Make the most of your three-day weekend by celebrating community with these fun and (mostly) free events in Long Beach.
Veterans Day celebrations will begin on Saturday, combined with the annual Beach Streets event to create a sprawling, lively street takeover. On Monday, the Queen Mary is inviting families and those who have served our country to a day of live entertainment, stories, letter writing, arts and crafts and more.
Long Beach’s singles crowd can attend two different minging events, with a Singles Party on Friday night at the Long Beach Beer Lab or a speed group dating event at Trademark Brewing Tuesday night. There’s plenty of performances throughout the week, with jazz classics Saturday at the Queen Mary and Sunday at the Carpenter Center, a Lady Gaga-themed burlesque show Friday or a drag brunch Sunday at Hamburger Mary’s.
Those looking to change or boost their career can attend a youth mentoring gathering Friday night, a career fair Wednesday afternoon, or a city of Long Beach employment workshop or women’s career coaching fair, both on Thursday.
Friday 11/8
DINOvember Toddler Storytime: 10:10 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. Toddlers between 1 and 3 years old are invited to Harte Neighborhood Library (1595 W Willow St.) for an hour of dinosaur-themed fun featuring books, lively songs, scarves, bubbles and interactive activities. Free.
Youth Mentoring: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Youth ages 16 to 24 are invited to this weekly gathering hosted by local nonprofit Love Beyond Limits to receive mentoring on life skills, job readiness and tutoring, while enjoying movies, games, music and more at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park (1133 E. Rhea St.). Free.
Long Beach Singles Party: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Singles 21 and older are invited to the Long Beach Beer Lab (518 W. Willow St.) to meet, connect and enjoy an evening of conversation. This event is hosted by Los Angeles Fun Events, featuring craft brews and music. The dress code is smart casual. Tickets are required, with Early Bird pricing available at $10 and General Admission at $20 on Eventbrite.
Little Monster’s Burlesque Show: 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. to midnight. This burlesque show is a tribute to Lady Gaga by Dirty Little Secrets Burlesque at Harvelle’s Long Beach (201 E. Broadway). Performances will be set to Lady Gaga songs, featuring costumes inspired by some of her most memorable looks. Attendees must be 21 and over. Tickets can be purchased for $24.25 on Eventbrite, and there is a two-drink minimum. Tipping the performers is encouraged.
Saturday 11/9
CSULB Open House: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Local families and students are invited to Cal State Long Beach (1250 N Bellflower Blvd.) to explore the college and learn how to take advantage of the Long Beach Promise. Attendees can receive help with applying to Cal State schools, learn about how to apply for financial aid, tour the campus and meet CSULB staff. There will be free lunch and parking, and an online RSVP is required. If you have any questions, email promise@csulb.edu. Free.
Food Distribution: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pools of Hope (6801 Long Beach Blvd.) will be giving away groceries to those in need. Groceries will include eggs, meat, fresh vegetables and more, while supplies last. In addition to groceries, attendees will have access to health and asthma education resources. No registration required. Free.
Beach Streets: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Community members can enjoy car-free exploration of the city’s Uptown neighborhood, with travel by foot, skateboard and bicycle encouraged. There will be entertainment hubs with live music, local pop-up vendors and activities at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.) and the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.), with the primary hub at the intersection of Artesia Boulevard and Cherry Avenue. Free.
Long Beach Veterans Day Celebration: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Honor and celebrate veterans at this celebration at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.). Attendees can enjoy live music, food vendors and activities. Free.
Environmental & Wellness Fair: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents can enjoy this fair hosted by Breathe Southern California and learn how to protect the environment in fun and easy ways at Drake Park (951 Maine Ave.). There will be booths with arts and crafts, games, educational activities and raffles. Free.
Community Quilt Project: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Residents can participate in this community art project and help to sew a quilt at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.). Attendees are encouraged to bring family photos to scan, transfer to fabric and sew into the quilt. Participants are also encouraged to bring their own sewing machines. While supplies will be provided, they are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. No registration is required to attend, and Spanish language support will be available.
Live Music: 7:30 p.m. The Long Beach Symphony will host a concert celebrating American musical heritage at the Long Beach Terrace Theater (300 E. Ocean Blvd.). Under the direction of Maestro Eckart Preu, the program opens with Jessie Montgomery’s Coincident Dances, followed by William Grant Still’s Symphony No. 5 and George Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F. A discussion will be held at 6:30 p.m. before the concert begins. Tickets can be purchased on the Long Beach Symphony’s website, starting at $34.
Jazz and Big Band Night Aboard the Queen Mary: 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The public is invited to an evening of jazz and big band classics aboard the Queen Mary (1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach). Guests will be treated to timeless hits by legends like Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong and Glenn Miller, including big band standards such as Sing, Sing, Sing. Attendees are encouraged to wear black-tie, formal or vintage glam attire to enhance the experience. Tickets can be purchased on the Queen Mary’s website for $40.
Sunday 11/10
Sunday Drag Brunch: 10 a.m. to noon. Hamburger Mary’s (330 Pine Ave.) holds a weekly drag brunch featuring brunch, bottomless mimosas and live entertainment. There is a $7 cover charge. Food and drink prices vary.
Some Enchanted Evening – A Jazz Celebration of Broadway Classics: 2 p.m. This live jazz concert at the Carpenter Center (6200 E Atherton St.) will feature American Songbook favorites spanning from the golden age to contemporary classics, played by Emmy-nominated trumpeter and crooner Benny Benack III, joined by vocalist Stella Katherine Cole and tap dancer Jabu Graybeal. Together, they breathe new life into Broadway’s greatest hits. Tickets are available on the Carpenter Center’s website for $53.75.
Art Exhibit Opening Reception: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The opening reception for José M. Loza’s Master of Fine Arts thesis show “Paradise Subverted” will be held at The Max L. Gatov Gallery – West on the Cal State Long Beach campus (1250 Bellflower Blvd.). The artwork on display tackles topics like memory, identity and cultural myths. Following the reception, the show will remain open through Nov. 14 at the gallery. Free.
Monday 11/11
Veterans Day Celebration: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In honor of Veterans Day, The Queen Mary invites veterans and their guests to this celebration, featuring live entertainment, meet-and-greets with the ship’s Commodore and Captain, letter writing to troops, arts and crafts activities, stories from veterans and more. Free with online reservations, which can be made on the Queen Mary’s website.
Read & Create: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Children between the ages of 6 and 12 are invited to listen to a story and create a craft together at Harte Neighborhood Library (1595 W. Willow St.). Free.
“The Piano Lesson” Screening: 7:30 p.m. Director Malcolm Washington’s new drama film “The Piano Lesson,” based on the August Wilson play of the same name, is only playing at select theaters nationwide before its Netflix release on Nov. 22. The Art Theatre of Long Beach (2025 E. Fourth St.) is the only theater in the area that will be screening the film prior to it hitting streaming. Tickets are $13.50 for adults and can be purchased on the theater’s website.
Tuesday 11/12
Art Activities: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Long Beach Public Library, with the help of the Agape Children’s Museum, will be guiding kids in hands-on art activities at the Los Altos Neighborhood Library (5614 Britton Dr.). Free.
Native American Heritage Celebration: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. This celebration of Native American culture and heritage by Red Boy Productions at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway) will feature music, dance and storytelling. Light refreshments will be provided. Free.
Speed + Group Dating: 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Singles in their 20s and 30s are invited to meet new people at Trademark Brewing (233 East Anaheim St.). This event combines elements of speed dating and group dating, and gives attendees a chance to chat, connect and maybe meet someone special. Enjoy lively conversations in a laid-back setting, where each round promises new people and engaging interactions. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite for $12.51.
Wednesday 11/13
Baby Bop: 11 a.m. to noon. Parents and caregivers are invited to bond with their babies and meet other local families during Baby Bop, a storytime session at the Dana Neighborhood Library (3680 Atlantic Ave.). This event is designed for babies that can’t walk yet, and includes songs, rhymes, bounces and more. Free.
Panel on Mental Health: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join CalMatters for a panel discussion at the Aquarium of the Pacific (100 Aquarium Way) on the state of mental health care access in California, four years after the passage of legislation mandating parity in mental health and addiction treatment coverage. This panel will explore the current gaps in the system, the role of health plans, and possible solutions for the future. The event includes a networking session and complimentary lunch from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by the panel from noon to 1 p.m. Attendees can attend in person or online. Register for this event on the CalMatters website. Free.
Free Groceries: 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Residents can receive fresh and packaged groceries on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at Lincoln Elementary School (1175 E. 11th St.). Free.
City of Long Beach Career Fair: Noon to 3 p.m. Job seekers are invited to the City of Long Beach Career Fair at Long Beach City College (1305 East Pacific Coast Highway). This event offers a chance to explore employment opportunities within the City’s 24 departments, with roles available at entry, professional and highly skilled levels. Attendees can pursue full-time, part-time and internship positions. The event will include workshops to assist with the hiring process, scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is required. To register, visit forms.office.com/r/UGmmtGG1n1.
Edison Theater Open House: 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Receive a tour of the newly revitalized Edison Theater (213 E Broadway) and enjoy live music, vendors and art exhibits during the venue’s community gathering. RSVP to reserve your spot on Eventbrite. Free.
Thursday 11/14
Women’s Coaching Fair: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Women can receive a 30 minute laser empowering coaching session from diverse female professionals at the Tichenor Orthopedic Clinic for Children (1660 Termino Ave.). There will also be snacks, water and sandwiches. An online RSVP is required to book your time slot. Free.
City Employment Workshop: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Explore career opportunities with the City of Long Beach during this informative workshop at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.). Learn about the City’s classified hiring process, upcoming job openings, how to fill out job interest cards and tips to navigate the application process. This workshop is a resource for those interested in public sector roles. Register through the city’s online calendar. Free.
Hearing Loss Association Meeting: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. This monthly meeting offers the opportunity for people who are or have lost their hearing to learn from a featured speaker, ask questions, find solutions and learn about technology to make life easier. Attendees can attend through Zoom or in-person at the Weingart Senior Center (5220 Oliva Ave.). The Zoom link is https://Shorturl.at/3Wjp1. Free.
Long Beach Realtist Mix & Mingle Happy Hour: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fellow real estate professionals are invited to connect at this networking event organized by the Long Beach Realtist Association at The Bungalow (6400 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 200). Besides networking, attendees will learn about the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) and the LB Realtist Association’s mission. Meet the association’s members, gain insight into their initiatives and be among the first to connect with the newly elected leadership team. Admission is free, but space is limited. Reserve your spot on Eventbrite.
Community Photography Workshop: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Learn about film photography during this hands-on workshop at the Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave.) where participants create their own pinhole camera and experiment with darkroom techniques. All materials will be provided. Register for this workshop for $5 on the museum’s website.
Sangiacomo Wine Dinner: 6 p.m. Michael’s on Naples (5620 E Second St.) is teaming up with Sangiacomo Family Wines with a wine pairing dinner that highlights the fruits of Sangiacomo’s international wine growing heritage. The wine list for the evening will include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Reservations are available between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dinner is $135 per person plus tax and gratuity.
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