Take a deep breath and celebrate—you’ve made it through the first week of school. Reward yourself by winding down and attending some free and fun events throughout Long Beach and Signal Hill.
If you’re still craving more back to school activities, parents can prepare for pre-school at the Burnett Neighborhood Library Thursday morning or receive free backpacks from AJ’s Barbershop Saturday. Children can practice reading to therapy dogs Monday night and teens can partake in a Guatemalan workshop Tuesday night.
Residents can jam out to live music performances at Alex’s Bar Sunday or celebrate Greek culture all day Saturday. Spend some time in nature by caring for the sacred Puvungna land Saturday morning, help clean up the El Dorado Nature Center Saturday afternoon or learn how to compost from the comfort of your home Thursday evening.
Friday 9/1
Preschool Storytime & Play Time: 10 a.m. Children ages 3 to 5 can enjoy an hour of play, music, stories and snacks at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Free.
Long Beach RISING – Murals of the Movement: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. During the social uprising and riots of 2020, local artists painted murals on wooden panels used to guard the doors and windows of local businesses. These murals will now be displayed at an exhibit at Dreamkreator Pop-up ARTS ANNEX! (255 E 4th St.). Free.
Saturday 9/2
Community Caretaking Day: 10 a.m. The public is invited to help care for and learn about the sacred site Puvungna. Volunteers are asked to meet in the CSULB G2 parking lot (1250 Bellflower Blvd.). Volunteers are encouraged to bring chairs, water, a pot-luck style dish, gloves, rakes, flat shovels and weed whackers. Free.
Backpack Giveaway: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Families can receive a free backpack and enter raffles for various prizes at AJ’s Barbershop (5731 Atlantic Ave.) while shopping from local vendors in front of the shop. Free to attend.
Volunteer Cleanup: Noon. Volunteers are needed to help clean and maintain the El Dorado Park Nature Center (7550 E. Spring St.) Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes. Free.
Greek Festival: Noon to 10 p.m. A three-day celebration of Greek culture and heritage featuring food, drinks, dancing and more at the church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (5761 E Colorado St.) General admission costs $5.
Sunday 9/3
Live Music: 2 p.m. Four bands and a DJ will be performing at Alex’s Bar (2913 E Anaheim St.). This event is for those 21 and older. Admission costs $10.
Theater Performance: 2 p.m. International City Theater will be performing the play “Exit Wounds” at the Beverly O’Neill Theater (300 E Ocean Blvd.). General admission costs $52, and tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster.
Monday 9/4
Introduction to Reference Solutions: 11 a.m. to noon. Entrepreneurs and business owners are invited to learn how to use Reference Solutions, a free program available at the library, to help them start, manage and grow a business. Registration is required for this event. To register for the virtual event, visit the city’s online calendar. Free.
Read to Dogs: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Young children can practice reading to certified therapy dogs at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Reading to dogs is meant to build a child’s self confidence as they learn to read. Free.
Tuesday 9/5
Craft It Out: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Teens and tweens are invited to make their own Guatemalan worry dolls at Burnett Neighborhood Library (560 E. Hill St.). Free.
Teen Advisory Group: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Local high schoolers are invited to help the library develop events, crafts and activities for their peers at the Burnett Neighborhood Library (560 E. Hill St.). Free.
Wednesday 9/6
Baby & Toddler Storytime: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Babies and their caregivers are invited to Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.) to enjoy stories and playtime. Free.
Teen Cafe: 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. All teens are welcome to hang out at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.) and enjoy snacks, video games, crafts and more. Free.
Thursday 9/7
Preschool Without Walls: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The nonprofit Preschool Without Walls holds educational events that prepare parents and their children to begin school. During this event at the Burnett Neighborhood Library (560 E Hill St.), children will play and learn together while parents receive helpful information to prepare them to enroll their child and support them in school. This event is geared towards families with children ages 5 and younger. Free.
The Art of Italian Cooking: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Long Beach Public Library is hosting a virtual discussion by author Lidia Bastianich who will speak about the art of Italian cooking and her memoir “My American Dream: A Life of Love, Family, and Food.” To register for the virtual event, visit the city’s online calendar. Free.
English Conversation Club: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. English language learners are invited to practice English conversations together at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway). This is an informal gathering and a safe space for anyone trying to learn English. Free.
Learn to Compost: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. During this virtual workshop, participants will learn how to turn food scraps into nutrient rich compost for plants. The workshop will teach how to create and maintain a backyard compost bin as well as what materials can and cannot be composted. To register for the virtual event, visit the city’s online calendar. Free.
