Trinidad
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — KX Festival
Pershing Square: Downtown Stage Saturday Concert Series — TBA
Echo Park Rising (Day 3)
Sunday, Aug. 20
Concerts on the Green — Natural Wonder, the Ultimate Stevie Wonder Experience
Ford JAM Sessions (San Fernando) — Salsa Dance
Grand Performances at California Plaza — Peter & the Wolf: Edición Latinx
Hermosa Beach Summer Concerts — Day of the Dead featuring Cubensis, with special guests Melvin Seals from the Jerry Garcia Band
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — KX Festival
West Hollywood Summer Sounds — Nutty
Echo Park Rising (Day 4)
Monday, Aug. 21
Claremont Concerts in the Park — City Beat
Ford JAM Sessions — Caribbean Dance
Wednesday, Aug. 23
Pershing Square: Wednesday Lunchtime Concerts — TBA
Thursday, Aug. 24
Concerts on Cañon — Joyce Marie
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Paprika Mari Jazz Ensemble
Skirball Sunset Concerts — David Buchbinder's Odessa/Havana
Friday, Aug. 25
Getty Center: Friday Flights — TBA
KCRW Summer Nights (Union Station) — DJs Jason Bentley and Travis Holcombe
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Yanga
The Original Farmers Market: Friday Night Music — Inca
Savoy Motel perform at the Getty as part of their Off the 405 concert series on Saturday, Aug. 26.; Credit: Courtesy the Getty
Saturday, Aug. 26
Getty Center: Off the 405 — Savoy Motel
Grand Performances at California Plaza — Mirai No Rekishi / History of the Future: Mark de Clive-Lowe
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Quitapenas
Pershing Square: Downtown Stage Saturday Concert Series — TBA
DTLA Proud Festival (Day 1)
Sunday, Aug. 27
Ford JAM Sessions (San Fernando) — Mexican Folk Dance
Hermosa Beach Summer Concerts — SuperDiamond
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Birdie's Playhouse
Sun Sets Concerts at Calabasas Lake — New West Symphony
DTLA Proud Festival (Day 2)
Monday, Aug. 28
Claremont Concerts in the Park — Upstream
Ford JAM Sessions — Salsa Dance
Thursday, Aug. 31
Concerts on Cañon — Rod Lightning and the Thunderbolts of Love
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — L.A. Witch
Skirball Sunset Concerts — Betsayda Machado y La Parranda el Clavo
Friday, Sept. 1
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Peanut Butter Wolf
The Original Farmers Market: Friday Night Music — Susie Hanson Latin Band
Orange International Street Fair (Day 1)
Saturday, Sept. 2
KCRW Summer Nights (Chinatown) — DJs Travis Holcombe and Raul Campos
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Peanut Butter Wolf
Global Fest L.A. (Day 1)
Orange International Street Fair (Day 2)
Sunday, Sept. 3
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — The Battle of Santiago
Sunday Jump: Asian Pacific American Heritage Show
Global Fest L.A. (Day 2)
Orange International Street Fair (Day 3)
Monday, Sept. 4
Claremont Concerts in the Park — The Answer to Classic Rock
Global Fest LA (Day 3)
Thursday, Sept. 7
Ford JAM Sessions (Newhall) — Mexican Folk Dance
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Prezident Brown
Chinatown After Dark (lineup TBA)
Friday, Sept. 8
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Eagle Rock Gospel Singers
Saturday, Sept. 9
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — The Mudbug Brass Band
Sunday, Sept. 10
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park) — Tropi Corillo
West Hollywood Summer Sounds — Benny Brydern's Blues Four
Monday, Sept. 11
Ford JAM Sessions — Japanese Folk Dance
Conductor Carlos Izcaray; Credit: Photo courtesy Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Monday, Sept. 18
Ford JAM Sessions — Chicago Style Stepping
Friday, Sept. 22
Grand Performances at California Plaza — Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra with Carlos Izcaray
Saturday, Sept. 23
KCRW Summer Nights (Ctrcity Anaheim) — DJs Travis Holcombe and Jose Galvan
Monday, Sept. 25
Ford JAM Sessions — Tango Dance
Amoeba Music Hollywood
Claremont Concerts in the Park
Concerts on Cañon
Concerts on the Green
Downtown Long Beach Summer and Music
Ford JAM Sessions
Getty Center and Getty Villa (Off the 405, Friday Flights, Villa Play Readings)
Grand Performances at California Plaza
Hermosa Beach Summer Concerts
KCRW Summer Nights
LACMA (Jazz at LACMA, Latin Sounds, Sundays Live)
Levitt Pavillion (MacArthur Park and Pasadena)
The Original Farmers Market Friday Night Music
Pershing Square Summer Concert Series (Wednesday Lunchtime Concerts, Jazz on Spring, Downtown Stage Saturday Concert Series)
Skirball Sunset Concerts
Sun Sets Concerts at Calabasas Lake
Twilight Concerts at the Pier
Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.