Pauline Adamek
Fireworks! Live music! Starlight! Fresh air, fine foods and friends… Summertime concerts at L.A.’s magnificent and elegant Hollywood Bowl amphitheater are always a highlight of the season.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic has officially unveiled its highly anticipated Hollywood Bowl Summer Season for 2026, and the lineup promises a vibrant, star-studded celebration of music under the stars. Blending classical masterworks, contemporary voices, film music, and genre-defying collaborations, this year’s program captures the spirit of Los Angeles in all its diversity and creative energy. Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel leads a celebratory summer that includes Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and a special “Celebrating Gustavo” series.
The lineup features major headliners across genres, including The Beach Boys, Foo Fighters, Al Green, Herb Alpert, and Chance the Rapper. Jazz and contemporary programs spotlight artists such as Gregory Porter, Samara Joy, and Robert Glasper, alongside global acts including Wyclef Jean and Cimafunk.
With appearances by Jonas Kaufmann and Diana Damrau, plus a new work by Michael Giacchino with text by Amanda Gorman, the season reflects the Bowl’s signature mix of tradition and innovation.
Set against the iconic backdrop of the Hollywood Hills, the season reflects the Philharmonic’s continued commitment to innovation and accessibility. Audiences can expect appearances from world-renowned conductors and soloists, alongside dynamic newcomers who are reshaping the musical landscape. From sweeping symphonies to electrifying crossover performances, the Bowl once again transforms into a cultural crossroads where traditions meet fresh perspectives.
A cornerstone of the season remains its rich classical offerings. Signature evenings will spotlight beloved composers, with large-scale orchestral works designed to resonate in the Bowl’s open-air setting. At the same time, the Philharmonic continues to champion new music, commissioning and presenting works that speak to today’s audiences while pushing artistic boundaries.
Film music lovers are in for a treat as well, with live-to-picture concerts bringing blockbuster scores to life in spectacular fashion. These performances, a perennial favorite, merge cinematic storytelling with the power of a full orchestra, creating unforgettable communal experiences.
The 2026 season also leans into the Bowl’s reputation as a gathering place for diverse musical styles. Expect evenings dedicated to jazz, pop, Latin music, and global sounds, often featuring celebrated guest artists and unexpected collaborations. These genre-spanning programs highlight the Philharmonic’s mission to connect with audiences of all backgrounds.
Family-friendly programming and community-focused events remain central to the summer schedule, ensuring that the Bowl continues to be a welcoming space for longtime patrons and first-time visitors alike. Pre-concert activities, special events, and curated experiences will further enhance what is already one of Los Angeles’ most cherished summer traditions.
As anticipation builds, the 2026 Hollywood Bowl season stands as a testament to the enduring power of live performance. With its mix of artistry, atmosphere, and cultural connection, the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s summer series once again invites audiences to gather, listen, and celebrate music in one of the world’s most iconic venues.
Featured Artists – Hollywood Bowl 2026 Season:
The Los Angeles Philharmonic brings together an extraordinary roster of artists for its 2026 summer season at the Hollywood Bowl, spanning classical, pop, jazz, soul, and global music.
Pop, Rock & Iconic Voices
The season features a dynamic mix of legendary performers and contemporary stars, reflecting the Bowl’s wide-ranging appeal. Highlights include The Beach Boys, leading the annual Independence Day celebration, alongside orchestral collaborations with Foo Fighters. Soul icon Al Green and trumpeter and bandleader Herb Alpert bring timeless sounds, while Chance the Rapper represents a new generation of genre-crossing artistry.
Additional appearances by Smokey Robinson and Gladys Knight underscore the season’s celebration of enduring musical legacies.
Jazz, Soul & Global Sounds
Jazz and global music take center stage with a rich lineup of acclaimed performers. Gregory Porter and Samara Joy headline standout vocal performances, while Robert Glasper brings his signature blend of jazz, R&B, and hip-hop.
Global influences shine through artists such as Wyclef Jean, Cimafunk, and Kokoroko, joined by the powerhouse vocals of Patti LaBelle.
Classical Spotlight & LA Phil Performances
At the heart of the season is Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, leading the orchestra in a celebratory summer that marks a significant artistic chapter. Programs include major symphonic works, including Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, and a special “Celebrating Gustavo” series highlighting his tenure.
The season also features a world premiere by Michael Giacchino with text by Amanda Gorman, underscoring the Philharmonic’s commitment to new music.
Opera & Special Guests
A marquee opera evening brings internationally acclaimed stars Jonas Kaufmann and Diana Damrau to the Bowl stage, offering a rare open-air operatic experience under Dudamel’s direction.
Latin Music & Special Collaborations
The season’s global reach extends to vibrant Latin and international programming, highlighting rhythm-driven traditions and cross-cultural collaboration through a diverse roster of artists. These performances reflect the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s ongoing commitment to showcasing music from across the Americas and beyond at the Hollywood Bowl.
This year’s lineup reflects the Hollywood Bowl’s unique identity as a cultural crossroads—where orchestral tradition meets contemporary innovation, and where artists from around the world come together for one of Los Angeles’ most iconic summer stages.
For full program details, artist lineups, and ticket information, visit the official LA Phil website and the Hollywood Bowl season page.
Photos by Greg Grudt/Mathew Imaging.
Photo credit: Mathew Imaging/Los Angeles Philharmonic Association.
The LA Phil recently announced six spectacular additions to the 2026 Hollywood Bowl summer season. The 104th season at Los Angeles’ storied venue sees some of the biggest talents in music embrace their moment on the Bowl’s iconic and newly-dedicated John Williams Stage. A single Hollywood Bowl season features eclectic programming of classical, pop, rock, hip-hop, jazz, salsa, reggae, blues, dance and more, reflecting the vast creativity and diversity of Los Angeles itself.
Concert lovers can purchase the popular “Create Your Own” package that allows fans to purchase tickets to three (or more) shows of any genre prior to single show tickets going on sale Tuesday, May 5.
Recent additions to the Hollywood Bowl 2026 Summer Season are:
- Opening Night at the Bowl: The Best of Broadway – Halle Bailey, Darren Criss, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Lea Salongatake the Bowl stage for Opening Night at the Bowl: The Best of Broadway. Featuring the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra led by conductor Thomas Wilkins, this spectacular kickoff to the season features these glittering stars of the stage and screen saluting Broadway, performing a selection of its greatest hits, from heartstring-tugging ballads to razzle-dazzle songs with dancers. Opening Night at the Bowl is the annual fundraising event that benefits the LA Phil’s learning and community programs. (Saturday, June 20, at 8PM)
- Tower of Power • Preservation Hall Jazz Band – Oakland’s Tower of Power blasted to the forefront of funk and soul in the 1970s. Fifty years into their career, they’re still bringing “East Bay Grease” to stages around the world, playing hits like “So Very Hard to Go” and “This Time It’s Real” and asking the crucial question “What Is Hip?” Since the early 1960s, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band has been playing bombastic hot jazz in a tiny dance hall tucked away in the French Quarter. They return once again to the Bowl for a huge night of jazz and funk. (Wednesday, July 29, at 8PM)
- Lucy Dacus with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra – Three years after performing at the Bowl with her boygenius bandmates Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker, Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Lucy Dacus returns. Dacus has a knack for penning lyrics that pierce straight to the yearning heart of contemporary relationships. Alongside the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, she makes her solo debut on the Bowl stage, performing fan favorites and songs from her new album Forever is a Feeling. (Sunday, September 13, at 7PM) KCRW Festival
- Orville Peck – Orville Peck made his “absurdly successful” (Vogue) Broadway debut in Cabaret last year. Now the country-music crooner who’s collaborated with everyone from Elton John to Willie Nelson to Kylie Minogue makes his Hollywood Bowl debut. (Friday, September 18, at 8PM)
- Jon Bellion – After shaping the soundtracks of global superstars writing chart-toppers for artists like Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Dua Lipa, and more, Jon Bellion stormed back into the spotlight with his 2025 album FATHER FIGURE. It’s the Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer’s most intimate and personal project yet-and an artistic rebirth. He explores the legacy, impact and emotional leadership of being a father in modern society in a genre-blurring production that includes collaborations with Pharrell, Luke Combs and Jon Batiste. In his Hollywood Bowl debut, he leads with honesty, innovation and heart. (Thursday, September 24, at 8PM)
- Rubén Blades & Roberto Delgado Big Band: Fotografías Tour • Silvana Estrada – When salsa took over New York City in the 1970s, Rubén Blades was at the heart of it. His landmark albums in classic Afro-Cuban salsa are touched with rock, jazz, and influences from across Latin America and around the world. The 12-time Grammy and 13-time Latin Grammy winner brings a political conscience and sense of connection to his music that still gets people grooving. Silvana Estrada sings from down deep, telling her soulful coming-of-age stories in a voice that embraces the legacy of Latin American song and carries into the 21st century. The 2022 Latin Grammy winner for Best New Artist plays the Venezuelan cuatro guitar and sings iconoclastic tales that cut straight to the heart. (Wednesday, September 30, at 8PM)
