Although it may not feel like fall outside, don’t let the nearly 90-degree weather stop you from celebrating Autumn, which officially began on Sept. 22. Fill your steins at the Long Beach Oktoberfest, one of many Oktoberfest celebrations taking place throughout the city in the coming weeks, or head to the Signal Hill Public Library to learn about and purchase unique gems, rocks and fossils for some very early Christmas shopping.
Residents of all ages can benefit in countless ways by attending the Senior Health Fair at Welbe Health or the Youth Festival at Lincoln Park. Both events on Saturday serve to inform Long Beach residents about the already available mental and physical health resources the city offers.
Friday 9/23
Foreign Film Series: 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The public is invited to watch this screening of the 1998 Portuguese film “Central Station” at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway). Free.
Long Beach Oktoberfest: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The first day of an over two-week festival celebrating Oktoberfest, featuring Bavarian beer, food, music, performances, games and more at 855 Elm Ave. General admission costs $20, and tickets can be purchased on longbeachoktoberfest.com.
Saturday 9/24
Virtual Expungement Clinic: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A free online workshop where people who’ve been incarcerated will have the opportunity to have their record looked at to see if they can have any crimes expunged, reduced or reclassified. Participants will need to obtain their full criminal docket before the clinic. Those who need help obtaining their full criminal docket can contact the organizers. Registration can also be made by emailing info@rec-center.org or by calling 1-562-268-0999. Free.
Senior Health Fair: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Individuals age 55 and older are invited to this wellness event at Welbe Health (1220 E 4th St.) featuring blood pressure, bone density, glucose, thyroid and stroke screenings. Services such as chair massages, haircuts and more will also be offered. Free.
Gems On The Hill: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public is invited to this two day event organized by the Long Beach Mineral & Gem Society at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.), featuring vendors, displays, crafts, food and more. Free.
Omar Awaida Tribute Mural: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is invited to help paint a mural at Los Cerritos Park (3750 Del Mar Ave.) honoring the life of the young son of a local family who was killed by a drunk driver. The mural is designed by local artist LaJon Miller. Free.
Self Steward Herbal Marketplace: Noon to 6 p.m. The public is invited to this marketplace where various small vendors will be selling a variety of herbal self care products at Green Wisdom Apothecary (702 Cedar Ave.) Entry is free.
Inspired By: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The first day of a two-day opening reception for the exhibit “Inspired By” organized by the Long Beach Creative Group at the Rodd Briggs Gallery (2221 E Broadway). The exhibit will feature over 80 works by over 50 artists. Free.
Youth Festival: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Local youth between the ages of 10 to 24 are invited to enjoy performances by writers, poets, singers and dancers at Lincoln Park (332 W Broadway). There will also be opportunities for youth to connect with resources and organizations available to them. Free parking for attendees will be available in the parking structure at 332 W Broadway. Free.
Sunday 9/25
Mary Jane Marathon: 9 a.m. The public is invited to participate in this marathon with the purpose of raising awareness of the health benefits of hemp. There will be a 1 mile, 5 kilometer and 10 kilometer course. To register for the marathon visit https://maryjane5k.com/long-beach-course. The 1 mile course costs $35, the 5K costs $50 and the 10K costs $75 per person.
Wedding Expo: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This convention at the Long Beach Convention Center (300 E Ocean Blvd.) will feature wedding professionals, displays, demos, samples, a fashion show and more. Admission costs $15 at the door.
Monday 9/26
Research for Starting, Managing, and Growing Your Business: 11 a.m. to noon. Entrepreneurs and business owners are invited to learn how to use Reference Solutions, a free program available at the library, to help them start, manage and grow a business. Registration is required for this event. Email lbpl_comments@lbpl.org to register or for more information. Free.
Tuesday 9/27
Neighborhood Clean Up: 8 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are needed to help clean litter in the westside of Long Beach during this weekly event organized by the Westside Business Association. Meet at the intersection of Gaylord Street and Canal Avenue in front of Amber Resources Inc. Free.
The Silver Hour: 11 a.m. This weekly musical event at Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.) will feature live music, sing-a-longs and oldies for seniors. Free.
Reading Buddies: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Parents and caregivers can bring children to the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.) where a teen volunteer will give them up to 30 minutes of one-on-one reading practice. Free.
Wednesday 9/28
Teen Advisory Group: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Local high schoolers are invited to help the library develop events, crafts and activities for their peers at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.) Free.
We Don’t Talk About Crochet Club: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Teens between the ages of 13 to 17 are invited to this weekly crochet club at Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway). Participants will learn crocheting basics and how to make granny squares. Free.
Thursday 9/29
Creative Writing Course by Teens for Teens: 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. A creative writing course designed and delivered by teens for their peers at Los Altos Neighborhood Library (5614 E. Britton Dr.) Register for this class by emailing tamara.hall@lbpl.org or calling 562-570-1045. Free.
Night Market: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The public is invited to enjoy this combination of a street fair and farmers market in downtown Long Beach (300 N Promenade.) The event will include vendors, live music and more. Free.
Body, Pleasure, Health: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Teens and tweens will be able to ask questions about bodies, relationships and sexual health they may be too shy to ask their parents or friends during this educational event at Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway). Free.
