The Liwanag Literary Festival – a celebration of Filipino American stories, voices and culture – will return to Long Beach this weekend.
The free festival, hosted by the Long Beach Public Library, will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, 5870 Atlantic Ave.
“The Liwanag Literary Festival is a shining example of how stories connect us and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the deep diversity that makes Long Beach so special,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement. “By uplifting Filipino American voices, we honor a community whose culture and contributions enrich our city every single day.”
The festival is presented in collaboration with Bel Canto Books, a beloved Filipina-owned independent bookstore in Long Beach, according to a press release. It will feature story times and craft activities for children, along with panel discussions and readings from a diverse lineup of authors.
Featured guests will include Mae Respicio, author of “Isabel in Bloom”; Florante Ibanez, author of “Filipinos in Carson”; Randy Ribay, author of “Everything We Never Had”; and Shelby Rabara and Harry Shum Jr., co-authors of “Martee Dares to Dance.”
The Long Beach Public Library will be hosting the third biennial Liwanag Literary Festival on Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library. (Photo courtesy of the City of Long Beach)
The Long Beach Public Library will be hosting the third biennial Liwanag Literary Festival on Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library. (Photo courtesy of the City of Long Beach)
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The Long Beach Public Library will be hosting the third biennial Liwanag Literary Festival on Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library. (Photo courtesy of the City of Long Beach)
There will also be Filipino food, art and culture through a variety of vendors and community partners, according to a press release. Attendees can enjoy traditional baked goods from Gemmae Bakery, browse Filipino komiks (comics) from Hot Tropiks, explore language resources with Tayo Na Lending Library, and shop handmade jewelry, art and accessories from Native Sol.
The Liwang Literary Festival, which began as an annual event in 2022, will now be held biennially, officials said.
“Liwanag” means light in Tagalog, reflecting the festival’s mission to shine a light on the rich traditions and contributions of Filipino Americans, officials said, especially during Filipino American History Month in October.
“At Long Beach Public Library, we are proud to provide opportunities that celebrate culture, honor history, and inspire learning,” Cathy De Leon, director of the Department of Library, Arts, and Culture, said in a statement. “Liwanag is more than a festival – it’s a reflection of the diverse voices that shape Long Beach.”
During the summer, the Bret Harte Neighborhood Library in West Long Beach became the home of the newly established Filipino American Cultural Heritage Collection. The special collection features all the titles that will be showcased at the festival, as well as many additional works that celebrate the Filipino American experience, as well as in different dialects.
The library’s Liwanag Literary Festival is supported by Long Beach Public Library Foundation, Long Beach Friends of the Library, and Intertrend Communications.
Originally Published: October 21, 2025 at 3:37 PM PDT