If you wished to the Great Pumpkin for fun and free things to do in Long Beach and Signal Hill this week, consider your wish granted, Charlie Brown!
First, for the spooky season lovers: The weekend kicks off with a screening of “Hocus Pocus” at PCH and 2nd, and the Long Beach Shakespeare Company is hosting its annual Halloween radio shows all weekend. Families can zombie-walk over to Pixie Toys for the zombie-themed bike ride Sunday morning, then watch cult classic scary movies at The Place LB.
Local bar Supply & Demand will host a Halloween-themed burlesque show Wednesday night, PCH & 2nd will host Halloween musical and dance performances, and the Signal Hill Public Library is hosting a scary movie night under the stars Thursday night.
For those celebrating the fall season by getting out into nature, a community member needs help tending to their ocean-friendly garden Saturday morning, the South Coast Orchid Society is auctioning off rare plants, and residents can learn about the sacred Puvungna land during a book-launch/nature tour/community potluck Saturday.
Friday 10/20
Author Story Time: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Children’s book author Sophia N. Lee will be reading two of her stories at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.). Afterwards, there will be a Q&A session and a craft in honor of Filipino American History Month. Free, but registration is required. Call (562) 989-7323 to register.
Crochet Club: 11 a.m. to noon. The public is invited to the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) to crochet together for an hour. This event is appropriate for all skill levels. For more information, call (562) 989-7323. Free.
Food Distribution: Noon to 2 p.m. Families and individuals are welcome to pick up free groceries from local nonprofit Adventure to Dreams (903 Fairbanks Ave.). Free.
Movies & Moonlight: Residents can snuggle up under the stars to watch the Halloween classic “Hocus Pocus” at 6400 E Pacific Coast Highway. Limited seating is available and families are encouraged to bring their own blankets and lawn chairs. The movie will begin at sunset and kids can get free airbrush tattoos during the event. Free.
Bingo Night: 7 p.m. Ficklewood Ciderworks (720 E Broadway) will be hosting a night of bingo and hard cider. There will be normal rounds, speed rounds, full card rounds and surprise bingo cards. Entry into the game is included with the purchase of any cider. Those who register on Ficklewood Ciderworks’ website will have their seats saved until 7:15 p.m.
Saturday 10/21
Ocean Friendly Garden Work Day: 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are needed to help tend the ocean friendly front yard of a community member with mobility issues. While working, volunteers will learn about native plants. Volunteers will receive the address once they register on Long Beach Surfrider’s website.
Bike Lane Clean Up: 10 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are needed to help clean debris and litter from local bike lanes. Volunteers will meet at the north east corner of Orange Avenue and South Street. Volunteers are highly encouraged to bring their own cleaning supplies.
Photography Club: 10 a.m. to noon. Photographers of all levels are invited to the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) to share and discuss their work with others. Newcomers are asked to come with a USB stick that contains five images that fall under the class theme for this month, “Colors.” This club is appropriate for those 16 and older. Free.
Festival of Flight: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The community is invited to this celebration of aircraft (west end of the airfield at 3590 East Wardlow Road). Different planes will be parked on the tarmac for visitors to view. Food trucks will also be selling food and beer. No pets, large coolers or large bags are allowed at the event. Free.
Liwanag Literary Festival: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Filipina-owned bookstore Bel Canto Books and the Long Beach Public Library invite the public to an event recognizing Filipino authors at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.). The event will feature author readings, panel discussions and book signings. Free.
Healing The Land, Healing Our Relationships: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nonprofit OC Environmental Justice will be launching its new coloring book about Puvungna at the sacred site (near the intersection of Bellflower Blvd. and Beach Dr.). There will also be guided walks around Puvungna as well as a native plant workshop. Everyone is asked to bring a potluck-style dish to share with the community. Free.
Fall Festival & Book Fair: 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. During this community event at Drake Park (951 Maine Ave.) organized by My Ancestors’ Dreams, kids from infancy to 17 years old can receive free books. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in costume. The event will also feature games, prizes, arts and crafts and more. Free.
Board Game Night: 3 p.m. Board game enthusiasts are invited to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Long Beach to play games such as Settlers of Catan, Dune Imperium, Tsuro, Century Spice Road and more. Free.
Sunday 10/22
Kid-friendly Zombie Bike Ride: 11 a.m. Kids of all ages are invited to the monthly Bixby Knolls kidical mass bike ride, with a zombie theme this month. Families can meet at the back parking lot of Pixie Toys (3914 Atlantic Ave.) at 10:30 a.m. to be “zombified.” Children will also receive treats and can enter the best/ugliest zombie contest. Costumes are encouraged. Free.
Spooky Radio Show: 2 p.m. The Long Beach Shakespeare Company is hosting its October radio shows with a double feature running all weekend at the Helen Borgers Theatre (4250 ½ Atlantic Ave.). General admission is $13 and can be purchased on LBShakespeare.org.
Community Wellness Space for Palestinians: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Long Beach Birthworkers of Color Collective will be providing a healing space for Palestinians during this stressful time. The event will include complementary acupuncture, massages and healing tools. To register, send a direct message on Instagram, @solandrootsdoula. The location will be shared after registration. Free.
Novel Reading: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Long Beach native author Max Evans will celebrate the anniversary for his novel ”Escape to Butterfly Ave” at The Wicked Wolf Lounge (2332 Pacific Ave.). Witness the drawings of artist Katie Dezember inspired by the novel and enjoy a craft drink specially curated to commemorate the evening. For more information, check Eventbrite or email longbeachwritercontact@gmail.com. Free.
16mm Spooky Movie Night: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The community is invited to enjoy B-grade and classic horror films at Place LB (830 Pacific Ave.). Complimentary popcorn and candy will be provided, but attendees are also welcome to bring their own. A donation of $10 is suggested, but no one will be turned away because they can’t pay.
Monday 10/23
Holiday Market: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. At this marketplace organized by the Assistance League Long Beach (6220 E Spring St.), over 30 vendors will be selling their wares, with the proceeds benefiting 11 different philanthropic programs. Free to enter.
Book Talk: 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. This virtual book discussion will be led by CSULB film faculty member Seung-hoon Jeong on their book “Biopolitical Ethics in Global Cinema.” The book offers an unconventional analysis of the film industry in the scope of global politics and various theories. Free, but registration is required.
Mobile Recess: 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Kids between the ages of 5 and 14 are invited to participate in sports and arts and crafts in a safe environment during this City-run after-school program at Grace Park (361 E. Plymouth St.). Free.
Donated Plant Auction: 6:00 p.m. The South Coast Orchid Society invites residents to participate in an auction of over 100 various plants, books and other items at the Whaley Park Community Center (5620 E Atherton St.). Residents can view the auction inventory at https://www.southcoastorchidsociety.com/. Cash, checks or credit card payments are accepted. Free.
Tuesday 10/24
Free Flu Vaccination Clinic: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) will be administering flu vaccinations at the Long Beach Senior Center (1150 East 4th St.). This initiative aims to prepare residents for the upcoming flu season, which typically spans from mid-fall to mid-spring. Free.
Drop-in After School Program: 4 p.m. to 5 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.
Wednesday 10/25
Baby & Toddler Storytime: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Babies and their caregivers are invited to Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.) to enjoy stories and playtime. Free.
Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon: To honor breast cancer awareness month, Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center will host a lunch where residents can discuss ways to reduce risk, common symptoms and the importance of annual screenings. The lunch will take place in the Parr Health Enhancement Center located on the St. Mary hospital campus, 2nd floor, at 1050 Linden Ave. Space is limited and registration is required. Please call 562.491.9109 or email Melissa.Dominguez900@commonspirit.org to register. Lunch will be provided and parking will be validated. Free.
Nightmare Burlesque Show: 8:30 p.m. Moon Gem Productions will be presenting a Halloween-themed burlesque performance at local bar Supply & Demand (2500 E Anaheim St.). General admission tickets cost $15, and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Thursday 10/26
Author Talk: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Famous author John Irving will be leading a discussion about his work during this online event organized by the Long Beach Public Library. Register for this virtual event on the Library’s website. Free.
Teen Social Drop-in After School Program: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Students from the 6th to 9th grade are invited to enjoy STEAM crafts, movies, gaming, snacks and more at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Free.
Halloween-themed Concert: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This family-friendly concert will celebrate Halloween classics with a “Thriller” flash mob tutorial and performance starting at 5 p.m. on Seaport Way. Filipino band Browndition will also perform to celebrate Filipino American History Month. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis and kids can get free face painting. Free.
Scary Movie Under the Stars: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Residents 18 and older are invited to the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) to watch the horror movie “The Conjuring” in the Zinnia Courtyard. Free, but registration is required by calling 562.989.7323.
Photography Class: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuttle Cameras is hosting a free virtual photography class led by Canon Product Educator Tyler Beck, focusing on how to use long exposure in photography. The class is beginner-friendly and requires advanced registration on Tuttle Cameras website. Free.
