Summer of Music: the Long Beach Municipal Band
The Long Beach Municipal Band is celebrating a remarkable 116th season in 2025, proudly standing as the oldest city-funded municipal band in the United States. But while the band’s history runs deep, it’s certainly not showing its age—just take a look at this summer’s ambitious lineup: more than 20 performances across five city parks over six weeks, each concert delivering top-tier entertainment that makes a person proud to call Long Beach home.
The Long Beach Municipal Band has become a treasured part of the city’s cultural landscape. This year’s summer concert series, themed “Sunset Serenade,” offers a rich variety of musical genres—from patriotic and western, to cinematic scores, jazz, opera, and Latin rhythms, as well as pop favorites. Each week introduces a new sound, ensuring every performance feels fresh.
All performances begin at 6:30 PM and are free to attend. The featured programs are: “Wild, Wild West” (June 24-27), “Let Freedom Ring” (July 1-3), “The Music of James Horner” (July 8-11), “Night at the Opera” (July 15-18) “Viva la Fiesta” (July 22-25) and “Symphonic Popcorn” (July 29-Aug. 1).
Concerts will take place on set days at these five parks:
- Tuesdays: June 24 and July 1 at Whaley Park North (5620 E Atherton St)
- Tuesdays: July 8, 15, 22, and 29 at Bixby Annex Park (East Ocean Blvd and Junipero Ave)
- Wednesdays: June 25 and July 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 at Los Cerritos Park (3750 Del Mar Ave)
- Thursdays: June 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31 at Marine Stadium’s Conductor Larry Curtis Concert Park (5255 Paoli Way)
- Fridays: June 27, July 11, 18, 25, and August 1 at El Dorado Park West (2800 N Studebaker Rd)
The Municipal Band is not only the nation’s oldest, it’s also among the most accomplished. The ensemble is packed with elite musicians whose day jobs place them in Los Angeles recording studios working with major artists, contributing to film and television scores, and performing in prestigious ensembles. Their expertise elevates every concert well beyond the expectations of a typical park performance.
“We put time in the studio to be great at our craft, but the musical magic happens with the audience,” Conductor Kurt Curtis said. “It’s an emotional rush, it’s why we play—to inspire—and they’re part of it. That feedback, that connection with audiences, where the whole community culminates with this emotional crescendo. I can’t wait!”
All performances are free and begin at 6:30 p.m.
For more information about any upcoming Municipal Band performances, click here.
