Penmar Sunset Sessions is one of our favorite summer rituals—a perfect blend of music, sunset, and Westside community. Held every Friday evening on the lush green lawn at The Penmar in Venice, it’s a laid-back outdoor hang where you can kick back with friends, catch live music from local and touring artists, sip on craft cocktails or bring your own bottle of wine, and snack on food from their scratch kitchen. The atmosphere is unbeatable: warm golden light, string lights overhead, and a crowd that feels like the whole neighborhood showed up—families, pups, golfers, and creatives alike. Whether you're dancing barefoot on the green, lounging with a picnic blanket, or just soaking in the vibe, Sunset Sessions delivers that easy, effortless summer magic every week.
LACMA Jazz Nights | Wilshire
LACMA Jazz Nights on Friday evenings are a quintessential LA summer experience—free, open-air concerts set against the iconic backdrop of the museum’s Urban Light installation. Locals and visitors alike sprawl out on blankets across the grassy courtyard, bringing picnic baskets, wine, and an easygoing vibe as some of the city’s most talented jazz musicians take the stage. The lineup is always thoughtfully curated, showcasing everything from classic swing to experimental fusion, and the sound drifts beautifully through the warm evening air. It’s casual yet cultured, social yet serene—a perfect way to kick off the weekend surrounded by art, music, and community under the stars.
Hollywood Bowl | Hollywood Hills
There’s nothing quite like a summer night at the Hollywood Bowl. Tucked into the Hollywood Hills with the iconic shell stage lit up beneath the stars, it’s one of LA’s most magical and beloved outdoor venues. Whether you’re there for a full symphony performance, a film screening with live orchestra, or a special guest appearance by world-class artists, every night feels like an event. You can bring your own picnic and wine, or pick up gourmet bites from on-site vendors, and settle in as the music echoes through the canyon. It’s classic LA—glamorous, relaxed, and a little nostalgic—all wrapped up in one unforgettable night.
KCRW Summer Nights | Various Locations in LA
KCRW Summer Nights are a vibrant celebration of LA’s music scene and cultural pulse, popping up all over the city with free, outdoor dance parties and DJ sets that feel equal parts concert and community block party. Hosted at iconic venues like Chinatown Central Plaza, the Hammer Museum, and the Santa Monica Pier, each event blends cutting-edge music with local food, drinks, and art. The crowd is always eclectic—young creatives, longtime locals, and visitors all dancing together as the sun sets and the city lights come on. With its laid-back energy, diverse lineups, and always-cool venues, KCRW Summer Nights capture everything we love about summer in LA.
Skirball's Summer Concerts | Brentwood
The Skirball’s annual free summer concerts are one of LA’s best-kept cultural gems—an intimate, high-energy music series set in the museum’s stunning open-air courtyard, surrounded by the Santa Monica Mountains. Held on Thursday evenings in late summer, the series brings in an eclectic lineup of global artists, from Afrobeat and cumbia to indie pop and experimental soul. The vibe is relaxed and joyful, with guests arriving early to explore the museum, sip wine, and picnic under the setting sun before the music begins. As the sky darkens and the stage lights up, the courtyard transforms into a communal dance floor where everyone’s welcome. It’s warm, worldly, and deeply local—summer in LA at its most soulful.
