What better way to spend Valentine’s week than attending community parties, festivals and pop-ups in Long Beach and Signal Hill?
Whether you’re one half of a couple, part of a friend group or opposed to recognizing the love-themed holiday altogether, there are events catering to all types of people and desires. There are two wine tastings in Long Beach Saturday, an anti-Valentine’s Day party in the evening, a romantic brunch Sunday morning, a flirty bar night and movie screenings fit for romance or horror fans.
Hobbyists can join photo walks Saturday morning or Wednesday evening, both hosted by local residents, take part in a silent book club gathering among fellow introverts Saturday, or try their hand at bird-watching Tuesday evening.
Friday 2/9
Bilingual Storytime: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Caregivers are invited to bring children between 1 and 3 years old to the Dana Neighborhood Library (3680 Atlantic Ave.) to enjoy stories, arts & crafts and fun activities. Free.
Swing Set Open Mic: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Local creatives are invited to share their work at the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach (2017 Fourth St.) during this open mic. Participants will sign up on a first-come, first-served basis. Participation costs $5 per person.
Saturday 2/10
Good Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Local makers and vendors selling vintage items, books, art, clothing and more will be available at this monthly market at Good Time LB (1322 Coronado Ave.). Free.
Photo Walk: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Local photographers and beginners can participate in this Parkview Village photo walk hosted by Tuttle Cameras. The walk will begin at Eco Coffee (5475 E Carson St.) and go through the village’s monthly block party. Free.
Silent Book Club: 11 a.m. Local book-lovers are invited to read silently together at SteelCraft Long Beach (3768 Long Beach Blvd.). Attendees are invited to bring whatever book they’re currently reading. Free.
Chocolate and Wine Festival: Noon to 4 p.m. Couples and friends can traverse down Second Street while tasting decadent treats and delicious wine pairings in Belmont Shore’s Chocolate and Wine Festival. Residents can purchase tasting tickets and choose which treats to indulge in, or purchase a wrist band and participate in the bar crawl. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased online or in front of the Chase Bank (5200 Second St.).
Wine Tasting: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Wine Country (2301 Redondo Ave.) will be hosting this tasting for those 21 and older, featuring wines from Georgia and the Czech Republic. This event costs $25 plus tax and tickets can be purchased at the day of the event at The Wine Country.
Poetry Workshop: 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. A Long Beach poet will lead this poetry and writing workshop at Ethikli (352 E Fourth St.) where participants can write their work on a typewriter and take it home. Anomaly Coffee will be providing drinks and pre-packaged coffee for sale and there will be sustainable gift boxes for purchase. Free to attend.
Mardi Gras Celebration: 1 p.m. Residents can celebrate the annual Mardi Gras at Shoreline Village event featuring costumes, entertainment, a parade, Zydeco music and more. Free.
Group Boccia: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Long Beach nonprofit Playmakers will host boccia group lessons and games, open to people of all ages and abilities, this Saturday and next at the Bay Shore Community Congregational Church (5100 E The Toledo). Free.
Anti-Valentine’s Day: 7 p.m. Local poet Micah Bournes will be hosting this gathering for the single and petty, at 4203 Linden Ave. There will be ice cream and an open mic where attendees are encouraged to share their worst date story. There is a $10 cover charge.
Sunday 2/11
Valentine’s Day Brunch: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Wicked Wolf (2332 Pacific Ave.) will transform into a romantic restaurant inspired by the classic film “Casablanca.” Lovers and friends can enjoy this intimate, Moroccan-inspired brunch from chef Melissa Ramsay, mimosas and cocktails followed by a private jazz guitar concert from musician Paul Smith. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased online.
Galentine Terrariums: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. During this workshop at Plantiitas (2011 E Fourth St.), participants will be guided through building their own terrariums to take home. Participants will also learn plant care tips to keep their terrarium flourishing. General admission tickets cost $38 on Eventbrite.
Super Bowl Party: Noon to 10 p.m. Friends and family can watch the “Big Game” at Trademark Brewing (233 E Anaheim St.) complete with multiple screens, sound on, BBQ food from Battambong BBQ, vegan options from The Original Herbivore and a bounce house for kids. Open seating will be available, or customers can reserve a table online. For free seating, an advanced RSVP is encouraged, but not required.
Flirt Night: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. During this romantic night at local bar Black (1800 E Broadway), queer people are invited to meet, flirt, dance and drink. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite for a donation amount of your choice.
Monday 2/12
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.
Radio Play Experience: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to listen to the 1938 radio show “The War of the Worlds,” at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Refreshments will be served. Registration is required. To register, call (562) 989-7323. Free.
Tuesday 2/13
Urban Backyard Birding: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. During this family-friendly event at the Alamitos Neighborhood Library (1836 E. Third St.), organized by the Office of Climate Action and Sustainability, participants will learn the basics of observing and documenting local birds. Children will also be able to create their own handmade binoculars.
Black History Month Movie Night: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The public is invited to this screening of the film “Akeelah and the Bee” at the Los Altos Neighborhood Library (5614 Britton Dr.), in honor of Black History Month. Popcorn and refreshments will be served. Free.
Wednesday 2/14
Free Groceries: 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Residents can receive free, fresh and packaged groceries at Lincoln Elementary School (1175 E 11th St.). Free.
‘The Taste of Things’: 12: 30 p.m. and other select times. The Long Beach Art Theatre (2025 E Fourth St.) will show the Oscar-nominated foreign film “The Taste of Things” for two days only. The French film is set in 1885 and follows a romantic relationship, portraying the beauty of giving and sacrifice. Tickets are $12 for general admission and can be purchased on the theater’s website or at the door.
Teen Movie Screening: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Teens and tweens are invited to the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.) for a screening of the Studio Ghibli film “My Neighbor Totoro.” Free.
LB Night Walks: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. During this monthly meetup organized by Happily Bearded After, photographers ranging in experience from first-time amateurs to professionals will gather in the East Village Arts District (401 E First St.) to take photos together. Free.
‘My Bloody Valentine’: 10 p.m. Celebrate Valentine’s night with the 1981 classic horror film “My Bloody Valentine” showing on 16mm at the Long Beach Art Theatre (2025 E Fourth St.). General admission tickets are $13.50 and can be purchased on the theater’s website or at the door.
Thursday 2/15
Free Groceries: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Local nonprofit Love Beyond Limits will be giving out groceries to residents at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park (1133 Rhea Ave.). Free.
Fair Housing Workshop: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The City of Long Beach and the Fair Housing Foundation will host a workshop for tenants, landlords, managers, property owners, attorneys and realtors to learn about current rights and responsibilities, state laws, housing discrimination and more. This workshop will be held at the Bret Harte Library Community Room (1595 W Willow St.). Free.
Kids’ Reading Program: 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This workshop is meant to foster a positive association with the library and reading in young children. Preschoolers and early elementary students are invited to Bach Neighborhood Library (4055 N. Bellflower Blvd.) to read, listen to stories and participate in fun activities. Free.
Sparring & Cocktails: 8 p.m. One of Long Beach’s most unique nightlife scenes is back for one night of cocktails and treats beside a boxing ring for the return of Jackrabbit’s Social Club. Those ages 21 and over can sip on spirits while watching sparring matches, dancers and more at Harvelle’s (201 E Broadway). Tickets are $20 at the door and can be purchased in advance on Harvelle’s website.
To submit your event for our weekly Around Town edition, please send all information including date, times, location and pricing to newspaper@signaltribune.com. Submissions do not guarantee publication.
To assure your event gets published, please contact legals@signaltribune.com and ask about our advertising options.
