Tag:
Cultural Events
Culture & Commentary
Amid Trump-blamed loss of title sponsorships, Long Beach Pride 2025 features no headliners, scales down
Long Beach Pride 2025 is facing massive uphill battles with its festival, one of the longest-running Pride festivals in the nation.
Culture & Commentary
With acclaimed performers Caminos Flamencos, Telefèric cements itself as Long Beach’s properly Spanish space
With monthly performances from acclaimed duo Caminos Flamencos, Telefèric cements itself as Long Beach's premier Spanish space.
Culture & Commentary
Easter Walk Long Beach will continue this weekend, carrying decades of Herstory—and the timing is important
The 28th annual Easter Walk Long Beach will continue its tradition of uplifting those in need, celebrating queerness, and connecting businesses with patrons—all in a pair of heels.
Events & Festivals
Yes, there’s a free disco party aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach (costume contest included)
The free disco’n’funk party aboard The Queen Mary and inside the Observation Bar will be on Thursday, April 10 from 8PM to 11PM.
Events & Festivals
Prepare for destruction: Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live heads to Long Beach for first time
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live, the nationwide spectacle for lovers of destruction and, of course, trucks, is coming to Long Beach for the first time.
Food & Drink
Lunar New Year lion dance event in Downtown Long Beach to include Midnight Oil preview
A Midnight Oil preview will be part of a Lunar New Year celebration on The Promenade in Downtown Long Beach. (Yes, lion dance performance included.)
Culture & Commentary
This Lunar New Year snake game is projected onto a Long Beach building—and yes, you can play it
Intertrend in Long Beach honors Lunar New Year with an interactive, playable version of the old-school snake game found on phones during the late 1990s and 2000s.
Events & Festivals
Lights, aerials, Christmas: Long Beach neighborhood lights & aerobatics show has last performances this weekend
They call it the Circus Spectacular Nights, an annual partnership between neighborhood light show JZ Light Show and acrobatic troupe Aerial Butterflies.
Events & Festivals
Long Beach International Tamales Festival returns Dec. 14
The Long Beach International Tamales Festival, the day-long event dedicated to all things tamal, will return on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 1PM to 8PM.
Culture & Commentary
It’s A Drag to Give returns to bring the gayest of holiday cheers to Downtown Long Beach
After a five-year hiatus, the queer-meets-philanthropy celebration that is It's a Drag to Give is back in all its campy, glam, fierce glory come Saturday, Dec. 7.
Culture & Commentary
The Breakfast Bar’s expansion is part of a growing trend in expanding DTLB’s ability for events
The Breakfast Bar's latest expansion at its Downtown location isn't solely for seating more patrons. That is, of course, part of the goal. But the larger goal of Catering & Events Manager Angela Roman's space is much more significant.
Urbanism & Development
IN PHOTOS: Beach Streets Uptown takes over North Long Beach
On Saturday, the city of Long Beach hosted the latest iteration of its popular open streets festival: Beach Streets.
Events & Festivals
Taco Death Match 2024—the ultimate taco competition—invades Downtown Long Beach this weekend
Taco Death Match, the inaugural taco competition heading to Mosaic in Downtown Long Beach on Nov. 3, has a curated slate of 10 chefs and taqueros who will battle it out.
Culture & Commentary
Dave Chappelle and Killer Mike to end U.S. tour at Terrace Theatre in Long Beach
Comedian Dave Chappelle and Run the Jewels member Killer Mike have partnered for a seven-city stand-up-meets-hip-hop tour. And the aptly titled "Still Talkin That Sh*t!" tour's last stop will be Long Beach.
Food & Drink
Taco Death Match 2024: Meet the ‘Cambodian Competition,’ Long Beach
Taco Death Match 2024 is upon us, Long Beach. Ten taqueros and chefs from Long Beach and L.A. battling in the ultimate competition focused on SoCal's favorite food.
Culture & Commentary
Taco Death Match 2024: Meet the passionate artists bringing La Catrina to life
For the artists who bring La Catrina to life, it is much more than just bringing a symbol to fruition.
Culture & Commentary
Rocky Horror Picture Show returns to Art Theatre Long Beach—with very new, very queer shadow cast
After a 30-year presence at The Art Theatre of Long Beach with Midnight Insanity, a new shadow cast—wittily dubbed Bit of Mustard—has relaunched monthly midnight showings of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."Â
Events & Festivals
Halloween Hootenanny 2024: Long Beach’s best beer festival returns to MOLAA
Halloween Hootenanny 2024—Long Beach's best beer festival—returns with its dedication to horror'n'hops come Oct. 12 at the Museum of Latin American Art.
Culture & Commentary
Dragula watch party, weekly drag show comes to DTLB’s 4th Horseman for all those dark queers’n’drag lovers
A Dragula watch party? At Long Beach's own horrorcore pizzeria, The 4th Horseman? Yes and yes. Long Beach drag misfit Girl Haggard will be...
Events & Festivals
The glorious, ghoulish return of The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor in Long Beach
The Queen Mary's Dark Harbor returned after a nearly five-year hiatus—and it is a giddily ghoulish, masterfully macabre celebration.
Food & Drink
Celebrating a decade, The Social List Havana Nights returns for one night only
The Social List, the much-loved 4th Street restaurant, is turning 10. And with that, has decided to bring its equally loved Social List Havana Nights for one night only, come Friday, Sept. 27 at 6PM.
Events & Festivals
The Queen Mary’s Spooktacular Bazaar includes creepy double-feature and shopping
The Queen Mary's Spooktacular Bazaar, set to take place on the first Friday the 13th of the year next week, will be on helluva haven for fanatics of the frightening.
Culture & Commentary
House music meets Burning Man: Lupe Fuentes leads Ascend on Pine block party
Calling all the house-heads and all the Burners: Ascend on Pine is coming to Downtown Long Beach on Sept. 6.
Culture & Commentary
A Signal Hill Model T race? Yes, there’s a Model T race up Signal Hill about to happen
The race where Model Ts attempted to climb up Signal Hill? It had been a tradition that once ran from the 1950s until the late 1970s. And in honor of Signal Hill's centennial, the race returns on Sept. 14.
Events & Festivals
Big Bang on the Bay re-introduces itself for Labor Day weekend fireworks show (block party included)
Big Bang on the Bay organizer John Morris wants the community to know two things. Fireworks are back, and so are the parties attached to them.
Food & Drink
Long Beach Food Scene Intel: More closures, openings across city; Queen Mary seeks exec chef; more
Long Beach Food Scene Intel is a series from Brian Addison that will recap food news throughout the city, both news that needs just a quick mention or repeated news where you might have missed the full features.
Culture & Commentary
2028 Summer Olympics and Long Beach: Your guide to everything happening
The 2028 Summer Olympics will be hosted by our neighbor to the north—and it will have massive impacts on Long Beach. Here is your complete guide to what is being proposed, where things are happening, and what improvements (yes, improvements!) are happenin
Events & Festivals
Callin’ all the queers: It’s time for the Big Gay Takeover in Downtown Long Beach
Please, please, the gays are trying to murder us—or, well, they're at least bringing the Big Gay Takeover to Pine Avenue in Downtown Long Beach on Aug. 24 from 4PM to 10PM.
Culture & Commentary
1984 torch carried through Long Beach will be on display at Legends for Olympics kick-off party
Legends, the Belmont Shore sports bar staple, will be hosting an Olympics kick-off and watch party as the opening ceremony from Paris will air on Friday, July 26, at 9AM.
Events & Festivals
After controversy, Big Bang on the Bay formally moved to Labor Day
After submitting paperwork late to the California Coastal Commission, the annual July 3rd (not 4th) fireworks tradition that is Big Bang on the Bay was indefinitely cancelled. But it has returned: Organizer John Morris says the new version will be on Sept. 1.
Events & Festivals
Long Beach Walls 2024 officially kicks off: Here are the artists mural-ing our city
Long Beach Walls 2024 is here—and it with the Art Renzei Festival have changed the city’s art scene. Together, they have essentially turned Long Beach into one of the region’s finest outdoor museums.
Events & Festivals
Long Beach Taco and Tequila Festival to host legendary luchador Damián 666 for final match
The 2024 Long Beach Taco and Tequila Festival is upon us—and it not only brings said tacos and tequila but music and culture as well.
Culture & Commentary
The city is waiving Long Beach block party fees (which is cool and culturally important)
Get ready to party—as in Long Beach block party. The city will waive the $100 fee for a neighborhood block party permit application, as well as the cost to rent street barricades, which can cost hosts hundreds of dollars.
Events & Festivals
Forget the fireworks: LBCC drone show to take place at Veterans Memorial Stadium
While other areas are arguing over firework shows, our community college has decided to go digital: The LBCC drone show—part of their upcoming SummerFest on July 27—will take place at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Culture & Commentary
For Gabriel Iglesias, a Long Beach homecoming in pure Fluffy style
Yes, Gabriel Iglesias—known to the larger world as Fluffy—received his Key to the City from Mayor Rex Richardson last night. But instead of a...
Culture & Commentary
Long Beach’s Jenni Rivera to receive posthumous star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
La Diva de la Banda herself, Jenni Rivera, will receive a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame come June 27.  Fellow Mexican music star Gloria Trevi will speak during the ceremony while Rivera’s five children—Jacqie, Johnny, Jenicka, Michael, and her child-following-mom's-foosteps Chiquis—will accept the star on her behalf.
Events & Festivals
Moonlight Movies on the Beach escapes cancellation; announces 2024 lineup
After initially being cancelled following a lack of funding, Moonlight Movies on the Beach returns for its 2024 iteration with a slate of nine movies spread across the entirety of the summer.
Culture & Commentary
Long Beach comedian Gabriel Iglesias, aka Fluffy, to receive Key to the City (free/low-cost show included)
Comedian and all-around lover of all things Long Beach Gabriel Iglesias—known to his legion of fans as "Fluffy"—is set to receive a prestigious Key to the City from Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson on Tuesday, June 18 at the Long Beach Terrace Theatre.
Culture & Commentary
UPDATED: Annual Long Beach fireworks show Big Bang on the Bay canceled amid accusations of political interference
The annual day-before-July-4 firework extravaganza above Alamitos Bay, Big Bang on the Bay, will not be returning this year according to longtime producer and restaurateur John Morris. According to Morris, a late application to the California Coastal Commission—led by political interference—has prompted the first time the show will not formally happen since its inception in 2011 (minus 2020, which was due to the pandemic).
Culture & Commentary
Pride Month at its tiniest but brightest: Catalina Island Pride returns for third iteration
Catalina Island Pride returns for its third year in a row as the event continues to grow, from 4,000 its first year to over 6,000 last year. The single day event will take place on Saturday, June 15.
Culture & Commentary
Moonlight Movies on the Beach canceled for first time in 25 years; hopes to return next year
You read that right: After a quarter of a century fostering the Long Beach community, Moonlight Movies on the Beach is cancelled for the first time in its history. The annual tradition of screening free movies throughout the summer—both on the sand and in more accessible parts of the city—has been adored by residents and visitors alike.
Events & Festivals
75+ breweries. 150+ beers. LA Beer Week’s Independent Beer Fest in Long Beach is massive
As with last year, where thousands descended upon Shoreline Aquatic Park in Downtown Long Beach, LA Beer Week and its Independent Beer Fest will once again invade Downtown Long Beach with the largest beer festival in SoCal. Come Saturday, June 15, the festival will bring over 75 breweries from the region and over 150 different beers with them.
Culture & Commentary
Broadway at the Beach to bring certified Great White Way shows to Downtown Long Beach
Broadway at the Beach, a partnership between the Terrace Theater in Downtown Long Beach and MagicSpace Entertainment, is set to feature fully sanctioned national tours of Broadway musicals and shows—and will be formally making its debut at the Terrace Theater, becoming the first time the city has a seasonal set of touring shows from the Great White Way.
Culture & Commentary
Tour the oil islands, step inside historical homes, and more: Long Beach Architecture Week 2024 arrives
From celebrating the 100th birthday of Downtown Long Beach's historic Cooper Arms building to having a tour of the T.H.U.M.S. Islands, Long Beach Architecture Week is taking 2024 by the foundation with a slew of events for everyone's inner lover of architecture, spatial history, and Long Beach appreciation.
Events & Festivals
Anderson .Paak to perform DJ set at Juneteenth Long Beach celebration
Juneteenth Long Beach will be returning this year come Saturday, June 15 at Rainbow Lagoon Park in Downtown Long Beach—and it will be bringing DJ Pee Wee (aka Anderson .Paak) on board for a DJ set like no other.
Events & Festivals
From a free night market to free movie screenings, The Queen Mary launches into summer events
After testing ideas—like the "Studio 534" disco nights or the wildly popular, weekly Meet Me at the Mary Tuesdays—The Queen Mary has launched a set of events beginning in May that will play throughout the summer, from free movie screenings to affordable ticketed events like a monthly disco dance party.
Events & Festivals
May the 4th be with you, Long Beach: Altar Society to host ‘Disco Death Star’ top floor dance party
Disco will meet Star Wars on May the 4th, Long Beach: "Death Star Disco" will encourage people to dress up as Diana Ross or Princess Leia or a combination of both come Saturday, May 4.
Culture & Commentary
Midsummer Scream—world’s largest horror and Halloween convention—returns to Long Beach for heated haunts
Oh yes, boys and ghouls: Midsummer Scream, the world's largest convention dedicated to all things gruesome and grotesque, returns to Downtown Long Beach in all its gory glory. And yes, you can expect tens of thousands of cosplayers, horror enthusiasts, warmly welcomed nerds, and some of the most creative minds in the macabre when Midsummer Scream welcomes the ghastly'n'grim come July 26 through July 28 at the Convention Center.
Culture & Commentary
Short films get their due at inaugural Tiny Film Fest in Long Beach
The idea behind Tiny Film Fest is simple: 61 films that are five minutes or less, shown in three programs of roughly an hour-and-a-half. Choose your segment and you'll get a variety of nearly every aspect of cinematic visual storytelling, from documentaries and animation to international shorts and straight-forward narratives.
Culture & Commentary
After nearly quarter of a century, Moonlight Movies on the Beach might not happen again
It's is nothing short of a Long Beach tradition, one steeped in our city's love for both shoreline events and the arts: Moonlight Movies—and after approaching nearly 25 years of serving the community, it might not just be a reality in 2024.
Culture & Commentary
How the Long Beach Pinball League drives business, friendship, and connection
The Long Beach Pinball League not only interconnects budding and professional pinball enthusiasts alike, but also drives local business on nights that are typically slow and connects people with newly minted friendships.
Events & Festivals
Inaugural Central American heritage festival to celebrate comida, comedia, cultura
Roxanne's owner Robert Molina and Salvadoran-American comedian Jose "Hoozay" Velasquez are teaming up to bring Long Beach its first festival focusing on the culture surrounding Central America.
Events & Festivals
Long Beach Pride will return to historical May date come 2024
After a series of community meetings following a lack of expected attendance numbers at this year's awkwardly timed August Pride festival, organizers are returning the celebration to its historical May date.
Culture & Commentary
The ghosts are back: Queen Mary’s paranormal tours return with ‘Grey Ghost Project’ (research team attached)
The ghosts are ready to be discovered again as The Queen Mary unveils its first paranormal tours in over three years.
Culture & Commentary
‘Haunting of the Queen Mary,’ filmed aboard Long Beach’s famed ship, gets trailer and release date
A decade in the making and filmed on the actual ship itself, the horror flick will hit theaters and streaming services come Aug. 18.
Culture & Commentary
Meet the artists altering the city’s artistic landscape for Long Beach Walls 2023
Long Beach Walls has taken one ethic—that art shouldn't be confined to museums or galleries but accessible to all—and created one of the country's best outdoor art collection.
Culture & Commentary
Long Beach Pride to have a first of its kind, thanks to Jewels: A stage entirely dedicated to the art of drag—all types of...
In what is thought to be a first of its kind, as the country continues to battle over the art of drag, Long Beach Pride is doubling down with a stage dedicated entirely to drag during its two-day festival.
Events & Festivals
Tiny but mighty: Catalina Island Pride returns for second year
Hosting its very first Pride last year, the island community is determined to not only grow this second time around but showing that inclusivity can survive—even on an island.
Culture & Commentary
Moonlight Movies on the Beach announces 2023 lineup for Long Beach
Moonlight Movies has become a Long Beach tradition that is not only entertaining but entirely free each year—and their 2023 lineup will assure its treasured status.
Events & Festivals
For the love of horror and hops: Over 40 breweries invade Long Beach for Halloween Hootenanny
The team behind Festival Obscura, Martin and Ryan Hughes-Svab, along with Craft Beer LB founder Dennis Trilles, are gearing up for their annual celebration of beer, cider, horror, and Long Beach.
Culture & Commentary
Ready to take your best shot? DLBA’s annual Unfiltered photo contest returns
Spanning across five categories, the contest encourages photographers to capture DTLB with their own distinct style while vying for prizes and gallery space.
Culture & Commentary
Expanding presence, Moonlight Movies on the Beach does the right thing: Bringing free movies to everyone
20 years in, Moonlight Movies has become a Long Beach tradition that is not only entertaining but entirely free each year—but recognition of equity issues has allowed it to evolve into a more accessible event for 2022.
