Craving one last, glorious dose of alfresco music before Labor Day? Here’s your curated, luxury-leaning guide to summer concert series in Los Angeles from Monday, August 18 through the end of the month—blending iconic ticketed nights at the Hollywood Bowl with polished, free series around the city. We’ve included box-seat vs. lawn strategies so your blanket, bubbles, and skyline selfies feel effortlessly VIP.
Hollywood Bowl: “Maestro of the Movies” with John Williams (Aug 22–24)
End-of-August concert series at the Bowl belongs to the movies. Maestro of the Movies: Celebrating the Music of John Williams runs August 22–24—a beloved tradition led by the LA Phil with film favorites under the stars (Friday & Saturday 8pm; Sunday 7:30pm). It’s one of the Bowl’s most celebratory weekends and a perfect excuse to elevate your picnic game.
Box-seat strategy: If you’re in Garden or Terrace boxes, pre-order “Supper in Your Box Seats”—a full-service meal from Suzanne Goin & Caroline Styne, delivered right to your box (orders due by 6pm the day before). For all ticket holders, pre-orderable Picnic Boxes and 14 on-site picnic areas make it easy to dine in style. Note that outside wine/beer is welcome at LA Phil–presented events (like this one), and containers must fit the 15”×15”×22” size limits.
Free Fridays: Jazz at LACMA (Aug 22 & Aug 29)
Keep it chic and cost-free with Jazz at LACMA, the free summer concert series at the Smidt Welcome Plaza—Friday, Aug 22 (Gil Castellanos) and Friday, Aug 29 (Trevor Ware & Positive People with Sidney Jacobs), both 6–8pm. Seating is first-come; many guests bring blankets or low chairs for a comfortable, gallery-adjacent evening. Arrive a little early, browse exhibitions, and plan a post-show bite in Miracle Mile.
Lawn strategy: Stake out an edge along the Plaza for easy in-and-out, and keep your picnic minimalist for breezy crowd navigation. (LACMA’s free Friday jazz runs May–October; these two Fridays are the last of August.)
DTLA Skyline Sessions: Grand Performances Finale Weekend (Aug 22–23)
At California Plaza, Grand Performances closes its summer concert series season with a two-night downtown flourish: Dave Iwataki’s “J-Town Bronzeville Suite” on Fri, Aug 22 (7–9pm), followed by the GRAND FINALE: Oro Sólido on Sat, Aug 23 (6–10pm). Expect a festive crowd, sweeping views, and a cosmopolitan mix of music—all free and outdoors.
Bring-your-own (done right): GP explicitly invites picnics; capacity is large but prime spots go fast. Bleacher and plaza seating are generally first-come, with blankets and low-back chairs welcome so long as you keep walkways clear. Consider a pre-show aperitivo at nearby Grand Central Market or a nightcap at one of Bunker Hill’s rooftops.
Community Saturdays: Levitt LA at MacArthur Park (through Aug 30)
For a lively, family-friendly (and still luxe-if-you-want-it) Saturday soundtrack, Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles runs free concerts through August 30 at MacArthur Park—often with dance-ready sets and neighborhood flavor. The 2025 series culminates on Sat, Aug 30, with a KCRW-presented rock-leaning lineup—an energetic way to close your summer calendar. Pack a blanket, plan rideshare, and enjoy golden hour by the lake.
Bench vs. Box, Lawn vs. Plaza: How to Choose Your Night
- Go Box (Bowl): Choose Garden or Terrace boxes if you want hosted service and elbow room for composed salads, chilled rosé, and that “we live here” glow. Pre-order meals by 6pm the day prior; for LA Phil events, outside wine/beer is allowed (not for leased events). Coolers must fit under your seat/box.
- Go Bench (Bowl): Love the energy? Upper sections offer sweeping views and room for a BYO picnic at a friendlier price point. Swing by a designated picnic area up to 4 hours before showtime to dine without juggling plates at your seat.
- Go Plaza (DTLA): For Grand Performances, arrive on the earlier side with a blanket; pack a light spread and plan for an easy exit via rideshare on Olive/Grand. Picnics are encouraged; seating is first-come.
- Go Museum Lawn (LACMA): Target the 6pm downbeat and bring low chairs to stay comfortable while preserving sightlines. Stroll Wilshire for a polished pre- or post-show bite.
From cinematic scores to free Friday jazz and downtown finales, the last two weeks of August are stacked. Pick your format, polish your picnic, and let L.A.’s late-summer soundtrack play you into September.