By DTLB Alliance president and CEO Austin Metoyer, contributing writer
It’s been a while since I checked in with you about how things are going Downtown, so I wanted to take a moment to share some of the momentum we’re seeing, and all we have in store this summer.
The image that best captures downtown’s energy came to me during the first U.S. match of the World Cup. On Pine Avenue, I watched a young soccer fan in his favorite jersey standing with his family, eyes glued to the big screen as Team USA took the field during the LA Galaxy Soccer Celebration.
It immediately brought me back to my own childhood visits to Downtown Long Beach. I remember coming down to Shoreline Village and being captivated by the energy of a place that felt alive with activity and possibility. Moments like that remain our north star at the Downtown Long Beach Alliance. We want every resident and visitor to experience a downtown that is welcoming, vibrant, clean, safe, and memorable.
Right now, we’re in the middle of a Summer of Soccer, with daily matches broadcast live and fan experiences transforming Pine Avenue and Broadway into a gathering place for our community all the way through June 27.
But that’s only the beginning.
The Downtown Long Beach Alliance’s Art Walk series will return on Saturday, April 13. (Photo courtesy of DLBA/Sarahi Apaez)
The Downtown Long Beach Art Walk series will return on Saturday, July 26.
(Photo courtesy of DLBA/Sarahi Apaez)
People head into the new F&M Bank Amphitheater of Long Beach, which is near the historic Queen Mary and officially opened its doors on Saturday, June 6 — with a performance by local icon Snoop Dogg. (Photo by Drew Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Day Trip Festival will take place June 27-28 at the Queen Mary Waterfront in Long Beach and will debut the Long Beach Amphitheater as an official third stage.
(Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
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The Downtown Long Beach Alliance’s Art Walk series will return on Saturday, April 13. (Photo courtesy of DLBA/Sarahi Apaez)
On July 11, DTLB Art + Design Walk returns with a celebration of creativity and culture throughout downtown. The following weekend, on July 18, DTLB Live! brings live music back to the Promenade, followed by Beach Streets on July 19, which will once again invite residents to experience our city and Downtown on a bicycle, scooter and other forms of non-vehicle transportation.
We’ll close out the summer with Taste of Downtown on Pine Avenue in partnership with KCRW Summer Nights on August 22.
And that’s before you factor in the incredible lineup of concerts and performances taking place at the new F&M Bank Amphitheater. For the first time in decades, Downtown Long Beach is experiencing a level of cultural programming and live entertainment that is truly transformational.
The benefits extend far beyond the events themselves. Every festival, concert, and community gathering brings new customers through the doors of our restaurants, bars, shops, and hotels.
Events like Warped Tour, Day Trip, and the LA Galaxy Soccer Celebration create economic activity that supports local businesses and strengthens our city’s economy. Our partnerships with KCRW, Insomniac, and LA Galaxy are helping to elevate Downtown Long Beach onto the regional and national stage, attracting new visitors, expanding awareness of our city, and reinforcing our growing reputation as a hub for music, culture, sports, and unforgettable experiences.
Taken together, these investments represent more than a calendar of events, they are helping shape the future identity of Downtown Long Beach.
By activating our public spaces, supporting local businesses, and creating opportunities for people to gather, we are building a downtown that is more vibrant, connected, and resilient. Last year, we began intentionally embracing the city’s rich musical legacy. Today, we’re beginning to see that vision come to life, laying the foundation for DTLB to become one of the leading destinations for arts, culture, and community.
The energy is real. The momentum is building. And the best part is that we’re just getting started.
We hope you’ll join us this summer, bring your friends and family, and experience it for yourself.