This week offers opportunities to get active among community members, support local immigrants and meet like-minded creatives at various events and meetups.
Whether you want to be indoors or outdoors, you can exercise your mind and body at events like the annual Run Like Its Recess race Sunday morning, a beginner’s tai chi lesson or a relaxing sound bath both on Monday or an LGBTQ+ and ally rock climbing meetup Tuesday night.
Support local immigrants this weekend at a fundraiser fest at Vine Saturday, or help make whistle and vine packs at Whistlemania’s meetup at Bixby Park, also on Saturday. Other civic engagement opportunities include a public works community meeting Saturday at Starr King Elementary School, a Belmont Shore late-night public safety meeting Wednesday night or LBCC’s State of the College Thursday night.
Musical lovers can attend a 50th anniversary screening and show of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” Saturday night, and physical media and music enthusiasts can visit two local record shops Sunday afternoon. Craft meetups include an art supply swap at Recreational Coffee Saturday, a children’s art workshop Sunday, and PLACE’s film open lab Tuesday night.
Friday 1/23
DIY Pet Bed: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Create a cozy bed or cushion for your furry friend at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.). Learn how to use simple materials and create a no-sew pet bed that keeps your sweet pet in comfort around the clock. All materials are provided. Children under 12 years must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required call 562-989-7330 for more information. Free.
‘Dog Man: The Musical’: 6:30 p.m. See the crime-fighting canine Dog Man in the stage adaptation “Dog Man: The Musical” at Long Beach Terrace Theater (300 E. Ocean Blvd.). Tickets range from $42 to $85 and can be purchased online.
After Dark film screening: 10 p.m. Watch David Lynch’s 2006 mystery horror film “Inland Empire” for a one-night-only screening at the Art Theatre of Long Beach (2025 Fourth St.). Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online or at the door.
Saturday 1/24
Boat Auction: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. The public is invited to bid on impounded and abandoned vessels at the Alamitos Bay Marina Office (205 Marina Drive). Inspection and registration begin at 8 a.m., with bidding starting at 9 a.m. All items will be sold as is. All sales are final. Payment by cash or credit card (Visa or MasterCard) will be accepted. Vessels purchased may not be kept in City of Long Beach marinas for six months. For more information, call 562-570-3215. Prices will vary.
Parks and Rec Career Fair: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those interested in exploring recreation leader options within Long Beach’s Parks and Recreation Department can meet employers and learn about available roles at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.). Anyone 16 and older can attend. Free.
Public Works Community Meeting: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Residents are invited to a community meeting inside the Starr King Elementary School Auditorium (145 E. Artesia Blvd.) to learn about upcoming traffic safety and beautification improvements planned for Long Beach Boulevard and streets adjacent to Artesia Boulevard. Public Works staff will share information on traffic operation enhancements, current and planned beautification efforts, and proven strategies the City uses to improve safety and create welcoming streets for all users. Free.
Career Open House: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Long Beach women are invited to this career open house at Sports Basement (2100 N. Bellflower Blvd.) hosted by the Alliance for Young Women and Girls. Registration on Eventbrite is required. Free.
Herbal Marketplace: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Herbal experts at Green Wisdom (702 Cedar Ave.) are bringing back their herbal marketplace for the fourth Saturday of each month from now through June. Free.
Whistlemania: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fold zines and build whistle packs at this event hosted by Whistlemania Long Beach at Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.) The whistle packs will be distributed to residents to help alert their community when ICE is in the area. The packets also contain information for what to do if you see ICE. This will be the first of six folding events held across different Long Beach businesses through February. Free.
Art Supply Swap: Noon to 5 p.m. Donate your old arts and craft supplies and grab new, gently used ones at this swap at Recreational Coffee (237 Long Beach Blvd. Suite A). No mutual swap is required, just take what you need and bring what you can. Free.
Fundraiser Fest: 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. This fundraiser fest will feature a variety of local vendors to shop from and live music all throughout the day at Vine LB (2142 E. Fourth St.). Funds will go toward organizations that are fighting for a free Palestine, a free Sudan and protecting the city’s immigrants. Free entry. For 21 and older only.
‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’: 11:45 p.m. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the musical cult classic “Rocky Horry Picture Show” at the Art Theatre of Long Beach (2025 E. Fourth St.) accompanied by the live shadow cast Bit of Mustard. Audience participation is not only encouraged, but required. Anyone under 18 years old requires an adult to accompany them. Tickets are $15 online or at the door.
Sunday 1/25
Run Like Its Recess: 9 a.m. The 15th annual Run Like Its Recess 5K, 1K and toddler run returns to El Dorado Park Area III, encouraging families to get active together and meet other families in the area. Medals will be given to all finishers, but start times and race registration costs vary by race. Visit runlikeitsrecess.com/ for details.
Record Store Meetup: Noon to 2 p.m. Meet with fellow music lovers and dig through vinyl crates at this two-shop meetup, beginning at Toxic Toast (757 Pine Ave.) from noon to 1 p.m. and then walking to Twelves (47 E. Seventh St.) to hang out from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Free.
Zine Workshop: Noon to 3 p.m. KUBO LB (3976 Atlantic Ave.) is hosting this zine workshop with the collective theme of the Filipino Sari-Sari shop. Basic materials will be provided and visitors are welcome to bring their own. RSVP on kubolb.com/. Free.
Children’s Art Workshop: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Families with young children are invited to an art workshop at the Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave.). Inspired by exhibit Coded Earth by artist Marcela Armas, children will explore chromatography to create imaginative creatures and landscapes with special paper, ink and water. All materials will be provided. Free.
New Year Sekku Festival: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden (1250 Bellflower Blvd.) at Cal State Long Beach will ring in the Year of the Horse with a celebration featuring crafts, activities and live music. Attendees can park for free in the G4 lot directly across from the garden entrance. Tickets are $5 for garden members and $10 for the general public; each ticket admits up to 6 people, so groups are encouraged.
Backgammon Night: 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This social backgammon meetup invites players of all skill levels to ISM Brewing (210 E. Third St. Unit A) to play modern backgammon in the outdoor patio area (with heaters set up). If a player has a board of their own they are encouraged to bring it. Tickets are $10 but will raise to $15 on Saturday, Jan. 24, and can be purchased through the link in the bio of @lbbackgammonclub.
Monday 1/26
Tai Chi: 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Join instructor Angie Sierra and experience the gentle, flowing movements of Tai Chi at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.). This low-impact class is designed to improve balance, flexibility and overall wellbeing, perfect for anyone looking to enhance mobility, reduce stress and cultivate inner peace. Call (562) 989-7330 to register or for information. Free.
Sound Bath: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Partake in a meditative sound bath experience to tune into your mind and body, led by Erika Segura from The Sound Bath Studio at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.). Space is limited and registration required by calling 562-989-7323. Free.
Tuesday 1/27
Black Neighborhood Tenant Council Meeting: 6 p.m. Black residents are invited to this meeting to gain knowledge about local politics, housing justice and renters’ rights at Blu Art & Wellness (580 Pine Ave.). Black Health Equity Coordinator Kevin Hatcher will be speaking at the meeting. Childcare is provided for kids potty-trained. RSVP with blmlongbeach.org/rsvp. Free.
Send with Pride: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. LGBTQ+ folks and allies can meet new friends and climbing partners at Sender One Climbing (4949 Lakewood Blvd.) at this meetup hosted by Sender One Climbing. Non-members can purchase a discount day pass for $24 (usually $34) with rental gear. Meetup attendees can upgrade to a membership with a $0 Initiation fee if they sign up during or after the meetup.
PLACE Open Lab: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. This filmmaking open lab invites people of all skill levels and interests to meet others while working on their own projects or learning from one another, hosted by Long Beach Community Media Arts at PLACE (2172 Pacific Ave.). Free.
Wednesday 1/28
Preschool Story Time: 10 a.m. Parents or caregivers of young children are invited to the Historic Bembridge House (953 N. Park Circle) for a story time with stories, treats and tours of the house and garden. RSVP with TheBembridgeHouse@gmail.com. Free.
Late Night Belmont Shore Public Safety Meeting: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend a virtual meeting to learn about initial City staff recommendations addressing late-night public safety in the Belmont Shore commercial corridor. An interdepartmental team will outline current enforcement efforts, discuss potential enhanced safety measures, assess approaches to regulating late-night alcohol-serving establishments, and share recommended next steps. Community feedback is encouraged and may be submitted via a virtual comment card before, during, and after the meeting. Registration through the City’s online event calendar is required. Free.
Thursday 1/29
LBCC State of the College: 4 p.m. Long Beach City College invites the public to its annual State of the College address, hosted by Board of Trustees and Superintendent-President Mike Muñoz at the Bob and Barbara Ellis Auditorium (4901 E. Carson St.). RSVP is required at lbcc.edu/statecollege.com. Free.
CD5 Community Information Meeting: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Residents are invited to attend the first Fifth District community meeting of 2026 with Councilwoman Megan Kerr and Council District 5 staff at Wardlow Park Community Center (3457 Stanbridge Ave.). Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish will be present. Community members will be able to hear updates on local issues and engage with their public officials. Free.
