Beach Streets is set to return to downtown Long Beach later this month, embracing the active commuting lifestyle by opening streets and transforming them into safe, open areas for people to bike, walk and explore the city’s neighborhoods.
The event on Sunday, July 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. is hosted by the city of Long Beach and presented by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. This year’s event, which is sponsored by the Port of Long Beach, will also serve as the culmination of the city’s “Soccer in the LBC” efforts, offering the opportunity to publicly celebrate the global soccer tournament with family-friendly soccer activities and big-screen watch parties of the mega-tournament’s final match.
“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,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a 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.”
Beach Streets promotes sustainable travel options, supports local businesses and allows the event’s thousands of participants each year “to get to know their neighbors in a comfortable, family-oriented environment,” according to organizers.
This year’s event will feature the longest Beach Streets event route to date. Spanning downtown and area neighborhoods, the route will include 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.
Entertainment hubs along the event route will feature a varied sampling of entertainment, family-friendly activities, food and more.
A welcome ceremony is set for 11:30 a.m. on the main stage of the Kickin’ It Hub at Bixby Park, 130 Cherry Ave. The ceremony will include remarks by Richardson, 1st District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas, 2nd District Councilwoman Cindy Allen and representatives from Metro, the Port of Long Beach along with other city officials and community leaders.
“We are proud to bring Beach Streets back to Downtown Long Beach this year,” Zendejas said in a statement. “The tournament final will bring extra thrill to what is already one of our most beloved annual events, and we invite everyone to come out and experience this global moment with us.”
Allen said city officials “set out this summer to make sure every resident had a chance to experience the excitement of the global tournament. 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.”
Among many other activities, organizers provided this year’s highlights:
- “The Kickin’ It Hub at Bixby Park will feature a big-screen watch party of the tournament final, as well as other soccer activities; a Kids’ Zone, sponsored in part by Long Beach Airport, with soccer-themed inflatables, free face painting and more; food trucks and a beer garden; DJ performances before and after the match; and more,” according to the city’s announcement.
- In partnership with Downtown Long Beach Alliance, a variety of entertainers will perform on the North Pine Hub at Seventh Street and Pine Avenue and at the East Village Hub on Broadway between Long Beach Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue, organizers said.
- In partnership with Fourth Street Business Improvement Association, the Fourth Street Hub will have a free big-screen at the Art Theatre displaying the tournament’s championship game, as well as live music performances, activities for kids, a free bike valet and more.
- DJs will perform at various locations along the route.
- And the Downtown Entertainment Zone Sip location, hosted by Downtown Long Beach Alliance on The Promenade between Third Street and Broadway, enables event attendees to purchase beverages at local businesses and enjoy them within the zone.
Local businesses, business districts and community groups along the route will also host a variety of entertainment, activities, information booths and more to attract foot traffic and promote their businesses. Businesses along the route interested in participating should fill out the participation form by Friday, July 10, 2026.
“Metro is proud to be a presenting partner of Beach Streets: Kickin’ It, a free, family-friendly celebration inspired by this year’s global soccer events,” Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins said in a statement.
Metro officials encouraged attendees to take public transit that will have “exclusive surprises and special activities planned for riders” at the First Street A Line Station, Wiggins said.
“Ports connect the world through trade and commerce,” Port of Long Beach CEO Noel Hacegaba said in a statement. “The Port of Long Beach is proud to support this event that brings nations together and activates our city’s public spaces in celebration of one of the biggest sporting events in the world.”
Officials described Soccer in the LBC as “a free series of locally driven activations and community-focused soccer programming in neighborhoods across Long Beach throughout the global tournament.” These efforts launched in partnership with Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy and Downtown Long Beach Alliance on June 11 with the LA Galaxy Soccer Celebration.
The celebration was a series of events in downtown Long Beach that feature live FIFA World Cup 26 match viewings, Galaxy player and alumni appearances, youth soccer clinics, fan areas and more. The city also recently announced Matches in the Park, “a series of local soccer activations and match viewings at various parks throughout Long Beach during the knockout stage of the tournament.”
Updates and additional information is online at beachstreets.com.
