Get your holiday shopping done early, see acclaimed films on the big screen, join an array of community events and much more this week in Long Beach.
Shoppers can cross off Christmas list items and find unexpected goodies Friday during Sore Thumbs’ Vol. 5 market at Good Time, Saturday at the Khmer Town Night Market or Sunday during the monthly Long Beach Antique Market. Artistically inclined folks can also check out the opening night of LB Queer ArtFest Friday at Werk NightClub and the new ¡Mmm Pues! art show “Coming Home” Saturday at Loiter Galleries.
Filmgoers can see Spike Lee’s masterpiece “Do The Right Thing” on Saturday and the Spanish-language epic “La Bola Negra” Monday, both of which are screening at the Art Theatre of Long Beach.
As for community-centered events, teens can commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance at Billie Jean King Main Library Tuesday, residents can speak their minds Wednesday at a César Chávez Park Renaming Session and the City of Signal Hill will set the holiday season aglow with its annual tree lighting ceremony.
Friday 11/13
Sore Thumbs Vol. 5: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Shop for ceramics, zines, stickers, keychains, candles, film photography, live portrait art and more during Sore Thumbs’ market at Good Time (1322 Coronado Ave.). The event will feature 25 vendors, a raffle and live music by Sunnyside Steppers Band. Free.
LB Queer ArtFest Kickoff Party: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Celebrate queer culture, joy and community during Art Under the Neon Lights at Werk Nightclub (3428 E. Pacific Coast Highway), the opening night of Long Beach Queer Art Fest. The festivities will include a new art exhibit showcasing works of local queer artists, drag performances, a fashion show and performance art by School of Sexuality Project and a short film screening of “KIKI.” The festival will continue this Saturday and Sunday and Nov. 20-22. Free.
Saturday 11/14
Victory at Sea: 11 a.m. to midnight. Join the fleet at Ballast Point Long Beach (110 N. Marina Drive) for swashbuckling soiree with limited edition beers, pirate crews, cannon shows, a live band, two DJs and a prize-filled costume contest. Victory at Sea is open to all ages until 6 p.m. and for 21+ patrons only from 6 p.m. until closing. The festival will continue Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the same location with face painters, balloon artists, a treasure hunt and a kids’ costume contest. General admission is free, with first mate ($55) and VIP ($99) tickets also for sale for Saturday and Sunday. Free.
Growing Together: ‘Food for Change’: Noon to 4 p.m. The community-owned Long Beach Grocery Co-Op is commemorating reaching 1,000 members with a party and screening at Long Beach City College’s (LBCC) Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center (4901 E. Carson St.). This celebratory event will include sustainable vendors, LBCC student groups, bites by Primal Alchemy and a screening of “Food for Change,” a film about food co-ops forging positive social and economic change. Tickets are $44 on Eventbrite.
Khmer Town Night Market: Noon to 8 p.m. Parake in a day’s worth of cultural festivities organized by local nonprofit United Cambodian Community in the F&M Bank parking lot (3140 E. Anaheim St.) The market will include a kids jumper, live entertainment, local chefs and a variety of vendors. Free.
History Lecture/Film: 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Learn about noted industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie via a screening of an hour-long documentary and a localized lecture in the Miller Special Collections Room at Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway). Among his accomplishments Carnegie established over 2,000 libraries nationwide, including the former Carnegie Main Library which resided at what is now Lincoln Park. Free.
¡Mmm Pues! presents ‘Coming Home’: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The next installment in Amor Roldan’s art show series ¡Mmm Pues!, inspired by Roldan’s late father, is centered on remembrance, identity and returning. In “Coming Home,” the works of 15 artists exploring grief and remembrance will be on display at Loiter Galleries (425 Promenade North). The show will also feature a dozen vendors and a live DJ set by DJ Hex and Moonage Intermission. RSVP on Partiful. Free.
Once Upon A Spell: 7:30 p.m. Play, scheme and find the killer while playing A Night of Wizardry and Mischief during The Wicked Wolf’s (2332 Pacific Ave.) murder mystery party with Cloak & Dagger Games. Check out the restaurant’s Instagram (@thewickedwolflb) for themed outfit inspiration. Ticket options include general admission ($45) and featured character tickets ($55) and come with a welcome drink and a shared grazing board.
‘Do The Right Thing’ party and screening: 8 p.m. Good Luck Vinyl Club’s monthly film series continues with Spike Lee’s magnum opus “Do The Right Thing.” The two-part event will begin with a pre-party from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. featuring a hip-hop-filled DJ set from Chris “The Glove” Taylor at Dolores (2105 E. Fourth St.). Then, stroll over to the Art Theatre of Long Beach (2025 E. Fourth St.) for a screening of the film at 10:30 p.m. Entry to the party is free and first-come, first-served while tickets are $15 for the screening on the theater’s website.
Sunday 11/15
Long Beach Antique Market: 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Canvass the rows of the monthly flea market by Veterans Stadium (5000 E. Lew Davis St.) for vinyl, vintage threads, plants, antiques and more. General admission is $10, early admission (5:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.) is $15 and kids ages 12 and under receive free admission; parking is free.
Let’s Run Together: 8 a.m. Seasoned and occasional runners alike can join a new community run club from Our Spot Coffee and Goods and LUV Collective. The 3-mile run will begin from Our Spot Coffee and Goods (2221 Palo Verde Ave. #1A), with participants invited to enjoy coffee, movement and morning exercise in a pressure-free environment. Free.
Long Beach Fixit Clinic: Noon to 3 p.m. Volunteer Fixit coaches will repair broken electronics, bicycles, toys, clothes and small appliances during this clinic at Sports Basement (2100 N. Bellflower Blvd.). This sustainability-centered event is put on by the Long Beach Energy & Environmental Services Department with assistance from Algalita Marine Research and Education, Pedal Movement, the LB Reuses Coalition and Long Beach Time Exchange. Free.
The Great Pumpkin Smash: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Consider donating your old jack-o-lanterns to Long Beach Organic’s pumpkin-smash compost party at the Zaferia Junction Community Garden (3709 E. Tenth St.). This all-ages (and pet-friendly) event will include games, music and pizza provided by Mooney’s Pizza Tavern. Free.
Altars for Letting Go: Mandala Workshop: 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Altarism will lead an altar-building workshop with an emphasis on making space, storytelling and addressing emotional and spiritual baggage at Twelfth House (1950 W. Willow St.). As a group, attendees will practice somatic release before constructing a community mandala altar with flowers, leaves, spices and candles. Tickets are $25 on the Twelfth House website.
Camerata String Ensemble Presents: ‘Songs Without Borders’: 4:30 p.m. Listen to the orchestral works of famed composers Claude Debussy, Vaughan Williams, Manuel de Falla and more played by the Camerata String Ensemble during this concert at California Heights United Methodist Church (3759 Orange Ave.). “Songs Without Borders” is an ode to audial diversity, shared humanity and music as a global language that unites cultures, traditions, generations and countries. General admission ($45) and VIP seating ($60) can be purchased online.
Fundraiser Book Swap: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Cool Cat Collective (2741 E Fourth St., Suite C) is teaming up with LB Booksworms and TippedEars for a meow-friendly book swap. Bring up to five books to exchange, join a raffle, hang with kitties and converse with fellow book lovers at this adults-only event. No text books, academic books or children’s books will be accepted for the swap. Tickets are $15 on the Cool Cat Collective website and in the link of their Instagram bio @coolcatcollectivelbc; all proceeds will go to TippedEars for future kitten rescues.
Monday 11/1
‘La Bola Negra’: Various times. Before it hits streaming in early December, cinephiles can catch the Spanish-language epic “La Bola Negra” at the Art Theatre of Long Beach (2025 E. Fourth St.). Directed by Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo (Los Javis), this film focuses on queer love across three generations of men in Spain. Tickets range from $12.50 to $16.50 for Monday’s showtimes at 1:30 p.m., 5:05 p.m. and 8:35 p.m.
Paint, Pinot & Pawtraits: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Create a pop art style painting of your pet during this unique paint and sip at Hi-Lo Liquor Market (707 E. Ocean Blvd.). Prior to the event, attendees are asked to submit a clear, front-facing photo of their pet so a personalized, pre-drawn canvas can be created. All painting supplies will be provided and no drawing or painting experience is needed. General admission is $55 on Eventbrite, and comes with a wine or beverage of your choice, valued up to $15.
Tuesday 11/17
Terribly Thankful: 6 p.m. Terrible Burger is looking to raise $250 to go towards meals at Long Beach Rescue Mission during this seasonal fundraiser at Midnight Oil (255 Long Beach Blvd.). This event will include two rooms of music curated by Dance Music Initiative and the launch of Midnight Oil’s holiday cocktail pop-up Krampus Cove. Free entry.
Black Neighborhood Tenant Council: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Renters can learn practical organizing skills from Black Lives Matter Long Beach at BLU Art & Wellness Gallery (580 Pine Ave.) during their final Black Neighborhood Tenant Council meeting of 2026. Aligning with the theme of “Building Tenant Power & Organizing in Your Building,” the meeting will cover how to form a tenant association, basic renter rights and protections, how to form an action plan and more. This event will include dinner for attendees. RSVP at blmlongbeach.org/rsvp. Free.
TDOR: Honoring Trancestors: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Local youth ages 13 to 18 can honor trancestors and loved ones in the Teen Lounge at Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway) ahead of Transgender Day of Remembrance (Nov. 20). Teens will help decorate a community ofrenda and craft queer and trans artwork during this workshop. All supplies will be provided. Free.
Wednesday 11/18
César Chávez Park Renaming Session: 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Community members can share their perspective on the renaming of Long Beach facilities honoring César Chávez at the Doris Topsy-Elvord Community Center at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.). This public input session led by the City of Long Beach will also discuss replacement recommendations for Chávez in the Peacemakers’ Mural at Seaside Park. Residents who can’t attend can also provide feedback through a community survey, available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog. Free.
Community Yoga: 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Unwind with a gentle, trauma-informed yoga session focused on intentional breath and movement at KUBO Long Beach (3976 Atlantic Ave.), led by instructors Liza, Dianne and Carol. Mats will be provided, however participants are welcome to bring their own. There is a suggested donation range from $10 to $25, but no one will be turned away due to lack of funds; register for $1 with the promo code ONEDOLLARYOGA.
Thursday 11/1
California Native Plant Sale: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. El Dorado Nature Center’s (7550 E. Sprint St.) annual indigenous flora fundraiser will run on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays through Nov. 24 while supplies last. Free entry.
Signal Hill Tree Lighting Ceremony: 5:15 p.m. Enjoy carolers, crafts, seasonal sweets, a winter village and photos with Santa during the City of Signal Hill’s annual Christmas kick-off event at Signal Hill Park (2175 Cherry Ave.). The festivities will start at 5:15 p.m. with a performance by The Alley Cats, with the tree lighting ceremony scheduled for 6 p.m. Free.
Adult Reading Rave: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Adults can stop by Brewitt Neighborhood Library (4036 E. Anaheim St.) to trade new and used books, lounge with a good read and listen to ambient music. Free.
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