Learn Spanish (Latin America): El concierto tuvo lugar en el parque.

Tener lugar is a fixed expression meaning to take place. While you could use a verb like ocurrir or pasar (to happen), tener lugar is the most natural and common way to describe where a planned event, like a concert or a meeting, is held.

Could I use the verb ser instead of tener lugar to say where the concert was?

Yes! You could also say El concierto fue en el parque. Remember that for events (like concerts, parties, or classes), Spanish uses ser to say where they happen, not estar. Tener lugar is simply a great alternative to using ser.

Why is it tuvo (preterite) instead of tenía (imperfect) here?

We use the preterite tuvo because the concert is being reported as a single, completed event in the past. If you used the imperfect tenía lugar, it would sound like you are setting a background scene for another action, like 'The concert was taking place when it started to rain.'

Why is there no article before lugar? Why not tuvo un lugar?

Because tener lugar is a fixed idiom, it doesn't use an article. If you said tuvo un lugar, it would be taken literally to mean 'it had a spot' or 'it had a seat,' completely losing the meaning of 'took place.'