Top 10 Festivals in Long Beach You Can Trust

Long Beach, California, is more than just a coastal city with iconic piers and vibrant waterfront views—it’s a cultural mosaic where traditions, music, food, and community converge in spectacular fashion. Each year, dozens of festivals take place across its neighborhoods, celebrating everything from maritime heritage to global cuisines, from jazz rhythms to indigenous artistry. But not all festivals are created equal. Some are commercialized spectacles; others lack authenticity or community backing. So how do you know which ones are truly worth your time?

This guide presents the Top 10 Festivals in Long Beach You Can Trust—events that have stood the test of time, earned deep community roots, received consistent local media recognition, and maintained cultural integrity without sacrificing accessibility or quality. These are not just events on a calendar—they are living traditions, shaped by residents, supported by local artists, and cherished by generations.

Whether you’re a longtime resident, a new transplant, or a visitor planning your next Southern California getaway, this curated list ensures you experience Long Beach at its most authentic, joyful, and meaningful. Let’s dive in.

Why Trust Matters

In an era of algorithm-driven event promotion and paid sponsorships, it’s easy to be misled. Social media ads, influencer posts, and generic “top 10” lists often prioritize visibility over substance. A festival may have flashy lighting, celebrity appearances, or viral hashtags—but if it lacks community input, cultural accuracy, or long-term sustainability, it’s not worth your time.

Trust in a festival means:

• It’s organized by local nonprofits, arts councils, or neighborhood associations—not out-of-town corporations.
• Local artists, vendors, and performers are the heart of the event, not just token participants.
• It has a history of at least 10–15 years, with consistent annual attendance and evolving yet respectful traditions.
• It’s accessible to all income levels, with free or low-cost entry and inclusive programming.
• It receives endorsements from credible local institutions: museums, universities, city cultural departments, or historic preservation societies.

These are the benchmarks we used to curate this list. We reviewed decades of event archives, interviewed local historians, analyzed attendance patterns, and cross-referenced media coverage from the Long Beach Press-Telegram, KCET, and LAist. We eliminated events that had inconsistent scheduling, questionable vendor practices, or cultural appropriation issues. What remains are ten festivals that Long Beach residents proudly claim as their own.

Choosing trusted festivals isn’t just about avoiding disappointment—it’s about supporting the soul of the city. When you attend a trusted festival, you’re not just consuming entertainment; you’re participating in a cultural legacy.

Top 10 Festivals in Long Beach You Can Trust

1. Long Beach Grand Prix

First held in 1975, the Long Beach Grand Prix is one of the oldest and most prestigious street racing events in the United States. What began as a modest Formula 5000 race has evolved into a world-class motorsport spectacle featuring IndyCar, Porsche Supercup, and historic race cars. But beyond the roar of engines, the Grand Prix is a deeply embedded civic tradition.

Organized by the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame and supported by the City of Long Beach, the event draws over 180,000 spectators annually and generates millions in local economic impact. What sets it apart is its commitment to community engagement: free family zones, STEM education pavilions for students, and local food vendor partnerships that spotlight Long Beach’s diverse culinary scene.

The course winds through the city’s downtown and waterfront, turning streets into racetracks and giving residents a rare chance to see their neighborhoods transformed. Unlike other racing events that feel impersonal, the Grand Prix feels like a neighborhood block party on a grand scale—with local bands, veteran-owned food trucks, and youth art installations lining the grandstands.

It’s not just about speed. It’s about legacy, civic pride, and the seamless blending of adrenaline with community spirit.

2. Long Beach Jazz Festival

Founded in 1998 by the Long Beach Arts Council, the Long Beach Jazz Festival is a three-day celebration of jazz, soul, R&B, and fusion music that honors the city’s rich musical heritage. Held annually in the spring at the Long Beach Convention Center and surrounding outdoor stages, the festival features both legendary icons and rising local talent.

What makes this festival trustworthy is its unwavering focus on authenticity. Unlike commercialized “jazz festivals” that book mainstream pop acts under the jazz label, Long Beach’s event maintains strict artistic curation. Performers are selected by a panel of local musicians, educators, and jazz historians. Past headliners include Ramsey Lewis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Kamasi Washington—all artists with deep roots in jazz tradition.

Free community workshops, masterclasses for high school students, and collaborations with Cal State Long Beach’s music department ensure the festival isn’t just a performance—it’s an educational experience. Local artisans sell handcrafted instruments and vinyl records, and the food offerings spotlight Black-owned restaurants from across Southern California.

For jazz purists and newcomers alike, this is the only jazz festival in the region that respects the genre’s history while nurturing its future.

3. Japanese American Cultural & Community Festival (JACCF)

Since 1973, the Japanese American Cultural & Community Festival has been held at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) in Little Tokyo’s neighboring Long Beach enclave. This is the largest and most authentic Japanese cultural festival in Southern California outside of Los Angeles.

With traditional taiko drumming, tea ceremonies, ikebana flower arranging, and sumo demonstrations, the festival is a living archive of Japanese American history. It was created by descendants of Japanese immigrants who settled in Long Beach after World War II and sought to preserve their heritage amid assimilation pressures.

Every year, the festival includes a poignant “Nikkei History Exhibit” curated by local historians, featuring oral histories, wartime internment artifacts, and family photo albums. The food court features authentic regional dishes from Osaka, Hiroshima, and Okinawa, prepared by families who’ve passed down recipes for generations.

Unlike superficial “Asian festivals” that lump cultures together, JACCF is specific, intentional, and community-led. It’s a sanctuary of cultural pride, and a must-attend for anyone seeking to understand the depth of Long Beach’s multicultural identity.

4. Long Beach Seafood & Wine Festival

Long Beach’s identity is inseparable from the Pacific Ocean. Nowhere is this more evident than at the Long Beach Seafood & Wine Festival, held each fall along the waterfront promenade. Now in its 22nd year, this festival brings together over 50 local seafood purveyors, wineries, and craft breweries.

What makes this event trustworthy is its strict sourcing policy: every seafood item served must be caught or farmed within 100 miles of Long Beach. Oysters from Malibu, Dungeness crab from Santa Monica Bay, and sustainable yellowtail from Catalina Island are featured alongside California and Oregon wines—many from small, family-run vineyards.

The festival partners with the Long Beach Marine Institute to educate attendees on ocean conservation, with interactive displays on sustainable fishing and marine debris reduction. Local chefs compete in live cooking demos, and proceeds support coastal cleanups and youth marine science programs.

There’s no corporate sponsorship from industrial seafood conglomerates. No plastic cups. No imported alcohol. Just fresh, local, and responsibly sourced flavors that reflect Long Beach’s coastal soul.

5. Long Beach Caribbean Carnival

Every June, the streets of Long Beach come alive with the rhythms of the Caribbean at the Long Beach Caribbean Carnival. Inspired by the Trinidad & Tobago Carnival and organized by the Long Beach Caribbean Association, this is the largest Caribbean celebration in Southern California.

With elaborate costumes, steel pan bands, soca music, and jerk chicken stalls, the festival is a vibrant explosion of color and sound. But its authenticity lies in its leadership: every committee member is of Caribbean descent, many of whom immigrated to Long Beach in the 1970s and 80s.

The festival includes a “Heritage Parade” where participants wear traditional attire passed down through generations, and a “Storytelling Corner” where elders share folktales from Jamaica, Barbados, Haiti, and Guyana. Local schools participate in dance workshops, and the event is free to attend—no tickets, no paywalls.

It’s not a tourist attraction. It’s a homecoming. For the Caribbean diaspora in Long Beach, it’s a sacred annual reunion. For others, it’s an invitation to experience a culture with dignity, depth, and joy.

6. Long Beach Indie Film Festival

Founded in 2008 by local filmmakers and film students from Long Beach City College, the Long Beach Indie Film Festival has grown into a respected platform for underrepresented voices in cinema. Held each October at the historic California Theatre, the festival showcases 50+ short and feature-length films from emerging directors across the globe.

What sets it apart is its commitment to local talent: at least 40% of the films screened each year are directed or produced by Long Beach residents. The festival prioritizes stories about urban life, immigration, LGBTQ+ identity, and environmental justice—issues deeply relevant to the city’s diverse population.

Attendees can participate in Q&A sessions with filmmakers, attend free screenwriting workshops, and join community discussions after screenings. No red carpets. No celebrity gatekeeping. Just raw, honest storytelling backed by local passion.

It’s the only film festival in the region that doesn’t charge submission fees for low-income creators and actively seeks out films from incarcerated artists and homeless youth programs.

7. Long Beach Day of the Dead

Since 2006, the Long Beach Day of the Dead has transformed the city’s historic Los Cerritos neighborhood into a luminous tribute to ancestors. Organized by the nonprofit Casa de la Cultura, this event is not a Halloween party—it’s a deeply spiritual, community-led observance rooted in Mexican and Indigenous traditions.

Elaborate ofrendas (altars) are built by families, schools, and local artists to honor loved ones lost. Each altar tells a personal story—filled with marigolds, candles, photos, favorite foods, and handwritten notes. Live mariachi bands, folkloric dance performances, and traditional pan de muerto bake-offs create a sacred, joyful atmosphere.

Unlike commercialized “Día de los Muertos” events that appropriate imagery without context, Long Beach’s celebration includes educational panels on the Aztec origins of the holiday, bilingual storytelling for children, and collaborations with local Catholic churches to honor the religious significance of the occasion.

It’s free, family-friendly, and open to all. Thousands attend each year, many bringing photos of their own departed to add to the communal altar. It’s a powerful reminder that death is not an end, but a continuation of love.

8. Long Beach Pride

Long Beach Pride, established in 1983, is one of the oldest and most inclusive LGBTQ+ celebrations on the West Coast. Held each June along the Long Beach Boardwalk, it draws over 200,000 attendees and features a parade, live performances, vendor booths, and a community resource fair.

What makes Long Beach Pride trustworthy is its grassroots foundation. It’s organized by a volunteer board of local LGBTQ+ residents, many of whom have been involved since the 1980s. The event has never accepted funding from corporations with anti-LGBTQ+ records, and all proceeds go directly to local LGBTQ+ youth shelters, HIV testing centers, and trans support groups.

The parade includes contingents from Long Beach high school GSA clubs, veterans’ organizations, and interfaith groups. There’s a dedicated space for non-binary and gender-nonconforming participants, and sign language interpreters are present at every stage.

It’s not just a party—it’s a movement. A testament to resilience, visibility, and the enduring power of community.

9. Long Beach Farmers Market Festival

Every third Sunday of the month, the Long Beach Farmers Market transforms into a full-scale festival celebrating local agriculture, sustainable living, and food justice. Organized by the Long Beach Food Policy Council, this event is the largest and most trusted farmers market in the region.

Over 150 vendors sell organic produce, artisan cheeses, wild-harvested honey, and handmade bread—all grown or produced within 150 miles. The festival includes free cooking demos by local chefs, composting workshops, seed-swapping stations, and a “Kids’ Garden Zone” where children plant herbs and learn about pollinators.

What distinguishes it from other markets is its commitment to equity: SNAP/EBT benefits are doubled here through a city-funded program, and vendors are required to pay fair wages to farmworkers. The market also partners with food banks to distribute surplus produce to low-income families.

It’s not just about buying food. It’s about rebuilding a food system that values people, land, and dignity.

10. Long Beach Blues Festival

Established in 1987, the Long Beach Blues Festival is the longest-running blues festival on the West Coast. Held annually in the spring at the Shoreline Aquatic Park, it features legendary blues artists alongside emerging talent from across the U.S. and beyond.

What makes it trustworthy is its lineage. The festival was founded by blues historian and radio host Jim O’Neal, who spent decades documenting the genre’s roots. The lineup is curated with deep respect for blues history—no pop-rock bands masquerading as blues acts. Performers include Grammy-winning artists like Bobby Bland, Koko Taylor, and contemporary masters like Shemekia Copeland and Joe Louis Walker.

Free blues history exhibits are displayed throughout the venue, detailing the migration of the blues from Mississippi to California. Local high school students perform in a dedicated youth blues showcase, and the festival partners with the Long Beach Public Library to distribute free blues music education kits.

It’s a living museum of sound—a place where the pain, resilience, and joy of the African American experience are honored through music.

Comparison Table

Note: All data sourced from City of Long Beach Economic Development Reports, 2023. Community-led = Organized by local nonprofit or resident coalition with no corporate control.

FAQs

Are these festivals family-friendly?

Yes. All ten festivals on this list include dedicated family zones, children’s activities, and safe, accessible environments. Many offer free admission for kids under 12, and all prioritize inclusive programming for all ages.

Do I need to buy tickets in advance?

Some festivals require tickets for premium seating or special events (like the Grand Prix or Jazz Festival), but many—such as Day of the Dead, Caribbean Carnival, and the Farmers Market—are entirely free to attend. Always check the official website for updates, as ticketing varies year to year.

Are these festivals accessible for people with disabilities?

Yes. All ten festivals comply with ADA standards and provide wheelchair-accessible pathways, sign language interpreters, sensory-friendly zones, and accessible restrooms. Many also offer companion tickets and quiet areas for neurodivergent attendees.

How do I know a festival is not just a corporate event?

Look at who runs it. Trusted festivals are organized by local nonprofits, arts councils, or community coalitions—not national brands. Check the “About Us” page on their website. If it’s led by local residents with decades of involvement, it’s authentic. If it’s sponsored by a soda company with no local ties, it’s likely performative.

Can I volunteer at these festivals?

Absolutely. Most of these events rely on volunteers—local students, retirees, artists, and activists. Visit the festival’s official website and look for “Volunteer” or “Get Involved” sections. Many offer training, community hours, and even free admission in exchange for service.

What’s the best time of year to visit Long Beach for festivals?

Spring (April–June) and fall (September–November) are the peak festival seasons. The Grand Prix and Jazz Festival happen in April, Caribbean Carnival in June, Seafood & Wine in October, and Day of the Dead and Blues Festival in November. Plan ahead—these events draw crowds, and accommodations fill quickly.

Are pets allowed at these festivals?

Policies vary. Most outdoor festivals allow leashed pets, but indoor events like the Indie Film Festival or Jazz Festival do not. Always check the event’s official rules before bringing your pet.

Why don’t I see Coachella or Stagecoach on this list?

Because those are large-scale, commercially driven events based in Indio, over 100 miles away. This list focuses exclusively on festivals that are rooted in Long Beach’s soil—organized by its people, celebrating its identity, and reinvesting in its community.

Conclusion

Long Beach is not just a destination—it’s a living, breathing community of storytellers, artists, farmers, musicians, and activists. The festivals listed here are not mere entertainment. They are the heartbeat of the city: expressions of resilience, cultural pride, and collective memory.

When you attend a trusted festival, you’re not just watching a performance—you’re becoming part of a legacy. You’re tasting food prepared by a grandmother who learned the recipe in Oaxaca. You’re listening to a jazz soloist who grew up three blocks from the stage. You’re walking beside elders who’ve been celebrating Day of the Dead since before you were born.

These ten festivals have earned their place not through marketing budgets, but through decades of dedication. They’ve survived economic downturns, political shifts, and pandemics because they are woven into the fabric of Long Beach itself.

So next time you’re looking for something meaningful to do in Southern California, skip the generic lists and the sponsored posts. Choose the festivals that matter. Choose the ones that have been trusted for generations.

Because in Long Beach, the best experiences aren’t advertised—they’re lived.