Best of L.A. 2024: Outdoor Music Venues

While the Hollywood Bowl and the Greek Theatre are the OG havens for music under the stars, other venues also offer exciting al fresco atmospheres too. Here are the best.

BMO STADIUM

Home to the Los Angeles Football Club and Angel City Football Club soccer teams, BMO Stadium is not as commonly associated with concerts, though it should be.

The first outdoor venue built in L.A. since Dodger Stadium in 1962, BMO seats 22,000, likely a tight fit when country star Kane Brown take the stage this month and Korn rock the space alongside Evanescence and Paris Olympics stars Gojira in October.

3939 S. Figueroa St., Exposition Park, 213-519-9900, bmostadium.com

THE FORD

Nestled in the Hollywood Hills, The Ford features one of the most intimate open-air amphitheater experiences in town, with seating for just over 1,200 and a diverse lineup that includes jazz, Latin music, theater and dance. José Feliciano just played a two-night stand earlier this month. Just outside are three family-friendly picnic areas; food and drink are also available from the Bodega inside.

2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood Hills, 323-850-2000, theford.com

GRAND PERFORMANCES AT CALIFORNIA PLAZA

Back for its 38th summer, Grand Performances comes alive every year from June through August. Concertgoers can bring blankets and low-backed chairs to enjoy music, poetry and dance at L.A.’s longest-running free music and arts program.

Stevie Wonder and Ozomatli are among those who’ve played the venue, which this year hosts a Celia Cruz tribute and the cumbia sounds of Chucho Ponce Los Daddys.

350 S. Grand Ave., DTLA, 213-687-2190, grandperformances.org

JAZZ AT LACMA

Artist Chris Burden’s highly Instagramable “Urban Light” display outside LACMA is a photo magnet, but just inside the grounds the museum offers free live jazz Fridays from May through October. Toast the setting sun with food and drink at Ray’s + Stark Bar.

5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire, 323-857-6000, lacma.org