One of LA’s most beloved food and beverage festivals went on safari last night — and it was absolutely magnificent.
(Los Angeles, CA – July 12, 2026) – If there is one event on the Los Angeles calendar that I look forward to every single year without exception, it is the Concern Foundation Annual Block Party — and last night’s 51st Annual celebration at the iconic Paramount Studios backlot did not disappoint for even a single second. This is, without question, one of my absolute favorite food and beverage festivals in all of Los Angeles — and I say that as someone who attends a LOT of food festivals in this city. The food alone is worth every moment, but when you combine mouthwatering culinary excellence with a mission as powerful and important as funding groundbreaking cancer research? There is truly nothing like it.
Lions, Tigers & Cures — A Safari Adventure at Paramount Studios
This year’s theme — Concern on Safari: Lions, Tigers & Cures — was an absolute visual and experiential triumph. The iconic Paramount Studios backlot was transformed into a stunning safari adventure, with immersive safari-themed décor, installations, and activations that made every corner of the venue feel like a completely different and magical world. Walking through those legendary studio gates into a safari wonderland while sipping incredible wine and sampling food from some of the best chefs in Los Angeles is the kind of only-in-LA experience that reminds you exactly why this city is unlike anywhere else on earth.
70+ of LA’s Best Restaurants, Chefs, and Beverage Partners
Let’s talk about the food — because at the Concern Foundation Block Party, the culinary experience is genuinely extraordinary. Over 70 of Los Angeles’ top restaurants (STK Steakhouse, Dulan’s on Crenshaw Soul Food Restaurant, Uchi West Hollywood, Hayama by Watami, The Grill on the Alley, to name a few) chefs, wineries, breweries, spirit brands, and beverage partners all donate their time, talent, and product to create an evening of culinary excellence that rivals any food festival in the country. And I mean that sincerely — the quality, creativity, and sheer abundance of what is served at this event is mouthwatering in a way that is very difficult to put into words.
Every station I visited last night delivered something memorable — from beautifully crafted small bites that could have been plated at a Michelin-starred restaurant to perfectly poured wines and craft cocktails that kept the energy of the evening absolutely electric. This is LA’s culinary community at its most generous and most impressive, showing up collectively for a cause that matters deeply.
Immersive Activations Around Every Corner
The Block Party was an epic night under the stars packed with immersive activations around every corner. We enjoyed high-end entertainment and interactive stations, starting with striking a wild pose at the SnapItStudio.com booth and capturing memories at the Brian Kramer Photography Digital Photo Studio. Between bites from local vendors, guests tried their luck at the casino-style gaming tables presented by Pechanga Resort Casino, relaxed in the explorer base camps and lounges sponsored by Anxiety Therapy LA and Mount Sinai Memorial Parks, and treated themselves to some well-deserved pampering. From luxurious spa services provided by Fairmont Spa Century Plaza to vibrant, safari-inspired glamour makeovers from the Beauty Bus Foundation, this spectacular block party flawlessly combined a glamorous Hollywood night out with a powerful mission to wrangle up hope for a cancer-free future.
The Largest Cancer Research Fundraising Event in the Country
Here’s what makes the Concern Foundation Block Party so much more than just an incredible party: it has grown into the largest cancer research fundraising event in the country, bringing together 4,000 guests annually for an evening that raises millions of dollars to fund promising young scientists working toward better treatments and ultimately a cure for cancer.
For over 50 years, the Concern Foundation has been one of Los Angeles’ most important and enduring philanthropic traditions — and the Block Party is the beating heart of that mission. Every bite of food, every glass of wine, every moment of laughter and connection on that Paramount Studios backlot contributes directly to groundbreaking research that is changing and saving lives.
Add This to Your Calendar for Next Year
If you have never attended the Concern Foundation Annual Block Party — and I say this with complete sincerity — put it on your calendar right now for next year. The food is extraordinary, the setting is iconic, the theme is always spectacular, and the cause is one of the most important you will ever raise a glass for.
Last night, surrounded by 4,000 fellow Angelenos on the Paramount Studios backlot, sipping incredible wine and eating food from 70+ of LA’s finest culinary talents, I was reminded once again why this event holds such a special place in my heart — and why the Concern Foundation’s work is so vital and so worth celebrating.
Lions and tigers and cures, oh my. To learn more about Concern Foundation, go to https://www.concernfoundation.org/ and for updates and information on next year’s event, follow them @concernfoundation on Instagram.
For more of the best food festivals, events, and things to do in Los Angeles, stay tuned to hoopLA — your ultimate LA lifestyle guide.
