Whether you’re in the mood for holiday fun, family-friendly activities, or opportunities to connect with the community, there’s no shortage of events to explore in Long Beach this week. From live music, community cleanups and hands-on workshops, residents and visitors alike can find something to enjoy.
Volunteers can spread holiday cheer by planting poinsettias at public roundabouts on Friday, and an Alternative Christmas Market or patchwork festival both provide an opportunity to shop for unique gifts on Sunday. Residents can spend their Saturday morning cleaning up West Long Beach or their Sunday morning cleaning up the Sea Change neighborhood.
Artsy celebrations this week include a Slow Jamz party on Friday night, the Latino Comics Expo Saturday, an Outkast listening session or film open lab, both on Tuesday night. On Thanksgiving Day, you can join the Long Beach Turkey Trot for a morning run or indulge in a Thanksgiving brunch at sea.
Friday 11/22
Job Fair: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán’s office will host this job fair with openings and representatives throughout the 44th district, at The Salvation Army (3000 Long Beach Blvd.). Attendees should dress in business attire and bring a current resume. To confirm your attendance, call (310) 831-1799. Free.
Holiday Poinsettia Planting: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Help spread holiday cheer by planting poinsettias at roundabouts in District 3. This volunteer opportunity is organized by the Office of Councilmember Kristina Duggan. Shovels and gloves will be provided. Volunteers can choose from multiple locations on Vista Street, Sixth Street and 15th Street. Registration is required, and each location has its own link to sign up. To register, visit the City’s online calendar.
Family Movie: 3 p.m. to 4:40 p.m. Local families are invited to an afternoon screening of Disney’s “Moana” at the Mark Twain Neighborhood Library (1401 E. Anaheim St.). Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to sit on. Popcorn and refreshments will be provided. Free.
West LB Clean-Up: 4 p.m. Residents are invited to help beautify West Long Beach and connect with their neighbors at this neighborhood clean-up beginning at the Admiral Kidd Park Youth Center (2125 Santa Fe Ave.). Trash bags, grabbers and gloves will be provided. Participants can enjoy free food. Free.
Slow Jamz: 8 p.m. to midnight. This music listening party at Sala Coffee & Wine Bar (3853 Atlantic Ave.) will feature the sounds of R&B, Hip-Hop, remixes and deep cuts. Attendees can pull up and listen to a mix of music with others while sipping on their drink of choice. Free.
Saturday 11/23
Community Clean-Up: 9 a.m. to noon. The Sea Change Neighborhood Association needs volunteers to help clean up litter in the community. Volunteers should dress comfortably and wear sunscreen. Meet at 1101 E. 11th St. Free.
Free Groceries: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Residents can receive free groceries from Grace Memorial Baptist Church (1021 E. 19th St.) every second and fourth Saturday of the month. Attendees should bring a container to carry food in. Free.
Latino Comics Expo: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This annual event celebrates Latinx and Latin-American comic artists and animators at the Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave.). Explore comic book vendors, illustrators, food trucks and a children’s chalk area. Festival admission is included with the $15 museum general admission on Saturday. Sunday’s admission is free.
Community Quilt Reveal: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The culmination of several community sewing workshops “Hilos de Sueños y Recuerdos” will be revealed at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W Broadway). Those who participated in the quilt will share the significance of their designs with the public through storytelling. Free.
Multi-Arts Concert: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Residents can enjoy a night of poetry, music and dance at the First Congregational Church of Long Beach (241 Cedar Ave.). “Confluent: Spirit, Art & Justice” will feature four generations of poets, music composed by Stan DeWitt and Curtis Heard, and a performance from the BrockusRED Dance Company. The concert will be livestreamed on youtube.com/1stchurch. This event is free to attend, but a free-will offering is encouraged.
Learn to Play: 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Learn to play the ancient Mesopotamian game The Royal Game of Ur at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W Broadway). Free.
Sunday 11/24
Alternative Christmas Market: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Local nonprofits and small businesses will gather for this market at Los Altos United Methodist Church (5950 E Willow St.). Unique gifts will be sold from Fair Trade Long Beach, Ten Thousand Villages, Project WomanGood and many more organizations. Free.
Patchwork Show: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Long Beach’s largest and longest-running makers festival returns to Marine Stadium (490 Bayshore). Shoppers are invited to enjoy a marketplace of local artisans, artists, live music, food trucks and DIY crafting activities. This bike-friendly event offers a bike valet. Friendly dogs are welcome. Free.
3rd Annual Thanksgiving Food Giveaway: Noon to 3 p.m. This event will provide free Thanksgiving meals to District 6 residents, including turkey, ham, sides, desserts and drinks at Martin Luther King Jr. Park (1950 Lemon Avenue, Long Beach). Registration through Eventbrite is required. Free.
Monday 11/25
Low-Cost Vaccine Clinic: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Long Beach Animal Care Services (7700 E Spring St.) and Community Animal Medicine Project will be providing vaccines and services to pets at discounted prices. Services include microchipping, tapeworm treatment, nail trimming, flea/tick treatment and more. All dogs must be on a leash, and all cats should be in a carrier. Please bring the pet’s previous vaccine records. For more information, call 562-570-7387. Prices will vary.
Healthy Pet Food: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Chef Ollie Cigliano will teach residents how to make healthy dog and cat treats during this workshop at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). This event is appropriate for all ages. Space is limited. To register, call (562) 989 7330. Free.
Tuesday 11/26
Tuesday Night Trivia: 6 p.m. Every Tuesday evening DiPiazza’s (5205 Pacific Coast Hwy) challenges attendees to a friendly game of trivia. This event is open to all skill levels. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (562) 498-2461. Free to attend.
OutKast Listening Session: 6 p.m. Good Luck Vinyl Club will host a listening session of OutKast’s 1996 album “ATLiens” with a set from DJ Babu of the Beat Junkies at The Social List (2105 E Fourth St.). Cocktails and bar snacks will be available for purchase. Tickets cost $17 and can be purchased online. Each ticket comes with an album-themed cocktail or mocktail.
Film Photography Lab: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Those who are film-curious can attend this open lab at Place LB (2172 Pacific Ave.) to learn how to load 35mm and 120mm developing tanks. This workshop is free, but donations are encouraged.
Wednesday 11/27
Free Groceries: 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Residents can receive fresh, free and packaged groceries at Lincoln Elementary School (1175 E. 11th St.). Free.
Native American Documentary: 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. In Celebration of Native American Heritage Month, residents can watch the documentary “Gather,” which explores the growing movement for food sovereignty among Indigenous communities. These communities seek to reclaim their identities, land and preserve traditions for generations. This screening will take place at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Free.
Craft Workshop: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the Mark Twain Neighborhood Library (1401 E. Anaheim St.) to learn how to create a felt charm bag. This arts and crafts workshop is open to all ages. All materials will be provided while supplies last. Free.
Silent Book Party: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Introverts and book lovers can attend this silent book party meet-up at Casita Bookstore (1440 E Fourth St.). Attendees can bring a book, a drink and a quiet snack to enjoy their quiet reading time, with the option to mingle at the end of the meeting. Free.
Thursday 11/28
Long Beach Turkey Trot: 7:30 a.m. to noon. Start your Thanksgiving with the Long Beach Turkey Trot, a fun-filled 5K/10K run/walk starting at the Granada Boat Launch Ramp (1 Granada Ave., Long Beach, CA 90803) in Belmont Shore. Children will also be able to participate in a half-mile version. Races will begin at different times based on age groups. Proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Community Action Team, and participants are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations for the AIDS Food Store. For more details or to register, visit justinrudd.com/trot. Registration costs for the 5K/10K are $40 until Nov. 26, and $45 on or after Nov. 27.
Thanksgiving Premier Brunch Cruise: 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Celebrate Thanksgiving aboard one of City Cruises’ ships. Passengers will board at Rainbow Harbor, Dock 6A (310 S. Pine Ave.) before embarking on a two-hour cruise featuring a brunch buffet, bottomless mimosas, live entertainment and a tour of the Long Beach Harbor. Tickets can be purchased for $90 for adults, $72 for children between the ages of 4 to 12, and free for children 3 and under on City Cruises’ website.
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