VRRROOM with a View: The Acura Grand Prix Returns to Long Beach

America’s most iconic street race is back as the Acura Grand Prix returns to Long Beach, April 17–19, 2026, with more thrills than ever. Expect fast cars, flying trucks, great food, live music and nonstop energy all weekend long. From the Grand Prix itself to a packed lineup of races and attractions, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a look at what you can expect during Long Beach’s biggest weekend event.

Thursday

– The weekend schedule starts early as the City of Long Beach honors driver Alexander Rossi and former Long Beach Mayor Robert “Bob” Foster with their induction into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame. This free annual event, recognizing those who have made significant contributions to auto racing, takes place at 11 AM on the palm-lined public sidewalk on South Pine Avenue in front of the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center.

– Thunder Thursday, presented by Visit Long Beach, is a free evening of fun and one-of-a-kind experiences at The Pike Outlets (95 S Pine Ave) from 6 to 10 PM. This action-packed evening will include motorcycle freestyle demonstrations, pit stop competitions, driver autographs, race car displays, food tents, photo booths, the Auld Dubliner Beer Garden and a whole lot more!

Credit: City of Long Beach

Friday

– The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach officially gets under way as spectator gates open at 7:30 AM. While opening day will feature various race practices and qualifying events, it will also kick off the three-day LifeStyle Expo featuring more than 100 displays in the latest in automotive, home, recreation, travel and entertainment products and services. What’s more, fans can take part in the Cooler Master Dyn X Challenge featuring top-of-the-line racing simulators.

– The Family Fun Zone, located in the Long Beach Arena area of the Lifestyle Expo, will have games, racing simulators and rock climbing walls. Also, kids ages 3-6 years old can race in their very own race cars!

– Once again, the Grand Prix will feature a wide selection of exceptional food and drink. Savor, food and beverage partner of the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, has once again pulled together an amazing group of local restaurants and bars to serve customers all around the track; everything from mimosa bars to bistro fare to a Brunch Bar featuring such local favorites as Gemmae Bake Shop as well as other minority and women owned vendors.

– Not only will great local restaurants and pubs located around the 1.97-mile circuit be open and serving, but the very popular Food Truck Experience will once again be parked behind Grandstand 31, featuring a bevy of Southern California’s best gourmet food trucks.

– On the track, there will be numerous practice runs as well as qualifying laps for a variety of racing categories, everything from trucks to sports cars. At 6:30 PM the enormously popular Super Drift Challenge gets under way for the first of its two events.

– Beginning at 6:30 PM, live DJs perform on the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center Terrace Plaza located in front of the Long Beach Performing Arts Center (300 E Ocean Blvd).

Saturday

– With spectator gates opening at 7:30 AM, racing begins at 8:30 AM with the Historic Sports Club Challenge featuring American muscle cars that defined the Golden Age of sports car racing from the 1970s through 1991. IndyCar practice session gets underway at 10:30 AM.

– At 2 PM, the IMSA SportsCar Grand Prix hits the tracks with two classes of the most advanced, exotic cars on the planet engaging in a 100-minute competition.

– At 4:30 PM, Robby Gordon’s Stadium SUPER Trucks Race #1 series, showcasing powerful, high-flying tracks performing wild ramp jumps, gets underway.

– Drift fans will get another day of the popular motorsport with a 6:30 PM start to Super Drift Challenge Competition #2.

– The weekend's second free concert for ticket holders takes place at 6:30 PM as Kings of Chaos–featuring singers Nick Hexum of 311, Live’s Ed Kowalczyk and Aloe Blacc–hit the stage on Terrace Plaza for an epic night of high-energy rock.

Sunday

– Race Day has arrived as gates open at 7:30 AM with racing beginning at 9:20 AM with the second Historic Sports Car Challenge, followed by the Stadium Super Trucks Race at 12:15.

– The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach gets under way at 2:30 PM. The 85 laps around the 1.97-mile, 11-turn track feature a world-class field of drivers including defending champion Kyle Kirkwood, as well as past champions Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden and Alexander Rossi.

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About the Author

Steve Lowery

Steve Lowery is a longtime local. Over the years he has written for the Los Angeles Times, ESPN, and others. If you're looking for the hidden gems of Long Beach, Steve is your go-to.