Beloved traditions and brand-new festivals are among this week’s opportunities to gather with the community and enjoy all that summer has to offer.
Juneteenth celebrations, both old and new, invite residents to honor Black culture and contributions. The celebration weekend starts with the Coast’s ballpark party on Friday, where they will shout out Black baseball legends throughout the night, the annual “Juneteenth at King Park” gathering at MLK Park returns and World Famous VIP Records’ block party in downtown, both taking place Saturday.
Skaters can gather for Go Skateboarding Day at the cherished Cherry Skatepark Sunday, where there will be contests, giveaways and workshops all day. Women and non-binary skaters are invited for a group ride and hangout Tuesday evening.
Get involved with your community at a hair braiding fundraiser Saturday at Casita Bookstore or by contributing to a bake sale with Long Beach Rapid Response Mutual Aid, both of which are helping people who have been impacted by ICE.
Friday 6/19
World Cup Watch Party: Noon. Watch Australia and America’s World Cup match at The Art Theatre of Long Beach (2025 E. Fourth St.) during their big-screen watch party series. Attendees will be able to purchase snacks, beer and wine. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Free.
Pride Arts and Crafts: 5:30 p.m. Shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists, makers and creators at this market hosted by LB Proud at Playa Market (1702 E. Broadway). There will also be free snacks and drag queen readings. Free.
Juneteenth Baseball Game: 6:35 p.m. World Famous VIP Records invites the community to celebrate Juneteenth at Blair Field (4700 Deukmejian Drive) to watch the Long Beach Coast take on the Yuba Sutter Freebirds. Throughout the evening, the team will recognize Black baseball legends. Tickets start at $11 and can be purchased online.
Saturday 6/20
Juneteenth at King Park: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Celebrate Juneteenth at Martin Luther King Jr. Park (1950 Lemon Ave.) with music, food, cultural performances and more. Free.
Hair Braiding Fundraiser: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Trenzas Amigas and Casita Bookstore are hosting this braiding fundraiser, with proceeds going to community members affected by the ongoing ICE raids. Attendees can get their hair braided Mexican-style with a variety of colorful ribbons and enjoy coffee from Cecis Coffee. Braiding options will vary from $8-35, and visitors are asked to come with plenty of time to spare as lines may get long. All ages welcome.
Juneteenth Block Party: Noon to midnight. World Famous VIP Records is hosting a free downtown block party from noon to 7 p.m., highlighting Black music, culture and contributions at Promenade Square (215 E. First St.). There will be Black vendors, two performance stages, educational activations and more. An afterparty hosted in collaboration with Good Luck Vinyl Club will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight at The Edison Theatre (213 E. Broadway) with tickets available for $11.
Big Gay Picnic: 12:30 p.m. The LGBTQ+ community and allies are invited to this relaxing, chill day at The Bluff at Bixby Park (Ocean and Junipero) for food, friends, music and sunshine. Bring blankets, chairs, food, drinks and make new friends. Free.
Sunday 6/21
Spanish Social Club: 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Those learning Spanish can practice their socializing in a welcoming environment at Good Time (1322 Coronado Ave.). Free.
Go Skateboarding Day: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pharmacy Long Beach and a slew of sponsors are hosting this gathering for skaters at Cherry Skatepark (2000 Second St.). There will be giveaways of boards, clothes and shoes, products for tricks, free food, a board setup workshop for kids and a trick contest. Free.
16mm Horror Film: 7 p.m. Travelling film organization See It On 16mm is bringing the 1974 horror classic “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” to The Art Theatre of Long Beach (2025 E. Fourth St.) in its original film format. Showtimes are running Friday through Sunday. Tickets are $15 for each screening.
Monday 6/22
Concerts in the Park(ing) Lot: 6:30 p.m. Bixby Knolls’ beloved concert tradition returns, bringing live music to a parking lot on Atlantic Avenue near Bixby Joe Coffee and Tea (4245 Atlantic Ave.). This month’s band is Yari More, who will play Latin music for the crowd of family, friends and pets. Guests can bring lawn chairs and are encouraged to support the surrounding businesses by ordering food and drinks and bringing them to the concert. Free.
South Coast Orchid Society: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Learn from Donna Ballard about Aussie Dendrobiums at the Whaley Park Community Center (5620 E. Atherton St.) at this month’s meeting of the South Coast Orchid Society. Homegrown orchids from members will be on display. Free.
Tuesday 6/23
Tenant’s Day of Action: 6 p.m. Join the Long Beach Housing Justice Coalition for a Tenant Day of Action at Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.), where you can connect with other renters, learn about statewide efforts to advance housing justice and get involved with LiBRE’s local campaign for Just Cause protections for renters. RSVP at bit.ly/dayofaction26. Free.
Group Skate: 6:30 p.m. Long Beach Skate Club invites women and non-binary folks to this sunset ride beginning at Gaucho Beach (780 E. Shoreline Drive). There will be a chill ride to the pier and back, followed by drinks and a hang at Gaucho’s. Free.
Long Beach Municipal Band: 6:30 p.m. Enjoy one of Long Beach’s oldest traditions by listening to a live orchestral band at Whaley Park North (5620 Atherton St.). This week’s theme is “City Lights, Jazz Nights,” blending the spontaneity of Dixieland jazz with the soulful depth of the blues and the irresistible rhythm of swing. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, food and drinks. Free.
Wednesday 6/24
Board Games: 6 p.m. Game lovers and board game enthusiasts are invited to play games with those 21 and older at The Wicked Wolf (2332 Pacific Ave.) every Wednesday. Free.
Long Beach Municipal Band: 6:30 p.m. Enjoy one of Long Beach’s oldest traditions by listening to a live orchestral band at Los Cerritos Park (3750 Del Mar Ave.). This week’s theme is “City Lights, Jazz Nights,” blending the spontaneity of Dixieland jazz with the soulful depth of the blues and the irresistible rhythm of swing. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, food and drinks. Free.
Thursday 6/25
Baked Goods Drop-Off: Various Times. Long Beach Rapid Response Mutual Aid group is asking for donations of baked goods for a bake sale they are hosting on June 27. All proceeds will go towards people who have been impacted by the ongoing ICE raids. Coordinate drop-off with the group via Instagram DM @lbrrmutualaid for either June 25 or 26.
Open Mic: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Every Thursday is open mic night at Jug Band Coffee and Tea (2771 E. Broadway), where residents can enjoy pizza, vegan food options and a variety of performances. Free.
Long Beach Municipal Band: 6:30 p.m. Enjoy one of Long Beach’s oldest traditions by listening to a live orchestral band at the Larry Curtis Concert Park at Marine Stadium (5255 E. Paoli Way). This week’s theme is “City Lights, Jazz Nights,” blending the spontaneity of Dixieland jazz with the soulful depth of the blues and the irresistible rhythm of swing. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, food and drinks. Free.
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