The Hollywood Bowl is the classic Los Angeles summer night out. Since 1922, Angelenos have packed picnic baskets and wine and climbed into the hills of Cahuenga Pass to hear music under the stars in an amphitheater that seats about 17,500 people. The concentric arches of its band shell are famous worldwide, and on a clear night you can see the Hollywood Sign from the upper benches.
The season runs mainly from late spring through early fall. This guide covers when to go, tickets, the picnic and alcohol rules, how to deal with parking and shuttles, and tips for first-timers.
In this guide
For year-round classical music, see our Walt Disney Concert Hall guide.
Hollywood Bowl at a glance
- Address: 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood
- Season: mainly late May or June to September, with some shows into October
- Capacity: about 17,500
- Gates: open 2 hours before showtime
- Picnics: allowed in a bag no larger than 15 by 15 by 22 inches
- Alcohol: outside wine and beer allowed at LA Phil concerts only
- Getting there: Park and Ride shuttles, Bowl Shuttle, or Metro B Line plus shuttle
When is the Hollywood Bowl season?
The Hollywood Bowl is an outdoor venue, so its main season runs in the warmer months, roughly from late spring to early fall. It is the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and it also hosts rock, pop, jazz and film-with-orchestra nights. Highlights usually include the Fourth of July fireworks show, movie nights with live orchestras and the Playboy Jazz Festival.
The schedule for the next season is usually announced in winter, with tickets on sale in spring. In the off-season, the venue is mostly closed except for special events.
Tickets and seating
Seating is divided into sections, from garden boxes close to the stage (with tables for picnics) to terrace boxes and benches that climb the hillside. Upper-section seats are backless wooden benches, which are cheap and fun but hard; bring or rent a cushion.
Ticket tips
- Cheap seats in the upper benches for LA Phil concerts can be very affordable, and the sound is good thanks to the speakers.
- Box seats are best for a picnic dinner with friends.
- Buy directly from the official Hollywood Bowl website to avoid resale markups.
- Everyone 2 and older needs a ticket.
Picnics, food and alcohol
Picnicking is part of the Bowl experience:
- Bring your own food in a bag or cooler no larger than 15 by 15 by 22 inches that fits under your seat.
- Drinks: only factory-sealed plastic bottles of one liter or less. No glass or cans.
- Alcohol: outside wine and beer are allowed at LA Phil-presented concerts but not at leased events (many rock and pop shows). Hard liquor is never allowed.
- On-site food: restaurants, marketplaces and concession stands sell everything from snacks to full picnic dinners. Concessions are cashless.
- Picnic areas around the grounds open when the gates open, two hours before the show.
Getting there and parking
Getting in and out is the biggest challenge at the Bowl.
- Park and Ride shuttles: buses from lots across LA County drop you at the gates. This is the least stressful option for most people; book in advance.
- Bowl Shuttle: from nearby lots in Hollywood.
- Metro: take the B Line to Hollywood/Highland, then walk uphill about 15 to 20 minutes or take the shuttle. See our LA Metro guide.
- On-site parking: the lots are stacked, meaning cars are parked in tight rows and you cannot leave until the cars around you leave. Plan to wait 30 minutes or more after the show.
- Rideshare: use the designated zones; expect surge pricing after big shows.
Tips for first-timers
- Arrive about 90 minutes early for security, finding your seat and a relaxed picnic.
- Bring layers; it gets chilly after dark, even in summer.
- Rent or bring a cushion for the benches.
- No umbrellas; ponchos are handed out if it rains.
- No bag check, so oversized bags will be turned away.
- Visit for free: morning rehearsals during the summer season are often open to the public, and the small Hollywood Bowl Museum is free.
A little history
The Bowl’s first concert season was in 1922, when audiences sat on wooden benches on the hillside. The famous shell has been rebuilt several times; the current shell opened in 2004, keeping the classic arches with modern acoustics. Legends from the Beatles to Frank Sinatra have played here, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Nearby things to do
- Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre: a short walk downhill. See our TCL Chinese Theatre guide.
- Hollywood Sign viewpoints: see our Hollywood Sign guide.
- Dinner on Highland Avenue or Hollywood Boulevard before the show.
Frequently asked questions
Can you bring alcohol to the Hollywood Bowl?
Outside wine and beer are allowed at LA Phil concerts, but not at leased events. Hard liquor is never allowed.
Can you bring food to the Hollywood Bowl?
Yes. Picnics are allowed in a bag or cooler no larger than 15 by 15 by 22 inches.
When is the Hollywood Bowl season?
Mainly from late spring to early fall, with the LA Phil summer season and other concerts.
What is the best way to get to the Hollywood Bowl?
Park and Ride shuttles are the easiest. Metro’s B Line to Hollywood/Highland plus a walk or shuttle also works.
Why can’t I leave early from Hollywood Bowl parking?
The on-site lots use stacked parking, so cars cannot leave until those around them move.
Photo credits
Featured image: Matthew Field, http://www.photography.mattfield.com / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5.
