Something special is happening in Long Beach—and it’s not just the amazing weather, the new upcoming amphitheater, or Grand Prix (though, yes, they’re still pretty amazing). For the first time ever, two of the city’s most trusted voices—the Long Beach Post and Playalarga—are joining forces to spotlight the soul of this city in one big celebration.
Introducing the People’s Choice Awards 2025—a brand new, collaborative campaign and live event that puts the spotlight exactly where it belongs: on our local businesses, the community, and the people that keep Long Beach unique, diverse, and unapologetically LBC.
We’re talking real people nominating their favorite coffee spots, hidden-gem food trucks, iconic nightlife venues, neighborhood heroes, and creative spaces that define the Long Beach’s vibe. It’s the first time these two powerhouse platforms have aligned to honor the city from inside the culture out—and it’s long overdue.
“Long Beach has always had its own rhythm, its own heartbeat,” says Salvador Flores-Trimble, founder and CEO of Playalarga. “This isn’t just about awards—it’s about giving flowers while people can still smell them. It’s about celebrating the people who make this city what it is. That’s what this partnership is all about.”
How It’s Goin’ Down:
- Nominations Open: April 1 – April 15, 2025
- Final Voting: April 20 – May 5, 2025
- LIVE Awards Ceremony: June 8, 2025 under the stars in Downtown Long Beach
- Official People’s Choice Awards Guide Hits the Streets: June 9, 2025
This year’s categories cover 90+ areas of life in the LBC—from streetwear boutiques to dance floors, vegan eats to wellness warriors, barbershops to wine bars, and everything in between. Whether you’re a creative, a chef, a DJ, a business owner, or just someone who knows where the best tacos in the city are—this is your time to speak up and be heard.
Let’s Talk Impact
With a combined reach of hundreds of thousands readers, followers, and event attendees, this isn’t just an awards show—it’s a movement. One that’s rooted in community pride, real recognition, and next-level storytelling.
Why It Matters
When local legends get recognized, it ripples. It fuels more creativity, more connection, more reasons to keep investing in our city. The People’s Choice Awards 2025 isn’t about who has the flashiest marketing—it’s about heart, consistency, and impact.
You vote. You choose. You lift.
So get ready, Long Beach—because this summer, we’re taking community recognition to a whole new level.
This is your Long Beach.
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About the Collaborators:
Playalarga is the premier Long Beach event and festival scene producer, known for creating inclusive cultural spaces rooted in community and diversity powered by local Latinx & Queer leadership.
The Long Beach Post is the city’s largest and most trusted newsroom, now a nonprofit, delivering essential coverage on government, culture, education, and events.
