Skirball Cultural Center
Photograph: Courtesy Timothy Norris
Photograph: Courtesy Timothy Norris

Where to see free concerts in L.A.

Free concerts in L.A. aren’t hard to find. Check out our picks for the best live music and performances in the city.

Michael Juliano
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Looking for free concerts in L.A.? Well, you’re in luck—music (aside from film, possibly) is the city’s most abundant form of entertainment. Whether you get your kicks dancing, at the club or along the Sunset Strip, there’s always tons of live music options—and surprisingly enough, not all of them will cost you.

Though L.A.’s clubs were once teeming with free Monday night residencies, these days you’ll find most spots charge at least a couple of bucks at the minimum—hey, your favorite venues need to pay the rent, you know? But that’s not the case during the summer months, when free alfresco shows pop up all over town. Read on for our top picks for free concerts in L.A.

RECOMMENDED: Find more free things to do in L.A.

Free upcoming concerts in L.A.

  • Music
  • Latin and world
  • Westside
Catch sets from up-and-coming performers, local legends and global talents during this free music series at the Getty, which features a pair of shows from a different band each weekend. The concerts kick off in February with Inuit soul musicians Pamyua and continue in March with gospel choir Jimetta Rose & the Voices of Creation and April with Persian poets Mahsa and Marjan Vahdat. Get there early to check out the museum’s exhibitions, then head to the Harold M. Williams Auditorium for the show.
  • Music
  • Jazz
  • Miracle Mile
  • Recommended
One of L.A.’s best free live-music offerings, Jazz at LACMA has featured legit legends over its 35-year run at the museum. Seating for the program is available in the museum’s plaza on a first-come, first-served basis, though you’re welcome to picnic on the grass, too (you won’t really be able to see the show, but you’ll still hear it). You’ll find the series on Friday evenings in LACMA’s welcome plaza (just behind Urban Light) throughout the summer. We’re betting it’ll be even more popular than usual this year, with the new David Geffen Galleries in the background.
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  • Music
  • Latin and world
  • Westside
  • Recommended
Hilltop sunset views and rising bands join forces to make this Getty tradition a worthy destination for Angelenos on both sides of the 405. This year’s lineup of free Saturday-night shows includes aja monet (May 30), Hunx and His Punx (June 13), LEENALCHI (July 11), Horse Lords (July 25) and Laurel Halo (Aug 22). Tip: Avoid the traffic and the crowds and arrive early, preferably after 3pm when the parking price drops to $15 (though it’s actually free if you wait until the show starts, after 6pm). You’ll get to visit the exhibits, which stay open until 9pm on Saturdays, and beat the dinner rush.
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