While the Grammys, Latin Grammys, and American Music Awards dominate the Los Angeles music scene, there’s much more on offer in the City of Angels. The city famed for its movie stars, musicians, and directors knows the importance of classical music in illustrating the emotion of the human condition, and so L.A. is full of the world’s most talented classical musicians and ensembles.
But, if you’re not the kind of person who brags about their love of Schoenberg or Stravinsky, how do you get started with this genre? How do you satiate that seemingly insatiable earworm without feeling out of place? Here’s how!
Free concerts in Los Angeles
Zipper Hall at The Colburn School
The Colburn School in Los Angeles hosts over 350 classical music and dance performances each year, with more than half offered free to the public to make world-class arts accessible to all. These include student and faculty recitals, orchestral concerts, dance showcases, and open master classes with renowned musicians. Free events often require reservations, which can be made through the Colburn School’s official calendar, with tickets typically available starting in June for the upcoming season. Many performances are also livestreamed.
📍200 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Santa Monica Symphony
The Santa Monica Symphony’s 2025–2026 season features themed concerts like Scenes from Life: Joy, Unity (MLK Concert), Identity, and Creativity, blending classical and contemporary works performed by top soloists and young musicians. Most performances are at Barnum Hall, with select concerts at the John Adams Middle School Performing Arts Center. Admission is free, but pre-registration on the Symphony’s website is recommended due to limited seating. Welcoming all ages, these concerts offer a community celebration of world-class music supported by local volunteers and donors.
📍Various locations
The Culver City Symphony Orchestra
The Culver City Symphony Orchestra opens its 2025–26 season with a free concert titled Summon the Heroes, Salute the Heroes, held at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Culver City. This concert is a patriotic tribute honoring veterans and features works by renowned composers such as John Williams, Aaron Copland, William Grant Still, Charles Ives, Duke Ellington, and Mozart. The orchestra is joined by the SoCal Chorale, led by Marya Basaraba, for a special evening of symphonic and choral music.
📍Various locations
Accessible music concerts in Los Angeles
Candlelight concerts
If you’re looking to experience accessible live classical music performances that celebrate everything from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to Bad Bunny and Adele, look to Candlelight concerts. These performances are for anyone and everyone because they make classical music approachable, pairing affordable tickets with an inviting, candlelit setting. Modern hits are reimagined by string quartets and orchestras, transforming familiar pop and contemporary songs into arrangements that capture the elegance and drama of Classical music while keeping them fresh and relatable for today’s audiences.
📍Various locations
Free music festivals in Los Angeles
Beach Cities Symphony
Founded in 1949, the Beach Cities Symphony Orchestra (BCSO) has a proud tradition of offering free classical concerts to the South Bay community. Over the years, it has performed at venues such as the Marsee Auditorium at El Camino College and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Under the direction of Dr. Geoffrey Pope, BCSO presents four free concerts annually featuring talented local musicians.
📍Various locations
Orchestra Nova LA at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church
Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Santa Monica will continue hosting free classical music concerts into 2026 through Orchestra Nova LA’s performance series. Upcoming concerts are scheduled for February 21, April 11, and May 30, 2026, all beginning at 8:00 PM on Saturday evenings. While specific program details will be announced closer to each date, all performances are free and open to the public.
📍1343 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Noon Concerts by the PCC
The Free Outdoor Concert Series at Pasadena City College’s West Patio returns every year as a cherished community tradition. Held during Open College Hour on select Tuesdays and Thursdays each fall, these free 12:00 PM concerts invite everyone to enjoy live music outdoors in a relaxed, bring-your-own-lunch setting. Featuring PCC student ensembles and guest artists—including the Jazz Combos, Latin Jazz Ensemble, and Lancer Jazz Big Band—the series highlights the college’s rich musical talent, continuing into spring and fall 2026.
📍1570 East Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106