Great Park Live has announced an expansive 2026 live events calendar alongside major venue upgrades that significantly scale up Irvine’s flagship outdoor entertainment destination.
The Southern California venue will now be able to host up to 10,000 guests for standing general admission shows, marking its largest capacity to date. City approval has also been granted to expand the site’s footprint to accommodate multi-stage music festivals for select events, positioning Great Park Live for larger, more immersive productions moving forward.
The 2026 lineup spans family entertainment, cultural festivals, tribute acts, and nationally recognized touring artists. Among the highlights are the I LOVE THE 90’s Tour featuring Vanilla Ice, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Tone Loc, Color Me Badd, and Young MC; country performances from Billy Currington and Lee Brice; and family programming including Blippi: Live.
Cultural and community events play a central role
Cultural and community events play a central role in the schedule, including the inaugural Lunar New Year Parade & Festival on February 7, celebrating the Year of the Horse, and the return of the Holo Holo Music Festival, focused on island and reggae sounds. Additional events include the OC Super Show, featuring The Aquabats and Story of the Year, and multiple “Irvine Nights” tribute performances honoring Queen and Taylor Swift.
“All Irvine Nights events are family-friendly community gatherings, featuring kid zones and local vendors,” organizers said, noting that additional performances will be announced throughout the year.
Mayor Larry Agran called the expansion a key part of the city’s long-term vision for the Great Park. “We’re proud to see Great Park Live expand its capacity and programming, creating unforgettable experiences for residents and visitors throughout the year,” Agran said.
The upgrades arrive amid more than $1 billion
The upgrades arrive amid more than $1 billion in development underway at the Great Park, including The Canopy, a 90,000-square-foot food and retail hub scheduled to open in late 2026 near the venue. Additional amenities planned for the park include lakes, cultural museums, gardens, and expanded open space.
Great Park Live also launched a new websiteon February 6, offering streamlined ticketing and improved access to event information as the venue enters what operators describe as its biggest year yet.
