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June 21. The Summer Solstice. It’s the longest day of the year, and so it feels appropriate to celebrate with an equally long (and super handy!) list. Specifically, a massive cheatsheet of Los Angeles’ best free music and dance events, now through the first week of September.
Here’s the deal: Some of the city’s annual series, like Grand Performances or LA Plaza’s Summer of Salsa, are already knee-deep into their 2023 schedule. Others, like KCRW Summer Nights or The Music Center’s Dance DTLA, premier over the coming few days and weeks.
Just remember, if you want to forgo the parking costs and traffic congestion associated with L.A.’s busiest corridors, then consider getting to and from events with Metro. Maybe that means riding the 761 Metro Rapid Line along Sepulveda Blvd to Skirball Cultural Center’s Sunset Concerts or over to The Getty for an Off The 405 performance. Or perhaps you’ll check out the brand new Metro stops at Little Tokyo, Historic Broadway, and Grand Ave. Whatever you choose, and wherever you go, just keep in mind that options are aplenty.
Free Concerts in Los Angeles: Summer 2023
M = Metro Accessible
June 23 M – The Music Center’s Dance DTLA hosts an evening of Hip Hop. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station.
June 23 M – The Music Center’s Dance DTLA hosts an evening of Hip Hop. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station.
June 23 M – Grand Performances presents The Poetry of Pride with Brian Sonia-Wallace. Go Metro: Take the A or E Lines to Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill station.
June 24 M
June 24 M – The Astronomers perform at One Colorado in Old Pasadena as part of the Summer Sounds series. Go Metro: Take the A line to the Memorial Park station.
June 24 M – Grand Performances presents Sona Jobarteh and The Nubian Sound Group. Go Metro: Take the A or E Lines to Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill station.
June 24 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts hosts a Hip-Hop concert featuring King Tee, Kid Frost, Toddy Tee, Tha Union Station MC’s, Bgirl Deya Deyas, Beatboxing by Boxy Dee, DJ Rude One, and others. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
June 24 M – The Getty’s Off the 405 series presents Makaya McCraven. Go Metro: Take the Line 761 to Sepulveda / Getty Ctr.
June 24-25 M – MAPPING Performance: 10 Years of Metro Art Presents brings two days of percussion-driven music and dance to Union Station. Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.
June 24 M – Ivy Station hosts Jazz on Lawn and Swing Dancing. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Culver City station.
June 25 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts hosts an evening of Banda and Tex Mex with Banda Las Angelinas and Los Rock Angels. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
June 29 M – The City of San Gabriel hosts a concert featuring Louie Cruz Beltran at the Mission Playhouse. Go Metro: Take Line 487/489 to Ramona / Wells.
June 30 M
July 2 M
July 2 – Polliwog Park Amphitheater hosts Concerts in the Park with a performance by pin up singing group Satin Dollz who will bring their unique WWII USO camp style show to the city of Manhattan Beach.
July 7 M – The Music Center’s Dance DTLA hosts a West African Dance Night. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station.
July 7 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts hosts a funk and soul concert featuring Tolliver and Haus of Derma. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
July 8 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Cumbia and Mexican Folklorico with Super Estrella Online, La Tocada, and others. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
July 8 M
July 8 M – Grand Performances presents Viver Brasil. Go Metro: Take the A or E Lines to Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill station.
July 8 M – NoHo Summer Nights presents a concert with Element Band at North Hollywood Recreation Center. Go Metro: Take the B Line to North Hollywood station.
July 9 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Latin Altenrative with Yetziraha Vargas, Marilyn Odessa, and Los del Momento. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
July 9 – Torrance Art Museum hosts a House Party featuring all vinyl DJ sets spinning tunes throughout the decades. Era-inspired outfits are strongly encouraged.
July 9 M
July 9 – Manhattan Beach’s Polliwog Park Amphitheater hosts Concerts in the Park with a performance by rock and pop 90’s cover band SO RAD.
July 13 M
July 13 M – The City of San Gabriel hosts a concert featuring Mariachi Espectacular at Vincent Lugo Park, followed by an outdoor screening of Vivo. Go Metro: Take Line 487/489 to Ramona / Wells.
July 14 M – Summer of Salsa at LA Plaza continues with Conjunto AFRO-SON. Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.
July 14 M – The Music Center’s Dance DTLA hosts a Reggaetón night. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station.
July 14 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents Los Yesterdays and Thee Illusions . Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
July 15 M – Grand Performances presents Chicano Jazz Legend, Garrett Saracho. Go Metro: Take the A or E Lines to Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill station.
July 15 M – KCRW Summer Nights with MOCA Geffen & JANM. Go Metro: Take the A or E Lines to Little Tokyo Station.
July 15 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents Soulection DJs: Joe Kay, Andre Power. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
July 15 M
July 16 – Manhattan Beach’s Polliwog Park Amphitheater hosts Concerts in the Park with a performance by retro cover band U.S. 99.
July 16 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents Natives in the Now. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
July 16 M
July 20 M – Sunset Concerts at the Skirball Cultural Center presents Billy Valentine. Go Metro: Take Line 761 along N. Sepulveda Blvd.
July 20 M
July 20 M
July 21 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of 80s/90s house with E.Dubb, Mayan Passion, and K-Bandit. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
July 21 M – The Music Center’s Dance DTLA hosts a Country Line Dancing Night. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station.
July 22 M – Grand Performances and KCRW Summer Nights team up for an Afro Funke’ 20 Year Anniversary. Go Metro: Take the A or E Lines to Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill station.
July 22 M – The Getty’s Off the 405 series presents Etran de L’Aïr. Go Metro: Take Line 761 to Sepulveda / Getty Ctr.
July 22 M – NoHo Summer Nights presents Amor Prohibido (Selena Tribute) with Emerging Artist: Nia Padillaat North Hollywood Recreation Center. Go Metro: Take the B Line to North Hollywood station.
July 23 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of 80s/90s house with E.Dubb, Mayan Passion, and K-Bandit. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
July 23 – Manhattan Beach’s Polliwog Park Amphitheater hosts Concerts in the Park with a performance by 80’s Radio Royalty.
July 23 M
July 24 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Ancestral and Folklorico with Roberto Dueñas, Luis Lopez, Will Echegoyen, and others. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
July 27 M – Sunset Concerts at the Skirball Cultural Center presents Cuban dance and salsa with Telmary. Go Metro: Take Line 761 along N. Sepulveda Blvd.
July 27 M
July 27 M – The City of San Gabriel hosts a concert featuring 4Alarm Band | at Vincent Lugo Park, followed by an outdoor screening of Annie. Go Metro: Take Line 487/489 Line Ramona / Wells.
July 28 M – The Music Center’s Dance DTLA hosts a Samba Night. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station.
July 28 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Tuareg Desert Rock with Imarha. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
July 29 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Hip-Hop with Monalisa, Inka One, Ben Diggin, DJ Analog & Mantron. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
July 29 M – Grand Performances presents Martha Redbone. Go Metro: Take the A or E Lines to Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill station.
July 29 M – The Getty’s Off the 405 series presents Rahill. Go Metro: Take Line 761 to Sepulveda / Getty Ctr.
July 29 M
July 30 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of West African Rhythms with Weedie Braimah & the Hands of Time, SK Kakraba. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
August 3 M – Sunset Concerts at the Skirball Cultural Center presents Ethiopian fusion with AvevA. Go Metro: Take Line 761 along N. Sepulveda Blvd.
August 4 M – KCRW Summer Nights with the California African American Museum. Go Metro: Take the E to Expo Park / USC Station.
August 4 M – The Music Center’s Dance DTLA hosts an Afro-Cuban Rumba & Cuban Rhythms Night. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station.
August 5 M – NoHo Summer Nights presents Scot Bruce’s Tribute to Young Elvis with Emerging Artist: The Silver at North Hollywood Recreation Center. Go Metro: Take the B Line to North Hollywood station.
August 5 M – Grand Performances presents an Art Laboe Tribute. Go Metro: Take the A or E Lines to Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill station.
August 5 M
August 10 M – Sunset Concerts at the Skirball Cultural Center presents Gambian multi-instrumentalist Sona Jobarteh. Go Metro: Take Line 761 along N. Sepulveda Blvd.
August 10 M – The City of San Gabriel hosts a concert featuring Kids Imagine Nation and Wacko the Magician at Vincent Lugo Park, followed by an outdoor screening of Minions. Go Metro: Take Line 487/489 to Ramona / Wells.
August 11 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Soul and Rock with Nick Waterhouse. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
August 11 M – Summer of Salsa at LA Plaza continues with Son Mirón Orchestra. Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.
August 11 M – The Music Center’s Dance DTLA hosts a Disco Night. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station.
August 12 M – KCRW Summer Nights at KCRW HQ in Santa Monica. Go Metro: Take the E Line to 26th St / Bergamot Station.
August 12 M – Grand Performances presents DJ Battlecat / Thes One. Go Metro: Take the A or E Lines to Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill station.
August 12 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Norteño and Mexican Folklorico with Flor Amargo, Los Jornaleros Del Norte, and Pacifico Dance Company. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
August 13 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Mayan Music with Lucas Critchfield Marimba Tropical, Homenaje al Maestro Armando Manzanero, and more. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
August 13 – Manhattan Beach’s Polliwog Park Amphitheater hosts Concerts in the Park with a performance by The Tom Nolan Band.
August 17 M – Sunset Concerts at the Skirball Cultural Center presents indie rock with Ian Sweet. Go Metro: Take Line 761 along N. Sepulveda Blvd.
August 18 M – The Music Center’s Dance DTLA hosts a Bollywood Night. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station.
August 18 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Latin Ska Rock with The Paranoias & Friends. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
August 19 M
August 19 M – Grand Performances presents Mark de Clive-Lowe. Go Metro: Take the A or E Lines to Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill station.
August 19 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Contemporary Pan-Asian with AAX Fest. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
August 20 M – KCRW Summer Nights at LA Plaza. Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.
August 20 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Guatemalan Rock and Mayan Dance with Marimba Orquesta Perla Oriental, Sara Curruchich, DJ Boris, and Los Chapincitos Los Angeles. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
August 24 M – Sunset Concerts at the Skirball Cultural Center presents Brooklyn Afrobeat ensemble Antibalas. Go Metro: Take Line 761 along N. Sepulveda Blvd.
August 25 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Indie Rock and Disco with Healing Gems and De Lux. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
August 26 M – KCRW Summer Nights in Chinatown. Go Metro: Take the A line to Chinatown station.
August 26 M
August 26 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents a David Bowie Tribute Celebrating 50 years of Aladdin Sane featuring Claire McKeown, Daniel Crook, Sugarmill Slim, and more. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
August 26 M – The Getty’s Off the 405 series presents Alabaster DePlum. Go Metro: Take Line 761 to Sepulveda / Getty Ctr.
August 26 M – NoHo Summer Nights present Queen Legion (Tribute to Queen) with Emerging Artist: Joker’s Hand at North Hollywood Recreation Center. Go Metro: Take the B Line to North Hollywood station.
August 27 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Classic Dub and Reggae with DJ’s Tom Chasteen and Boss Harmony. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
September 1 – KCRW Summer Nights at Descanso Gardens.
September 1 – M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Traditional & Contemporary Philipino with Para Sa Lahat (For All). Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
September 2 – M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Traditional & Contemporary Philipino with Para Sa Lahat (For All), Gingee, and more. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
September 3 – M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Regional Mexican and Jazz with Beatriz Solis and Eisner Intergenerational Orchestra from the Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA). Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
September 8 M – Summer of Salsa at LA Plaza continues with TROMBOR. Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.
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