LOS ANGELES —Thousands of Angelenos gathered near MacArthur Park for Park to Park 2026, a two-day open streets celebration combining World Cup Quarterfinal watch parties, live music, soccer activities, and community programming.


Held July 10–11, the free event was hosted by Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez in partnership with Los Angeles County Metro. Portions of Wilshire Boulevard were transformed into a car-free public corridor connecting MacArthur Park and Lafayette Park.

The event featured World Cup watch parties, youth soccer clinics, live performances, arts activities, community resources, and local vendors, drawing families, young people, artists, and soccer fans from across Los Angeles.

“Park to Park showed what is possible when we prioritize public space and human connection over cars and traffic,” Hernandez said.

The event also highlighted the Reconnecting MacArthur Park initiative, a community-driven effort to address the nearly century-old division created when Wilshire Boulevard was constructed through the center of the park.

The City recently completed the first phase of community engagement for the initiative, collecting more than 2,500 surveys and hosting dozens of community events.

Eduardo Rodriguez, Executive Director of Central City Neighborhood Partners, said residents consistently expressed a desire for a safer, better-connected neighborhood with welcoming public spaces for families and neighbors.

Performers including Plenazo Tribe, Boogaloo Assassins, and Ambiente Central provided live music throughout the weekend. The event also included family activities, health and community resource fairs, and soccer programming for youth and adults.

Stephanie Wiggins, CEO of Los Angeles County Metro, said Park to Park demonstrated how transportation infrastructure can help strengthen communities by creating safer opportunities for people to walk, bike, use public transit, and gather.

As the Reconnecting MacArthur Park initiative moves into its next phase, community input will continue to guide future planning, design, and environmental review.