Sake Day 2025 is upon us, Long Beach. Returning to this Saturday, Sept. 6, 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. And it allows us to connect with the deep ties he’s created on the island of the Rising Sun.
Unlimited sake tastings from 140 varieties. Traditional Japanese food. Music. Good vibes. It’s everything you want from a beer festival—but sake.
What to expect from LB Sake Day 2025
This year marks the largest version of the festival yet, featuring 140 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 so excited, and everyone has been working all year to bring you a bigger, better LB Sake Day,” said Greg. “Of course, to beat the heat, we will have more non-alcoholic options like imported green tea [from Japanese Green Tea Co.], Pocari Sweat [a Japanese sports drink]. And, of course, the Long Beach Water Department provides free water. We also have a special, if not perfect way to cool down: Kakigori made from the same flawless ice Tokyo Noir uses, imported from Ishikawa in Japan.”
Even more? There are plans to test an LB Sake Day app to find, sort, and record your favorite sake at the festival. Can we get an amen?
“As far as we’re aware, this will be a first for any sake festival in America,” Greg said.
What are the details I need to know about LB Sake Day 2025?
Unlimited Tastings
- All-you-can-sip sake, plus green tea, Japanese coffee, and food available for purchase.
Food Vendors:
- Wagyu Street – Wagyu bowls, bento, sushi
- Kagura – Tonkatsu (katsu sando) sandwiches
- Wabi Sabi Sushi – Fresh sushi offerings
- Shaved Ice + a special surprise treat
Venue:
- Rancho Los Cerritos, 4600 Virginia Rd.
Date & Entry Times:
- Saturday, September 6, 2025
- VIP: 12:00 PM (early entry, limited-release pours)
- General Admission: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Tickets (21+ only):
- VIP: $91.71 – early access + exclusive pours
- General Admission: $65.19 – unlimited tastings + commemorative ochoko cup
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 2025 matters
LB 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, LB 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 LB Sake Day 2025, taking place on Saturday, Sept. 6, click here.
