One of the icons of summertime? It certainly has to be the shell, that exquisite ocean icon that beach goers and surf-loving tourists love to come across as they play in the waves.
But Southern California’s best-known shell is located a few miles inland, in Hollywood, and when warmer weather arrives? Music and theater fans arrive to admire this architectural stunner, and what takes powerful place beneath it, all summer long.
It’s the Hollywood Bowl, that more-than-a-century-old superstar that is synonymous with splashy concerts, theatrical extravaganzas, and cinematic feasts for the senses.
The legendary venue’s multi-month run starts in June, but well before then a major announcement has to be made, a welcome revelation that details the music groups, the artists, the composers, the conductors, and the magic soon to come under the celebrated shell.
The Hollywood Bowl announced the 2026 schedule Feb. 18, and while the opportunity to buy individual tickets is still a few months away, new subscriptions are available for purchase now, as are “(g)roup sales for select concerts.”
Single-show tickets go on sale May 5.
Some of the highlights of the highlights-packed summer? A tribute to Broadway is the grand opener — June 20 is the date — while a Juneteenth celebration with Chance the Rapper will take place June 19.
Reggae Night XXIV follows June 21, while June 27 will see the anticipated return of A Roots Picnic Experience.
LA Phil Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel will take the baton during the “Celebrating Gustavo at the Bowl” evenings, with the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles joining the maestro on stage.
Other treats on the schedule include an evening devoted to the sounds of 1969, a show featuring Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms, and the Spin Doctors, St. Vincent with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Herbie Hancock Celebrates Miles Davis, Music from the Films of Wes Anderson, Joe Hisaishi’s Film Music Concert, the beloved “Sound of Music” Sing-A-Long, “Top Gun: Maverick” in Concert, Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass & Other Delights, and the early September celebration of maestro John Williams and his timeless movie music.
The July Fourth Spectacular will feature The Beach Boys with John Stamos, and as is tradition? The joyful happening will glimmer with fireworks and good vibrations over three nights, starting July 2.
The full line-up, ticket information, dates, and what to expect can be found at this site.
Is your very favorite shell of summer the sizable shell that has held grand cultural court just off of Highland Avenue since the early 1920s?
Find out more about the big, big, super-huge season coming up at the Hollywood Bowl.