The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved ticket price increases Tuesday for the 2018 Hollywood Bowl season, citing increased production, labor, marketing and artists’ costs.
Most of the increases amount to $1 or $2 per seat, though concertgoers paying for the highest-priced garden and pool circle boxes will see hikes of up to $6 on weekends and $10 for special event tickets.
While 40 percent of all tickets will sell at prices of $30 or less on Tuesday through Friday, the best weekend seats can range from $202 to even $350..
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, which operates the iconic amphitheater, will continue to offer $1 tickets for the 380 top benches during classical and jazz performances on Tuesday through Thursday nights.
The new ticket prices range up to $202 for the best seats on a Saturday night and as much as $350 for pool circle and garden box seats at special events.
Parking, a big part of any night out in Los Angeles, will also be more expensive for the first time since 2015. General parking will cost $5 more for all events, for a total of $22 per car for concerts presented by the philharmonic. Valet parking will be $5 more at $55.
Supervisor Sheila Kuehl said part of the reason for increasing parking fees was to encourage people to take public transportation or ride share.
“Maybe if we make it more expensive, they actually will take the $1.75 train ride and a van and get there actually an hour quicker,” Kuehl said.
–City News Service