- Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series
- LA Original Farmers Market Summer Music Series
- L.A.’s First Luxury Gas Station
- L.A. French Fry Festival
- Watts Towers Rebuild into a Park
- San Pedro Waterfront West Harbor Project
- LAX Automated People Mover (APM)
- Baldwin Hills / Baldwin Village Costco Mixed Use Project
- USA Vs. Belgium
- Summer Night Lights
Summer Night Lights
Summer Night Lights (SNL) is one of the City of Los Angeles’ signature summer programs, led by Mayor Karen Bass and coordinated through the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Community Safety and the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.
The initiative provides free evening activities for youth, families, and neighborhoods at parks and recreation centers throughout Los Angeles during the summer months. It is a cornerstone of the City’s violence prevention and community safety strategy.
What is Summer Night Lights?
The program transforms selected parks into safe, vibrant gathering places where residents can enjoy:
- 🍔 Free dinners for youth and families (while supplies last)
- 🏀 Basketball, soccer, and other sports
- 🎵 Live music and DJ entertainment
- 🎨 Arts & crafts
- 🎬 Outdoor movies on select nights
- 🎮 Games and recreation
- 🎁 Giveaways and raffles
- 🩺 Health and wellness information
- 💼 Job and career resources
- 📚 Educational activities
- 🤝 Community resource fairs featuring City departments and nonprofit organizations.
2026 Program Highlights
For the 2026 season, Summer Night Lights continues its focus on:
- Keeping recreation centers and parks active during evening hours.
- Providing safe alternatives for young people during the summer.
- Building stronger neighborhoods through free community events.
- Connecting residents with employment opportunities, mental health services, financial literacy resources, and youth programs.
- Supporting the City’s broader public safety initiatives as Los Angeles prepares to welcome visitors for major international sporting events.
Typical Event Schedule
Most participating parks operate:
- Days: Wednesday through Saturday (varies by location)
- Time: Approximately 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Admission: FREE
- Registration: Generally not required
Schedules may vary by recreation center.
Who Can Attend?
Everyone is welcome, including:
- Families
- Children
- Teens
- Young adults
- Seniors
- Local residents
- Visitors
The events are designed to be inclusive and family-friendly.
Community Impact
Since its launch in 2008, Summer Night Lights has become one of Los Angeles’ largest neighborhood engagement programs. According to the Mayor’s Office, more than 110,000 Angelenos participated during the 2025 season, and City leaders credit the program as one component of broader efforts that have coincided with reductions in violent crime and increased community engagement.
What You’ll Find at a Typical SNL Event
- Live bands or DJs
- Food trucks or free meals
- Basketball tournaments
- Soccer clinics
- Dance performances
- Family game nights
- Community vendors
- Health screenings
- Youth employment information
- Children’s play zones
- Local nonprofit organizations
How to Find a Summer Night Lights Location
Participating recreation centers are located across Los Angeles, including neighborhoods in:
- South Los Angeles
- Watts
- Harbor Area
- San Fernando Valley
- East Los Angeles
- Northeast Los Angeles
- West Los Angeles
The City publishes the complete list of participating parks and schedules each summer.
For official updates, locations, and schedules, visit:
