{"id":391417,"date":"2026-07-09T01:19:25","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T01:19:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/391417\/"},"modified":"2026-07-09T01:19:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T01:19:25","slug":"things-to-do-in-long-beach-festival-of-aapi-books-good-saturdays-summer-concerts-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/391417\/","title":{"rendered":"Things to do in Long Beach: Festival of AAPI Books, Good Saturdays, summer concerts and more!\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

No matter your niche, there are plenty of intriguing events for local residents to partake in throughout the week.<\/p>\n

The whole community can immerse themselves in the arts with the annual Festival of AAPI Books on Saturday and the three-day Villain Arts Tattoo Festival from Friday through Sunday. Other creatively rich events include the return of the Good Saturdays Market and the quarterly DTLB Art + Design Walk, both on Saturday.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Film fans are in for a packed week with the Moonlight Movies on the Beach showing of \u201cMean Girls\u201d on Tuesday and a one-night-only screening of \u201cCall Me By Your Name\u201d Saturday at the Art Theatre of Long Beach. Cinephiles can also come aboard the Queen Mary to watch \u201cClueless\u201d on Monday and \u201cBack to the Future\u201d on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Plus, summer concert series are starting at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden and the Recreation Park Bandshell with performances by Think of One Jazz on Friday evening and Jumping Jack Flash on Tuesday night, respectively.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"An attendee looks over pictures he took of the artwork sold at the Tattoo Heritage Project\u2019s art sale and fundraiser on Nov. 5, 2022. The proceeds for the night went towards starting the first national tattoo museum in Long Beach. (Samantha Diaz | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n

Friday 7\/10<\/p>\n

Villain Arts Tattoo Festival: 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Admire the works of acclaimed tattoo artists and the archival collections of the Tattoo Heritage Project during this traveling festival at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center (300 E. Ocean Blvd.). The Villain Arts Tattoo Festival will continue Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Single-day admission is $25 and three-day admission is $50; both can be purchased online<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Evening Music in the Garden: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon performance from Think of One Jazz at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden at Cal State Long Beach (Earl Warren Drive). The garden\u2019s weekly concert series will run every Friday through Aug. 28. Attendees will receive complimentary parking in the G4 lot. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2018Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat\u2019: 7 p.m. See the first preview of Musical Theatre West\u2019s uplifting new theatrical show. The production\u2019s opening night will take place the following evening at 7 p.m. \u201cJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat\u201d will run through July 26 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center (6200 E. Atherton St.). Tickets start at $23 online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2018How to Blow Up a Pipeline\u2019: 7 p.m. Care Culture Collaborative and Rose Bar will host a screening of the 2022 environmental thriller \u201cHow to Blow Up a Pipeline.\u201d Arrive at the corner of Lindero Avenue and East Broadway at 7 p.m., with the film starting around 7:30 p.m. Message @careculturecollab_lb<\/a> on Instagram for the exact event address. Free.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"A sign and artwork by Cambodian residents shows where section for books written in the Khmer language is at in the Mark Twain Community Library in the Cambodia Town neighborhood of Long Beach. ( Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n

Saturday 7\/11<\/p>\n

Good Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shop flowers, ceramics, watercolor paintings and more from over two dozen local vendors during this monthly market in the parking lot of Good Time Long Beach (1322 Coronado Ave.). Free.<\/p>\n

Festival of AAPI Books: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Long Beach Public Library and Bel Canto Books will co-host this annual celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage and literary arts. The festivities at Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Avenue) will include vendors, kids\u2019 arts and crafts and several author panels highlighting authors from across the Asian diaspora. Free.<\/p>\n

Fiesta del Rancho: Noon to 5 p.m. Rancho Los Cerritos (4600 Virginia Road) will celebrate heritage and community with an all-ages festival. There will be historical reenactments, local food and drink vendors, lawn games, creative workshops and both traditional and modern musical performances. Tickets<\/a> are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 2-12 and free for kids younger than 2 years old.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Long Beach Bluegrass Festival: Noon to 7 p.m. The third annual iteration of the Long Beach Bluegrass Festival will feature a lineup of live bands, workshops, square dancing, an instrument petting zoo and more at the Recreation Park Bandshell (701-939 Federation Drive). Free.\u00a0<\/p>\n

LBC Pirate Invasion: 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Swashbucklers of all ages are invited to enjoy pirate battles, family-friendly activities, live entertainment and more at Shoreline Aquatic Park (200 Aquarium Way). The festival continues Sunday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets start at $25 on Eventbrite<\/a>.<\/p>\n

AVP Beach Volleyball: 1:30 p.m. Men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams from the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) will play two days of matches at Alamitos Beach (700 E Shoreline Drive) beginning Saturday. Tickets<\/a> start at $42 for each day.\u00a0<\/p>\n

DTLB Art + Design Walk: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Downtown Long Beach Alliance\u2019s quarterly arts celebration returns with the theme of \u201cThe Art of Movement: Where sport, design and creativity intersect.\u201d Visitors can check out exhibition openings, business anniversary celebrations, artist studios, guided mural tours, live painting, DJs and more throughout downtown. Free.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Matches in the Park: 6 p.m. Catch Argentina vs. Switzerland in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals during this watch party at Heartwell Park (5801 Parkcrest St.). Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and picnics as they cheer on the match. Free.<\/p>\n

\u2018Call Me By Your Name\u2019 Party and Screening: 7 p.m. Before the Art Theatre of Long Beach\u2019s (2025 E. Fourth St.) 10 p.m. screening of \u201cCall Me By Your Name,\u201d Good Luck Vinyl Club will play Italian vinyl records and selections from the film\u2019s soundtrack next door at Dolores (2105 E. Fourth St.). Party admission is free and screening tickets<\/a> are $15.<\/p>\n

u don\u2019t have 2 call: 8 p.m. to midnight. For its July party at SALA Coffee & Wine Bar (3853 Atlantic Ave.), Slow Jamz is throwing it back to 2008 with a phoneless experience meant to emphasize living in the moment. The evening will feature throwback R&B and hip-hop hits from a lineup of DJs. Tickets are $12.29 online<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Seraphina Rose sits patiently on her phone in the colorful Black Sheep Salon while waiting for her freshly styled hair to dry on Nov. 14, 2023. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n

Sunday 7\/12<\/p>\n

Free Haircuts: Various Times. Long Beach Community Table will host its third Free Haircut Day, partnering with Black Sheep Salon for community members in need. Haircuts will take place at Orizaba Park (1435 Orizaba Ave.) from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m., MacArthur Park (1321 E. Anaheim St.) from 1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.) from 2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free.\u00a0<\/p>\n

R&Brunch: Country Club Edition: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Urban Society Long Beach is channeling summer vibes for this month\u2019s R&Brunch at Shannon\u2019s Corner (209 Pine Ave.). The event begins with brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Carvery (downstairs) before moving upstairs to At The Top for an outdoor day party from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Ticket options<\/a> include single entry for $23.18 and two-person entry for $30.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Hot Dog Week: 12 p.m. Local culinary pop-up Got Your Back will start its Hot Dog Week celebrations by offering beers, seltzers, coffee (until 3 p.m.) and hot dogs (including vegan dogs) at Everywhere (2122 E. Fourth Street). Free.<\/p>\n

\"\"Lance Jackson, frontman for King Salmon and the Funk Yard Horns, calls on the crowd to continue dancing during the first of this year\u2019s Concerts in the Park(ing lot) series at Bixby Joe Coffee & Tea on June 26, 2023. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n

Monday 7\/13<\/p>\n

Concerts in the Park(ing Lot): 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Move and groove to nostalgic \u201880s covers from Identity Theft The Band in the parking lot beside Bixby Joe Coffee & Tea (4245 Atlantic Ave.). Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and purchase food and drinks from nearby businesses before the concert. Free.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Movies on the Mary: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Enjoy a cinematic experience in the private theater aboard the Queen Mary (1126 Queens Hwy.) with a 30th anniversary screening of \u201cClueless.\u201d Popcorn and snacks will be available for purchase. The movie will start 15 minutes after the scheduled event time. Tickets are $15.90 online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"Steve Pruitt (left) and Hans Hellsund of the Friends of Recreation Park Bandshell pose for a picture while siting on the edge of the nearly 100-year-old stage on June 12, 2023. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n

Tuesday 7\/14<\/p>\n

Summer at the Shell: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Rolling Stones tribute band Jumping Jack Flash will kick off this year\u2019s Summer at the Shell series at the Recreation Park Bandshell (701-939 Federation Drive). Free.<\/p>\n

Long Beach Municipal Band: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The 117th season of the Long Beach Municipal Band rolls on with \u201cSongs for the One You Love,\u201d a heartfelt celebration of timeless love ballads, at Bixby Annex Park (130 Cherry Ave.). Guests are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, food and drinks. Free.<\/p>\n

Moonlight Movies on the Beach: 8 p.m. Grab a spot on the sand at Granada Beach (5000 E. Ocean Blvd.) for a screening of \u201cMean Girls.\u201d The film will begin at sunset (between 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.). There will be food trucks and a kettle corn vendor on-site and attendees are welcome to bring their own food and pets. Alcohol is prohibited. There will be free parking after 6 p.m., but it is first-come, first-served. Free.<\/p>\n

\"\"A Long Beach Running Club member passes by the setting sun while running up the Skyline Trail in Signal Hill on March 21, 2022. Around 80 runners participated in the Long Beach Running Club Monday run in Signal Hill. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n

Wednesday 7\/15<\/p>\n

Anarchist Run Club: 5:30 p.m. Care Culture Collaborative\u2019s new running group meets every Wednesday at Belmont Brewing Co. (25 39th Pl.). All levels are welcome and running or walking is encouraged. Runs will begin around 6 p.m. and travel for about 3 miles before finishing with a beer or other beverage back at the meeting location. Free.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2018Zootopia 2\u2019: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wardlow Park (3457 Stanbridge Ave.) will host an evening screening of the Disney animated film \u201cZootopia 2\u201d as part of the ongoing Movies in the Park series. There will be a jumper for kids, movie-themed crafts and nightly drawings (one ticket per family). Recreation activities begin at 6 p.m. with the movie starting at dusk. Free.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Only one of the dilapidated lifeboats that were recently removed from the Queen Mary oceanliner\u2019s hull can be seen on the port side of the ship during its reopening on Dec. 15, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n

Thursday 7\/16<\/p>\n

Sunsets at LBMA: Ladies Sing the Blues: 5 p.m. Enjoy free gallery admission, vinyl DJs and live music from local blues vocalists and a live band, courtesy of KJAZZ 88.1 FM during this seasonal event at Long Beach Museum of Art (2300 E. Ocean Blvd.). There will also be art-making, food and drinks for purchase and a tour of the exhibition \u201cPositive Fragmentation<\/a>.\u201d Another edition of Sunsets at Long Beach Museum of Art (LBMA) will take place on Aug. 20. Reserve your complimentary ticket online<\/a>. Free.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sunset Reading: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. LB Bookworms invites readers to bring chairs, blankets, sweaters and, most importantly, a book of their choosing, for a sunset literary gathering at the bluff (Ocean Boulevard and Lindero Avenue). Free.<\/p>\n

Live Jazz: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Jim Fisk Jazztet will perform live at Alder & Sage (366 Cherry Ave.) as part of the restaurant\u2019s Thursday Jazz Nights. Patrons can also take advantage of happy hour deals from 4 p.m. until close, including $6 beers and $20 off wine bottles. Free entry.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2018Back to the Future\u2019: 8 p.m. Enjoy a seaside cinematic experience during the On The Deck series at the Queen Mary (1126 Queens Hwy.). This Thursday\u2019s feature film will be the 1985 sci-fi classic \u201cBack to the Future.\u201d Check-in will open at 8 p.m. and the movie will start when the sun sets. Seating will be provided and filmgoers are encouraged to dress warmly. Movie snacks, small bites and beverages will be available for purchase. Tickets are $26.50 online<\/a>.\u00a0<\/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

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