Bayou Rhythms & Coastal Blues – Long Beach Bayou and Blues Festival

Every summer, under the golden California sun and just a breeze away from the Pacific, the Long Beach Bayou and Blues Festival transforms the coast into a soul-stirring, foot-stomping celebration of Louisiana culture and electric blues. With its rich mix of zydeco, Cajun, and straight-up gutbucket blues, this is one of SoCal’s most joyful tributes to roots music and culture.

Held at Shoreline Aquatic Park, the festival delivers a two-day fusion of sound, dance, and spice — drawing thousands of fans for a cultural experience that’s as flavorful as a bowl of jambalaya.

From the Delta to the Docks

The Long Beach Bayou and Blues Festival has been a West Coast favorite for over 30 years. It’s a rare gem that brings the swampy grooves of Louisiana together with the gritty storytelling of the blues. Whether you’re second-lining to zydeco rhythms or soaking in a Chicago shuffle, there’s something for every kind of roots music lover here.

• Recent performers have included:
  • Chris Thomas King
  • Sue Foley
  • Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band
  • The 44s
  • Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble

“It’s like stepping into New Orleans — with the ocean as your backdrop.”
— Festivalgoer, Long Beach Press-Telegram

The festival also features a Mardi Gras parade, dance lessons, a sprawling Louisiana food court, and a dedicated kids’ bayou tent, making it an immersive, all-ages event.

Where Blues Meets Bayou Flavor

The atmosphere at the Long Beach Bayou and Blues Festival is pure celebration — a living example of how music and culture transcend geography. It’s a reminder that the blues isn’t stuck in the past — it’s alive, joyful, and dancing in the sun.

• When: Annually in June
• Where: Shoreline Aquatic Park, Long Beach, CA
• Admission: Ticketed (Weekend passes available)
• Website: longbeachbayou.com

Whether you're craving crawfish étouffée, craving a soulful guitar solo, or just need a weekend to reconnect with rhythm, Long Beach brings the bayou home — blues, beads, and all.

"Long Beach Bayou & Blues Festival" by Clotee Pridgen Allochuku is licensed under CC BY 2.0 .