Annual Music Festivals in Long Beach
Long Beach has a rich musical heritage, one that’s added to every summer through a wide array of music festivals. These single and multi-day events not only offer a wide selection of music–jazz, pop, house, country–but food, wellness and community. Listen up!
LONG BEACH JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
Long Beach Juneteenth Celebration founder Carl Kemp said he wants this event, held June 17 at Rainbow Lagoon Park (400 E. Shoreline Dr.), to be about “joyfully celebrating Black culture.” That celebration once again will be provided by multiple entertainers and performers, headlined by platinum selling artist Kelly Price. Also performing will be the Greater Los Angeles Cathedral Choir, which has performed alongside Peabo Bryson, Stephanie Mills and Jon Secada. There will be DJs and a Black Greek step show featuring local fraternities and sororities.
DAY TRIP
This festival is all about House music. Created in 2018, Day Trip (June 24-25) will be held at Queen Mary Waterfront (1126 Queens Hwy.), adjacent to the Queen Mary itself. Featuring fresh ocean air, sun-soaked vibes and more than 30 DJs on its High Tide and Deep End stages, a lineup that offers the likes of Dombresky, Blond:ish, CID and Archie Hamilton. Day Trip attracts a fun, 21+ crowd that comes to dance, sing and sip on specialty cocktails.
LONG BEACH JAZZ FESTIVAL
In its 34th year, the Long Beach Jazz Festival (Aug. 11-13) is the only jazz fest held in a waterfront setting. Taking place at Rainbow Lagoon Park (Shoreline Dr. and Linden Ave.), there will be great food, drink and art to enjoy while listening to acclaimed performers like Will Downing, Najee, Jakiem Joyner and Jessy J. The festival will again put an emphasis on wellness with its Health and Wellness Pavilion featuring inspirational and expert speakers, treatment areas, vendors and healthy food sampling stations.
LONG BEACH PRIDE
Music is central to Long Beach Pride (Aug. 4-6), attracting a star-studded roster of major musical talent over the years including Dreamgirls (Jennifer Holliday and Jennifer Hudson) and disco icons (The Village People, KC and the Sunshine Band), as well as musicians representing a wide swath of styles: Bangles to Queen Latifah to Gloria Trevi. Performing on multiple stages at Marina Green Park (386 E. Shoreline Dr.), this year’s lineup has yet to be announced, but will represent an eclectic mix, from pop to hip hop, country to Tejano.
COASTAL COUNTRY JAM
Now in its fifth year, Coastal Country Jam features an impressive list of top country talent headlined by Maron Morris, Blake Shelton and Tim McGraw. The two day festival–Sept. 16-17–takes place at Marina Green Park (386 E. Shoreline Dr.) offering spectacular views of the Long Beach waterfront as well as the downtown skyline. Not only will artists perform on multiple stages but a 50,000-square–foot space dubbed the Country Club will host line dancing as well as curated craft food and drinks, interactive art installations and a Ferris Wheel!
