Shoreline Village’s boardwalk has always been a magnet for sea breezes, carousel rides, and sunset selfies—but this year, its soundtrack is louder and livelier than ever. From Memorial Day through Labor Day 2025, the waterfront destination is staging free live music every Saturday and Sunday, drawing locals and day-trippers who’d rather spend their money on funnel cakes than concert tickets. The next installment lands August 2–3, 2025, turning an ordinary summer weekend into a miniature music festival you can dip in and out of between ice-cream cones.

 

Why Shoreline Village’s Summer Concerts Hit the Right Note

 

What separates this series from the average park-bench performance is atmosphere. Gulls swoop overhead, boats glide through Rainbow Harbor, and the Queen Mary looms photogenically in the distance. Add restaurants that spill onto patios and boutique shops stocked with surfer tees, and you’ve got the kind of built-in amenities most venues can’t buy. The concerts run 1–5 p.m., giving you time to browse the arcade, grab a margarita, or rent a cruiser bike before the last chord fades.

 

Free Live Music at Shoreline Village: Who’s Playing August 2–3

 

• Saturday, Aug 2 – Zydeco Mudbugs (zydeco): Expect accordion riffs, washboard grooves, and a Cajun party vibe that makes dancing on the boardwalk practically mandatory.
• Sunday, Aug 3 – Elliott Caine Quartet (jazz): Trumpeter Elliott Caine brings a hard-bop edge and Latin flourishes—perfect for a breezy Sunday afternoon.

Both sets start at 1 p.m., so arrive early if you want a front-row bench—or better yet, bring a folding chair and claim your patch of promenade.

 

Plan Your Visit: Parking, Bites, and Boardwalk Extras

 

Shoreline Village’s 419 Shoreline Village Dr. address is easy to reach via the free Passport shuttle, Long Beach Bike Share docks, or a brisk walk from Downtown’s Blue Line station. If you drive, the surface lots validate for two hours when you buy anything from a latte to salt-water taffy; just keep your receipt. Families love the nearby Aquarium of the Pacific, while date-night duos often tack on an evening harbor cruise. Pro tip: pack layers—temperatures swing 10-15° once the sun drops behind the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

 

Free Concerts and the Rising Cost of Entertainment

 

Nationally, live-music ticket prices ballooned 26 percent between 2019 and 2024. Shoreline Village’s zero-dollar price tag is part of a growing movement by waterfront districts and business improvement districts to keep arts accessible. In a year when arena seats can top $300, a gratis jazz set feels downright radical—and builds community goodwill that outlasts a single summer.

 

Ready to Join the Crowd? Grab your sunscreen, invite a friend, and sign up for our Long Beach Beat newsletter so you never miss a waterfront performance, food-truck rally, or neighborhood art walk.