Photo courtesy of Santa Monica Pier by David Zygielbaum.
Thanks to mild weather most of the year in Los Angeles, there a variety of opportunities to see live music outdoors, and many concerts are free.
Here are some free outdoor concert series that run through the warmer months.
Santa Monica Pier
The Twilight Series at the Santa Monica Pier is held every Thursday night from 7pm to 10pm during the summer. The music can be enjoyed up close and personal from the pier or from the sandy beach below. The music genre changes weekly and hits almost every genre over its eight-week period. Thousands of people show up for this event so early arrival for parking is suggested, or even biking if possible. Word is a lot of people bring their own booze despite it no being illegal to drink on the beach. A beer garden is also on the pier. Several hotels with ocean views are located nearby for those who want to make it an overnight experience.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
LACMA hosts live jazz outside from 6pm to 8pm ever Friday from April to November. This program has been going for 20 years and often hosts big names in the jazz world. Chairs are available for early arrivals, otherwise attendees should bring a blanket or something to sit on. Picnics are welcome and there are food and drink vendors on location.
Skirball Cultural Center
The Skirball Cultural Center in Brentwood is home to free outdoor concerts during the summer. The shows are scheduled for Thursdays at 8pm in the courtyard and guests can come early to check out galleries in the museum before the show starts. The concert series focuses mostly on indie, folk and world music.
The Getty
The Getty offers Saturday evening shows during the summer months called “Saturdays off the 405″ with up and coming bands and DJs. The museum is always free, but this series is an added bonus for fans interested in catching live music in a unique setting. Food, beer and wine are available at a restaurant on site or attendees can also bring a picnic.
The Grove
The Farmer’s Market at the Grove offers a variety of free concerts and entertainment throughout the year. Currently, it hosts Saturday night EB’s Ranch Party from 7pm to 9pm with country and Americana music that can be enjoyed while noshing on practically any type of food offered from the international market.
Grand Park
For those who find themselves in downtown LA around lunchtime, Grand Park does a free concert series on random Tuesdays during summer among the food trucks that park there. Lawn chairs are available for the show or fans can bring a blanket and a picnic.
