5 Not To Miss LA Music Festivals

Photo Source: Flickr - Eva Rinaldi

Los Angeles is a well-known city for hosting big name events year round and is one of the top entertainment filled cities on the West Coast. There’s always something going on in Los Angeles giving many travelers a reason to go. Music festivals are one of the events this city has no shortage of, with many big name artists mixed in with those still trying to make it big. Here are three of their top music festivals not to be missed for music lovers.

Twilight Concerts

One of the highlights of the summer in Los Angeles is the Twilight Concerts now in its 31st year. They are held on Thursday evenings from 7-10pm during July through September at the Santa Monica Pier. This free event presents a large number of up and coming local musicians. Individuals of every age enjoy the summer atmosphere with the best views from the pier and great music.

FYE Fest

Believe it or not, but this festival originally started because a group of friends were bored. Fast forward more than 10 years and the FYE Fest is one of the most important music event in Los Angeles. It’s a two-day event held at the LA Sports Arena & Exposition Park and highlights many genres of music, including rock, indie and even electronic. The festival even has its own night market so you can listen to the music and grab some delicious drub at the same time. Dates vary, but for the last few years the Fest has been held in late August.

Playboy Jazz Festival

Founded in 1959, the Playboy Jazz Festival has been held annually in Los Angeles since 1979. Playboy Enterprises is the main sponsor of this event and the primary objective is to celebrate jazz where up and coming as well as established musicians are invited. It is normally held on a weekend in mid-June every year. The event is usually broadcasted live by KKJZ, a public jazz radio station in Southern California. Comedian George Lopez has been emceeing the event since 2013. Event tickets can be purchased online.

HARD Summer Music Festival

This eclectic event started in LA and is now a national music festival, music cruise and concert brand founded back in 2007. The line-up every year usually includes a good mix of alternative and electronic acts and many artists you may not have heard of yet, but are most likely to be the "next big thing." More than just one event, Hard also runs several smaller events throughout the year in addition to its well-known Summer Music Festival and the Hard Haunted Mansion.

Echo Park Rising

This weekend event in August usually attracts a very large number of fans, estimated to be around ten thousand people. The festival is held on an annual basis and this year will be the event`s fifth. Echo Park Rising is free and is hosted in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Echo Park just as the name suggests. The festival boasts several great bands while focusing on the music, creativity and diversity of the neighborhood. There are also plenty of places to eat in Echo Park plus the event itself has food trucks in their vendor village.

What’s your favorite music festival near you?

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Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.