Image courtesy of Grand Performances.
Los Angeles summers wouldn’t be complete without Grand Performances. The beloved nonprofit arts organization is celebrating its 40th anniversary season with an exciting lineup of free outdoor events that showcase music, dance, theater, poetry, and cultural traditions from around the world.
Most events take place at California Plaza in Downtown Los Angeles’ Grand Avenue Arts District, surrounded by iconic cultural destinations like The Broad, MOCA, and Walt Disney Concert Hall. Every event is free, family-friendly, outdoors, and open to the public.
🌟 Four decades of free arts for Los Angeles
Grand Performances has spent 40 years transforming Downtown Los Angeles into one of the city’s most vibrant cultural gathering spaces. What began as a mission to provide free access to the performing arts has evolved into one of Southern California’s premier summer traditions.
Since 1986, Grand Performances has brought world-class entertainment to Angelenos at no cost, helping make the arts accessible to everyone. Over the past four decades, the organization has welcomed legendary artists including Stevie Wonder, Ozomatli, Kamasi Washington, Angélique Kidjo, Aloe Blacc, Ana Tijoux, Madame Gandhi, Soulection, and many more.
🎉 Grand Performances 2026 schedule
June 2026
Saturday, June 6 • 6:00 PM
GP 40th Season Kickoff
Grupo Soñador + Wachiwara + DJ Turbo Sonidero
Saturday, June 13 • 6:00 PM
GP 40th Celebration
Jungle Fire + Healing Gems + DJ Liza Richardson
Friday, June 19 • 7:00 PM
COLA Artist Fellows 2026 (Night 1)
Saturday, June 20 • 6:00 PM
Jimetta Rose Presents: Metta Sun — A Sun Ra Operatic Experience
Friday, June 26 • 7:00 PM
COLA Artist Fellows 2026 (Night 2)
Saturday, June 27 • 6:00 PM
Culture Clash: American Payasos — End Times Cabaret
July 2026
Friday, July 10 • 6:00 PM
J. PERIOD and Josh Kun Present: The Art of the Crossfade
(Musical Lecture)
Saturday, July 11 • 6:00 PM
J. PERIOD and Josh Kun Present: The Art of the Crossfade
(Live Mixtape)
Saturday, July 18 • 6:00 PM
WONDER-FULL: A Tribute to the Music of Stevie Wonder
Saturday, July 25 • 6:00 PM
KCRW Summer Nights at Grand Performances
August 2026
Saturday, August 1 • 6:00 PM
Bees & Things & Flowers
A Tribute to the Music of Roy Ayers by Sly5thAve
Saturday, August 8 • 6:00 PM
Tradition in Motion: Mask and Sound
Featuring Pamyua + Insun Park & Generals
Saturday, August 15 • 6:00 PM
15 Years of Ethio Cali
Featuring DJ Nu-Mark
Saturday, August 22 • 6:00 PM
Ritchie Forever
Saturday, August 29 • 6:00 PM
Grand Performances Season Finale
Son Rompe Pera + Bloco Obini + QVLN
For the latest event details, artist announcements, and visitor information, visit Grand Performances’ official website.