Travel emissions-free throughout downtown Long Beach and catch the final of the FIFA World Cup during the return of Beach Streets on Sunday, July 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Beach Streets is hosted annually by the City and supported by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Authority (Metro). During this event, sections of downtown Long Beach will be made car-free, with residents encouraged to bike, walk, skateboard and more to support local businesses and safely explore the neighborhood.
This year’s event will also coincide with the conclusion of the City of Long Beach’s ongoing Soccer in the LBC festivities.
“This summer, Long Beach has turned the global tournament into a citywide celebration, bringing neighbors together through Soccer in the LBC in every corner of our community,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement. “Beach Streets is the grand finale, bringing together two things Long Beach loves: soccer and active transportation. As we watch the tournament’s final match, we’re celebrating our community in a way only Long Beach can, creating an unforgettable celebration that showcases the very best of our city.”
This year’s Beach Streets route is the longest in the event’s history, venturing down Pine Avenue from First Street to Ninth Street, Broadway from Pine Avenue to Redondo Avenue, Cherry Avenue from Broadway to Fourth Street and Fourth Street from Cherry Avenue to Junipero Avenue.
Attendees can expect food vendors, family-friendly activities and an array of live entertainment spread amongst a handful of hubs along the route.
Mayor Rex Richardson, First District Councilmember Mary Zendejas, Second District Councilmember Cindy Allen, representatives from Metro, Port of Long Beach and additional City officials will lead a welcome ceremony at 11:30 a.m. at the Kickin’ It Hub located at Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.)
“Long Beach set out this summer to make sure every resident had a chance to experience the excitement of the global tournament,” said Allen in a public statement. “And now we’ll close it out the Long Beach way: with our streets open, community together and the tournament final playing on a big screen at our beloved Bixby Park.”
Beach Streets will feature the following programming:
- The Kickin’ It Hub will feature a big-screen watch party of the FIFA World Cup final, as well as a Kids’ Zone with soccer-themed inflatables, free face painting, food trucks, a beer garden and DJ performances before and after the match.
- In partnership with Downtown Long Beach Alliance, there will be entertainment at the North Pine Hub (Seventh Street and Pine Avenue) and the East Village Hub (on Broadway between Long Beach Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue).
- In partnership with Fourth Street Business Improvement Association, the Fourth Street Hub will feature a free big-screen viewing of the tournament final at the Art Theatre of Long Beach, plus live music, activities for kids, a free bike valet and more.
- DJ performances at various locations along the route.
- At the Downtown Entertainment Zone (EZ) Sip location, hosted by Downtown Long Beach Alliance on The Promenade between Third Street and Broadway, attendees can purchase beverages at local businesses and enjoy them within the zone.
“We encourage attendees to take transit and make Metro part of the experience, with exclusive surprises and special activities planned for riders at the 1st Street A Line Station,” said Metro Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Wiggins in a public statement.
In addition, several local businesses, business districts and community groups will also host entertainment, activities and information booths. Businesses along the route that are interested in participating are encouraged to fill out the online participation form by Friday, July 10.
Beach Streets began in 2015 and previous iterations have explored the neighborhoods of Uptown, Bixby Knolls, Cambodia Town, Zaferia, Wrigley and more.
Soccer in the LBC is a series of free soccer-themed events happening citywide throughout the World Cup. The City’s fútbol programming also includes Matches in the Park (June 6-18), a lineup of seven local watch parties during the tournament’s knockout stage.
Further updates about this year’s Beach Streets will be shared in the coming weeks. To learn more, visit beachstreets.com or the event’s accounts on Facebook, X and Instagram @BeachStreetsLB.
