Things to do in Long Beach: Sprawling music festival, local farm tours, housing workshops and more!

A father holds up his child while they learn to skate during the midday session at Pigeon’s Roller Rink in Long Beach on Dec. 22, 2021. (Richard H. Grant | Siganl Tribune)

Just because kids are heading back to school, doesn’t mean you have to miss out on these fun and (mostly) free events in Long Beach and Signal Hill. 

The city is winding down on their summer concerts and movies, but a few final options include an ‘80s tribute band on Friday at El Dorado Park, a screening of “Elemental” at Stearns Park the same evening, and a concert at Ranchos Los Alamitos Sunday night.

For more hands-on fun, local urban farms are inviting residents to tour their grounds Saturday, Compound LB is hosting a free drawing collage workshop Sunday, and residents can learn about orchid conservation at a club meeting Monday. 

Outdoor activities this week include the Happy Sundays two-day festival throughout the Zaferia neighborhood, a family picnic at Reservoir Park, yoga on the farm, a farmers market, a sound bath and a roller skating disco night. 

Kari Barba, the current owner of the historic Outer Limits Tattoo, poses for a portrait near one of the original signs for the tattoo shop that has been able to stand the test of time on Aug. 31, 2022. The walls around Barba are covered with photos and artwork produced by artists that have worked in the shop throughout its nearly 100-year history. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Friday 8/23

Outer Limits Open House: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Residents can learn about Long Beach’s tattoo history at this open house and tour at Outer Limits Tattoo and Museum (22 S Chestnut Place). Attendees can also learn about owner Kari Barba’s efforts to create a national tattoo museum in Long Beach. Free. 

Concert in the Park: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The City of Long Beach is hosting its last summer concert in the park with ‘80s tribute band POPGUN ReRun at El Dorado Park West (2760 Studebaker Road). Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic food. Free. 

Gallery Opening: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Loiter Galleries (425 The Promenade) will host an opening reception for this exhibit on “Earth Art” that explores building sustainable communities and our environmental impact. An artist talk will take place Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and the closing ceremony is Sunday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Free. 

Movie in the Park: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The public is invited to an outdoor screening of the animated movie “Elemental” at Stearns Park (4520 E 23rd St.). Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic food. The movie will begin at dusk. Free.

Sasha Kanno (left), Karissa Perez (middle), and Mango (right) talk with each other while in between two different plots where lettuces and other vegetables are being grown inside Farm Lot 59 in Long Beach on Jan. 27, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Saturday 8/24

LB Garden and Farm Tour: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Residents can explore Long Beach’s urban farm scene, community gardens and other hidden green gems during this tour. Stops on the tour will include Farm Lot 59, LB Mushrooms, LB Organic Zaferia Community Garden, Santa Fe Community Learning and Teaching Garden and Grow2Zero Farms. Half-day tickets are $25 while full-day tickets are $45 and can be purchased online. 

Back-to-School Celebration: 10 a.m. to noon. Families are invited to this back-to-school celebration at Craftsman Village Park (851 Orange Ave.) which will feature a first-come, first-served backpack and supplies giveaway. Free. 

Housing Policy Forum: 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Residents can learn about Long Beach’s housing policies and goals at this forum at the Houghton Park Community Center (6301 Myrtle Ave.). Free, but an online RSVP is requested. 

Happy Sundays: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Multiple locations throughout Long Beach will become hubs for live music, comedy shows, art workshops, tattooing and interesting conversation all weekend long at this annual “anti-festival festival.” See the full map and lineup at happysundaysfest.com/2024-lineup/. Free. 

Family Picnic: Noon to 2 p.m. Families and friends can bring a picnic blanket, lunch and their competitive spirits for an hour of family-friendly competitive games at Reservoir Park (3315 Gundry Ave.). 

Kitten Rescue Fundraiser: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can shop from local businesses, cuddle with kittens and support the local nonprofit The Little Lion Foundation at this family-friendly fundraiser at Roxanne’s (1115 E Wardlow Road). Attendees can receive a stamp at participating local businesses to be entered into a raffle. Free to attend. 

Narsiso Martinez poses for a portrait in front of his work titled “Legal Tender” at the “Rethinking Essential” exhibit at the Museum of Latin American Art on Aug. 13, 2022. The medium of the piece is made from cardboard produce boxes that workers from California’s central valley would use. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Sunday 8/25

Yoga on the Farm: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Residents can enjoy mild yoga among nature at Farm Lot 59 (2714 California Ave.). Participants should bring a mat or a blanket and a water bottle. Tickets range from $10 to $20 and can be purchased online or in person. 

Still Life Collage Workshop: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Local artist Narsiso Martinez will lead this free workshop at Compound LB (1395 Coronado Ave.) where participants can learn how to draw a still life art piece. Attendees will learn to combine different materials such as charcoal, paint or ink to create three pieces to combine into a collage. Free, but online RSVP is requested. 

Kid Bike Ride: 11 a.m. Families can participate in this kid-friendly bike ride through Bixby Knolls. Riders should meet in the Pixie Toys parking lot (3914 Atlantic Ave.) and wear their helmets. Treats will be provided during the ride. Free. 

Pulp Fiction Screening + Q&A: 4 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. Cult classic film “Pulp Fiction” will be playing at the Long Beach Art Theatre (2025 Fourth St.) Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday. Sunday screenings all come with a Q&A from Stephen Hilbert, the actor in the gimp suit in the film. Tickets can be purchased on the theatre’s website. 

Writer Showcase: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Five emerging female writers will speak at this showcase hosted by Kubo LB (3976 Atlantic Ave.). The event will include a reading, discussion, Q&A, book signing and shopping time. Free, but online RSVP is requested. 

Concert in the Park: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Rancho Los Alamitos is hosting their last summer concert with featured artist Very Be Careful. Grab lawn chairs and a picnic dinner for a movie night amid the lush historic grounds (4600 E Bixby Hill Road). Parking will be available at CSULB Lot G13, and there will be a shuttle service running to and from the Rancho. Shuttle service starts at 4:30 p.m. There will be no onsite parking on the Rancho grounds. RSVP at this link.

Zoe Nicholson leads the suffragists across Ocean Blvd. to drop her ballot into the ballot drop box located at Long Beach City Hall on Aug. 26, 2021, to celebrate the 101st anniversary of the 19th Amendment. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Monday 8/26

Women’s Fair: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Long Beach will celebrate National Women’s Equality Day with this fair featuring local resources, live entertainment, activities, music and refreshments at City Hall Plaza (411 W Ocean Blvd.). Free. 

Writing and Drawing Workshop: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Artist Shana Fabiano will lead this one-hour workshop focused on writing and drawing exercises that help release your natural instinctive creativity. This workshop will be hosted by The Wicked Wolf (2332 Pacific Ave.) and the $35 tickets come with one drink from the bar. Tickets can be purchased online

Orchid Society Meeting: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The South Coast Orchid Society of Long Beach will host this meeting focused on conserving orchids in the wild, and forests that are in danger due to human intervention. Ron Kaufmann, the director of the Orchid Conservation Alliance, will be leading this discussion at the Whaley Park Community Center (5620 E Atherton St.). Orchids grown by members and visitors will be on display. Free. 

An exterior view of the Signal Hill Public Library. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Tuesday 8/27

Spanish Story Time: 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Join the Signal Hill Library (1800 E Hill St.) staff for stories told in the Spanish language with snacks and a craft to follow. Scheduled every Tuesday. Free. 

Farmers Market: 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Residents can shop for local produce and handmade goods from vendors at this weekly farmers market at Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.). Free. 

Sound Bath: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Residents can enjoy this meditation practice focused on stress reduction and sleep improvement at Lincoln Park (101 Pacific Ave.). Free. 

Ranchos Los Cerritos file photo. (Courtesy of Ranchos Los Cerritos)

Wednesday 8/28

RLC Volunteer Open House: 10 a.m. Residents interested in learning how to become a volunteer at Ranchos Los Cerritos (4600 N Virginia Road) are invited to attend this open house. Volunteers are needed to help lead tours for 4th grade students attending field trips, work behind the scenes in the gardens or greet visitors in the museum. Free, and an online RSVP is requested. 

Housing Policy Forum: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Residents can learn about Long Beach’s housing policies and goals at this forum at the Long Beach Energy Resources Auditorium (2400 Spring St.). Free, but an online RSVP is requested. 

Twinkling shoelace lights are tied along the top of a pair of skates as they alternate colors during the Take Back the Night glow ride on June 25, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Thursday 8/29

Senior Walking Club: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Seniors can enjoy fresh air and the great outdoors while making friends at this weekly walking club. Meet at the Reservoir Park Shelter (3315 Gundry Ave.). Water will be provided. Contact Community Services at (562) 989-7330 for questions or concerns. Free. 

Tenant Council: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Residents can learn about their rights as a renter, understand how Long Beach allocates its budget and learn about the Tenants’ Right to Counsel program aimed at preventing displacement at this online webinar hosted by Long Beach Residents Empowered. Spanish interpretation will be available. The Zoom link is us02web.xoom.us/j/85726005374. The meeting ID is 857-2600-5374. 

Roller Skating Disco: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Pine Avenue between Third Street and Broadway in downtown Long Beach will be closed to cars, and roller skaters are invited to take full advantage of the pedestrian-friendly roads during this disco night. Free. 

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