New Stage by the Water: Long Beach Opens Amphitheater

Long Beach is about to welcome music lovers with a brand‑new outdoor amphitheater on its downtown waterfront. The venue, which can hold up to 11, 000 people, sits close to the historic Queen Mary ship and will offer a mix of seating options, food trucks, and easy public transport. City leaders say the opening will help boost local jobs and bring in visitors from across the region. The amphitheater is part of a larger plan called Grow Long Beach, launched in 2023 to diversify the city’s economy as it moves away from oil. The $21 million project was paid for mainly through the city’s tidelands fund, and officials expect it to start covering its own costs soon. Private sponsors have already pledged more than $2. 4 million a year, which should help keep the venue running and create quality union jobs.On June 4, a ribbon‑cutting ceremony marked the official naming of the space after Farmers & Merchants Bank. The bank, which has served the community for 120 years, will partner with the venue as its first naming‑rights sponsor. Legends Global, a long‑time operator of other local venues, will manage day‑to‑day operations. The first public event is scheduled for Saturday, June 6. Long Beach native and global star Snoop Dogg will headline the opening show, signaling the city’s intention to become a key stop on national touring circuits while celebrating its own cultural heritage.