Bicyclists and pedestrians can enjoy a car-free day in downtown Long Beach during the annual community event Beach Streets next month.
Beach Streets, hosted by the city and presented by the LA Metro, is set to return to the downtown area on Sunday, July 19. During the event, major traffic corridors in the area will be closed to cars to allow residents to feel safe and explore their neighborhoods by walking, skating and cycling, officials said.
Long Beach has hosted several iterations of the community event in different areas of the city, including North Long Beach, Bixby Knolls, Cambodia Town and East Long Beach. Last year’s event took place in West Long Beach.
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 residents the opportunity to celebrate the FIFA World Cup with family-friendly soccer activities and big-screen watch parties of the tournament’s final match, according to a press release.
“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 transportation, supports local businesses and allows its thousands of annual participants to get to know their neighbors in a comfortable, family-oriented environment, the press release said. By bringing together different roadway users, Beach Streets also promotes commuting safety and supports Long Beach’s climate goals by encouraging zero-emission transportation options.
People walking, biking visit booths with free give aways along Willow St. during Beach Streets Open Streets in Long Beach on Saturday, May {iptduringcday}, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
People walking, biking and even roller skating along Willow St. during Beach Streets Open Streets in Long Beach on Saturday, May {iptduringcday}, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
The band Smokin 60’s perform along Willow St. during Beach Streets Open Streets in Long Beach on Saturday, May {iptduringcday}, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
Cyclists along Willow St. during Beach Streets Open Streets in Long Beach on Saturday, May {iptduringcday}, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
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People walking, biking visit booths with free give aways along Willow St. during Beach Streets Open Streets in Long Beach on Saturday, May {iptduringcday}, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
This year’s event will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature the longest Beach Streets event route yet, officials said.
Spanning downtown and nearby 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 route will feature various entertainment, family-friendly activities, food and more.
At the main stage of the Kickin’ It Hub at Bixby Park, 130 Cherry Ave., a welcome ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m., with opening remarks from Richardson, First District Councilmember Mary Zendejas, Second District Councilmember Cindy Allen, and representatives from Metro and the Port of Long Beach, and others.
“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.”
The Kickin’ It Hub will feature a big-screen watch party of the tournament final, as well as other soccer activities, a kids’ zone and free face painting, among other fun. There will also be food trucks and a beer garden, and DJ performances before and after the match.
In partnership with the Downtown Long Beach Alliance, a variety of entertainment will be featured at 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.
And in partnership with the Fourth Street Business Improvement Association, the Fourth Street Hub will feature a free big-screen viewing of the tournament final at the Art Theatre, as well as live music, activities for kids and a free bike valet, the press release said.
There will also be a downtown entertainment zone sip location — hosted by Downtown Long Beach Alliance — on The Promenade between Third Street and Broadway, where attendees can buy alcoholic beverages from 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, available on the city’s Beach Streets web page, by July 10.
“Long Beach set out this summer to make sure every resident had a chance to experience the excitement of the global tournament,” Allen said in a 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.”
For more information about this year’s Beach Streets, visit beachstreets.com.