A formal Cake Picnic is coming to Long Beach, echoing the event that sparked a cultural phenomenon in San Francisco. Long Beach resident and Little Lion Foundation fundraising coordinator Michelle Cortado has already registered over 400 attendees for the city’s inaugural Cake Picnic, set to take place on the Sports Basement event deck on Sunday, June 15, at noon. The goal? To indulge our sweetest cravings—and to build a sense of community.
“Participating is simple: bring a cake and you get to sample as many slices as you bring,” Michelle explained. “While other versions charge an entry fee, I felt that wasn’t quite right for our first event, so entry is free. Just make sure to register if you’re planning to bring a cake. Not into cake? No worries—we’ll have tacos, nachos, and over 30 vendors to shop from.”
Cake Picnic Long Beach: What is it and how does it work?
Chiffon cake. Upside-down cake. Princess cake. Russian honey cake. Meringue cake. Jello cake. Trifle. Multi-tiered cake. Sponge cake. Butter cake. There is practically no limit to the world of cake and Cake Picnic has gone viral to showcase the power of, well, cake. And that is exactly what Cake Picnic Long Beach is about as Little Lion Foundation attaches itself to the inaugural event. Witnessing this phenomenon from afar via social, Michelle saw an opportunity for Little Lion, which rescues cats and kittnes across the city.
“We have hundreds of volunteers now and a community of people who know we are,” Michelle said. “As the events coordinator, I need to create events that are unique and distinct. And what better way than Long Beach’s first Cake Picnic?”
Thanks to a 700-person event space along the event deck of Sports Basement, Michelle has already registered some 400 participants. All they need to do? Bring a cake, no less than six inches, and you can sample as many slices as you bring from the cakes of others. Here is a great example of how it all works.
And how will this benefit Little Lion if the entry for cakes is free? They will be having a taco and nacho bar for those needing salt, as well as 30 vendors which will be donating $25 to participate. And, of course, Michelle is hoping the generosity of participants extends beyond bringing a cake.
What is the history behind Cake Picnic?
If you’ve ever dreamed of a picnic where every blanket is a dessert table and every guest arrives with a cake in hand, then you’ve tapped into the sweet, surreal world of Cake Picnic—a community-powered sugar rush founded by San Francisco baker and UX program manager Elisa Sunga.
What began as a modest idea—15 friends, 15 cakes, a sunny afternoon—has blossomed into a full-blown, sugar-coated movement. The first Cake Picnic, held in San Francisco’s Potrero del Sol Park, drew nearly 200 attendees. By the time the event landed at the Legion of Honor in 2025, it featured 1,387 cakes and a waitlist that stretched into the thousands. The only rule? “No cake, no entry.”
Sunga, who moved from the Philippines to the Bay Area in 2001, has many creations—think banana black sesame, strawberry guava, and coconut caramel… But beyond the cakes, it’s about connection. “I’m just really excited about the idea of a one-to-one ratio between humans and cake,” she told Eater SF.
The event’s success has led to a national tour, with stops in Los Angeles, New York, and plans for international locations like London and Manila. Each gathering is a testament to the universal language of cake and the communities it can build. In a city often defined by its tech scene, Cake Picnic offers a different kind of network—one built on buttercream, creativity, and shared joy. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the sweetest connections are made one slice at a time.
Will other things be happening at Cake Picnic Long Beach?
Yes—Michelle has brought on over 30 vendors for Cake Picnic Long Beach:
- Long Beach Soap
- Stick it to Em Stickers
- Fair Trade
- Kid Mandu Art
- JP Succulents
- Long Beach Grocery Coop
- Byjulie With Love
- The Jewelry Box
- Danii Urego
- Yaweh Candles
- Bead Buddy
- Vanmade Crafts
- Luv DrayElle Pretty Natural
- Jamie D Evans Handmade
- Elvira’s Creations
- Amorcito Art
- Artzyshop
- Frame Your Feline
- Slow Blink Cat Sitting
- 562 Candy Grapes
- Helpful Paws Candles
- Flea Treats
- Friday X
- Haus of MeanAger
- Blue Honey Studio Pet Paintings
- Black Sheep & Co
- Neubloom Trinkets
- Juliana Rodrigues Jewelry
- Terrie’s Salt & Pepper Shakers
- Christie’s Plants
- Jaguar Spirit Cora Pet Reiki
- Shane 3D Prints
- Carol Sews
- Artimalz Pet Portraits & Stuffed Animals
- Josie Crochet
Cake Picnic Long Beach takes place at Sport Basement, located at 2100 N. Bellflower Blvd., on Sunday, June 15 at noon. To register, click here.
