Beloved Long Beach traditions abound this week, inviting friends and families to create memories in the community through events, workshops and free gatherings.
The Long Beach County Fair is returning to Bixby Knolls with an agricultural contest, fair food options, live music and more festivities Friday night. Residents can attend Long Beach’s second annual Saṅkrānta new year celebration Saturday, and streets along Cambodia Town will become a cultural, festive gathering for the annual parade Sunday.
If you’re looking to lean into new things this week, a free healthy cooking demonstration will be held Sunday afternoon, a weaving workshop will be held at the Billie Jean King Main Library Tuesday evening and a bike maintenance workshop will teach valuable lessons Thursday night.
Artistic exploration also gets a chance in the spotlight this week, with a poetry reading and book launch at Kubo LB Saturday or a clay jewelry workshop at the Museum of Latin Art Thursday night.
Friday 4/5
After School Book Club: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. School-aged children are invited to find new books to read and make friends at the Burnett Neighborhood Library (560 E Hill St.). Free.
LB County Fair: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Taking place all along Atlantic Avenue in Bixby Knolls, many businesses will be staying open later, offering exclusive items and hosting interactive events, with a handful of discounts and activities for residents to explore. Festivities will include an arcade zone at Beachwood Brewing, a Fear Factor audition area at Long Beach Clothing Co., a tarot card reader at Eclipsed Emporium and free face painting at Pixie Toys. Over ten locations will be playing live music. Free to attend.
Saturday 4/6
Long Beach Saṅkrānta: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. This Southeast Asian new year holiday will be commemorated during this local celebration, featuring music, dance, food vendors and more at Long Beach City College (1305 E Pacific Coast Highway). Free to attend.
Food Mural Kick-Off: 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Artists Amy Tanaka and Jamunā Prīti Devī Dāsī will be collaborating on a new mural on the outer wall of A&F Market (2569 Santa Fe Ave.). The public is invited to celebrate the start of the project. Free.
Poetry Reading & Book Launch: 4 p.m. San Diego Poet Laureate Jason Magabo Perez will be sharing his poetry alongside four local highschoolers at Kubo LB (3976 Atlantic Ave.). The event will also serve to launch Magabo’s new book “I Ask About What Falls Away.” To register for this event, visit Eventbrite. Free to attend.
Sunday 4/7
Plants-R-Us Plant Extravaganza: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Various flower, herb and heirloom plants will be available for purchase at Zaferia Junction Community Garden (3709 E 10th St.). Free to attend; plant prices vary.
Cambodia Town Parade & Cultural Festival: 9 a.m.to 6 p.m. The public is invited to celebrate Cambodian culture at this annual parade and festival. The celebration will be held between Cherry Avenue and Anaheim Street in Cambodia Town. The parade will start at 10:30 a.m. and travel west on Anaheim until it reaches MacArthur Park. The event will include food and merchandise vendors, dancers, live entertainment, music and more. Free to attend.
Garden Open House: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Prisk Native Garden (2375 Fanwood Ave.) will be opening its doors for the public to view its native flowers and plants. The garden also features a new creek and pond. Free.
Veggie Cooking Demo: 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Santa Fe Community Learning and Teaching Garden (2380 Santa Fe Ave.) will be hosting a cooking demonstration where the public can learn to turn various vegetables into different dishes. Free.
Monday 4/8
Low-Cost Vaccine Clinic: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Long Beach Animal Care Services (7700 E Spring St.) will be offering discounted vaccines and microchips for pets. Cats must be brought in carriers and dogs must be leashed. Services are available on a first-come, first-served basis for the first 60 pets. Treatment prices vary.
Spanish Storytime: 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Children of all ages will be able to enjoy Spanish stories read by staff at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Free.
Tuesday 4/9
Weaving Workshop: 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Those 12 and older are invited to the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W Broadway) to learn how to weave yarn using a pocket-sized loom. This workshop is designed for those who have no experience in weaving. Free.
Evening for Educators: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Artist, activist and Cambodian refugee Sayon Syprasoeuth will be teaching local educators about the synthesis of Asian, Pacific Islander and Latinx Communities in the U.S. and throughout Latin America during this workshop at the Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave.). Educators will learn about educational activities they can do with their students. Light refreshments will be provided. Register on the museum’s website. Free.
Wednesday 4/10
P.R.E.P Workout: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Long Beach Fire Department invites anyone interested in becoming a firefighter to this workout that will prepare them for the Physical Abilities Test. The workout will be held at the Long Beach Fire Dept. Station 17 (2247 Argonne Ave.). Participants are asked to wear workout clothes and bring water. To reserve a spot, visit the City’s event calendar. Free.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Workshops: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health will be leading a variety of mental health workshops at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.). Free.
Movie for Teens: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Teens and tweens are invited to watch a screening of the film “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind” at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.). Free.
Thursday 4/11
Financial Literacy for Seniors: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Licensed Financial Educator Nema Escartin of World System Builder will be teaching seniors ways to preserve their wealth at the Harte Neighborhood Library (1595 W. Willow St.). Registration is required. To register, email erin.castillo-swaika@longbeach.gov or call (562) 570-1044. Free.
Bike Maintenance Workshop: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Long Beach Office of Sustainability will be teaching people how to care for and maintain their bicycles during this workshop at Orizaba Park (1435 Orizaba Ave.). Among the skills participants will learn include: how to clean and lubricate a bike chain, how to adjust brakes and gears and more. Free.
Proposal Funding Workshop: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Best Start Central Long Beach is looking to fund projects that will support families with children ages 5 and under. During this informational session, potential applicants can learn more about how to apply for funding. The location of the informational session will be shared after registration. To register, visit lbforward.org/collaborative/beststart/. Free.
Community Art Workshop: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. During this workshop at the Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave.) participants will learn how to make their own jewelry out of clay. To register, visit the museum’s website. Participation costs $5.
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