Whether you’re looking to relax, get creative or engage with your community, this week’s lineup of events in Long Beach and Signal Hill offers something for everyone. Residents of all ages can find free and low-cost activities happening across parks, libraries and even wide-open streets free from cars at this Saturday’s Beach Streets.
Residents can unwind in a variety of ways, through yoga at Reservoir Park Friday morning, Signal Hill Public Library’s kick-off concert series Saturday evening or an artistic workshop Sunday morning at the Museum of Latin American Art. Kids can join themed storytimes Saturday and Tuesday mornings, hands-on crafting at various Long Beach libraries Thursday and a costume-friendly youth tennis day Saturday afternoon. Seniors are invited to enjoy arts and crafts, bingo and memoir-writing workshops designed specifically for them.
Looking for Mother’s Day events? Check out our roundup of 10 last-minute-friendly events online.
Friday 5/9
DIY Craft Club: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. People 8 and older can create a silhouette portrait at the Signal Hill Public Library’s DIY Craft Club. Register by calling 562-989-7323. Free.
714 Market: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. This summer night market series will take place on the second Friday of each month at LBX Hangar (4150 McGowen St.). Shop from local makers and artisans, food and drinks while enjoying live music and face painting. Pets are welcome. Free.
Community Massage and Acupuncture: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Join the Holistic Collective (2217 E. Sixth St.) in their monthly community practice, where residents can receive a massage or acupuncture treatment on a sliding scale between $25 and $45. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds.
Saturday 5/10
Free Groceries: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Residents can receive free groceries on the second and fourth Saturday of every month at Grace Memorial Baptist Church (1021 E. 19th St.). No registration is required, but residents are asked to bring a bag or basket to carry the groceries in. Free.
Dog Park Workday: 9 a.m. Help improve the Dr. Myrna “Mickey” Donahoe Dog Park at the corner of Broadway and Cherry Avenue by spreading mulch. Masks are encouraged for those who volunteer, and if you have your own shovels, rakes, buckets or gloves you are encouraged to bring them. No dogs are allowed at this event. Free.
Beach Streets: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Streets in West Long Beach will be clear from cars for biking, walking and skating in the city’s annual Beach Streets event. Residents can enjoy a kids zone, live music, resources and food trucks. Free.
Bookworm Meetup: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. LB Bookworms has two May meetups, where locals can enjoy a picnic style reading party while they read a book of their own choosing at Rose Park (800 Orizaba Ave.). Free.
Free Youth Tennis Play Day: Noon to 2 p.m. Children ages 5-15 can enjoy free tennis, tasty food, cool giveaways, and a costume party at the El Dorado Tennis and Pickleball Center (2800 N. Studebaker Road). Attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite book character, such as a wizard, superhero or anything magical. Rackets will be provided. For more information email bridgethegaptennis@gmail.com. Register at tinyurl.com/freetennislb. Free.
Artist Workshop: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. This artist workshop is hosted by Nia Simone, one of the five artists featured in Ranchos Los Cerritos’ current exhibit “Untold Legacies: Rethinking the American Cowboy.” The workshop hosted at Ranchos Los Cerritos (4600 Virginia Road) will inspire participants to think about the themes and imagery of the exhibit, as Simone demonstrates how to paint clouds. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online.
Youth Art & Wellness: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Youth Leadership Institute will host this discussion and arts and crafts session focusing on how art can positively impact mental health at the Teen Center in the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway). Teens can learn tips on helping themselves and others with their mental wellbeing, make bracelets and scrapbook. Free.
Filipino Storytime: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. This storytime with author Rachell Abalos will explore how Filipino communities come together to prepare for natural disasters, as depicted in her book “Our Nipa Hut.” Children can learn basic Tagalog along with the story, followed by a question and answer session and a fun craft. Registration is required by calling 562-989-7323. Free.
Spring Concert Series: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Listen to live music from country singer and guitarist Kurt Hunter at the Signal Hill Public Library’s Zinnia Courtyard. Free.
Joy and Pride: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Queer BIPOC women, non-binary folks, trans women and vulva owners are invited to this uplifting and empowering evening at Confidential Coffee (137 W. Sixth St.). Attendees can enjoy a sound bath, somatic sensual movement, live performances from queer artists and meditation. Free.
Local Business Anniversary: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Local business Hellbent Silversmith (433 E. First St.) is celebrating its two-year anniversary with flash tattoos, tarot card readings, upcycled vintage, permanent bracelets and vegan food. Free.
Sunday 5/11
Corner Garden Workshop: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Spend your Sunday morning at the Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave.) with a creative workshop led by teaching artist Maria Guadalupe. All materials are provided. Admission is $5. Register for this event on the museum’s website.
Pride Bike Ride: 7:30 p.m. Join this month’s Moonlight Mash leisurely nine-mile bike ride through Downtown Long Beach, Second Street and Fourth Street. The dress-up theme for this month is colors of the rainbow. Free.
Monday 5/12
Senior Arts and Crafts: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Seniors 55 and older can learn how to make a colorful ribbon lei at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.). Registration is required by calling 562-989-7323. Free.
Write Your Life Story Workshop: 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Those 14 and older interested in memoir writing can learn how to take their real life experiences and turn it into non-fiction at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.). This workshop will be led by Dr. Kelly “Kiwi” Gillapsy. Register by calling 562-989-7330. Free.
Film and Director Q&A: 6:30 p.m. The Art Theatre of Long Beach (2025 E. Fourth St.) will be showing the 2024 documentary “New Wave,” which dives into a Vietnamese woman’s experience studying her family’s past through the lens of the New Wave musical phenomenon that electrified Vietnamese teens in the ‘80s. Following the film there will be a Q&A with director Elizabeth Ai. Tickets are $15 for general admission and can be purchased online.
Tuesday 5/13
Storytime at the Ranch: 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Enjoy a read-aloud collection of some of the best children’s books from diverse authors amidst the historic grounds of Ranchos Los Cerritos (4600 Virginia Road). Families can bring strollers, blankets and snacks, or sit on the benches in the visitor center. RSVP online to speed up the process of entering in-person. Free.
Senior Bingo: 11 a.m. to noon. Seniors 55 and older can play bingo at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.). Light refreshments will be provided.
Zumba: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Get a fun workout with Latin and international-inspired music at the Signal Hill Youth Center (1780 E. Hill St.). This class is for people 16 and older, and all skill levels are welcome. Register by calling 562-989-7323.
Wednesday 5/14
Bike to Work Week Pop-Up: 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Those participating in Bike to Work Week can enjoy a coffee and breakfast bar pop-up at Harvey Milk Park (185 E. Third St.), provided by the Downtown Long Beach Alliance.
Free Groceries: 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Residents in the sixth district can receive free groceries on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at Lincoln Elementary School (1175 E. 11th St.). Free.
Thursday 5/15
Prenatal Class: Noon to 1 p.m. Birth Workers of Color Collective is offering free classes to the public for the next three weeks at the Community Resource Center (5599 Atlantic Ave.). This week’s class will cover comfort measures in labor and birth. Free.
Teen Crafternoon: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Teens can make Perler bead keychains based on their favorite characters from Sanrio, Pokemon, Nintendo and more at El Dorado Library (2900 Studebaker Road). Free.
Mini Zen Garden: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Children 7 and older can create a mini zen garden in this mindful workshop at the Mark Twain Neighborhood Library (1401 E. Anaheim St.). Free.
