Local residents can take advantage of the seasonal splendor with several summertime concerts and movies, many of which are free, happening all over Long Beach and Signal Hill.
El Dorado Nature Center Summer Concerts (June 12 – Aug. 21) – This lakeside concert series offers musical performances for $5 per person. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. (6 p.m. for Friends of El Dorado Nature Center members) with concerts taking place from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The following concerts, all taking place on Thursdays, are scheduled for this year’s series at El Dorado Nature Center:
- June 12 – Salty Suites
- June 26 – Big City Hillbillies
- July 10 – Corday
- July 24 – Steele Parade
- Aug. 7 – JP McDermott and Western Bop
- Aug. 21 – Sligo Rags
Attendees are encouraged to bring picnic dinners and low chairs to enjoy the shows. For more information, call 562-570-1725.
Concerts in the Park(ing Lot) (June 23 – August 11) – The Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association turns local parking lots into live music stages during these free, all-ages concerts, with all performances starting at 6:30 p.m. Concertgoers are encouraged to walk or bike to the event, show up early for a good spot, bring chairs and order food from a Bixby Knolls restaurant. Friendly, leashed dogs are also welcome at these events.
The summer 2025 schedule for Concerts in the Park(ing Lot) is as follows:
- Monday, June 23 – Bob Marley Tribute by One Drop Redemption at Bixby Joe Coffee & Tea (4245 Atlantic Ave.).
- Monday, July 14 – funk, soul, R&B and classic rock music from AbSOULute at Bixby Joe Coffee & Tea
- Monday, July 21 – Mic Dangerously and the Royal We will play a fund blend of cover songs and popular jams at Bixby Joe Coffee & Tea
- Monday, Aug. 1 – Beatles ’65 Tribute by MOVA at Bixby Joe Coffee & Tea
- Thursday, Aug. 11 – Upbeat Jamaican jazz from WST Ska Orchestra at Howard CDM, (3737 Long Beach Blvd.)
Movies in the Park (June 16 – Aug. 22) – Signal Hill Petroleum and Partners of Parks will host free family-friendly movie screenings, including films like “Inside Out 2,” “Wicked” and “The Wild Robot,” at several local parks in Long Beach and Signal Hill. Residents are invited to bring lawn chairs and picnic dinners to these screenings, which will begin at dusk. To learn more about the participating locations and movie schedule, visit the Movies in the Park webpage.
Moonlight Movies on the Beach (June 17 – Aug. 12) – Long Beach Local invites film fans of all ages to Granada Beach for six free movie screenings, all taking place on Tuesdays. People are welcome to bring chairs, blankets and food. Alcohol is prohibited. All movies will start at sunset, between 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Local food trucks and kettle corn vendors will be onsite. There is limited free parking that is first-come, first-served; visitors are advised to plan ahead and allow themselves 10-15 minutes to find parking.
Here is the schedule for this year’s series:
- June 17 – “The Goonies”
- June 24 – “Dirty Dancing”
- July 8 – “10 Things I Hate About You”
- July 22 – “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”
- Aug. 5 – A “Grease” sing-along
- Aug. 12 – The original “Lilo & Stitch”
Long Beach Municipal Band (June 24 – Aug. 11) – Playing patriotic standards, Latin music, jazz classics and much more, the Long Beach Municipal Band will celebrate its 116th season with the theme of “Sunset Serenade.”
Free concerts will take place at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates:
- Tuesdays, June 24 and July 1 at Whaley Park North (5620 E. Atherton St.)
- Tuesdays, July 8, 15, 22 and 29 at Bixby Annex Park (East Ocean Boulevard & Junipero Avenue)
- Wednesdays, June 25 and July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 at Los Cerritos Park (3750 Del Mar Ave.)
- Thursdays, June 26 and July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 at the Larry Curtis Concert Park at Marine Stadium (5255 E. Paoli Way)
- Fridays, June 27; July 11, 18, 25; Aug. 1 at El Dorado Park West (2800 N. Studebaker Road)
