Going to a concert at the iconic Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles can be an amazing experience, but ticket prices can often make it seem out of reach for budget-conscious music fans. The good news is that there are ways to get $1 tickets to see incredible shows at the Hollywood Bowl if you know where to look and are willing to put in a little effort.
What are Hollywood Bowl $1 tickets?
The Hollywood Bowl offers a limited number of $1 tickets for most of its concert events throughout the summer concert season. These coveted $1 tickets are made available through the venue’s Soundcheck program. Essentially, Soundcheck attendees fill any empty seats right before showtime to ensure a full house. It’s a great way for the Bowl to fill up the venue and let music lovers on a budget check out the show.
How Soundcheck tickets work
Soundcheck ticket holders can enter the venue 2 hours before showtime. After getting their tickets scanned, they are seated in the sidelines terraces or high up in the rear seats. These are areas that are likely to have empty seats that haven’t been sold. Around 30 minutes before the performance, Soundcheck patrons are relocated to more premium spots if those seats are still available. Depending on the concert, it is fairly common for Soundcheck attendees to end up with amazing mid-tier seats very close to the stage.
The pros and cons of Soundcheck $1 tickets
Pros
- Only $1 per ticket
- Opportunity to get awesome seats
- Full access to the show and venue
- See sold out or in-demand concerts
Cons
- Have to arrive 2 hours early
- Not guaranteed a good seat
- Limited availability
- Must stand in line to get a ticket
How to get Hollywood Bowl $1 tickets
Getting your hands on Hollywood Bowl $1 tickets requires planning ahead and being strategic. Here are some tips and tricks for scoring cheap tickets:
Get in line early
Only a set number of $1 tickets are issued for each show, so you’ll need to be at the front of the line when tickets are distributed. The earlier you can arrive before tickets are handed out (as early as 6-12 hours), the better. Bring sun protection, water, snacks, and anything else you’ll need for a long wait.
Know when tickets are distributed
Tickets are handed out at different times depending on the day of the week:
- Monday to Saturday: Ticket distribution starts at 4:00 PM
- Sundays: Tickets are given out starting at 3:00 PM
Get in the correct line
Make sure you are in the Soundcheck ticket line, not the regular box office line. Ask a staff member if you are unsure. The Soundcheck line forms at the blue Gate A doors. Don’t accidentally end up buying a full price ticket!
Check the website for details
The Hollywood Bowl website lists important Soundcheck ticket information on each show’s event page under ‘Other Details.’ This will tell you exactly when the $1 tickets will be handed out and how many are available.
See if your ticket includes free parking
Some shows will include free parking in the Soundcheck ticket, allowing you to save even more money. Check the event listing to see if parking is offered.
Only buy a single ticket if allowed
For very high demand shows, you may have to purchase more than one ticket when you get to the front of the line. But for most concerts, you can just buy a single $1 ticket.
Use public transportation
Consider taking the Metro or riding a bike to the Bowl instead of driving and paying for parking. This is a good budget-friendly option if free parking is not included with your ticket.
The best shows for $1 tickets
Certain concerts are more likely to have plentiful $1 ticket availability than others at the Hollywood Bowl. Here are some of the best types of shows to target:
- Weeknight concerts
- Less popular performers and opening acts
- Free community events
- LA Philharmonic orchestra performances
- Children’s shows
You’ll have fewer people to compete with for the cheap seats if you strategically choose these lower-interest events.
Alternative ways to get cheap Hollywood Bowl tickets
If you strike out getting $1 tickets through Soundcheck, don’t despair! Here are some other ways you may be able to get discounted tickets:
Look for ticket giveaways
Local radio stations will often give away ticket pairs to Hollywood Bowl shows. You can also find free ticket contests online. Enter as many as you can to increase your odds.
Check for student and educator discounts
If you are a student or teacher, sign up on the Hollywood Bowl website to access special pricing. There are also discounts for active military members.
Buy obstructed view seats
While obstructed view seats block the stage sightline in some way, they can be very cheap and still provide great sound.
Look for unofficial ticket sellers
Sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Reddit are places you may be able to score discounted secondhand tickets from sellers unable to attend.
Wait in the standby line
Right before showtime, any unfilled seats are offered to people waiting in the standby line. There’s no guarantee, but you might get very lucky.
Save money on concessions
Food and drinks at the Hollywood Bowl can be pricey, so bring in your own snacks if possible. If not, stop by the onsite Tastemade or Wine Bar stands for relatively cheap eats. Also look for combo deals and happy hour specials on drinks to maximize your budget.
Conclusion
Seeing an amazing live show at the Hollywood Bowl doesn’t have to break the bank. With some advance planning and a few clever strategies, scoring $1 tickets is totally doable. Just be prepared to put in time and effort to ensure you get one of the coveted cheap seats. With an iconic venue, world-class performers, and beautiful setting, experiencing the Hollywood Bowl on a budget is one of the best deals in LA.