Museums and festivals are taking the spotlight this week, in honor of LA County’s annual Free Museum Day.
A duo of cultural festivals kick off the weekend with the Aquarium of the Pacific’s 24th annual African American Festival and a Lunar New Year celebration at 2ND & PCH, both on Saturday. Residents can partake in a museum crawl of their own creation during LA County’s annual Free Museum Day, and stop by the Museum of Latin American Arts’s Afro-Latinx Festival.
Additional educational opportunities throughout the week include a discussion on Cymbidiums at the South Coast Orchid Society’s monthly meeting on Monday, a virtual book talk from Smithsonian Museum veteran Tom D. Crouch Tuesday, a cover letter workshop Wednesday and an Exploration Talk on Tongva culture Thursday.
Community-oriented gatherings this week include a beach clean-up with Care Culture Collaborative, a food distribution with Norfside LB Outreach, a painting event with LB Community Compost, and a community garden discussion with World Makers Collective.
Marchers with the Long Beach African American Cultural Center play drums while they move along MLK Avenue during the annual MLK Day Parade on Jan 13, 2024. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
Friday 2/20
Beach Clean-Up: Noon. Care Culture Collaborative will host a beach cleanup in response to an influx of trash that hits the shores after a period of rain. Gloves and garbage bags will be provided. Meet at the southwest corner of Rosie’s Dog Beach parking lot. Free.
2026 Oscar-nominated short films: Various Times. Film fans can catch screenings of all the short documentary, animation and live action films up for Academy Awards beginning this Friday at the Art Theatre of Long Beach (2025 E. Fourth St.). There will be daily showtimes for all three categories, with each consisting of five short films, through March 5. Adult tickets are $13 for all screenings in this series, and can be purchased on the theater’s website.
100 Years of Black History Art Exhibit: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Join LBUSD’s Center of Black Student Excellence for an immersive art experience where learning, storytelling and cultural expression will come together at 1022 E. Market St. Free.
“It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman!:” 8 p.m. Through its Studio Collaborative Series, Long Beach Playhouse’s Studio Theatre (5201 E. Anaheim St.) will host a production of the superhero musical “It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman” by Los Angeles-based theater company Foster Cats Productions. There will be performances Friday-Sunday this weekend and next. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased on the Long Beach Playhouse website.
After completing the 3.1-mile course, runners in the Long Beach 5K Marathon reach the finish line by the intersection of Shoreline Drive and Linden Ave on Sunday Oct. 5, 2025. (Justin Enriquez | Signal Tribune)
Saturday 2/21
African American Festival: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aquarium of the Pacific (100 Aquarium Way) will host its 24th annual African American Festival, showcasing a range of music and dance performances, as well as educational exhibits and presentations. This two-day festival will continue Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Festival entry is included with aquarium general admission. Tickets are $4.95 for adults (ages 12-61), $34.95 for children (ages 3-11) and $1.95 for seniors (ages 61+).
Horticulture Therapy Session: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Support yourself and your community with calming sights, soothing scents and the grounding effect of nature, at Sowing Seeds of Change (620 San Francisco Ave.). This session is geared for those ages 12 and older. RSVP at @ssc_urbanfarm on Instagram. Free.
Food Distribution: Noon. Join North Long Beach’s mutual aid group Norfside LB Outreach to distribute meals and essential supplies to homeless neighbors in the northside. Message @norfslidelb_outreach on Instagram to get involved. Free.
Lunar New Year Celebration: Noon to 4 p.m. Celebrate the Year of the Horse at 2ND & PCH (6480 Pacific Coast Highway) with cultural performances, activities for children, live music and more. Free.
5K and Fundraiser: Noon to 3 p.m. Celebrate five years of Pueblita Tortillas and their mission of giving back to the community with this “Cinco por cinco” 5K and fundraiser starting and ending at Ambitious Ales (4019 Atlantic Ave.). There will be raffled off prizes with ticket proceeds going to ÓRALE and a shoe donation drive going to Feed The Streets. Participants are encouraged to bring their flag of origin or wear their flag colors. Free.
DTLB Live!: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. This monthly series brings live music, local vendors, art and activities to the streets of downtown Long Beach at The Promenade (). This event is also part of the City’s EZ Sip program, where public drinking is permitted. This month’s theme is Latin love and rhythm, featuring live music by Azucar Los Angeles, a DJ set by DJ Marss, a makers market and more. Free.
Children’s Improv Class: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Jewel Box Children’s Theater runs this improv class for kids ages of all ages at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.). The workshop includes theater games, singing and lots of teamwork. Family participation is encouraged. No registration required. Free.
Goth Sweetheart Craft Night: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Enjoy a night of forbidden love and companionship at Dainty Disco’s (3972 Atlantic Ave.) craft night, where attendees will decorate their own coffin jewelry box. Each ticket comes with the coffin jewelry box, fake frosting decorations and unlimited beads and charms. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased on Dainty Disco’s website.
Artist Amy Tanaka paints the words ‘Farmers Market’ onto a wall for the community-made mural that will celebrate the Bixby Knolls Farmers Market on March 31, 2022. Tanaka has been working as an artist for ten years; this is the second of three murals she has planned. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
Sunday 2/22
Paint at the Piles: Various Times. Join Long Beach Community Compost to help paint their shed at 2714 California Ave. Residents can sign up for a paint slot to help this community organization paint their shed. There will also be coloring sheets and free kitchen pails for compost for Long Beach residents. Sign up for a paint slot at the link in the bio @lbcommunitycompost on Instagram. Free.
Afro-Latinx Festival: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Honor the cultural heritage of the Afro-Latinx community during the Museum of Latin American Art’s (628 Alamitos Ave.) family-friendly Afro-Latinx Festival. The festivities will include food, art workshops, live musical performances and local Afro-Latinx owned business to highlight the diversity of the Americas and the lasting African influence in Latin America. Free.
Yurvedic Somatics: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. This practice of breathing, gentle movement and ayurvedic acupressure relieves stress and replenishes the nervous system using inner medicine and collective power. This session is led by Long Beach Community Land Trust and Elemental Joy at Native Sol (2022 E. Fourth St.). RSVP at bit.ly/lbclt-wellness. Free.
Poetry Workshop: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Join Moms Who Write for a poetry workshop at Twelfth House Tea Sanctuary (1950 W. Willow St.). The workshop will focus on generative poetry through a guided session, followed by a share circle for encouragement and inspiration. Tickets are $22 and can be purchased online.
Museum Free-for-All Day: Various times and locations. Over two dozen museums throughout Los Angeles Country (29, in fact) will offer free general admission to all attendees this Sunday. The participating locations include the Long Beach Museum of Art (2300 E. Ocean Blvd.), the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (5905 Wilshire Blvd.) and the California African American Museum (600 State Drive). Free.
Teleferic Barcelona provides customers with a Spanish family-style dinner with options such as tapas, seafood and paellas. (Courtesy of Teleferic Barcelona)
Monday 2/23
Bixby Knolls Supper Club: 6 p.m. The Bixby Knolls Super Club is hosting its next culinary get-together at Ancestros Mexican Cuisine (3550 Long Beach Blvd.). Community members are invited to join an inviting dinner party featuring a special event menu. There will be seatings at 6 p.m. and 6:20 p.m. RSVPs are required by emailing events@bixbyknollsinfo.com.
South Coast Orchid Society: 7 p.m. Orchid lovers unite monthly at the South Coast Orchid Society meeting at the Whaley Park Community Center (5620 E. Atherton St.). This month’s topic is Cymbidiums, a Southern California bloom that varies in color and size and are a great beginner plant. Orchids grown by members and guests will be on display. Free.
A seagull rests on one of the cables holding the retired oceanliner, Queen Mary, in its permanent location in Long Beach on Dec. 15, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
Tuesday 2/24
Author Talk: 11 a.m. to noon. Hear from Smithsonian Museum veteran Tom D. Crouch as he discusses his new book “Smithson’s Gamble: The Smithsonian Institution in American Life, 1836–1906” through an online author talk. This virtual event will be hosted by the Long Beach Public Library. Register through the City’s online events calendar. Free.
Movies on the Mary: 6:30 p.m. Come aboard the Queen Mary (1126 Queens Hwy) for an intimate screening of the romantic drama film “The Notebook” in the ship’s private theater as part of Movies on the Mary. Popcorn and snacks will be available for purchase. Future screenings in this monthly series include “Shrek” (March 30), “The Titanic” (April 27) and “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” (May 18). Tickets are $16 and can be purchased on the Queen Mary’s website.
Nearly every wall in PLACE Long Beach’s workshop space serves a purpose, either spotlighting art from the community, promoting local resources or providing materials to create zines, posters and more. Though the studio was empty on May 6, 2025, art materials and free resources adorned the space. (Samantha Diaz | Signal Tribune)
Wednesday 2/27
How to Write a Cover Letter: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Long Beach Workforce Innovation (LBWIN) Network Adult Career Services Center (4811 Airport Plaza Drive), will lead an informational workshop on how to craft a professional cover letter for people who are actively in the job market. Free.
All We Do is Drawing Club: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Artists of all skill levels are invited to a night of drawing and crafting at PLACE (2172 Pacific Ave.). Free.
Sara Pilchman slaps some of her clay to get it into a more useable shape to begin “throwing” it into tiny pots inside of her studio and warehouse in Signal Hill on Feb. 8, 2022. Pilchman and her employees produce about 1000 pots per week in this location. The pots can be bought at this store or ordered on sarapilchmanceramics.com. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
Thursday 2/26
Fiber Making Mingling: Noon to 2 p.m. Bring your fiber projects or start a new one at this cozy mingling session with coffee and tea at Able ARTS Work (4321 Atlantic Ave.). All skill levels are welcome. Free.
Sit and Sew: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Bring your sewing projects, a machine or hand-sewn materials to this non-instructive space at PLACE (2172 Pacific Ave.) where fellow sewers can help answer questions and mingle. Free.
Pottery Paint & Sip: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Ceramicists of all skill levels are welcome to take part in this interactive pottery event held in the Olive & Rose (255 Atlantic Ave.) courtyard in collaboration with Clay on First. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Tickets are $40 per person and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Exploration Talk: Weaving the Past into the Future: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Rancho Los Alamitos (6400 E. Bixby Hill Road) welcomes indigenous archaeologist Ms. Desireé Reneé Martinez for its bi-montly Exploration Talk series. During her lecture, Martinez will discuss how cultural items from the past have evolved into cultural teachers for future generations of the Tongva. General admission is $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Idea Seeding: 7 p.m. World Makers Collective is hosting a seeding event to discuss ideas for their community garden at Wood Coffee Co. (2728 E. 10th St.). Visitors can discuss intentions for the space, get to know each other and enjoy free snacks. Free.
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