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Los Gatos Free Music Concert Series Collage Summer 2023

Summer 2026 is flying by, and Los Gatos is having a season of music to remember! The last couple of years have transformed Los Gatos’ free music scene, with some favorites returning and new events to look forward to, while others have taken their last bow.

The staples of Los Gatos’ summer music scene, Jazz on the Plazz and Music in the Park, are back with performances from long-time favorites. Knowing that you are as excited about these as I am, I have compiled a calendar of free outdoor music events for us all! (Not all artists and schedules have been announced, so please check the official event websites for the latest news).

Below please find a compilation of the 2 different Los Gatos free musical concert series, 2 festivals with live performances, and a few one-day events featuring local bands. As always, the information below is believed to be reliable, but as with any concert or outdoors event it may be subject to change, so double check the website (and the weather) prior to going and always read the rules, especially if you plan to picnic. Hope to see you there!

Note: This post is often updated twice in the season, once before all bands are announced, and again with the complete lineups for all of the events mid-season. Some events have now passed, but there’s still plenty more coming. We’ll see you there!

2026 Summer Concert Series: Free Music and Fun in Los Gatos

Music in the Park

Music in the Park – Los Gatos is enjoying the return of Music in the Park with the 2026 series! The event’s former website and Facebook page have been discontinued, so find all event information on the Town event page. Free concerts can be enjoyed Sundays July 19th through August 23rd from 5pm to 7pm on the Los Gatos Civic Center Lawn.

Jazz on the Plazz – Also back, the event website has published the schedule for 2026 with a fantastic lineup of bands, who you can read more about in the digital brochure! Check the Facebook page for regular updates and bonus entertainment. (And if you didn’t check out the Jazz on off the Plazz 2020 Virtual Shows they are all still available to watch online.) Concerts held every Wednesday, 6:30pm to 8:30pm, from July 8th through August 26th at Los Gatos Town Plaza.

Please note that while the other music venues are 100% free, with Jazz on the Plazz events, the “best” seats come with a price tag. In late July 2025 they announced the end of season Gala, an extravagant, ticketed fundraiser, with live music, dinner, and auctions, that was held on September 20th, 2025 from 6pm – 10pm. As of this update, no Gala has been posted for the end of the 2026 season.

Fiesta de Artes / Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival – In 2021 the Los Gatos Fiesta merged with the Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival and the sweet pairing will be back for more later this year. The musical lineup and more is published online and we can anticipate a great show with some fantastic local favorites! You can also check their Facebook page for updates. Celebrate the weekend of September 26th – 27th, 2026 at the Civic Center Lawn.

New this year: GOLD Thursdays. Though 2026 is its inagural year, GOLD Thursdays feel like a return of the Promenade but with a twist (it’s making use of Downtown LG’s new “Entertainment Zone”). Like the Fiesta, live music isn’t the primary focus so much as it is part of the greater festivities. This celebration is held the first Thursday of the month from May through October, from 5pm – 8pm. The map of the Entertainment Zone and more details about perks and participation can be found on the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce event page, and you can explore entertainment, special offers, and more on the interactive GOLD Thursdays Map online. Artists and schedules are posted on the map by location and there are many shows going on at once across downtown.

 

Jazz on the Plazz 2022 logoOne-Day Only!

Fourth of July – Independence Day celebrations are an annual Town tradition at Oak Meadow park! Changes sometimes happen last-minute, so check the Town page for details and the latest updates on this event. As always, the San Jose Wind Symphony, was the main musical feature of the day and their performance began at 11:15am. Along with an excellent show, there’s always food trucks, BBQ, and ice cream, games and activities, the children’s parade, and both Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, and the W.E. Mason Carousel to enjoy. Los Gatos residents park free at the Oak Meadow lot, but spots are extremely limited so come early or plan accordingly (and better yet, bike or carpool).

Taste of Los Gatos – Music may not be the main feature of this festival, but it’s free for all to enjoy! This downtown street festival celebrates our shared community through an epicurian lense, and participation in tastings requires purchase, but the festivities are open to all. Join in on September 19th from 12pm (noon) – 5pm on N. Santa Cruz Ave between Main St. to Bachman Ave. (these streets will closed to vehicles, so plan accordingly). Activities include live bands at the mainstage, a family fun zone, a craft beer truck, and more. Attendance is free, but the event sells tasting wristbands which sell out early, so plan to purchase in advance if you are interested in that event.

 

Now for the combined schedule of performances. Below is my hand-pulled schedule of free concert performances based on the currently announced lineups for these series. Since we’re still in early spring and not much has been announced the list is limited!

Once again, please double check all rules, directions, and schedule information with the information on the festival website so you can enjoy the music to the fullest. A complete list of performers and dates is not yet available, please check the respective event websites for the most current information.

Music in the Park schedule not included, and Independence Day celebration may be subject to change below as no dates or lineup have been announced for either annual event.

Concert Series Lineup

Series Date Day Time Performers
GOLD Thursdays 7-May Thurs 5:00-8:00pm Check the interactive map
GOLD Thursdays 4-Jun Thurs 5:00-8:00pm Check the interactive map
GOLD Thursdays 2-Jul Thurs 5:00-8:00pm Check the interactive map
4th of July Symphony in the Park 4-Jul Sat 11:15am San Jose Wind Symphony
Jazz on the Plazz 8-Jul Wed 6:30-8:30pm The Jazz Sophisticates Dance Orchestra
Jazz on the Plazz 15-Jul Wed 6:30-8:30pm Pacific Mambo Orchestra
Music in the Park 19-Jul Sun 5:00-7:00pm The Houserockers
Jazz on the Plazz 22-Jul Wed 6:30-8:30pm Tony Lindsay & The Soul Soldiers
Music in the Park 26-Jul Sun 5:00-7:00pm Estero
Jazz on the Plazz 29-Jul Wed 6:00pm Special Opener: San Jose High School Jazz All-Stars
Jazz on the Plazz 29-Jul Wed 6:30-8:30pm Jessica Johnson
Music in the Park 2-Aug Sun 5:00-7:00pm The Bent Peter Band
Jazz on the Plazz 5-Aug Wed 6:30-8:30pm Full Spectrum Big Band
GOLD Thursdays 6-Aug Thurs 5:00-8:00pm Check the interactive map
Music in the Park 9-Aug Sun 5:00-7:00pm Lindsay and the Cheeks
Jazz on the Plazz 12-Aug Wed 6:30-8:30pm Smoked Out Soul
Music in the Park 16-Aug Sun 5:00-7:00pm Miko Marks
Jazz on the Plazz 19-Aug Wed 6:30-8:30pm Pamela Parker’s Fantastic Machine
Music in the Park 23-Aug Sun 5:00-7:00pm Harry and the Hitmen
Jazz on the Plazz 26-Aug Wed 6:30-8:30pm Gunhild Carling (Season Finale)
GOLD Thursdays 3-Sep Thurs 5:00-8:00pm Check the interactive map
Taste of Los Gatos 19-Sep Sat 12:00-5:00pm Artists and performance schedules not announced
Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival: Fiesta de Artes 26-Sep Sat 10:00am National Anthem by Michelle Giacopuzzi (L..A. Party Dollls)
Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival: Fiesta de Artes 26-Sep Sat 10:00am JADe
Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival: Fiesta de Artes 26-Sep Sat 12:00pm Noon Tsunami
Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival: Fiesta de Artes 26-Sep Sat 2:00pm RPM Band
Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival: Fiesta de Artes 26-Sep Sat 4:00pm The Megatones
Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival: Fiesta de Artes 27-Sep Sun 10:00am Hoot ‘n Holler
Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival: Fiesta de Artes 27-Sep Sun 12:00pm Noon Fishook
Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival: Fiesta de Artes 27-Sep Sun 2:00pm Johnny Neri Band
Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival: Fiesta de Artes 27-Sep Sun 4:00pm The Houserockers
GOLD Thursdays 1-Oct Thurs 5:00-8:00pm Check the interactive map
That is quite the roundup! Los Gatos is a fantastic place in which to live and recreate, but no time more than in the summer. Enjoy!

Gone For Good?

Over the years, some shows have come and gone, and this year there’s one more to add to the list:

The Sounds of Summer Bluegrass & Americana Festival – This one-day festival held it’s grand opening in June of 2023 and returned again in 2024, but appears to have quietly disappeared as of 2025 with no update to the event webpage since last year.

The Promenade – After a successful start in 2021, and a popular return in 2022, the new kid on the block appears to be gone for good.

Vasona Vibrations – PERMANENTLY CANCELED – The website still shows the 2020 cancellation, but take a peak at their Facebook page and you’ll see the current status: permanantly canceled.

A popular event within the Music in the Concert series, the Los Gatos Park Dance, appears to be gone for good with no updates since 2020.

 

 

 

 

 

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Live in Los Gatos blog
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