The centerpiece of the season, “Celebrating Gustavo at the Bowl,” features four performances Aug. 20–23, including Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, a genre-spanning concert curated by Dudamel and a collaboration with the Foo Fighters.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic on Wednesday unveiled its 2026 Hollywood Bowl summer season, highlighted by a weeklong celebration of Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel and a mix of classical, pop, jazz and film programs at the iconic outdoor amphitheater.
The season runs June through September and marks the orchestra’s 104th summer at the Hollywood Bowl.
The centerpiece of the season, “Celebrating Gustavo at the Bowl,” features four performances Aug. 20–23, including Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, a genre-spanning concert curated by Dudamel and a collaboration with the Foo Fighters.
The week opens Aug. 20 with Beethoven’s Ninth, performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, musicians from Youth Orchestra Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. The program begins with the world premiere of a new orchestral work by composer Michael Giacchino, featuring lyrics by poet Amanda Gorman and sung by the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus.
On Aug. 21, Dudamel hosts “Dudamel’s Playlist,” a one-night program with guest artists to be announced. The following night, the Foo Fighters perform with the orchestra and YOLA musicians. The celebration concludes Aug. 23 with “A Musical Legacy,” a program spanning classical, pop and Latin repertoire reflecting Dudamel’s 17-year tenure.
“This summer’s season reflects the extraordinary range of what the Bowl offers,” LA Phil President and CEO Kim Noltemy said in a statement, citing programs that include a return of the Blue Note Jazz Festival and a Fourth of July concert celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Opening night, June 20, features a Broadway-themed benefit concert for the LA Phil’s learning and community programs, led by Principal Conductor Thomas Wilkins and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.
The Blue Note Jazz Festival returns June 13–14 in collaboration with Blue Note LA, with performances by Patti LaBelle, Wyclef Jean, Gregory Porter, Samara Joy and others.
The annual July Fourth Fireworks Spectacular, July 2–4, features The Beach Boys with special guest John Stamos, performing hits including “Good Vibrations” and “Surfin’ USA,” followed by fireworks.
Classical highlights include programs devoted to Bernstein and Ellington, Tchaikovsky and Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms, and a “Tchaikovsky Spectacular with Fireworks.” Guest conductors this season include Marin Alsop, Cristian Măcelaru, Louis Langrée and others. The National Symphony Orchestra makes its Hollywood Bowl debut Aug. 18 under Gianandrea Noseda.
The season also inaugurates the newly named John Williams Stage, honoring the film composer. Film music programs include concerts devoted to the works of Wes Anderson, Joe Hisaishi and John Williams, as well as live-to-picture screenings of “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Amadeus” and “How to Train Your Dragon.”
Other popular music highlights include a Juneteenth concert headlined by Chance the Rapper on June 19, Reggae Night with Ziggy Marley and Burning Spear on June 21, and appearances by Nas with The Roots, Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, and Nathy Peluso with Grupo Niche.
Additional 2026 updates include the opening of the Terri and Jerry Kohl Artists Pavilion, the debut of a new L-Acoustics sound system and a reimagined exhibition at the Hollywood Bowl Museum.
Tickets and additional information are available through the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
