While the official start of summer is still weeks away, businesses and organizations across Long Beach and Signal Hill are already ramping up with fun events throughout the week. Residents don’t have to venture far to learn a new skill, attend a festival, support a worthy cause or wind down with some karaoke.
For those looking to connect with their community, Willow Springs Park is in need of volunteers on Friday afternoon. Residents can help clean up their neighborhood by meeting at Franklin Middle School Saturday morning. Signal Hill residents can learn about the Hillbrook Park redesign at the city’s city council meeting Tuesday night and the community is invited to learn how to compost through a virtual lesson Thursday afternoon.
Each week is set to be filled with LGBTQ+ Pride Month events, such as the pride-themed loteria game at the Los Altos Neighborhood Library Friday night, the Gay Time Pride Party Saturday night at Goodtime Long Beach and the drag story hour at Casita Bookstore Sunday morning.
Friday 6/9
Father’s Day DIY Celebration: 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Residents can create Do-It-Yourself gifts for Father’s Day at MacArthur Park (1321 E Anaheim St.). Children can create aprons, fridge magnets and more while enjoying music and food. Entry is free, but reservations are required on Eventbrite.
Restoration Fridays: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help care for native plants and pull weeds at Willow Springs Park (2745 Orange Ave.). Volunteers are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle, comfortable shoes and sunscreen. Free.
West African Dance Class: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. All ages and levels of experienced dancers are invited to learn West African dance moves at the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach (4321 Atlantic Ave.) Entry is free, but donations are encouraged.
Pride Loteria: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Residents of all ages are invited to play a Pride-themed loteria game at Los Altos Neighborhood Library (5614 Britton Dr.) in celebration of Pride month. The event will include a photo booth, coloring and dancing. Refreshments will be served. Registration through the city’s calendar is encouraged as space is limited.
Saturday 6/10
Gun Buyback: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Community members can turn in their firearm(s) to the The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) and receive a gift card. Participants will receive $50 for non-functioning firearms; $100 for handguns, rifles, and shotguns; $200 for assault rifles. The value of homemade firearms, such as 3D-printed firearms, will be determined at the event. Free.
Hazardous Waste Collection: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is invited to dispose of their electronic waste, household hazardous waste materials and old tires at the EDCO Recycling & Transfer (2755 California Ave.). For a full list of items that are being accepted go to longbeach.gov/lbrecycles. Free.
Cal Heights Furniture Swap: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Point by Point Studio is hosting this community furniture swap at Roxanne’s (1115 E Wardlow Ave.) where residents can buy, trade and sell pieces of furniture in good condition. There will be a silent bidding period, and attendees can decide if they want to sell their piece of furniture or trade it for another piece. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online through June 9 or at the door, with all proceeds going to ABLE ARTS Work.
Community Clean-Up: 10 a.m. to noon. Councilmembers Mary Zendejas and Vice Mayor Cindy Allen are inviting residents to a community clean-up that begins at Franklin Middle School (540 Cerritos Ave.). Trash bags, pickers and other supplies will be provided. Free.
Epic Wings Grand Opening: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Residents can enjoy games, giveaways and more at the grand opening of Epic Wings at 4494 Atlantic Ave. From June 10 to June 30, residents can get a free meal with the purchase of one meal by using the code LBDEAL. Free to attend.
LA Independent Beer Fest: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 75 breweries will be serving their beer at ShoreLine Aquatic Park (200 Aquarium Way) during this annual festival. The event will feature food and music. General admission costs $60. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Halo Halo Bash: 2 p.m. Flipp Family will be teaching kids how to make the Filipino dessert Halo Halo at 3976 Atlantic Ave. Participation costs $20 per child.
Gay Time Pride Party: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Goodtime Long Beach (1322 Coronado Ave.) will be hosting this Pride-themed event featuring food, vendors, performers, raffles and more. Attendees are encouraged to bring cash to tip performers. Admission will cost $10 to $20.
Sunday 6/11
Walk4Hearing: 9 a.m. This walk planned by the Hearing Loss Association of America will raise funds for those with hearing loss. The walk will start at Shoreline Park (200 Aquarium Way). To register, visit walk4hearing.org.
26th Annual Dia de San Juan Festival: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. This Puerto Rican festival will feature live music and DJ sets at Rainbow Lagoon Park (400 Shoreline Drive). Residents can bring blankets, chairs, umbrellas and ice chests to enjoy a picnic while listening to music. Tickets are $42 online or $55 in-person the day of the festival. Children ages 11 to 14 are $30 to enter and children under 11 are free.
Drag Story Hour: 11 a.m. Residents are invited to attend this drag story hour at Casita Bookstore (1440 E Fourth St.), where Pickle will be reading children’s books aloud to celebrate Pride Month. Free.
Movie and Q&A: History fans can watch this celebration of art, inventions and animation at the Art Theatre of Long Beach’s (2025 E Fourth St.) screening of “The Cartoons of Max Fleischer.” Classic cartoons such as Betty Boop, Popeye the Sailorman and more will be showcased in high definition. General admission is $12.
Celebration of the Seas: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Long Beach Chorale and Chamber Orchestra is returning to the Honda Pacific Visions Theater at the Aquarium of the Pacific (100 Aquarium Way) for its annual concert. The chorale will perform light-hearted music that celebrates the ocean and its inhabitants. The show is open to all ages. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children ages 3 to 11, and can be purchased online.
Monday 6/12
Spanish Story Time: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to bring children to enjoy stories told in Spanish at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Free.
Author Talk: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Aaron H. Aceves, author of “This is Why They Hate Us,” will be discussing his debut coming-of-age novel at Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). This event is for those 12 and older. Refreshments will be provided. Free.
Tuesday 6/13
Senior Bingo: 10 a.m. Seniors are invited to play bingo together at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Coffee and light refreshments will be provided. Free.
Vegan Taco Tuesday: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. During this pop-up by Green Roots LB at 235 E Broadway, attendees can enjoy vegan tacos and conchas. Bottomless tacos are available for $25. Register on Eventbrite.
Hillbrook Park Community Outreach: 7 p.m. Signal Hill City Council will be giving a presentation on the upcoming redesigning of Hillbrook Park at its bi-weekly meeting at Signal Hill City Hall (2175 Cherry Ave.). Free
Wednesday 6/14
Baby & Toddler Storytime: 10 a.m. Babies and their caregivers are invited to Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.) to enjoy stories and playtime. Free.
Adult Art Club: Noon to 1 p.m. Participants will learn the ancient art of paper quilling at Brewitt Neighborhood Library (4036 E. Anaheim St.). All materials will be provided. Free.
Karaoke: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Residents who want to belt out a tune to a room full of tipsy strangers can head to Dutch’s Brewhouse (4244 Atlantic Ave.) every Wednesday night for Bixby Karaoke. Free to attend.
Bixby Knolls Literary Society: 7 p.m. Once a month, residents are invited to the Dream Come True Tea & Party Room (4350 Atlantic Ave.) to meet community members and discuss classic works of American literature. This month’s novel is “Wide Sargasso Sea” by Jean Rhys. Free.
Thursday 6/15
Learn To Compost: Noon to 1 p.m. During this virtual workshop participants will learn how to turn food scraps into nutrient rich compost for plants. The workshop will teach how to create and maintain a backyard compost bin as well as what materials can and cannot be composted. To register for the virtual event, visit the city’s online calendar. 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.
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.
