As we enter the halfway mark of the first month of 2024, residents have countless fun ways to spend the week with things to do in Long Beach and Signal Hill.
Those with a penchant for sweets will be delighted to hear that a new See’s Candy location will be having its grand opening in Bixby Knolls on Saturday. Also on Saturday, community members can celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the annual parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue.
Though the Christmas season has passed, it’s not too late to be whisked away into a Whiskey Wonderland, with Roxanne’s celebration of whiskey returning this Sunday.
Friday 1/12
Restoration Friday: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help care for native plants and pull weeds at Willow Springs Park (2745 Orange Ave.). Volunteers are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle, comfortable shoes and sunscreen. Free.
Swing Set Open Mic: 6:30 p.m. Local creatives are invited to share their work at the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach (2017 Fourth St.) during this open mic. Participants will sign up on a first come first served basis. Participation costs $5 per person.
Sound Bath: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Relaxing and healing sounds will fill the space of Loiter Galleries (425 Promenade N) as Gongphoria plays a live concert to immerse audiences into a therapeutic sound bath. Attendees can lie on the ground with a face covering on, or enjoy the sounds any way they please in hopes of relieving stress and tension. Tickets are $30 on Eventbrite.
Saturday 1/13
Treecycling: 7 a.m. Long Beach residents can have their Christmas tree picked up for free on this day. The tree must be outside where the trash cans are usually placed and all decorations must be removed. Free.
Kayak Tours: Multiple times. Los Cerritos Wetlands invites residents to tour scenic areas of the wetlands and Steamshovel Slough with an environmental guide. Participants will meet at Mother’s Beach (5865 Appian Way), where there is metered and street parking, for the two-hour, multi-mile tour. Attendees must be physically able to paddle their own kayak solo, wear proper attire to get splashed in (no jeans and tennis shoes), and be at least 12 years old. Tickets are $40 on Eventbrite.
Private Tour Of Mercedes Benz Center: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mercedes Benz Classic Center (3860 N Lakewood Blvd.) will be giving private tours of the facility. The event will start with a light continental breakfast and end with a lunch at local eatery The 908. The cost of food is included in the ticket price. Tickets for this event can only be purchased on Eventbrite, at $150 per person.
Volunteering: 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Volunteers are needed to help remove the Christmas decorations from the historic Bembridge House (953 North Park Circle Drive). Free.
Grand Opening: 9:30 a.m. A new See’s Candy location is opening at the Bixby Knolls Shopping Center (4270 Long Beach Blvd.). The public is invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony, with free samples and special offers. Free to attend.
MLK Parade & Celebration: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This community celebration will begin with a parade starting at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Anaheim Street. Then attendees can celebrate together at Martin Luther King Jr. Park (1950 Lemon Ave.), where there will be community resources, performances, and food & drink vendors. Free to attend.
Wellness Social: 10 a.m.to noon. Plantiitas (2011 E Fourth St.) will be hosting this event where attendees can meet local therapists that may suit their needs. Sample questions to ask potential therapists will be provided. Free.
NO H8: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Individuals are invited to get their photo taken by photographer Adam Bouska for the NOH8 campaign at the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach (2017 Fourth St.). All subjects must come wearing a white T-shirt. Photos will be sent to buyers about eight weeks later. Photos cost $40 for a solo picture or $25 per person for couple or group photos.
Downtown Art Walk: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Four locations in Downtown Long Beach will host exhibits featuring a variety of mediums such as photography, ceramics, drawings and more. For more information on the exhibits and locations visit www.downtownlongbeach.org/artwalk. Free to attend.
Sunday 1/14
Kid-Friendly Movie Screening: 11 a.m. Children and families can enjoy a movie screening at the historic Long Beach Art Theatre (2025 E Fourth St.) of the 1995 film, “Gumby: The Movie.” Children ages 12 and under are free, as well as theatre members. General admission is $12 and tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
Record Store Meet Up Anniversary: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This group that gets together to visit record stores will be celebrating its one-year anniversary at Fingerprints Music (420 E Fourth St.) and invites local vinyl-lovers to learn more about them. Free.
Whiskey Wonderland: Noon to 6 p.m. Roxanne’s will be hosting a election-season-themed celebration of whiskey, featuring interactive workshops, a whiskey-centric debate, whiskey tastings, live entertainment and more. General admission tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite for $30.
Weaving Hats: 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. This workshop at Native Sol (2018 E Fourth St.) will teach attendees how to weave hats from coconut leaves. Tickets can be purchased for $75 each on Eventbrite.
Monday 1/15
MLK Day of Service: 8 a.m. Leadership Long Beach is helping residents connect to a wide range of public service projects in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy. Residents can sign up for a project at leadershiplb.org/mlk/, ranging from helping at a community garden to planting trees. Participants can enjoy a complimentary breakfast at Long Beach City College’s Pacific Coast Campus (1305 E Pacific Coast Highway). Free.
Drop-In Mah Jongg: 6 p.m. Mah Jongg enthusiasts are invited to play together at the Alpert Jewish Community Center (3801 E Willow St.). Cards will not be provided so participants should bring their own. General admission costs $5.
Smut Book Club: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The first Smut Book Club meeting of the year will cover the first three chapters of “Delilah Green Doesn’t Care” by Ashley Herring Blake. This book club is held every Monday at Good Time LB (1322 Coronado Ave.) and is free to join. Message @goodtime.lb on Instagram for details.
Karaoke: 10 p.m. Port City Tavern (4306 E Anaheim St.) invites those 21 and older to sing karaoke. Free.
Tuesday 1/16
Aqua Therapy Youth Program: 8 am. to 4 p.m. Hunter’s Heart foundation will be sponsoring year-long memberships at California Aquatic Therapy and Wellness Center, Inc. (6801 Long Beach Blvd.) for youth with muscular dystrophy. Youth will receive aqua therapy. Register on Eventbrite. Free.
Senior Social Club: 11 a.m. to Noon. Seniors can meet up and go on a walk together while socializing at Reservoir Park (3315 Gundry Ave.). Free.
Wednesday 1/17
State of the Port: 12:25 p.m. The Port of Long Beach will share an online presentation of their successes, milestones and plans for 2024, which they’ve deemed “The Year of the Rail.” The event will be streamed on the City of Long Beach’s Youtube page and on the Port’s website.
Do-It-Yourself Craft Club: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Children ages 8 and older are invited to create crafts at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Children must be accompanied by an adult. All materials will be provided. Free.
Fiscal Year 2025 Community Budget Meeting: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The City of Long Beach invites residents to the Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave.) to give their input on the upcoming fiscal year budget for the City. Free.
Thursday 1/18
Docent Training Begins: 9 a.m. to noon. Rancho Los Cerritos’ (4900 Virginia Road) eight-week-long course will prepare volunteers to become docents for the historic site. Attendees must be able to attend all seven workshops, which will be held every Thursday from Jan. 18 to Feb. 29. To sign up, visit the Rancho’s website, email Rancho@RanchoLosCerritos.org, or call (562) 206-2040. Free.
LB Jewish Film Festival Screening: 7 p.m. The Alpert Jewish Community Center (3801 E Willow St.) will be hosting a screening of the 2023 film “The Story of Annette Zelman” as part of the annual Long Beach Jewish Film Festival. The film is in French with English subtitles. General admission costs $20 and can be purchased on the AJCC’s website.
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