We are finally upon Halloweekend, and we have a list of (mostly) spooky events to prove it. Residents can get their fill of costume parties, tricks, treats and holiday eats in Long Beach and Signal Hill throughout the weekend, then spend the following week picking up new hobbies at their local library while munching on leftover candy.
Friday kicks off the holiday weekend with events catered for children hoping to get a jump start on trick or treating, teens wanting to relax over spooky movies and adults ready to face the ultimate test: Halloween-themed improv comedy. Residents can spend their Saturday morning at one of the two health events in Long Beach, or begin their day decorating pumpkins and end it surrounded by either zombies or goblins.
On Sunday, families have the chance to bike ride as a zombie at Pixie Toys, carve pumpkins at Fluffy’s Sno-Balls or enjoy a Halloween party at Bixby Park. For those with furry, four-legged friends, they can participate in a dog costume parade at Marina Vista Park.
Friday, Oct. 28
Witchy Fridays: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Teens between the ages of 13 to 17 are invited to enjoy witch-themed movies and eat snacks at Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway). Free.
Trunk-or-Treat Carnival: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Children will be able to trick-or-treat in Orizaba Park (1435 Orizaba Ave.) during this seasonal event. The event will include a cake walk, carnival games, jumpers, a kid zone and more. Free.
Open Mic Terrors: 7:30 p.m. The Friendzone comedy troupe is hosting an improvised comedy open mic night at Ficklewood Ciderworks (720 E Broadway). Topics will include spooky movie villain roast battles, bucket topics, couples therapy, crowd work and more. Costumes are encouraged. Ages 21 and over. Free.
Saturday, Oct. 29
Walk to End Alzheimers: 8 a.m. The Alzheimer’s Association California Southland Chapter invites Long Beach residents to the annual Walk to End Alzheimers. The walk will raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research, will be decorated for Halloween and begin at Rainbow Lagoon Park (400 E Shoreline Drive). To register visit http://www.alz.org/walk. Free.
Beach Walk and Flourishing Families Festival: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This annual event hosted by TCC Family Health invites residents to a 5k walk and health fair at Shoreline Aquatic Park (200 Aquarium Way). The health fair will include games, activities, music, live entertainment and food from local vendors such as La Esperanza Restaurant and Bakery, the Cottage Cafe and Robert Earls BBQ. Free.
Historical Cemetery Tour: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Actors dressed in 20th century-period costumes will teach attendees about the lives of those buried at Sunnyside Cemetery (1095 E Willow St.) and how they shaped local history. The tour will take around three hours to complete. This event is appropriate for all ages. Tickets can be purchased online for $25, or at the cemetery the day of the event.
Pumpkin decorating contest: 10 a.m. The Los Cerritos Neighborhood Association is hosting its second annual pumpkin decorating contests for kids ages 15 and under. Attendees should be registered with their name and age by Oct. 25 and arrive at Los Cerritos Park (3750 Del Mar Ave.) with their pumpkins fully decorated and ready to be judged. 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 Rd.) 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.
Harvest Festival: Noon to 4 p.m. Beachwise Resource Festivals will be hosting this seasonal event for the community at MacArthur Park (1321 E Anaheim St.) including live music, food, drinks, activities and more. Free.
Goblins on the Greenbelt: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Belmont Heights Community Association invites children in the community to the greenbelt between Park Ave. and Ximeno Ave. to trick-or-treat in the park (423 Park Ave) and decorate a pumpkin. Free.
Zombie Walk: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. This event at Shoreline Village (401-435 Shoreline Village Dr.) will feature roaming actors dressed as zombies, trick-or-treating, costume contests, live zombie bands, Halloween vendors and more. Free.
Sunday, Oct. 30
Baddies Box: 10 a.m. Residents can learn or practice their boxing skills at Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave) at an all-levels welcome, LGBTQ+ friendly boxing class hosted by Devotion Fitness. Equipment is provided and the class is donation-based with a suggested $5 minimum.
Kidical Mass: Zombie Bike Ride: 11 a.m. Families can participate in a zombie-themed neighborhood bike ride hosted by the Bixby Knolls Improvement Association. Children can bring their bikes to the Pixie Toys Parking lot (3914 Atlantic Ave.) before the bike ride begins to receive zombie face makeup. This event will feature treats, prizes for best/ugliest zombie and music by DJ Dave. Free.
Art At The Park: Noon to 4 p.m. The public is invited to wear costumes and bring their own art supplies to Recreation Park (4900 E 7th St.) to create art together. Free.
Kid’s Halloween at Bixby Park: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Families can bring their children to Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.) for games, face painting, ghost rock crafts, costume contests and treats. Free.
Community Pumpkin Carving & Halloween Costume Contest: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Fluffy’s Sno-Balls (1208 Long Beach Blvd.) invites the community to enjoy a Halloween celebration. This event will include a New Orleans second line, bounce houses for kids, candy, a costume contest and pumpkin carving. Contestants are asked to come dressed in costume and to bring their own carving tools. Free.
Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade: Community members are invited to dress their dogs in costume and bring them to Marina Vista Park (5355 E Eliot St.) to participate in a parade. Humans can register their dogs for the parade for $10 at hautedogs.org.
Monday, Oct. 31
HIV Testing: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. HIV testing will be provided at Seaside Park (1401 Chestnut Ave.) Free.
Wellness Event: Noon to 3 p.m. Local residents in need are invited to TAY Academy (2025 E 7th St.) to receive clothing, household items and food. To register, visit Eventbrite. Free.
Trunk or Treat: 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Courtyard Care Center (1880 Dawson Ave.) will be hosting a trunk or treat event with treats, games, prizes and more. Free.
Tuesday, Nov. 1
Rancho Storytime: 10 a.m. to 10:30 am. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring young children to listen to a story read out loud at Rancho Los Cerritos (4600 Virginia Rd.) Attendees are welcome to bring blankets, strollers and snacks. Free.
Flu Vaccine Clinic: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services will be offering free flu vaccines at Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.) for people without health insurance or whose health insurance doesn’t cover flu vaccines. Free.
50+ Book Club: 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. A monthly book club geared toward senior participants ages 50 and older at the El Dorado Neighborhood Library (2900 Studebaker Rd.) Visit the library or call (562) 570-3136 for information on how to join. Free.
Wednesday, Nov. 2
Baby’s Storytime: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Parents and caregivers are welcome to bring babies between 0 to 15 months old to the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) for stories, rhymes, music and play. 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.
Bear City Comedy: 7:30 p.m. A roster of stand-up comedians perform weekly at Que Sera (1923 E 7th St.). This event is for those 21 and older. Free.
Thursday, Nov. 3
Toddler Storytime: 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Caregivers and parents are invited to bring toddlers ages 1 to 3 to enjoy story time, songs, bubbles and more at Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave). Free.
ArtLAB: 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. An art exploration program for children ages 7 to 12 at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.). Free.
