Sake Day 2026 is upon us, Long Beach.
Returning this Saturday, Oct. 17, to the grounds of the historic Rancho Los Cerritos, this adults-only, sake-centric festival is Long Beach’s most underrated. Homing in on the wonder that is sake—and no, it is not just the bitter, overheated sake you receive at AYCE joints.
It brings one of the region’s defining experts, Greg Beck of Sake Secret. It also lets us connect with the deep ties he’s built on the island of the Rising Sun.
Unlimited sake tastings from 100-plus varieties. Traditional Japanese food. Music. Good vibes. It’s everything you want from a beer festival—but sake.
“Last year, we celebrated early in September, and it was a bright, hot, sunny day,” Greg said. “This year, we will gather on Oct. 17, and hopefully get some early autumn breezes to pair with it.”
What to expect from LB Sake Day 2026
This year marks the largest version of the festival yet, featuring 100-plus sake varieties. And that is accomplished solely by starting the festival earlier—it’s historically been hosted in October—so that brewers and reps can come out simultaneously.
“We are proud and excited to celebrate our 4th Annual LB Sake Day,” Greg said. “This is an outdoor Sake Festival celebrating World Sake Day every October, and bringing a huge selection of Sake from Japan and domestically to attendees who want to learn about Sake the fun way: one sip at a time. This unique setting and vibe allows everyday people to connect with the owners, brewers, importers, and distributors of Sake. Get stories and insight about Sake, straight from the sources, and create new memories and connections over sake in the beautiful historic Rancho Los Cerritos.”
What are the details I need to know about LB Sake Day 2025?
Unlimited Tastings
Food Vendors:
- Wagyu Street – Wagyu bowls, bento, sushi
- Yakitori from Homareya – Chef Yoya Takahashi returns with his famed yakitori
- Wabisabi Oasabi Sushi – Fresh sushi offerings
Venue:
- Rancho Los Cerritos, 4600 Virginia Rd.
Date & Entry Times:
- Saturday, October 17
- VIP: 12PM (early entry, limited-release pours)
- General Admission: 1PM – 5PM
Tickets (21+ only):
- VIP: $91.71 – early access + exclusive pours
- General Admission: $65.08 – unlimited tastings + commemorative ochoko cup
- Designated Drive: $28.05
A history of LB Sake Day
LB Sake Day began in 2023 as a fresh and immersive sake festival in Long Beach, birthed through a unique collaboration between Sake Secret—Long Beach’s local sake specialty shop—and Craft Beer LB. Held at the historic Rancho Los Cerritos, the inaugural event recreated a traditional Japanese matsuri with more than twenty sake offerings—both from Japan and local craft producers—as well as Japanese snacks, cultural education, and tasting sessions using commemorative ochoko cups.
In 2024, the festival returned for its second annual celebration on October 5, quickly gaining a reputation as one of Long Beach’s most underrated drink events—offering sake enthusiasts a chance to explore new independent sake makers and dive deeper into sake’s rich traditions.
The upcoming 3rd Annual LB Sake Day is set for September 6, 2025, running from 1 PM to 5 PM at Rancho Los Cerritos. Organized again by Sake Secret and Craft Beer LB, the event brings together artisan sake from across Japan and SoCal within a festive, educational atmosphere. Tickets include generous tastings, a keepsake o-choko cup, and food pairings, with VIP access granting early entry to limited-release sake experiences. Proceeds support the preservation and programming at the historic Rancho Los Cerritos.
Why Sake Day in Long Beach matters
Sake Day celebrates more than just sake—it bridges cultural connections. It offers Long Beach locals and beyond a chance to experience Japan’s storied sake traditions through sensory tasting, direct conversations with brewers and experts, and the communal energy of a festival-style gathering. Set against the elegant backdrop of Rancho Los Cerritos, it firmly roots Japanese cultural celebration in Long Beach’s community and history, all while honoring World Sake Day on October 1.
Each year, the festival has grown in scope, shifting from a cozy, limited-attendance tasting to a much-loved cultural event with wide appeal, driven by the enthusiasm of both sake connoisseurs and festival-goers alike.
In short, Sake Day has quickly evolved into a yearly highlight—a festival that not only celebrates the depth and diversity of sake but also strengthens cultural ties, supports local heritage, and brings the community together in true matsuri spirit.
For tickets to Sake Day 2026 in Long Beach, taking place on Saturday, Oct. 17, click here.
Editor’s note: This article is updated annually.
