Pizza City Fest Returns to L.A. LIVE With 40 of Southern California’s Top Pizzerias
The fourth annual Pizza City Fest returns to L.A. LIVE’s Event Deck on April 25-26, 2026, featuring unlimited tastings from 40 top Southern California pizzerias. Founded by three-time Emmy and 13-time James Beard Award-winning food reporter Steve Dolinsky, the festival showcases the diverse pizza styles that define the region’s culinary landscape.
Event Details and Ticket Information
Pizza City Fest will be held from 1-5 p.m. Both Saturday and Sunday at L.A. LIVE’s Event Deck in Downtown Los Angeles. General admission is priced at $99 per day, while VIP tickets are available for $199 per day. Both ticket tiers include unlimited pizza tastings, beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), desserts, and access to all festival activities.
What to Expect at the Festival
Attendees will have the opportunity to sample a wide variety of pizza styles, including Neapolitan, Chicago Tavern-style, Recent York-style, Artisan, Grandma Pie, Detroit-style, New Haven Apizza, and L.A.-style offerings. Beyond pizza tastings, the festival features:
- Discussion panels and demonstrations
- Book signings
- A pizza box folding contest
- Live entertainment
- Dessert options from participating vendors
Regional Representation and Founder’s Vision
This year’s lineup spans Southern California, featuring pizzerias from Orange County, the Inland Empire, the San Fernando Valley, and Santa Barbara. According to founder Steve Dolinsky, the geographic diversity reflects the breadth of quality pizza available throughout the region.
“We’re so excited to be returning to L.A. For our fourth annual event. The pizza scene in SoCal is as robust as ever,” Dolinsky stated. “We’ve added nearly a dozen new options this year covering multiple styles. From Santa Barbara to the Inland Empire and down to San Diego, we’re saving pizza fans from spending hours in their cars to try the best pizzas. Since everything is baked fresh on-site, the taste and experience is just like eating in the pizzeria.”
About Pizza City Fest
Founded in 2022, Pizza City Fest has expanded to turn into a three-city operation, with events held annually in Chicago, Nashville, and Los Angeles. The festival highlights the talents of regional pizza makers while providing attendees with unprecedented access to some of the area’s most acclaimed pizzerias in a single location.
As the event enters its fourth year in Los Angeles, it continues to establish itself as a premier destination for pizza enthusiasts seeking to explore the full spectrum of Southern California’s pizza offerings without the need for extensive travel between individual establishments.