{"id":519000,"date":"2026-11-05T02:56:13","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T02:56:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/519000\/"},"modified":"2026-11-05T02:56:13","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T02:56:13","slug":"things-to-do-this-weekend-in-long-beach-including-an-epic-ska-punk-lineup-at-alexs-bar-a-thanksgiving-run-and-gourmet-soup-for-a-good-cause","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/519000\/","title":{"rendered":"Things to do this weekend in Long Beach \u2014 including an epic ska punk lineup at Alex\u2019s Bar, a Thanksgiving run and gourmet soup for a good cause"},"content":{"rendered":"

Want a chance to be featured in our weekly events roundup? Add it to our\u00a0free community calendar at\u00a0lbpostevents.com<\/a>. For a guaranteed placement, contact\u00a0[email\u00a0protected]<\/a>\u00a0to purchase a sponsored item.<\/p>\n

Get a head start on Christmas with the LBX tree lighting ceremony (Saturday, Nov. 7)<\/p>\n

The pumpkins are put away and now it\u2019s time to thaw out the Christmas decorations. Come for the 4th annual Merry Little Village Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Long Beach Exchange. The tree lighting starts at 6:15 p.m. at The Hangar, but ahead of that, enjoy an early visit from Santa, Gingerbread characters and a performance by the Sugarplum Fairies. See more information on this family-friendly festivity here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Slurp some gourmet soup in a handmade bowl \u2013 for a good cause (Saturday, Nov. 7)<\/p>\n

\"\"Sara Pilchman Ceramics, along with the Volunteer Center, is bringing the first Empty Bowls event to Long Beach on Saturday, Nov. 7.<\/p>\n

Local ceramist Sara Pilchman<\/a> and the Volunteer Center<\/a> are hosting the first-ever Empty Bowls in Long Beach. Empty Bowls<\/a>, a grassroots movement that aims to end global hunger connects with local artists and community organizations. Long Beach\u2019s Empty Bowls kicks off on Saturday at the First Congregational Church. Ten restaurants, including Colossus<\/a>, Alder & Sage<\/a>, and Got Your Back<\/a>, will concoct gourmet soups. Soups like pozole verde, Filipino arroz caldo, chicken curry, kale-lentil soup, and minestrone will be served in handmade ceramic bowls. Tickets are $35 and you can purchase tickets here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Listen to some of the best poets in the area at CSULB\u2019s Design District (Saturday, Nov. 7)<\/p>\n

DTLB Design District<\/a> is launching \u201cBack Door Poetry\u201d<\/a> on Saturday \u2014 programmed by Long Beach\u2019s Poet-in-Residence, Mike Sonkensen (Mike thePoet). Hear from the city\u2019s top poets like Librecht Baker<\/a>, Adolfo Guzman-Lopez<\/a> and Nancy Lynee Woo<\/a>. The event kicks off at the Immersive Design Research Lab in downtown Long Beach, where you can literally immerse yourself in a creative design space. More information on Back Door Poetry can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Take a quiet moment to write at The Wicked Wolf (Saturday, Nov. 7)<\/p>\n

Every Saturday morning at The Wicked Wolf, a cocktail bar and tea lounge on Pacific Ave., visitors come to shut up and write. Literally. The focused writing time is meant to give you time to write whatever you\u2019ve been meaning to write. Consider it an adult study hall where you buy a beverage and tuck into a corner and write what you need to. There is no need to share what you\u2019ve written, but it\u2019s an opportunity to meet other writers in the area. Learn more about Shut Up and Write! here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Walk (or run) for liberation in the \u00d3rale Liberation 5K (Saturday, Nov. 7)<\/p>\n

\"\"\u00d3rale\u2019s 4th annual Liberation run\/walk 5K will be on Saturday, Nov. 7. (Photo courtesy of \u00d3rale.)<\/p>\n

\u00d3rale<\/a>, the immigration-led nonprofit organization in Long Beach, is hosting its annual 5K run\/walk on Saturday at Junipero Beach. Children (5 and under) and student tickets are already sold out, but there are still tickets for runners ages 6-12 and adult tickets (anyone 13 and up). DJ Beto del Barrio will provide the soundtrack for Saturday\u2019s run and Long Beach\u2019s own \u201cDancing Diva,\u201d Robbie Osa,<\/a> will emcee. There is still room to volunteer<\/a> for the Liberation 5K. Ticket sales support the \u00d3rale\u2019s goal to raise $35,000 to continue to empower the immigrant community. You can purchase tickets here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Practice your Spanish-speaking skills at Goodtime (Sunday, Nov. 8)<\/p>\n

\u00a1Practica espa\u00f1ol este fin de semana! Put down the Duolingo and head to Good Time<\/a> in Long Beach this Sunday morning to meet others who are looking to practice their Spanish-speaking skills. All skill levels and learners are welcome, but RSVP here<\/a>. Ramon Torres\u00a0Sanchez, who runs the Spanish Social Club, said attendees \u201cshould expect to join a small group where an activity is designed to engage conversation!\u201d Sanchez said that conversation circles will focus on various fun topics to connect with other Spanish language learners. And while you\u2019re there, grab one of Good Time\u2019s popular breakfast burritos<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Run in the Runacopia at the Belmont Shore beach path (Sunday, Nov. 8)<\/p>\n

Register to run the 5K, 10K, 15K, or the half marathon Runacopia on Sunday. Runners receive a custom finisher medal, a drawstring goodie bag, as well as free videos and photos of your finish.\u00a0A Better World Running<\/a> is hosting the races and all skill levels and abilities are welcome to register for this open course race (watch for pedestrians and bicyclists) along the Belmont Shore beach path. The race starts at 7:30 a.m. and registration is still open for the various races. Get tickets or find more information about volunteering for the race here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Rock out to a ska punk rock lineup at Alex\u2019s Bar (Sunday, Nov. 8)<\/p>\n

Alex\u2019s Bar is hosting a packed lineup of ska punk bands from around the country, including Hans Gruber & The Die Hards<\/a>, The Odd Advantage<\/a>, Too Much Fun Club<\/a> and Operation Know One Knows<\/a>. Tickets are $18.54 and still available<\/a> for this 21-and-over \u201cSunday Funday.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Known for her unforgettable roles in \u201cThe Color Purple,\u201d \u201cSlave Play,\u201d and \u201cParadise Square,\u201d Joaquina Kalukango is a force of nature who amazes every time she takes the stage with her fearless honesty and powerhouse vocals. Don\u2019t miss this incredible Tony Award-winning artist in her exclusive West Coast engagement as she invites audiences on a journey that transcends Broadway, blending genres from pop and country to disco and beyond. Get tickets for only $65 here with promo code SURVIVE!<\/a><\/p>\n

Free food and grand opening celebration at Johnnie\u2019s Appliances in Signal Hill (Saturday, Nov. 7) \u2013 sponsored<\/p>\n

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Johnnie\u2019s Appliances, a family-owned appliance store serving Los Angeles and Orange County since 1971, is celebrating its new Signal Hill store with a free community event. Stop by for free hot dogs, burgers, chips and drinks, bring the kids to the kids\u2019 corner, and meet the manufacturer reps on the showroom floor. The grand opening sale runs Friday, Nov. 6 through Wednesday, Nov. 11, with up to 60% off appliances, including scratch and dent dryers from $299 and top-freezer refrigerators from $499 while supplies last. There\u2019s a new prize winner every day of the sale, with prizes including an Element washer and dryer set, a KitchenAid stand mixer, Crosley and Danby refrigerators and a GE Nugget ice maker. Visitors can enter at the store each day. Every appliance comes with a one-year warranty, and delivery, installation and financing are available. Hablamos espa\u00f1ol. See more information here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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