The Vans Warped Tour returned to Long Beach this past weekend for a powerful celebration of its 30th anniversary. Held near Downtown Long Beach Shorline on July 26 and 27, the two-day festival brought together thousands of fans, dozens of bands, and the kind of raw energy that defined the tour’s legacy.
Over 70 artists performed across multiple stages, offering a wide range of punk, emo, metalcore, ska, and alternative rock. Saturday night closed with a standout performance from 311, who delivered a high-energy set that had the crowd singing every lyric. Acts like A Day To Remember, Dropkick Murphys, Silverstein, Atmosphere, and Bowling for Soup brought intensity, nostalgia, and fresh energy to the weekend. The Interrupters and Miss May I also drew large crowds with commanding performances.
One of the most emotional and talked-about moments of the weekend came with the homecoming performance by Sublime, returning to their Long Beach roots for the first time in years. The band was fronted by Jakob Nowell, the son of original lead singer Bradley Nowell, marking a symbolic and deeply personal passing of the torch. Performing classics like “Santeria,” “What I Got,” and “Badfish,” the set was both a tribute and a reawakening.
Fans old and new sang along, some with tears in their eyes, as Sublime brought their distinct Long Beach sound full circle. Jakob’s performance was passionate, respectful, and charismatic—proving that the spirit of Sublime lives on through both blood and music.
The Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands gave emerging artists a platform to shine, with a few standout winners generating buzz well beyond the Warped weekend. In total, over $100,000 in prizes was awarded to new talent as part of the festival’s continued commitment to spotlighting unsigned acts.
The festival atmosphere went beyond music. Skate ramps and demos brought a visual thrill to the park, while local vendors, merch booths, and interactive art installations kept fans engaged between sets. With the Pacific Ocean just steps away, the event captured the spirit of Southern California’s punk roots while embracing a modern crowd.
Fans unable to attend in person were able to stream the event live on YouTube and Twitch. The livestream reached hundreds of thousands of viewers globally, turning the festival into a virtual gathering point for punk fans everywhere.
Long Beach fully leaned into the Warped Tour revival. Bars and restaurants across the city offered themed events and special menus in the days surrounding the festival. Roxanne’s Bar hosted pre- and post-show parties, and the city’s “Food Scene Takeover” turned the entire weekend into a community-wide celebration.
Several memorable moments defined the weekend. Tony Hawk made a surprise appearance during a skate demo and even joined Goldfinger for a brief onstage jam. A massive beachside wall of death during a mid-afternoon metalcore set became an instant viral clip. And as the sun set Sunday evening, an impromptu singalong from the crowd created a communal closing note to an unforgettable weekend.
The Vans Warped Tour’s return to Long Beach wasn’t just a concert, it was a statement. It reminded longtime fans of what the tour once was and showed younger generations what it still can be. As people left the grounds, sunburned and smiling, one thing was clear: Warped Tour is back, and the scene is stronger than ever.
For photos, highlights, and full performance replays, visit vanswarpedtourlongbeach.com.