Things to do in Long Beach: Concert in the park, shoreline festivals, makers’ markets and more! 

A freshly cut piece of 16-hour smoked brisket from Axiom Kitchen has the internal juices dripping out on Nov. 4, 2023. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Long Beach residents can take advantage of the warmer weather on the horizon with the return of weekly Friday night concerts at El Dorado Park. That night, local cyclists are invited to a Rainbow Ride through Long Beach or can stop by Fourth Fridays at Retro Row for a Pride-themed monthly market. 

Saturday’s offerings include a pair of all-day events by the water, with smokey and scrumptious food options at the Long Beach BBQ Festival and Island vibes aplenty at the Mai Tai Festival. 

For those looking to continue spending their time outside during the three-day weekend, the biannual DIY Patchwork Show will be held in Marine Stadium Sunday afternoon. There’s also a techno beach party on Monday for community members looking to celebrate the day off. 

Around 400 riders gather at the starting point for a bike ride-out organized by Harbor Area BMX that will go through Downtown Long Beach on April 16, 2022. The riders often zig-zag through the streets doing tricks along the way. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Friday 5/24

Summer Kickoff Concert: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine will host a performance from the Under Cover Band at El Dorado Park West (2800 N. Studebaker Rd.). Residents are welcome to bring chairs, blankets and food to this concert in the park. Free. 

Fourth Fridays at Retro Row: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fourth Street Long Beach is hosting a special Pride-themed edition of their monthly event series with live music, vendor pop ups and a variety of discounts at Retro Row businesses. Free. 

Rainbow Ride: 7:30 p.m. Cycling enthusiasts are invited to dress to the theme of Rainbow Ride at this monthly community bike ride hosted by Moonlight Mash. Bikers will take off from Pedal Movement (223 E. First St.) at 8 p.m. and roll through the streets of Long Beach under the moonlight. Interested riders are advised to bring lights on their bike and ensure their costume does not inhibit their ability to ride safely. Free. 

Detroit ‘67: 8 p.m. In Dominique Morriseau’s new production at the Long Beach Playhouse (5021 E. Anaheim St.), tensions rise between Motown music-loving siblings as the backdrop of social justice uprising grows ever closer. Audiences can see Detroit ‘67 onstage through June 15. Tickets for this performance range from $20 to $25 and can be purchased at lbplayhouse.org.  

Qiana and Ian Mafnas, owners of Axiom Kitchen, eat take a bit of some of their favorite offerings that they serve, brisket burnt ends and mac and cheese respectively on Nov. 4, 2023. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Saturday 5/25

Mai Tai Festival: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be several live island reggae performances, dancers, art and plenty of mai tais to drink during the Mai Tai Festival at Rainbow Lagoon Park (400 E. Shoreline Dr.) General admission is $35; kids ages 6-12 are $15, and children ages 5 and under can attend the event for free. Tickets for the festival can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Long Beach BBQ Festival: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. The 2nd Annual Long Beach BBQ Festival will take place at Shoreline Aquatic Park (12 p.m. to 9 p.m.), hosted by Axiom Kitchen and NoahS’s Arc Foundation in partnership with Long Beach Living. The festival will feature live music, entertainment, shopping and several local barbeque vendors serving up dishes like pulled pork, tri-tip and brisket. General admission is $25, tickets for kids ages 12 and under are $5, and children ages 3 and under receive free admission. There are also $150 VIP tickets available, which includes access to a VIP lounge, expedited entry and deluxe food and drink offerings. All ticket options can be purchased on Eventbrite.

AfterDark at LBMA: 7 p.m. The Long Beach Museum of Art (2300 E. Ocean Blvd.) will host this after-hours event to celebrate the opening of artist Keith Haring’s new “Radiant Vision” exhibition. AfterDark at LBMA will include music, art, food and drinks. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on Eventbrite; children ages 12 and under will receive free admission. 

“Joy of Color”: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. An opening reception will be held for the “Joy of Color” art exhibition, created by artists from Los Ruano Gallery, at Loiter Galleries (425 The Promenade N.) Free. 

ART x SOUND: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. As eclectic sounds play in the background, several local artists will be crafting art in front of a live audience at the Edison Theatre (213 E. Broadway). This event, organized by Artlife + Style, will allow onlookers insight into the artists’ unique creative process in this immersive experience. Free. 

Crowds make their way through rows of local vendors at the annual Patchwork Festival. (Courtesy of Dear Handmade Life)

Sunday 5/26

Patchwork Show Long Beach: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can shop from over 250 local vendors selling art, antiques and handcrafted items at Marine Stadium (5255 E. Paoli Way). This bi-annual DIY market from Dear Handmade Life will also feature live music, food trucks and interactive activities. Entry is free. 

The Dirty Lowdown: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Dirty Lowdown Boys will be spinning vinyl records at The Bamboo Club (3522 E. Anaheim St.) featuring songs from yacht rock, soul, funk and city pop genres. Free. 

An aerial view of Hilltop Park in Signal Hill as people relax and take in the views on June 28, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Monday 5/27

Tech Me 2 Da Beach: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Green Line Entertainment is throwing an all-day techno party at the grass at Junipero Park (1 Junipero Ave.)  featuring a lineup of DJs, a live art show and onsite vendors. All ages are welcome to attend. Free. 

Memorial Day Hike: 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Long Beach Walking Group is hosting a morning 4+ mile hike around Signal Hill. Walkers will meet at Nu Image Now Wellness Center (3351 Hill Street). The walk is open to beginners, but there will be moderate terrain. The hike will feature a few optional hills. Free.

A view of the front entrance of the Billie Jean King Main Library in Long Beach on May 13, 2022. The library was renamed in dedication to the Long Beach native and tennis player in 2019. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Tuesday 5/28

Bark @ El Dorado: 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Kids ages 5 and older will learn how to increase their reading abilities while reading aloud to therapy dogs during this event at El Dorado Neighborhood Library (2900 Studebaker Road). Free.

Anime Watch Party: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Anime enthusiasts are invited to the Billie Jean King Main Library ( 200 W. Broadway) to have snacks and watch an anime of their choosing. This event is intended for kids ages 11 to 18 and will take place on level 2 of the library in the Teen Lounge. Free. 

Courtesy Beachwood Blendery Beachwood Blendery is the first craft brewery in Long Beach that can do on-site manufacturing.

Wednesday 5/29

The Blend Comedy Night: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Beachwood Brewing’s Downtown Long Beach taproom (247 Long Beach Blvd.) will play host to a night of all-star comedians. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

Craft it Out: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Harte Neighborhood Library (1595 E. Willow St.) is hosting a special workshop for kids to create their own mini zen gardens. Attendees will learn about the history and peaceful qualities of Japanese zen gardens. Free

Teen Matinee: 4 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. Local teens are invited to a screening of the 2023 horror film “Five Nights at Freddy’s” at Los Altos Neighborhood Library (5614 Britton Drive). Free. 

A seagull rests on one of the cables holding the retired oceanliner, Queen Mary, in its permanent location in Long Beach on Dec. 15, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Thursday 5/30

Walking Club: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Signal Hill Parks, Recreation & Library Services invites seniors ages 55 and up on a walk beginning at Reservoir Park (3315 Gundry Ave.) There will be light stretching before the walk and water will be provided. Free.

Brushes & Bubbly: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Queen Mary (1126 Queens Highway) will be hosting a two-hour 21 and older paint and sip event. Tickets are $49 and include a 11 inch x 14 inch canvas, an apron and one complimentary beverage; and can be purchased at queenmary.com/whatsondeck

Cider Making Night: 7 p.m. Ficklewood Ciderworks (720 E. Broadway) welcomes residents into their cidery with a behind-the-scenes tour and a chance to create their own cider. Attendees are encouraged to bring in a flavoring profile to use when crafting their cider. Tickets are $45 per person and can be purchased at ficklewood.com.  

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