Discover California’s best outdoor music venues where you can attend concerts for free this summer.
Summer in California means longer days, warmer nights, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy live music outdoors. While major festivals often come with hefty ticket prices, some of the state’s best summer concerts are completely free.
Communities throughout the Golden State host free concert series at waterfront parks, historic amphitheaters, downtown plazas, and other outdoor venues featuring local and national performers spanning a wide variety of genres.
Whether you’re planning a family outing, want to discover new artists, or are simply looking for an affordable way to spend a summer evening, these outdoor music venues should be on your radar. Keep reading to learn more about each one and what performances you can expect to see.
1. Balboa Park (San Diego)
If you’re looking for something fun to do after work, head to Balboa Park for the Twilight in the Park concert series. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening from June 16 to Aug. 27, performers take over the park’s Spreckels Organ Pavilion to put on a free show.
Performances kick off around 6:30 p.m., last for about an hour, and cover a variety of genres, from jazz to rock.
Location: Balboa Park, 1549 El Prado, San Diego
2. Burton Chace Park (Marina Del Ray)
With sailboats bobbing in the harbor nearby, Burton Chace Park offers one of Southern California’s most scenic concert settings. The waterfront park is home to the Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series, a longtime local tradition now celebrating its 26th year.
Symphonic and pop concerts are scheduled to take place at the park every Saturday from July 11 to Aug. 15. While most of the 2026 lineup had yet to be announced at the time of writing, Los Lobos is scheduled to perform on July 18.
Food trucks provide plenty of dining options, and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bringing a blanket or low-back chair is recommended.
Location: Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina Del Rey
3. California Plaza (LA)
Set among the skyscrapers of downtown Los Angeles, California Plaza offers a unique urban backdrop for one of the city’s most celebrated free music events. The outdoor venue is home to Grand Performances, a concert series entering its 40th season of showcasing artists from around the world.
Known for its eclectic programming and community-focused mission, the series brings together local talent and internationally recognized performers across genres ranging from jazz and hip-hop to global music traditions.
Location: California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles
4. Cloverdale Plaza (Cloverdale)
Cloverdale Friday Night Live is a free concert series held throughout the summer in Cloverdale Plaza. As the event name implies, concerts take place every Friday evening in the lively downtown space and encompass an array of genres, from bluegrass to R&B to funk.
The concerts are part of a larger street fair that includes food vendors and a beverage booth serving beer and wine. The street fair begins at 6 p.m., and the music starts at 7 p.m.
Location: Cloverdale Plaza, 122 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale
5. Golden Gate Park (San Francisco)
At Golden Gate Bandshell—the oldest structure in Golden Gate Park’s Music Concourse—you can find free live music several days a week during the summer.
On Sundays at about 1 p.m., the Golden Gate Park Band takes the stage to perform a variety of music, ranging from opera and Broadway tunes to big band swing and original works.
The venue also hosts Illuminate LIVE performances on Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays, and select Saturdays, bringing an eclectic mix of artists to the stage throughout the summer.
Location: Golden Gate Bandshell, 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr., San Francisco
6. Healdsburg Plaza (Healdsburg)
At Tuesdays in the Plaza, you get live music, local eats, and entertainment for the kids. Held in Healdsburg Plaza, Tuesdays in the Plaza features an eclectic lineup of bands performing funk, Latin, country, reggae, jazz, and blues music (to name just a few genres).
Live music and kids activities take place from 6-8 pm., with food vendors opening one hour before showtime.
Location: Healdsburg Plaza, Matheson Street and Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg
7. Levitt Pavilion (LA)
Levitt Pavilion is entering its 19th season of hosting free summer concerts at Los Angeles’ MacArthur Park. Every summer, the pavilion hosts 50 free concerts and attracts about 60,000 music lovers.
The programming is designed to satisfy a wide range of musical tastes and features more than 20 genres and 150 performers, from emerging acts to award-winning artists. Some notable past performers include Grammy winners Los Lobos, Jimmy Webb (who wrote a song called “MacArthur Park”), and Quetzal.
Concerts are held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and feature food and beverage vendors (you can also bring your own snacks and non-alcoholic drinks). The pavilion has open lawn seating, so guests are encouraged to bring something to sit on, such as a blanket or lawn chair.
Location: Levitt Pavilion is located at the northwest corner of MacArthur Park near the intersection of W. 6th Street and S. Park View Street in Los Angeles.
8. Point Loma Park (San Diego)
Point Loma Summer Concerts combines live music, family-friendly activities, and a relaxed neighborhood atmosphere for one of the area’s most popular summer events. Held in Point Loma Park every Friday from July 10 to Aug. 7, the event features a kids’ stage with youth talent performances at 5:30 p.m. and a main stage with performances beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Main stage highlights for the 2026 season include a Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter cover band and a Beach Boys tribute. Food is available for purchase from a rotating selection of local vendors, but guests must bring their own seating.
Location: Point Loma Park, 1049 Catalina Blvd., San Diego
9. Prescott Promenade (El Cajon)
Start your weekend off on the right note at Music on Main, a free concert series hosted every Friday from June through August. The event takes place at Prescott Promenade in downtown El Cajon and features performances by local musicians and bands.
There are plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance of the pedestrian-friendly promenade for those who want to get a drink or bite to eat before or after the show.
Location: Prescott Promenade, 200 E. Main St., El Cajon
10. Redlands Bowl (Redlands)
For more than a century, Redlands Bowl has been proving that experiencing world-class entertainment doesn’t have to break the bank. Established in 1923, it hosts the country’s longest-running continuous free summer music festival.
The historic amphitheater seats approximately 5,000 guests and offers additional lawn seating for those who prefer to spread out with a blanket or chair. Concertgoers are encouraged to arrive early with a picnic to get the full “Bowl experience.”
The summer lineup spans a wide range of musical styles, from country and classic rock to themed performances celebrating artists like Neil Diamond and beloved productions such as “West Side Story.”
Location: Redlands Bowl, 25 Grant St., Redlands
11. Spreckels Park (Coronado)
For more than five decades, Coronado Promenade Concerts has brought music lovers together in the heart of picturesque Coronado. Held at Spreckels Park’s gazebo bandstand on Sundays throughout the summer, the free series is now celebrating its 56th season.
The Coronado Concert Band and other local bands typically perform, with some new tribute and dance bands joining the 2026 lineup.
Location: Spreckels Park, 601 Orange Ave., Coronado
12. Windsor Town Green Park (Windsor)
Every Thursday during the summer, crowds gather at Windsor Town Green Park for Summer Nights on the Green. This popular free concert series, which runs from June 4 to Aug. 27, features live music alongside the Windsor Farmers Market, food vendors, and lawn games.
The lively lineup includes an Elton John tribute band, a 10-piece psychedelic soul group, rock, pop, and country performers, and more.
Location: Windsor Town Green Park, 701 McClelland Dr., Windsor
