Those in need of a break from national news can gather with friends and neighbors at these Long Beach events focused on nature, art and culture.
Devote some time to cleaning up El Dorado Park or learning propagation skills at a Signal Hill workshop, both on Saturday morning, or help clean up Alamitos Beach Sunday. Local artistic opportunities this week include Long Beach Shakespeare Company’s premiere of “Richard III” on Friday, a screening of Filipino sci-fi film “Alimuom” Saturday, a meditation and drawing workshop Sunday and an LGBTQ-centric museum meet-up Wednesday.
Looking for reasons to celebrate? There’s a housewarming party for local nonprofit Long Beach Forward on Friday night, a Lunar New Year party Sunday afternoon and a Dungeons & Dragons gathering at the Long Beach Beer Lab Thursday night.
Community meetings this week include a budget meeting Monday, and a youth summer program budget meeting and West Long Beach environmental meeting both on Thursday evening.
Friday 1/24
Long Beach Forward Open House: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Local nonprofit Long Beach Forward is inviting the community to celebrate its new space at 2217 E. Sixth St. There will be local vendors, community resources and more. Free to attend, but the organization is encouraging a $25 housewarming gift.
Live Theater: 8 p.m. The Long Beach Shakespeare Company will kick off its 2025 “So This Is Love?” season with this performance of “Richard III” at the Helen Borgers Theatre (4250 Atlantic Ave.). Tickets can be purchased for $25 on the theater’s website.
Film Screening: 11 p.m. Watch director William Friedkin’s 1977 thriller “Sorcerer” at The Art Theatre of Long Beach (2025 E. Fourth St.). This vintage film follows four fugitives on a perilous journey. The film is rated PG, with a runtime of 121 minutes. Tickets can be purchased for $13.50 on the theater’s website.
Saturday 1/25
El Dorado Park Cleanup: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Park lovers can help clean up fishing lines and other debris from El Dorado Park and lakes (1550 E. Spring St.) on the fourth Friday of every month. This event is open to all ages, and participants should bring sturdy shoes, a sun hat, water and sunscreen. Youth under 18 years must bring an adult. Meet at the parking lot on the left just past El Dorado Frontier in El Dorado Regional Park. Pre-registration is required by calling (562) 570-1745. Free.
Household Hazardous Waste Event: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Residents can bring their cleaners, paints, old electronics, batteries, lawn and auto products to this hazardous waste event at the EDCO Recycling & Transfer Center in Signal Hill (2755 California Ave.). Online reservation is required through Eventbrite. Free.
Kids Story Play: 10 a.m. Theater practitioner Kiki Rivera will be guiding children between the ages of 5 and 10 through reenactment play at the Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum (695 Alamitos Ave.). To register for this event, email team@pieam.org by Thursday, Jan. 23. Free.
Propagation Workshop: 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. This beginner-friendly workshop at the Signal Hill Community Garden (1917 E. 21st St.) will cover the basics of various methods to propagate plants, where you can grow new plants from the stems of already existing healthy plants. For more information, call Parks, Recreation and Library Services at (562) 989-7330. Free.
Filipino Sci-Fi Film Screening: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The public is invited to a screening of the film “Alimuom” at the Harte Neighborhood Library (1595 W. Willow St.). Set in a dystopian future, the Filipino sci-fi film explores humanity’s resilience in a world struggling to sustain life. To register for this screening, visit the City’s online event calendar. Free.
Architecture & Historic Preservation Lecture Series: 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Explore the history of local homes and properties in this lecture from Maureen Neeley, librarian and historic preservation expert, at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway). This event will inform attendees about online and library resources they can use to uncover details about their own homes, like original builders, architects and past occupants. Laptops will be provided. Attendees are also encouraged to bring their own devices, library cards and property addresses to research. Seating and laptops are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Free.
Live Music: 8 p.m. Enjoy an evening of jazz and swing aboard the Queen Mary (1126 Queens Hwy), featuring Alex Mendham and his 11-piece orchestra performing classic songs from the art deco era, including hits by Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong and Glenn Miller. Black-tie, formal or vintage glam attire is encouraged. Tickets can be purchased on the ship’s website for $42.40.
Sunday 1/26
Beach Clean Up: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Volunteers are needed to help clean litter off Alamitos Beach (380 E Shoreline Drive). Supplies will be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own reusable gloves. Free.
Art for All: Noon to 2 p.m. Local nonprofit Compound (1395 Coronado Ave.) will host a meditation and drawing workshop. This immersive workshop is designed to help participants reconnect with their inner child using oil pastels, meditation and journaling. Supplies will be provided. No experience is necessary. To register for this free event, visit Eventbrite.
New Year Sekku: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Celebrate the Year of the Snake with crafts, music and family-friendly activities at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden at Cal State Long Beach (Earl Warren Drive). This festive event is appropriate for all ages. Tickets can be purchased on the university’s website for $10.
Monday 1/27
Community Budget Meeting: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Residents are invited to participate in the fiscal year 2026 budget development process during this online meeting. Attendees can share their priorities for city services and talk about the city’s future. To register for this virtual event, visit the City’s online calendar. Free.
College Promise Family Night: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Prospective Long Beach City College students and their families are invited to one of three remaining College Promise Family Nights at the Liberal Arts Campus (4901 E. Carson St.) Room T-1200, where they can learn about the Viking Advantage, Long Beach College Promise, FAFSA and California Dream Act. Free.
On a Monday?: 6 p.m. Those 21 and over are invited to listen to DJ performances at Supply & Demand (2500 E Anaheim St.). Tickets can be purchased for $7.18 on Eventbrite.
Tuesday 1/28
Coffee With a Cop: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The public is invited to meet and have coffee with their local police officers from the South Division at McDonalds (1000 E. Fourth St.). Free to attend.
Tour the Historic Bembridge House: 2 p.m. Local nonprofit Long Beach Heritage invites the public to tour the historic Bembridge House (953 N Park Circle). Tickets can be reserved on Eventbrite for a suggested donation of $10.
Preschool Storytime: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Preschoolers and their parents are invited to read, sing and practice phonics at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.). Free.
Read to Dogs: 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Children ages 5 and over can practice reading to certified therapy dogs at the El Dorado Neighborhood Library (2900 Studebaker Road). Reading to dogs is meant to build a child’s self confidence as they learn to read. Free.
Zumba at the Library: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Get a good workout with Latin and international-inspired music at the Signal Hill Library Terrace (1800 E. Hill St.). All skill levels are welcome. Free.
Wednesday 1/29
Museum Outing: 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Long Beach LGBTQ Center invites queer people in their 20s to meet up at the Long Beach Museum of Art (2300 E Ocean Blvd.). Free.
Volunteer Recruitment Event: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Those interested in volunteering at the Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave.) are invited to an informal meet-and-greet session. Attendees will learn about various volunteer roles and opportunities. Light refreshments will be served. Register on the museum’s website. Free.
Thursday 1/30
Youth Power Participatory Budgeting: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Young residents aged 12 to 26 are invited to Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.) to share their ideas on how public funds should be spent. This is an opportunity to meet other youth advocates and help decide how $550,000 will be allocated for summer programs in Long Beach. Free.
West Long Beach Methyl Bromide Meeting: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Residents can learn about recent air monitoring results near Hudson Park in West Long Beach that detected elevated levels of methyl bromide, a fumigant and toxic air contaminant. This meeting will cover what it means for public health and what the next steps are. Residents can attend this meeting at The Salvation Army Long Beach Red Shield Chapel (300 Long Beach Blvd.) or online. Online registration is required.
Dungeons & Dragons & Beers: 7 p.m. Those 18 and over are invited to an evening of live Dungeons & Dragons tabletop battles at the Long Beach Beer Lab (518 W Willow St.). Attendees will receive a D&D miniature figure to keep. No experience necessary to play. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite for $37.83.
