Via Downtown Long Beach Alliance.
Summer may be winding down, but Long Beach still has plenty of reasons to stay outside a little longer. One of the city’s biggest free summer gatherings is taking over Downtown later this month, bringing food, drinks, DJs, and a street-party atmosphere to Pine Avenue.
Pine Avenue is becoming a giant block party
Next Saturday, August 22, the Downtown Long Beach Alliance is teaming up with KCRW for Taste of Downtown with KCRW Summer Nights, a free, all-ages outdoor party running from 2 to 10 p.m. The event will take over Pine Avenue between Broadway and 3rd Street, at 230 Pine Ave., turning a major stretch of the downtown street into a pedestrian-friendly festival zone.
The afternoon portion is centered on Taste of Downtown, so foodies will want to arrive early. Local restaurants, chefs, brewers, and mixologists will serve bite-sized food samples, beer, wine, and craft cocktails, along with interactive activities and other experiences celebrating Downtown Long Beach’s food and creative scene. Admission is free, but food and drinks are available for purchase.
As the afternoon turns into evening, the event shifts into a full-on dance party. KCRW DJ Nassir Nassirzadeh will play from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by Raul Campos from 8 to 10 p.m.
A 17-year tradition in the heart of Long Beach
via Unsplash.
Taste of Downtown is celebrating its 17th year in 2026. The series began in 2009, originally featuring local restaurants on Pine Avenue for an evening when visitors could sample signature dishes while listening to live music.
Over the years, the event evolved into a recurring Downtown Long Beach tradition designed to showcase local restaurants and help drive attention to the city’s dining scene. In 2024, the DTLB Alliance described Taste as a catalyst for local business growth and community engagement.
This year’s collaboration with KCRW gives that longtime food festival a bigger end-of-summer party feel, pairing Long Beach’s restaurants and bars with one of Southern California’s best-known public radio music brands.