As the annual Long Beach Gives fundraiser reminds us what’s great about this community, that sentiment is underscored by the variety of free and fun events for all ages taking place throughout the week.
Bixby Knolls has everything you need for a nourishing weekend, from a wellness event on a private farm on Friday to a diverse learning experience and fundraiser Saturday. Pour into yourself further at a relaxing zen garden workshop at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden Saturday, a Latino Health Fair hours later in the day, a free pilates class Monday morning or a community yoga class Wednesday night.
There are multiple ways to give back this week, starting with the 42nd annual Coastal Cleanup Day Saturday at several locations. Also on Saturday, nonprofit Sowing Seeds of Change will unveil their new location to the public with a youth-led Harvest Hoedown. Residents can get in touch with more nonprofits at a jazz concert at The Shell on Sunday, or attend an uplifting printmaking class on Thursday evening.
Friday 9/18
Compost Storytime: 10:30 a.m. Long Beach Community Compost will host a storytime at the Dana Neighborhood Library (3680 Atlantic Ave.). There will be reading, singing, chatting and playing, and all attendees can receive a free kitchen pail. Free.
Westside Night Market: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The City of Long Beach will launch a new monthly Westside Night Market at Admiral Kidd Park (2125 Santa Fe Ave.), a vibrant community gathering that will celebrate and offer local street food, handmade goods, giveaways and live music. The Westside Night Market will be held on the third Friday of the month in September, October and November. Free.
Bliss & Beats: 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy an evening of wellness, movement and community at The Farmhouse (550 W. Devon Place), featuring yoga, a soundbath experience, zumba, a custom charm bag station, a crystal manifestation bracelet station, pie, lattes, chair massages, access to family-friendly farm animals and more. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Puro Perreo: 9 p.m. The Hare (1800 E. Broadway) is celebrating Mexican Independence Day with a gay Latino night, featuring reggaeton, cumbia, banda, rock en espanol and more. No cover, but only for those 21 and older. Free.
Saturday 9/19
Coastal Cleanup Day: 9 a.m. to noon. The 42nd annual California Coastal Cleanup Day will take place at nine locations throughout the city, inviting the public to help keep their beaches clean and be stewardesses of the environment. Locations include Alamitos Bay Marina, Belmont Pier, Bluff Park, Junipero Beach, MacArthur Park, Mother’s Beach, Shoreline Park, Rainbow Harbor and Alamitos Beach. Each site will feature unique and fun activities, educational components and giveaways. For more information, contact the El Dorado Nature Center at 562-570-1745. Free.
Zen Garden Workshop: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Join the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden (1250 Bellflower Blvd.) for a zen garden raking workshop. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online.
Latino Health Fair: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Latinos in Action is hosting this day of community, culture and fun at MacArthur Park (1321 E. Anaheim St.), featuring mobile health clinics, mariachi, Aztec dance, folklorico dance, face painting, drawing opportunities and more. Free.
Cal Heights Block Party: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The intersection of California Avenue and 37th Street will become a corner of celebration for the third annual block party and centennial celebration for the homes in the neighborhood built in 1926. There will be food trucks, games, music and raffles. Free.
Free Tennis: Noon to 2 p.m. Kids ages 4-15 are invited to an afternoon of free tennis hosted by Bridge The Gap at the El Dorado Park tennis courts (2800 N. Studebaker Road). Along with free tennis, kids can enjoy free food, music, balloon artists and face painting. RSVP online. Free.
Bixby University: 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Expo Arts Center (4321 Atlantic Ave.) is transforming into Bixby University for one afternoon with a curriculum of diverse lectures, local history tours, hands-on workshops, gallery experiences, and more. The event will be led by an eclectic faculty of local experts, artists, educators, historians, journalists, wellness professionals and community builders. Attendees should arrive at noon to sign up for classes, which will fill up on a first-come, first-served basis. See more details and purchase tickets for $45 on Eventbrite.
Harvest Hoedown: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. North Long Beach urban farm Sowing Seeds of Change (750 E. Via Carmelitos) is hosting this Harvest Hoedown as a way to kick off its Long Beach Gives fundraising efforts and to invite the public into their new space, which youth have spent months reviving and beautifying. The public can enjoy student-led farm showcases, live music, DJs, raffles, games and onsite merchandise sales. RSVP via the nonprofit’s Linktree. Free.
Zine Workshop: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Spanish Social Club is hosting this workshop to explore ideas of home, identity, culture and belonging through literature, conversation and art at Casita Bookstore (272 Redondo Ave.). There is a $10 supply donation, or attendees can bring their own supplies. Free.
u don’t have 2 call: 8 p.m. to midnight. Enjoy an evening of true expression through R&B music and dancing at Sala Coffee & Wine (3853 Atlantic Ave.), where every attendee will have their phone camera taped over to encourage a night of living in the music and in the moment. Tickets are $17 on Posh.
Sunday 9/20
Bird Walk: 8 a.m. Whether you’re a new birdwatcher or want to sharpen your skills, join volunteers and staff at the El Dorado Nature Center (7550 E. Spring St.) for a morning walk. There is no sign-up fee, but pre-registration is required by calling 562-570-1745. Parking is $8. Free.
History in the Park: 10 a.m. to noon. Willow Springs Park (2745 Orange Ave.) is inviting the public to appreciate the park’s deep history in geology, natural systems, human habitation, economic development and restoration. Attendees will enjoy a walking tour to learn about this wondrous space. Sturdy walking shoes, a hat and water are recommended. Free.
Read ‘em Sip: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Readers in search of a book club to call home can meet members of various such clubs at The Wicked Wolf’s (2332 Pacific Ave.) open house. Each book club will have its own table, club week at college style. Free.
Kidical Mass Bike Ride: 11 a.m. Kids and their families are invited to this community bike ride through Bixby Knolls, open to riders of all ages and levels of experience. The ride will begin at the Pixie Toys parking lot (3914 Atlantic Ave.), and there will be free treats throughout the ride. This month’s theme is school spirit, so visitors are encouraged to wear a shirt from their favorite school or university. Free.
Jazz at the Shell: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Kick off this year’s Long Beach Gives fundraising efforts at the Bandshell at Recreation Park (4900 E. Seventh St.) with Jazz at the Shell. The Cal State Long Beach concert jazz orchestra will perform, and the public can meet multiple organizations that will be involved with Long Beach Gives. More activities include rock painting, an instrument petting zoo, giant jenga, coloring and much more. Free.
Monday 9/21
Arts and Crafts: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Learn cardboard loom weaving at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.). Registration is required by calling 562-989-7330. Free.
Pilates: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Learn the foundational moves of pilates in this series at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.). This class is open to people of all skill and experience levels ages 18 and older. Attendees are asked to bring their own mat and a water bottle. Registration is required by calling 562-989-7323. Free.
Tuesday 9/22
Seeds of Resilience: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Hosted by the City of Long Beach, Rancho Los Cerritos, the Historical Society of Long Beach and other organizations, this celebration is both meant to recognize the country’s 250th anniversary and honor local families’ histories and deep roots to Long Beach. There will be performances, art and multiple interactive pop-ups where residents will tell their stories at Long Beach Civic Center Plaza (411 W. Ocean Blvd.). Free.
Hobbit Day Celebration: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Celebrate the works of J.R.R. Tolkien by pouring yourself a warm cup of tea and creating a terrarium inspired by hobbits at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.). Costumes are highly encouraged. All materials will be provided. Space is limited, so call 562-989-7323 to register. Free.
Wednesday 9/23
‘Occupational Hazard: The First Coral Reefers’: 7 p.m. This feature documentary showing at the Art Theatre of Long Beach (2025 E. Fourth St.) journeys back to the 1970s and early 1980s to tell the story of Jimmy Buffett’s original Coral Reefer Band. Set against the creative backdrop of Key West, the film explores the musicians, friendships, touring years, and studio sessions that helped shape Buffett’s legendary sound. Featuring rare archival material, personal stories, and narration by Jeff Bridges. Tickets are $16.50 and can be purchased online.
Yoga: 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Gather at KUBO LB (3976 Atlantic Ave.) for a trauma-informed gentle yoga practice designed to help you prepare for and invite rest through intentional breath and movement, led by three certified yoga instructors. Everybody is welcome. Mats will be provided or bring your own. There is a suggested donation of $10-25, but no one will be turned away due to lack of funds.
Thursday 9/24
Film with a Historian: 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Film historian Theo Siegel will share insights into the creative process behind a diverse range of films, offering an inside look at how they were brought to life at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.). This month’s discussion will be followed by a screening of the 1956 film “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” This event is for people 18 and older. Registration is required by calling 562-989-7323. Free.
Printmaking: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Filipino Artists Collective will host a printmaking class focused on uplifting the community at the Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum on the CSULB campus (1250 Bellflower Blvd.). All materials will be provided. Free.
Del Amo Community Meeting: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Long Beach Public Works Department invites residents to learn about the Del Amo Boulevard Complete Streets Project, which will upgrade roadway surface conditions, improve pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and enhance overall traffic and pedestrian safety. This meeting will offer residents an overview of the project, design features and a timeline, at the Scherer Park Community Center (4600 Long Beach Boulevard). RSVP on the City’s event calendar. Free.
Sunset Skate: 6:30 p.m. Long Beach Skate Club’s last weeknight sunset skate of the summer will start at Gaucho Beach (780 E. Shoreline Drive, Suite B), go for 4 miles to the pier and back to Gaucho’s. All wheels and skill levels are welcome. Free.
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