Pack your sunscreen, grab your best dancing sneakers, and maybe plan for a post-bedtime snack run, because KCRW Summer Nights are officially in full swing—and the 2025 lineup is looking like a love letter to LA’s music, art, and cultural scenes. From Union Station to Kidspace Museum to the Wende Museum’s courtyard, these all-ages, totally free outdoor parties bring the vibes and the variety.
Whether you’re an old-school KCRW fan or just someone who enjoys grooving under twinkly lights with friends and strangers alike, this summer’s calendar has something for you—and the kids, too. And did we mention it’s free?
Not Your Average DJ Night
This isn’t your neighborhood bar’s DJ night with one person and a laptop in the corner. These are full-blown celebrations—with live sets, KCRW’s signature mix of genre-hopping DJs, pop-up food options, and settings that turn the city into a festival map.
Think:
The Altons getting soulful at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes (June 28)
Brijean and their breezy beats at Union Station (July 19)
Baby Rose & Angelica Garcia taking over Grand Performances (July 26)
And yes, Descanso Gardens and Bowers Museum events if you’re the type who likes your dance party with a side of botanical tranquility or fine art
Real LA, Real Neighborhoods
The beauty of KCRW Summer Nights is how they’re scattered across the city—Long Beach, Pasadena, Santa Ana, even the Autry Museum in Griffith Park. Each event is a different flavor of LA, and that’s intentional. You’re just as likely to hear reggaeton next to a museum as you are to stumble upon a low-key disco set in a beer garden. (Yes, Benny Boy Brewing is hosting the members-only kickoff.)
Some new venues this year include:
Kidspace Museum in Pasadena (Aug 2) – with DJ Lance Rock from Yo Gabba Gabba, no less
Wende Museum in Culver City (Aug 23) – a surprisingly perfect spot for an artsy, low-key summer night
Downtown Long Beach (Aug 16) – where the arts scene is only getting better, and the dance floors are underrated
The Big Ones
There are also a few marquee moments you’ll want to block off now:
July 4 at Gloria Molina Grand Park: Think citywide block party meets DJ-fueled firework pregame
Sept 20 at Hauser & Wirth: A stylish season finale at one of LA’s best indoor/outdoor galleries, featuring DJs Anne Litt and Nassir Nassirzadeh spinning as the sun sets
Free, Friendly, and Fun for Everyone
These events are for everyone—kids, grandparents, stroller brigades, and late-night wanderers. No tickets, no gatekeeping, just good energy. And while you could just show up for the music, it’s also a great way to explore the city through its cultural institutions. (Pro tip: Museums often stay open late on event nights.)
Whether you’re there to catch a rising band, discover your new favorite DJ, or just enjoy a night that doesn’t involve screens and bedtime negotiations, KCRW Summer Nights are the kind of civic joy that make summer in LA feel like summer in LA.
Full schedule + updates: kcrw.com/summernights
All events are free, family-friendly, and outdoors
Locations throughout LA, Pasadena, Long Beach, and more
BYO vibes (and maybe a light jacket—it is LA after dark)
See you under the string lights.
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