The Los Angeles Philharmonic has unveiled its 2026 summer lineup at the Hollywood Bowl, marking the orchestra’s 104th season at the iconic hillside venue. Running June through September, the season blends large-scale classical masterworks, genre-crossing collaborations and major upgrades to the Bowl’s campus and sound.
At the heart of the summer is “Celebrating Gustavo at the Bowl,” a four-night tribute to Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel and his 17-year tenure. The week includes a monumental performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony featuring the Los Angeles Master Chorale and musicians from YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles). The program opens with a world premiere by Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino, set to lyrics by poet Amanda Gorman. Other celebratory nights range from a surprise-filled “Dudamel’s Playlist” to a genre-spanning retrospective and a high-voltage collaboration with the Foo Fighters alongside the LA Phil.
Opening Night launches the season with a Broadway-themed benefit supporting the LA Phil’s learning and community programs, complete with fireworks. The popular Blue Note Jazz Festival returns for two days, while July Fourth brings patriotic flair and a 250th birthday salute to America with The Beach Boys and special guest John Stamos.
Classical programming remains expansive. Conductors and soloists from around the world lead evenings devoted to Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Brahms and Rachmaninoff, alongside contemporary works and commissions. Annual traditions such as the Tchaikovsky Spectacular with Fireworks return, as do imaginative themed programs including a soccer-inspired “Classical World Cup.”
Film music again takes center stage on the newly designated John Williams Stage. Highlights include music from the films of Wes Anderson, a multi-night focus on composer Joe Hisaishi, and live-to-picture presentations of Top Gun: Maverick and Amadeus, culminating in a tribute to John Williams and his legendary scores.
Beyond the music, the Bowl introduces significant enhancements. The new Terri and Jerry Kohl Artists Pavilion opens in June as a multipurpose space for artist gatherings and dining. A fully reimagined museum exhibition, Hollywood Bowl: Soul of a City, debuts, tracing the venue’s century-long cultural impact. Meanwhile, a state-of-the-art L-Acoustics sound system promises immersive, 360-degree audio throughout the amphitheater.
From orchestral blockbusters to hip-hop, jazz, reggae and pop, the 2026 season reinforces the Hollywood Bowl’s reputation as one of the world’s most dynamic summer stages—where Los Angeles gathers under the stars to experience music without boundaries.
