![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Chacko_Autism_awareness_-21.jpg\")
Bubbles and excitement fill the air outside Miller Children\u2019s & Women\u2019s Hospital as the hospital celebrates Autism Acceptance Day on April 2, 2026. (Samuel Chacko | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\nStep into the second half of 2026 with outings in the park, Fourth of July festivities and opportunities to clean up after.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This week, the Long Beach Municipal Band will play the defining music of Disney across three concerts from Tuesday through Thursday and residents can watch free evening screenings of \u201cLilo & Stitch\u201d on Monday and Wednesday. Plus, with the FIFA World Cup into the round of 32, Long Beach begins its Matches in the Park series, including free watch parties on Monday at El Dorado Park West and Thursday at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.<\/p>\n
Saturday marks America\u2019s 250th anniversary, and local semiquincentennial celebrations include the Los Cerritos Neighborhood Association\u2019s \u201cUnofficial\u201d party and simultaneous fireworks shows launching from Granada Beach, Junipero Beach and the Queen Mary that night.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The day after the pyrotechnics, community members can volunteer for a trio of Sunday morning cleanups at local beaches and a Paws & Purpose for dog owners helping to clean up Rosie\u2019s Dog Beach.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bubbles and excitement fill the air outside Miller Children\u2019s & Women\u2019s Hospital as the hospital celebrates Autism Acceptance Day on April 2, 2026. (Samuel Chacko | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n
Friday 7\/3<\/p>\n
\u2018Blade Runner\u2019: Times vary. Watch the classic 1982 sci-fi film \u201cBlade Runner: The Final Cut\u201d at The Art Theatre of Long Beach (2025 E. Fourth St.) at select times. Tickets are $13 and can be purchased online<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bubble Boogie: 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Shake, wiggle and pop into this joyful music-and-movement program for babies and toddlers (ages 0\u20133) with singing, dancing and play to support early learning and help little ones build important skills through movement, at Burnett Neighborhood Library (560 E. Hill St.). Caregivers can join in the fun to move, connect and grow together. Free.<\/p>\n Live Music: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Listen to the moody, dancey vibes of Myla Roja at The Wicked Wolf (2332 Pacific Ave.). Free.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Saturday 7\/4<\/p>\n \u2018Unofficial\u2019 Spontaneous Gathering: 10 a.m. The Los Cerritos Neighborhood Association invites neighbors to this unofficial 4th of July parade, starting at Pine Avenue and traveling down Country Club Drive to Los Cerritos Park (3750 Del Mar Ave.), followed by a party at the park. Free.\u00a0<\/p>\n Fireworks Shows: 9 p.m. Residents can flock to the Shoreline to view three simultaneous fireworks shows coming from the barges of Granada Beach, Junipero Beach and the Queen Mary. The shows will be about 20 minutes. Free.\u00a0<\/p>\n Sunday 7\/5<\/p>\n Litter Clean-Up: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The public is invited to help clean local beaches following the 4th of July festivities, by volunteering at one of three locations: Belmont Pier Area (3998 E. Allin St., Junipero Beach (2100 E. Ocean Blvd.) and Bluff Park (Paloma Avenue & Ocean Blvd.). All materials will be provided. Free.\u00a0<\/p>\n Wood on the Street: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wood workers both experienced and novice can meet at Wood Coffee (2728 E. 10th St.) to chat with others with the same hobby. RSVP in the link in the bio of @woodonthestreet.la<\/a> on Instagram. Free.<\/p>\n Paws and Purpose: 6 p.m. Dog owners and lovers are invited to help clean up Rosie\u2019s Dog Beach (5000 E. Ocean Blvd.) following 4th of July festivities. This event is dog-friendly, supplies will be provided along with refreshments and raffled prizes. Meet at Monty\u2019s Dog Bar at 5:30 p.m. RSVP at the link in the bio of @restorative.resonance<\/a> on Instagram. Free.<\/p>\n Monday 7\/6<\/p>\n Matches in the Park: 5 p.m. Residents can watch World Cup games at El Dorado Park West (2800 N. Studebaker Road) on a large screen, with group activities for youth. Guests can bring blankets, chairs and food. Free.<\/p>\n Sunset Boxing: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. This beginner-friendly boxing class is designed for youth ages 12-26, and aims to provide an inclusive environment for all genders and body types at 2300 E. Ocean Blvd. A second session will take place from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Register online<\/a>. Free.\u00a0<\/p>\n Movie in the Park: 6:30 p.m. Families and neighbors are invited to watch the 2025 live action film \u201cLilo & Stitch\u201d at Pan American Park (5157 E. Centralia St.). Guests are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, food and drinks. Festivities include a bouncy house, free popcorn and raffles will begin at 6:30 p.m., while the movie will start at dusk. Free.<\/p>\n Tuesday 7\/7<\/p>\n Resume Workshop: 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Youth ages 16-24 are invited to this workshop where they can learn how to build a successful resume at the District 3 field office (340 Nieto Ave.). Register online<\/a>. Free.\u00a0<\/p>\n Long Beach Municipal Band: 6:30 p.m. Enjoy one of Long Beach\u2019s oldest traditions by listening to a live orchestral band at Bixby Annex Park (East Ocean Boulevard and Junipero Avenue). This week\u2019s theme is the ageless music of Disney, from soaring ballads to playful, upbeat numbers. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, food and drinks. Free.\u00a0<\/p>\n Wednesday 7\/8<\/p>\n Free Movie: 11 a.m. The Art Theatre of Long Beach (2025 E. Fourth St.) is hosting a series of free kids movies all summer long, with adult tickets available for $5. The film this week is the 2006 animated movie \u201cHappy Feet.\u201d Reserve and purchase tickets on the theatre\u2019s website<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Movie in the Park: 6:30 p.m. Families and neighbors are invited to watch the 2025 live action film \u201cLilo & Stitch\u201d at Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.). Guests are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, food and drinks. Festivities include a bouncy house, free popcorn and raffles will begin at 6:30 p.m., while the movie will begin at dusk. Free.<\/p>\n Long Beach Municipal Band: 6:30 p.m. Enjoy one of Long Beach\u2019s oldest traditions by listening to a live orchestral band at Los Cerritos Park (3750 Del Mar Ave.). This week\u2019s theme is the ageless music of Disney, from soaring ballads to playful, upbeat numbers. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, food and drinks. Free.\u00a0<\/p>\n Thursday 7\/9<\/p>\n Bird Walk: 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Rancho Los Cerritos (4600 N. Virginia Road) will open early for birders to enjoy the space on the second Thursday of each month. This is a guided walk with staff available to answer bird and nature-related questions. Guests should meet in the parking lot at 8 a.m. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars. Novice birders welcome. RSVP online<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Matches in the Park: 5 p.m. Residents can watch World Cup games at Martin Luther King Jr. Park (1950 Lemon Ave.) on a large screen, with group activities for youth. Guests can bring blankets, chairs and food. Free.<\/p>\n Long Beach Municipal Band: 6:30 p.m. Enjoy one of Long Beach\u2019s oldest traditions by listening to a live orchestral band at the Larry Curtis Concert Park at Marine Stadium (5255 E. Paoli Way). This week\u2019s theme is the ageless music of Disney, from soaring ballads to playful, upbeat numbers. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, food and drinks. Free.\u00a0<\/p>\n Summer Concert: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The public is invited to enjoy an evening of live music in a beautiful lakeside setting at El Dorado Nature Center (7550 E. Spring St.). Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $5 per person at the door (cash, card or smart pay available). Concertgoers are encouraged to bring an eco-friendly dinner and low chairs. Free.<\/p>\n To submit your event for our weekly Around Town edition, please send all information including date, times, location and pricing to newspaper@signaltribune.com. Submissions do not guarantee publication.\u00a0<\/p>\n To guarantee promotion for your event, please contact legals@signaltribune.com and ask about our advertising options.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/LB_TreeLighting_2023-19.jpg\")
Residents look up and or record on their phones the fireworks that started after the lever was pulled to lit the 67-foot Christmas tree at the Long Beach Tree Lighting Celebration on Nov. 28, 2023. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/BeachCleanUp-1-2.jpg\")
Members from the People of the Earth Krew pick trash out of the rocks along Alamitos Bay on April 10, 2022, during a beach clean-up event in Long Beach. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/DevotionFitness-6-e1661541686763-1024x571.jpg\")
I\u00f1igo Ibrae, the founder of Devotion Fitness, a non-profit that teaches boxing-based fitness classes, shows a student proper punching form during a class at Bluff Park on Aug. 19, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/210827_0127.jpeg\")
Conductor Kurt Curtis leads the 112th season of the Long Beach Municipal Band concert series at El Dorado Park on August 27, 2021. Nicole Kubis was the guest singer. (Image Courtesy Kurt Curtis | Long Beach Municipal Band)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/LB_ArtTheatre-1.jpg\")
The neon lights and marquee of the Art Theatre of Long Beach illuminate the the sidewalks of 4th Street on Feb. 28, 2023. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/DSC_0431-3.jpg\")
An adult western bluebird feeds its young chick. (Photo courtesy of the Southern California Bluebird Club)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1783017075_389_new-blackbird-cafe-ad.png\")
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