Things to do in Long Beach: Dia de los Muertos events, Halloween festival, dog parades and more!

Marigold flowers were placed on a gravesite at All Souls Cemetery on Nov. 3, 2021. Marigolds are used to celebrate the Dia de Los Muertos holiday. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

It’s a holiday season, parade and festival-filled week with tons of fun and free things to do in Long Beach and Signal Hill. 

As the last of Halloween events fill up our calendar section, we are just beginning to see Dia de los Muertos celebrations and community markets to early gift-buyers. Families can attend a Halloween carnival at Orizaba Park Friday night, a Signal Hill Park Halloween festival Saturday afternoon and a Dia de los Muertos festival at 2nd and PCH Saturday evening. 

The weekend finishes strong with two festivals in Long Beach Sunday, a Halloween-themed drag show and brunch Sunday afternoon and a dog costume parade Sunday afternoon complete with pet adoption opportunities. 

Residents can fill their week with civic engagement by attending a Filipino community health assessment meeting Monday night at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, a virtual “tiny homes” informational meeting Monday night and a food safety workshop for vendors Thursday morning. 

A sign above the front entrance of the Helen Borgers Theatre in Bixby Knolls on Oct. 3, 2023. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Friday 10/27

Lego Builders’ Club: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. School-aged children 6 to 12 years old are invited to build with Legos at the Brewitt Neighborhood Library (4036 E Anaheim St.). Legos will be provided. Free.

Boo-Bash: 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This Halloween celebration at Orizaba Park (1435 Orizaba Ave.) will include carnival games, a kid zone, trunk-or-treating and a costume contest. Free.

War of the Worlds Radio Show: 8 p.m. The Long Beach Shakespeare Company returns with one of its oldest traditions of the “War of the Worlds” radio show based on the original 1938 CBS radio production that produced mass hysteria across the nation. There will be one show a day Friday through Sunday at the Helen Borgers Theatre (4250 ½ Atlantic Ave.) for $13 a ticket. Tickets can be purchased online.  

Marigold flowers were placed on a gravesite at All Souls Cemetary on Nov. 3, 2021. Marigolds are used to celebrate the Dia de Los Muertos holiday. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Saturday 10/28

Community Volunteer Day: 8 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are needed to help maintain the Healthy Active Long Beach Community Peace Garden (1133 Rhea St.). Those who attend will be able to take home some of the harvest. Snacks and beverages will also be available. Free.

Beach Clean Up: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Let’s Make Waves needs volunteers to help clean litter off Junipero Beach. Gloves, bags and free parking will be provided to volunteers. Volunteers will meet in the Junipero Beach parking lot (1 Junipero Beach).

El Dorado Regional Park Cleanup: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Volunteers are needed to help clean up fishing lines and other debris from El Dorado Regional Park (7550 E Spring St.). Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes, a hat, sunscreen and bring their own water. Meet in the parking lot on the left just past El Dorado Frontier in Area III.

Autumn Health Fair: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The WomenShelter will be holding a health and wellness fair at 20411 S Susana Road featuring flu vaccines, community resources, health & dental screenings, raffles and giveaways. Free.

Fujifilm Demo Day: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents can stop by Tuttle Cameras (5467 E Carson St.) to try out the latest cameras and lenses from Fujifilm, ask questions and explore various products. Free. 

Tricks-for-Treats Pup Parade: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Dogs and their humans are invited to put on their best pup-sized Halloween costumes and parade at Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway) and Lincoln Park. There will also be training workshops for dogs. This a family-friendly, all-ages event. Free.

Drawing House: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Artists are invited to practice live nude figure drawing at the Icehouse Arts Complex (625 W Anaheim St.). Beverages and snacks will be provided. Tickets can be purchased for $25 at info.drawinghouselbc.square.site.

Halloween Carnival: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The City of Signal Hill will be celebrating the spooky season with a community festival in Signal Hill Park (2175 Cherry Ave.). Tickets can be purchased the day of the event for $5. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased for $4 at the Parks & Recreation Office, the Signal Hill Public Library, and the Youth Center, all of which are located at 1800 E Hill St. All children over 1 year of age will need a ticket (in the form of a wristband) to participate in carnival activities. 

Halloween Merkado Pop Up: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Multiple small businesses will be selling their products at the local collective Kubo LB (3976 Atlantic Ave.), including flowers, books, cakes and more. Free to attend.

Dia de los Muertos Festival: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Unidos Community Events invites residents to celebrate the Day of the Dead at 2nd and PCH (on the corner of Second Street and Pacific Coast Highway). Families can enjoy mariachi and folklórico performances, cultural food, an ofrenda installation and arts and crafts. Free. 

Crowds make their way through rows of local vendors at the annual Patchwork Festival. (Courtesy of Dear Handmade Life)

Sunday 10/29

Flourishing Families Health and Wellness Festival: 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Children’s Clinic will be holding a health fair at Shoreline Park (200 Aquarium Way), including games, crafts, multicultural entertainment and food. Free to attend.

Patchwork Festival: 11 a.m. to 5.m. The annual Patchwork Show Modern Makers Festival is returning to the Long Beach Marine Stadium parking lot 5255 E Paoli Way) featuring over 200 local vendors, food trucks, live music, DIY booths and more. Free. 

Halloween Drag Brunch Show: Noon. Those 21 and over are invited to Ficklewood Ciderworks (720 E Broadway) to watch a Halloween-themed drag show. Brunch will be provided by Sadie’s Kitchen. Menu prices vary, but entry is free.

Poetry in the Park: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Local poet Nancy Lynee Woo and urban nature field specialist Blanca Diaz will be hosting this immersive eco-poetry writing workshop at Willow Springs Park 2745 Orange Ave.). All skill levels of writers are welcome. Free. 

Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade: 2:30 p.m. Over 400 dogs and their humans will don their best costumes for the 22nd annual Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade in front of the former Belmont Pool (4000 E Olympic Plaza). Free to attend, with $5 front row seats available to rent. 

(Illustration by Emma DiMaggio)

Monday 10/30

Author Story Time: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Children’s author Susie Jaramillo will be reading to and singing with young children at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.). This event is appropriate for children who are preschool-aged and younger. Free.

Filipino Community Health Needs Assessment: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The City of Long Beach will be sharing the initial results of an assessment of the health and wellbeing of the local Filipino community. Community members are encouraged to share their feedback after the presentation. The event will take place at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.). Register at bit.ly/LBFilipinoHealthPresentation. Free.

Tiny Homes Virtual Meeting: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Residents can learn about the “tiny homes” Long Beach plans to build to combat homelessness and provide short-term, affordable housing units. This meeting is free and virtual, but requires advanced registration

Children trade books while Long Beach Councilmember Mary Zendejas speaks about the renovated KidSpace of the Long Beach Billie Jean King Main Library during a dedication ceremony on May 13, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Tuesday 10/31

Toddler Time: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring toddlers between 18 months to 3 years to Fire Station 8 (5365 2nd St.) to enjoy songs, rhymes, dancing and play. Free.

Drop-in After School Program: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Students from the 3rd to 5th grade are invited to enjoy STEAM crafts, 3D printing, gaming, snacks and more at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Free.

The City of Signal Hill, State of California and United States flags wave in the wind outside of the Signal Hill Public Library on Aug. 1, 2023. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Wednesday 11/1

Baby & Toddler Storytime: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Babies, toddlers and their caregivers are invited to Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.) to enjoy stories and playtime. Free.

Commemorative Flag Raising: 4 p.m. The City of Signal Hill will be hosting a flag raising in honor of Native American Heritage Month at the Signal Point Terrace (1800 E. Hill St.). Free.

Dia de los Muertos Art Event: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Residents ages 21 and older can stop by The Wicked Wolf (2332 Pacific Ave.) to enjoy Dia de los Muertos-themed art, face painting, live music and craft cocktails. Entry is free. 

Cesar Coutino salts fries while aboard the Poutine Brothers food truck at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sept. 25, 2021. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Thursday 11/2

Food Safety Workshop: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Aspiring food vendors are invited to learn about the process of starting their new business during this workshop hosted by the Long Beach Health Department at Long Beach Energy Resources (2400 E Spring St.). To register for this event, visit https://shorturl.at/buAJQ. Free.

Dia De Los Muertos Puppet Show: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Puppeteer Franklin Haynes will be performing a marionette show in celebration of Dia De Los Muertos at Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway). This performance is appropriate for all ages. Free.

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