Taste of Soul Returns to Crenshaw With Lucky Daye, Midnight Star, Switch & More
One of Los Angeles’ biggest celebrations of Black culture is taking over Crenshaw Boulevard for a full day of music, food, shopping, family activities and community resources.
The 21st Annual Taste of Soul Family Festival returns Saturday, October 17, 2026, transforming nearly three miles of historic Crenshaw Boulevard into a massive—and completely free—celebration of Black Los Angeles. LA Sentinel
Presented by Bakewell Media and the Los Angeles Sentinel, Taste of Soul has grown into Southern California’s largest free street festival. Organizers say more than 3 million people have attended over its 21-year history, with the annual event drawing hundreds of thousands of people to the Crenshaw District. LA Sentinel
And this year’s festival is shaping up to be a good one.
Live Music All Day on Crenshaw
Taste of Soul will feature multiple stages with R&B, soul, funk, gospel, hip-hop and more.
Among the performers announced for 2026 are Lucky Daye, Midnight Star, Switch, MAJOR. and Deitrick Haddon, with additional performers and stage times still being announced. LA Sentinel
The Sounds of the Soul Stage will also feature Tony Cornelius, son of legendary Soul Train creator Don Cornelius, hosting Midnight Star and bringing out the Soul Train Dancers for a special “Taste of Soul Train” performance. LA Sentinel
More Than 200 Vendors
Come hungry—and ready to shop.
More than 200 vendors and local businesses are confirmed for this year’s festival, giving Black-owned and other local businesses an opportunity to introduce their food, products and services to one of the largest community gatherings in Los Angeles. LA Sentinel
Taste of Soul was created by civil rights leader, publisher and community advocate Danny J. Bakewell Sr. not only as a celebration, but as an event designed to support economic opportunity and bring resources directly into the Black community. LA Sentinel
Free Health Screenings and Community Resources
There’s another reason to make your way down Crenshaw: free health services.
Health providers will offer services including blood pressure and diabetes screenings, flu shots, mammograms, cholesterol testing, dental and vision services, HIV and hepatitis C testing, health education and other resources. LA Sentinel
Bring the Kids
Families can also visit Children’s World, presented by St. John’s Community Health.
The free children’s area will feature games, educational activities and family health resources. This year’s program also includes activities designed for children with different sensory needs, plus free eye and dental exams. Taste of Soul
Getting There
With nearly three miles of Crenshaw Boulevard involved, public transportation may be the easiest option.
Metro’s E and K Lines provide access to the festival, including the Expo/Crenshaw, Martin Luther King Jr. and Leimert Park stations. LA Sentinel
Taste of Soul 2026
Saturday, October 17, 2026
10 AM–7 PM
Crenshaw Boulevard — Obama Boulevard to Stocker Street
Admission: FREE — no ticket required
Taste of Soul 2026 Festival Information
BlackNLA Take
If there is one event that belongs on the Black Los Angeles fall calendar, Taste of Soul is it.
It’s one of those uniquely LA days when Crenshaw becomes the destination—music playing, food cooking, businesses selling, families walking the boulevard and generations of Black Angelenos gathering in one place.
And because admission is completely free, this is an easy one to add to the calendar.
