The Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles’ legendary open-air amphitheater, is gearing up for a summer season in 2026 that promises to be as dazzling and eclectic as the city itself. The Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil) has unveiled a lineup that weaves together pop, classical, jazz, rock, and fireworks—while bidding a heartfelt farewell to beloved music and artistic director Gustavo Dudamel, who concludes his remarkable 17-year tenure this year.
As the Bowl’s President and CEO Kim Noltemy told Pollstar, "The Hollywood Bowl is one of Los Angeles’ great cultural treasures, bringing world-class music to audiences in a setting that is welcoming, joyful, and accessible to our local communities." This spirit of inclusivity and variety is unmistakable in the 2026 programming, which is packed with star-studded collaborations, genre-bending concerts, and time-honored traditions.
The festivities kick off in spectacular fashion with the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular, running from July 2 through July 4. The Beach Boys, California’s iconic surf rockers, return to the Bowl stage, joined by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and special guest John Stamos. Their performances—complete with synchronized fireworks over the Hollywood Hills—nod to a partnership that stretches back to the 1960s, including a memorable three-night run in 2023. This year, the Beach Boys’ sun-soaked hits like “Surfin’ USA” and “Good Vibrations” will again set the tone for a summer of musical celebration.
But the Bowl’s summer is about much more than nostalgia. The season’s emotional centerpiece is "Celebrating Gustavo at the Bowl," a four-night tribute from August 20 to August 23 honoring Dudamel’s transformative leadership. According to Variety, the festivities begin with Dudamel conducting Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, joined by the LA Phil, the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA), and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. The evening will also feature the world premiere of a new orchestral and choral piece by Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino, with lyrics by inaugural poet Amanda Gorman and performed by the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus.
The celebration continues on August 21 with “Dudamel’s Playlist,” a curated concert featuring surprise guest artists handpicked by Dudamel himself. On August 22, the Bowl will witness a genre-defying collaboration as the Foo Fighters join Dudamel and the LA Phil (along with YOLA) for a rock-meets-orchestra event that’s sure to electrify the crowd. The tribute culminates on August 23 with a genre-spanning concert reflecting Dudamel’s boundary-breaking approach—embracing classical, pop, and Latin influences all in one unforgettable night.
Of course, the 2026 season is rich with highlights beyond the Dudamel farewell. The Hollywood Bowl’s tradition of blending genres and generations is on full display. The Blue Note Jazz Festival returns June 13 and 14, hosted by Arsenio Hall and featuring jazz luminaries such as Patti LaBelle, Wyclef Jean, Robert Glasper, Samara Joy, Gregory Porter, and more. This event, noted by Music Connection, emphasizes improvisation and musicianship, drawing jazz fans from across the region.
On June 19, the Bowl marks Juneteenth with a headline performance by Chance the Rapper, whose socially conscious lyrics and energetic stage presence have made him a voice for a new generation of artists. Reggae Night XXIV follows on June 21, bringing together Ziggy Marley and Burning Spear for a night steeped in spiritual and political tradition. The Roots Picnic Experience returns June 27 for its third year, featuring hip-hop legends De La Soul, Nas, T.I., and others—a testament to the Bowl’s growing embrace of hip-hop and contemporary urban culture.
Film music and sing-along events remain a staple, with "Music from the Films of Wes Anderson" taking over the Bowl for three nights in July, and a three-night tribute to Studio Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi. Not to be outdone, John Williams will receive his traditional salute in September, while live-to-picture screenings of movies like "Amadeus," "How to Train Your Dragon," and "Top Gun: Maverick" invite the audience to experience cinematic classics in a whole new way. The annual "Sound of Music" sing-along, scheduled for September, ensures that beloved traditions endure.
St. Vincent, the boundary-pushing rock artist, will perform a symphonic show with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra on August 2, following her acclaimed 2024 album All Born Screaming. Other pop and rock standouts include ZZ Top with Cheap Trick, Squeeze with Adam Ant and the English Beat, and OneRepublic, who will headline the September Fireworks Finale.
Seasoned legends also take the stage: Al Green, whose soulful hits like "Let’s Stay Together" have defined generations, performs with The Womack Sisters on August 14. Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass bring their signature brass-driven pop to the Bowl on July 5, while blues icon Buddy Guy, still going strong in his nineties, appears September 9. The lineup also features Smokey Robinson with Gladys Knight, Blues Traveler with the Gin Blossoms and Spin Doctors, and a celebration of the music of 1969.
As always, the Bowl’s schedule is peppered with classical masterworks—Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, and Mozart—performed by the LA Phil and a roster of internationally renowned soloists. The season opens June 20 with a Broadway salute led by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and includes programs like the "Classical World Cup" and "Salsa Night" that put a fresh spin on orchestral tradition.
Tickets for the 2026 summer season are available in a variety of formats. New subscriptions and group sales began February 18, with Blue Note Jazz Festival passes and Roots Picnic Experience tickets also on sale. "Create Your Own" packages open March 24, and single-show tickets will be available starting May 5 through the Hollywood Bowl website or by phone. As always, the Bowl’s LA Phil-produced concerts are distinct from Live Nation-Hewitt Silva’s separately ticketed events, which this year include Paul Simon, Rod Stewart, My Chemical Romance, Andrea Bocelli, Jack Johnson, and more.
Since its opening in 1922, the Hollywood Bowl has stood as a beacon of musical innovation and community spirit. Its 2026 season—blending fireworks, farewells, and fresh collaborations—proves that even after more than a century, the Bowl remains a place where Angelenos and visitors alike can gather under the stars and find something new, something familiar, and something unforgettable in every performance.