Live bands were rocking the City by the Sea on Saturday during Porch Fest – an annual tradition that packs the streets.

“I love it…it’s a great day for Long Beach,” said Nancy Miller, of Long Beach.

Twenty-one bands performed at seven locations in the city during the third annual event. Long Beach Arts Council co-president Katie Mitchell says the event helps promote the arts and live music.

“It's a free event. We have people biking, bringing their strollers, walking around," said Mitchell.

It kicked off inside of the Long Beach Public Library. The rest of the locations are people’s porches and driveways.

“The beautiful weather, the environment of the crowd, it’s something special out here," said Kenny Aguilar, of Long Beach.

Chrissy Hult volunteered her house to be one of the stages for Porch Fest.

“We have a great corner space where lots of people can come together and enjoy music and sort of forget about everything else," she said.

Organizers hope to keep the musical tradition going in Long Beach.

“Can’t wait to keep doing it year after year, we want to make it bigger and better every time," Mitchell said.

Porch Fest merchandise sales benefit the Long Beach Arts Council.