Journeying into hills and finding a place of rest in a verdant canyon feels as if it might be a powerful plot point in a summer-sweet story.
And if music is involved, and a beautiful stage, and the sorts of shows that cast a spell? The story only deepens into something truly memorable.
The Ford, with its awesome amphitheatrical qualities and scenic setting, has long been a place for Southern California’s music and theater lovers to further their own plots when the weather grows warmer.
The 2026 season is here, and several luminaries will stand in the spotlight in the coming months, including Ani DiFranco, Matteo Bocelli, Boleros de Noche, Joe Hisaishi, and Paris Paloma, as well other favorites (Shakespeare and the Bob Baker Marionettes are also festooning the calendar).
LA Phil is at the helm for the seventh year, with a calendar that promises “… a vibrant multidisciplinary mix of music, dance, film, theater, comedy and spoken word.”
Daytime visitors will also enjoy a treat on select dates: “LA Soundscapes” will again return, offering younger fans of the arts an uplifting creative experience, with art-making and other diversions on the roster.
And local artists will play an important role when the FordLab, an “incubator and accelerator program,” gives people the room to “develop new work” in a vibrant and supportive setting.
“The Ford is unlike any other stage,” said Kim Noltemy, President and CEO of the LA Phil.
“It is intimate, immersive, and deeply connected to the creative communities that define Los Angeles. This is where experimentation thrives, artists are welcome to take risks, multidisciplinary works come to life and audiences can feel personally connected to the performances in a setting that can be found only in LA.”
For tickets, details and the full schedule — there are dates into October, meaning you can keep that summer spirit sweet into the early fall — visit The Ford’s site now.