The 21st annual Taste of Soul Family Festival officially returns to L.A.’s Crenshaw Boulevard next weekend on Saturday, October 17!
The all-day event runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is completely free to attend, inviting attendees to celebrate Black culture, music, and food in L.A. for three full miles.
Billed as the West Coast’s largest free one-day street festival, Taste of Soul draws hundreds of thousands of people every year. Here’s what to know before you go.
Food, music and community on Crenshaw
The festival historically hosts more than 300 retail and food vendors, serving Southern favorites and creative dishes from all across Los Angeles’ food scene. From slow-smoked brisket to carnival-style kettle corn, you’ll find a huge selection of classics and over-the-top menu items to fuel the fun.
The action centers around three live stages featuring a great lineup of performances across R&B, soul, gospel, hip-hop, and more. Plan your outing to check out Bakewell Media’s Sounds of the Soul Stage at Crenshaw and Stocker, the Radio Free KJLH Music Stage, and the Brenda Marsh-Mitchell Gospel Stage. The festival map is coming soon with exact locations.
Families can join plenty of kid-friendly activities at Children’s World, which offers creative games and activities, bubbles, hands-on educational experiences, and sensory-sensitive activities. Not to mention free eye and dental exams courtesy of St. John’s Community Health.
The entire length of Crenshaw Boulevard between Stocker and Obama will be closed starting at noon on Friday, October 16, through 6 a.m. on Sunday, October 18. You may not park along Crenshaw or its service roads.
To reach the festival, you can take Metro to any of three stops along the festival route: Expo/Crenshaw, Martin Luther King Jr, or Leimert Park. Most Metro parking lots are free on weekends.
Another option is to park nearby at Crenshaw or Dorsey High School and then take a shuttle straight to the festival.
Hit the festival website for more details.
Taste of Soul 2026 at a glance
📍 Location: Crenshaw Blvd. between Stocker St. and Obama Blvd, Los Angeles
📅 Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
⏰ Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
🎟️ Tickets: Free, with no ticket required
🌐 Website: tasteofsoulla.com
