Soak in the reprise from recent heat waves and take part in various community gatherings in Long Beach and Signal Hill this week.
Local brews are taking the spotlight with celebrations all week, beginning with the Craft Beer Fest at Ranchos Los Cerritos and a beer release party from Beachwood Brewing, both Friday night. A blend of music and drinks are taking place at ISM Brewing also Friday, while a Western night aboard the Queen Mary is offering dancing lessons and themed cocktails Wednesday night and Beachwood Brewing is hosting yet another celebration Thursday evening for music lovers.
Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off this week, with food and live music at City Hall Tuesday before the city council meeting, and a Beachside Beats Fest Thursday night at 2ND & PCH featuring a blend of live Latin music and dancing.
Several community celebrations invite residents to connect with neighbors, like a mahjong night at Alder & Sage Friday night, a West Long Beach festival Saturday, Long Beach Gives Expo Sunday and a printmaking night at PLACE Monday.
Friday 9/12
Mahjong Night: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visit Alder & Sage (366 Cherry Ave.) for an evening of mahjong. Small bites and drinks will be available for purchase. This event is open for players of all levels, but no beginner lessons will be provided. Tickets cost $7.18 on Eventbrite.
Heart Healing Sound Bath: 6 p.m. This monthly healing session at LB Forward (2217 E. Sixth St.) is led by Mama Cali, especially intended for organizers, community advocates and those impacted by the current weight of the world, and will feature ancestral drumming, heart meditation and herbal smudging. Attendees are asked to bring a mat, a cozy blanket, a mug and a donation towards the session.
Cumbia Night: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dance and groove to the rhythms of Long Beach Cumbia musician Cello Azul at ISM Brewing (210 E Third St., Unit A) on the second Friday of each month. Free admission.
Beer Release Party: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Celebrate the debut of a new locally-made concoction, Beachwood Blendery’s Gueuze-inspired Funk Yeah sour trio, including Funk Yeah, Funk Yeah Nectarine, and Funk Yeah Santa Rosa Plum, at 247 Long Beach Blvd. Enjoy a food pop-up by Whaleface LB, funky vinyl sets by DJ Quatre Cinq & Jedi Mind Cuts, portraits by Shaina Turian, and games like pinball, pool and darts. Drinks and food available for purchase. Free admission.
Saturday 9/13
Plane Pull: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Test your strength at the Special Olympics Southern California Plane Pull, where teams of 25 compete to pull a 124,000-pound jet 12 feet in the fastest time. This family-friendly fundraiser takes place at JetZero (4150 Donald Douglas Drive) at Long Beach Airport and supports athletes with intellectual disabilities. Complimentary parking is available in Parking Structure B, with shuttle service to the venue. Enjoy food from Knights of Columbus, Legends Sports Bar and Scooters Sweet Treats while cheering on participants. Free admission for spectators. $75 admission for participants.
Free Books: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Community members can receive free books from the Long Beach Community Library at Bixby Park (corner of Junipero Avenue and Second Street). Free.
Free Groceries: Noon to 2 p.m. Residents can get free food, hygiene products, clothing, shoes and books from the Long Beach Community Table (3311 59th St.).
Westside Fest: Noon to 4 p.m. Celebrate West Long Beach at this second annual celebration at Admiral Kidd Park (2125 Santa Fe Ave.). This community event features live music and dancing, food trucks, free meals for youth, art workshops, giveaways, bounce houses, face painting, a video game arcade pop-up and a build-your-own skateboard station. All ages are welcome. Free.
Tiny Art Market: Noon to 4 p.m. This market at Plantiitas (2011 E. Fourth St.) will feature a scavenger hunt between visitors and vendors, a donation-based back-to-school photo booth and plenty of local artists selling their work. Free.
Toy and Costume Swap: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Parents and caregivers can swap toys, Halloween costumes, clothing and books at this swap hosted by Not Just a Mom Club at 425 E. First St. There will be kid-friendly crafts in the East Village Arts District until 7 p.m.
Blessing of the Animals: 4 p.m. Residents can bring their furry, feathery or scaly, large or small animal to 3210 E. Airport Way for a blessing and pet fair hosted by Long Beach Christian Fellowship. There will be individual pet blessings, free dog and cat nail trimmings, kid-friendly activities, food and snacks and adoptable animals. Free.
Sunday 9/14
Comunidad y Libertad: 1 p.m. Celebrate the anniversary of the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence, when Mexico gained freedom from the Spanish Empire, with this gathering hosted by Long Beach’s Party for Socialism and Liberation at Orizaba Park (1435 Orizaba Ave.). This family-friendly gathering will include games, music, a potluck and arts and crafts, as well as a discussion about revolutions that have resisted colonial power, Mexico’s current resistance effort and ways to help the local immigrant community. Attendees are asked to bring a dish to share. Free.
Long Beach Gives Expo & Festival: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Celebrate local nonprofits at Recreation Park Bandshell (701-939 Federation Drive) during this community event. Meet nonprofit organizations at their booths, enjoy live performances from arts and culture groups and more. Free.
Naples Island Concert in the Park: 5 p.m. Enjoy an evening of live music at Colonnade Park (10 The Colonnade Canal) with King Salmon and the Funkyard Horns as part of the Naples Improvement Association’s 2025 Concerts in the Park series. Bring family and friends for a night of music and community. Open to all ages. Free.
Monday 9/15
Kitchen Pail Giveaway: 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Pick up a kitchen pail for your food scraps at La Bodega #5 (2900 E. Anaheim St.). These pails make it easier to collect and transfer food scraps into residents’ new green refuse carts for composting. This giveaway is for residents who have already received their City-serviced green carts. Pails are free but supplies are limited.
Printmaking Mondays: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. This beginner-friendly space invites all people to create what their heart desires, with all supplies provided by PLACE LB (2172 Pacific Ave.). This is a pay-what-you-can event, and no one will be turned away due to lack of funds, but there is a suggested donation of $1-5.
Tuesday 9/16
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Celebrate Latin heritage at the Long Beach Civic Center Plaza (411 West Ocean Blvd.) during this community event, featuring food, live music and more. Free.
Free Groceries: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Residents can get free food, hygiene products, clothing, shoes and books from the Long Beach Community Table (3311 59th St.).
Dance Downtown Revolution: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Learn some new dance moves during this community movement session at Promenade Square Park (124 The Promenade N.). This event is open to dancers of all ages, abilities and skill levels. Free.
Wednesday 9/17
Baby Bop: 11 a.m. to noon. Babies can bond with their caregivers during this storytime at Dana Neighborhood Library (3680 Atlantic Ave.). Enjoy songs, rhymes, fingerplays, bounces and more. Free.
Tiny Library Desk Listening Sessions: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Explore different genres of music during these listening sessions at Mark Twain Neighborhood Library (1401 E. Anaheim St.). Teens and tweens (ages 10–12) are invited to discover and discuss music in an interactive setting. Free.
Free Groceries: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Residents can get free food, hygiene products, clothing, shoes and books from the Long Beach Community Table (3311 59th St.).
District 3 Townhall: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Attend this community meeting at Recreation Park Community Center (4900 E. Seventh St.) to hear updates from the Chief of Police and the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority. Guests are welcome to arrive at 6 p.m. to connect with staff before the meeting begins. Free.
Boots on the Boat: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Kick up your heels for a night of country fun aboard the Queen Mary (1126 Queens Hwy). Enjoy line dancing lessons, country music, western-themed games, delicious drinks and more. This family-friendly event is suitable for all ages. Tickets are $26.50 for ages 3 and older, and can be purchased on the ship’s website.
Thursday 9/18
Baby Storytime: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Join Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library for an interactive story time designed for babies aged 0 to 18 months and their caregivers. Enjoy songs, simple stories, nursery rhymes and playful activities that encourage early literacy and bonding. Free.
Beachside Beats Fest: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with a live Salsa performance by Gabrielito y la Verdad at 2nd & PCH (6400 Pacific Coast Highway). The band blends salsa, Latin jazz, soul, and boogaloo with bold brass, vibrant percussion and heartfelt vocals. Dance and enjoy the music while celebrating Latin culture. Free admission.
Knights of the Round (Turn)Table: 6:30 p.m. Enjoy a night of music, food and drinks at Beachwood Brewing & Distilling (3630 Atlantic Ave.). This listening event features The Cars’ self-titled debut album, with the host sharing background details, reading attendees’ memories of songs, and introducing each track. Open seating with RSVP requested. Food, craft beer, cocktails and mocktails will be available for purchase. Attendees are encouraged to keep cell phones off and use quiet voices. Register on Eventbrite for free.
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I am part of a Facebook group for moms in Long Beach and on behalf of the group, thank you so much for these weekly events. I always post them in the group and attend these events as well.