How to Attend FREE Hollywood Bowl Rehearsals 

Where 

These free LA Philharmonic public rehearsals take place at the Hollywood Bowl. Did you know the Hollywood Bowl is a public park, which is owned and operated by the LA Deptrtment of Parks and Recreation? It is, and is open to the public on most days in the summer from 8am-3pm. You can come any day, rehearsal or not, and check out the Bowl, picnic in the park, or walk around (and of course, visit the museum!).

But we're here to talk rehearsals. When you come, simply park in the great parking lot that's by the box office. Yes, that's free too. And none of it is the usual stacked parking! (This is where VIPs and artists park on concert nights!)

Park the car and walk up to the entrance. Hollywood Bowl staff will direct you to the designated seating areas within the concert venue. You typically have to sit in the left side of the Bowl, behind the boxes.

When 

Free public classical music rehearsals typically take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting at 9am (they usually end around noon). On occasion, additional days are scheduled, and rehearsal times may vary. The best way to determine when the orchestra is practicing is to call the Hollywood Bowl Audience Services line at (323) 850-2000 on Monday to confirm the current week's schedule. Sometimes if they're repeating a program, the orchestra won't rehearse, and sometimes they'll open the rehearsal up to the public on additional days. Call!

How 

To attend these rehearsals, just show up! You do not need to make a reservation or purchase any sort of ticket. Just park in the back, walk up to the entrance, follow the staff, and enjoy the free concert. 

Rehearsals are perfect for all ages, especially if you are hoping to introduce your little ones to the wonders of classical music. What make it especially cool, for young musicians, is that it's truly a rehearsal. Often the HB Orchestra is playing a piece together for the first time. They show up in shorts and flip flops, and you can listen to the conductor work with them, stopping the musicians to play a section over in a different way. It's a wonderful behind-the-scenes glimpse of how art gets made!

What You Need to Know 

Food Options

Families are welcome to pack snacks or a picnic for this morning at the Bowl- food and drinks are allowed and welcome! 

South LA Cafe in the Plaza Marketplace is open from 7am - 3pm most days. Coffee (good coffee!) and snacks are available. 

Indoor Voices Needed Outside

Because this is a working rehearsal, the Bowl asks that kids are reminded that they need to behave quietly and respectfully. You have to use indoor voices, even though you're outside. Talking needs to be in whispers, and not disturb the other patrons or the musicians. No running in the Bowl, either!

I suggest bringing quiet activities for the kids, such as coloring books or books to read so that they can enjoy the music and stay (quietly) occupied. 

If your kids need a break, take them up to the tippy top picnic area, with amazing views of the city where you'll still be able to hear the music, but kids can run around a little! If you can't find this spot, ask the helpful Bowl staff.

Other Helpful Details

Hollywood Bowl staff heavily emphasize that there is no professional filming at the Bowl rehearsals. Persons with tripods, iPads, GoPros, and any other professional-grade recording devices are not permitted. Phones and handheld cameras are allowed.

Typically, the crowd is light at these rehearsals (not many people even know about them!) so you can enjoy the Bowl without having to jostle your way to your seat. On hot days, you'll be happiest sitting to the far right in the shade, and if your kids need to talk or get up, sit farther back. 

Strollers are allowed at the Bowl and can be checked by guest services for the duration of the rehearsal. Staff will often request that parents fold the stroller when nearing the sitting areas. I'd suggest switching your baby to a carrier when entering the amphitheater. 

Speaking of babies, use the Family Restroom near the Wine Bar for easy diaper changes. There are also changing tables in select restrooms around the Bowl- an usher can help you locate them. 

The Perfect Summer Family Outing 

These free rehearsals are the best way to introduce kids to the Hollywood Bowl! First of all, the casual come-and-go setup allows families to duck out when little attention spans hit their limit. You won't feel guilty about "sneaking out" of a concert after paying a high price tag. There's a low risk here, and everyone is welcome to leave whenever they want. If you're late, you won't have missed anything important, so parents can come and go without feeling the pressure of time. 

Another reason this is a fun outing for the whole family is the snacks. I travel with a Yeti lunch pail full of consumables at all times. Being a mom of four demands it. Places that don't allow snacks or drinks inside can cause a lot of drama for this perpetually hungry and insatiably thirsty crew. At the Hollywood Bowl rehearsals, my group can munch on goldfish, Chewy bars, and veggie straws to their hearts' content without reprimand. 

The Hollywood Bowl rehearsals are not amplified, making the noise level perfect for children with sensory needs. It also makes it easy to talk with your kids over the music (no yelling into their ears over a blaring guitar solo). 

Educational Ways to Introduce Kids to Classical Music

If you want to teach your kids a thing or two about the LA Philharmonic, we've got some ideas! Start encouraging curiosity before you leave for the Bowl. Introduce your kids to classical music with an episode of Little Einsteins (Beethoven's Wig is a great one), Sesame Street (Elmo's Music Magic or Ludwig Van Cookie are both about orchestras), or StoryBots (the episode How Do You Make Music? is perfect). 

On the way there, listen to some classical music in the car. If you have Spotify or Amazon music, it's easy to search composers and select great works. You can also enjoy a wide range of classical pieces on Classical KUSC 91.5 FM, which is operated by the University of Southern California. Ask kids to identify musical instruments, tempos, volumes, and more, as they listen, to keep them engaged. 

Bring a book from your local library about the orchestra and music, and read it to the kids during the rehearsal. A few of my favorites are: Welcome to the Symphony by Carolyn Sloan, Because by Mo Willems, The Philharmonic Gets Dressed by Karla Kuskin, Meet the Orchestra by Ann Hayes, and Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin! by Lloyd Moss. 

Add some extra intrigue by packing some binoculars. This way, the kids can get an up-close look at the different musicians onstage. As every seasoned mom knows, one pair per child is ideal, as having one pair for all to share will likely lead to some sharing lessons. Kidnoculars Binoculars are perfect and only cost $10 - $20. 

Have fun! 

Lead photo credit: walterrrrr, via Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0