Here’s everything you need to know if you’re attending Vans Warped Tour Long Beach this weekend – from opening times, getting there, and what to do away from the main stages.
With Vans Warped Tour’s Long Beach stop only days away, the hype is beginning to grow. It’s been six years since Warped Tour last hit the road (with the exception of the DC stop last month) and the 30th anniversary victory lap of one of the most iconic music festivals is proving to be as huge as it ever was back in the glory days.
If you’re planning to attend this weekend, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know to make the most of your time on Long Beach’s Shoreline Waterfront.
Vans Warped Tour Long Beach: When & Where
While the dates for the festival are the 26-27th July, you might be wondering when you can make your way through the hallowed gates. Doors open at 11am – although if you need to pick up your passes, the box office is open from 9am on show days. You’ll need to bring a valid ID with you to get entry and to get access to alcohol vendors. GA pass holders will receive a digital pass with a barcode, while VIPs will get a barcode-enabled wristband – but don’t lose it, or you’ll need to cough up $20 at the box office for a replacement.
The event will be held at Shoreline Waterfront, 386 East Shoreline Drive, Long Beach.
Getting There
There’s plenty of options for making your way to Warped Long Beach. The most straightforward is the pre-booked shuttle buses which offer round trips on both Saturday and Sunday for a set fee. There’s three city pickup and drop-off locations: SFV City, OC City, and DTLA City. These have set departure times and late arrivals won’t be accommodated – so make sure to check the timing on the site.
If you’re staying in a hotel for the weekend, there’s also a shuttle available to and from Marriott LAX – these shuttles run continuously throughout the show, but no shuttles will operate between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
Beyond the shuttles, Warped Tour recommends getting in early to find a parking spot and skip the traffic if you’re driving in yourself or using a rideshare like Uber or Lyft. If you’re looking to take Metro, the festival site recommends the following route: take the Metro A Line towards Long Beach and exit at 1st Street Station. The entrance is a 12-minute walk from the station.
Bag Check Policy & Prohibited Items
Expect to be waiting a little while to get through the doors once they open – the official site says there will be thorough TSA-style searches on entry, so prepare to empty your pockets and bags and submit to a full pat-down if security deems it necessary. Attendees won’t be able to re-enter as there’s no pass-outs.
If you’re planning to bring along a bag or backpack, make sure it’s a clear one – only small non-clear clutches up to 6”x9” will be allowed. Clear bags can measure up to 12”x6”x12” – any larger and you won’t be permitted to bring it in. You can also bring one-gallon (3.7L) clear freezer bags and empty hydration packs with no more than two main compartments and one smaller compartment.
When it comes to the content of those bags, Vans Warped Tour has made an extensive list of Acceptable and Prohibited Items. Among the items not allowed are aerosols, liquid makeup, and over-the-counter medication – so leave the painkillers at home this time round, the first aid tent will be able to sort you out.
Vans Warped Tour Long Beach Set Times
In original Warped Tour fashion, set times won’t be released before the festival. They’ll be posted on the giant Vans inflatable inside the festival grounds for everyone to check out upon entry on each day of the show – so get in early so you don’t miss out on any of your favorite bands!
Event Map
Here’s the official Vans Warped Tour Long Beach map:
Amenities
While you can’t bring in outside food and drink (with the exception of baby food), that doesn’t mean you’ll go hungry. There’s food and drink stands throughout the event, as well as roaming vendors if you really don’t want to give up your spot. Vegan and vegetarian attendees will be catered for with plenty of food options too. Credit, debit, Apple Pay, and Android Pay will be accepted – this is a cashless event.
If you don’t want to lug around all your stuff, or need somewhere to stash the merch you grab, there’s lockers available for hire in both the general and VIP areas. You can pre-book a locker here – they also come equipped with a universal phone charger.
What Else Is There To Do?
Obviously, most people are attending Vans Warped Tour Long Beach for the music. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do away from the main stages. There’s the Warped Unplugged stage – which sees live performances, immersive art installations, nonprofit activations and an interactive graffiti wall all come together. It’s a taste of the “parking lot magic” of the original Warped all in one place.
There’s also an Artist Alley where bands will be selling merch out of their own stands, the Sponsor Village (featuring Vans of course, Hot Topic, Marshall and more), the extreme sports area with skate demos and BMX riders, and Record Label Row to name a few of the activations going down on the shoreline.
Don’t forget to check out the Warped Tour Museum as the festival celebrates 30 years with archival photos, home videos, and original art pieces from way back when.
Lost & Found
Lose your phone, keys, wallet, or something else? There’ll be an on-site lost and found area open 11am-9pm each day of the event by the lockers, with an exterior lost and found spot by the box office open from 9-11pm on Saturday, and 11am-11pm on Sunday. If you happen to realise you’re missing something after getting home, Warped will have a post-show lost and found by the festival entrance on Monday from 11am-1pm.
You can also pre-register your phone to receive a custom wallpaper to use as your lockscreen for the duration of Warped Long Beach. If your phone is lost and is turned in to lost & found, the team can scan your unique wallpaper to pull up your registration information and let you know it’s been turned in.
Now, all that’s left to do is listen to your Warped Tour playlists, dust off those checkered Vans, and get ready for the weekend of your life. Is there anything else you want to know? Let us know on social media!
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