What's good in the LBC: Free concerts, sunsets at LBMA, a rooftop wine tasting and more
Summer is in full swing and the city has a long lineup of everything from free concerts to new shows at the playhouse.
Long Beach rarely lacks variety and diversity in its event offerings each week.
Want to be creative? Paint and enjoy some wine on the Queen Mary. Want to chow on some chili and listening to music? There’s a chili cook-off and concert in the park coming up. So get out and enjoy this last week of June with someone you love.
Here are some events to start with:
Long Beach Municipal Band concert series (Tuesday, June 25)
The Long Beach Municipal Band is kicking off its 115th season of free concerts around Long Beach starting Tuesday night at Whaley Park. This season’s theme is “Music to My Ears” featuring music from movies, pop and jazz music, and patriotic tunes. The concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. The full schedule of all the shows through August can be found here.
Michael’s on Naples wine tasting event (Wednesday, June 26)
Michael's on Naples will host a rooftop wine tasting event this Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. with the restaurant’s general manager and sommelier, Massimo Aronne, and local wine expert Maggie Murphy. The tasting will feature four select Italian wines with curated bites from Chef Eric Samaniego. Tickets are $50 per person and reservations can be made through the restaurant’s website.
Long Beach Walls bike tour (Wednesday, June 26)
If you’ve seeing artists around town working on murals, it’s because the ninth annual Long Beach Walls & Art Renzei Festival has returned. At 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Moonlight Mash will lead a community bike tour of the murals being painted this year as well as notable art from previous years. The tour will end at ISM Brewery for a toast. Pedal Movement will provide a bike valet available so riders can enjoy a drink on the Promenade. Follow Moonlight Mash events here.
‘Resilience’: As it rebuilds, Open Gallery curates group show for Long Beach Walls
Brandon Richardson • Jun 21, 2024
The owners of Open Gallery continue to struggle toward reopening after a drunk driver caused two cars to careen into their showroom and home …
Read full story →
Sunsets at Long Beach Museum of Art (Thursday, June 27)
The Long Beach Museum of Art will have another sunset event on Thursday, June 27. Attendees can enjoy an evening of art-making, music, food, drinks and the sunset with extended museum hours until 8 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $30. Keith Haring’s work is currently being showcased as well as Long Beach’s Community Canvas showcases the artwork of students from the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD).
The Long Beach Post laid off Caitlin Antonios on March 22, yet she’s still reporting on the city without pay. Thank Caitlin for her work.
More events happening:
Wednesday
- Naples Improvement Association will also have a Concert in the Park series. On Wednesday, guests can wear their Western clothing for a chili cook-off at 5 p.m. and a Hillbilly Crutch performance at 6 p.m. You can find the Naples’ island event calendar here.
- Every Wednesday Shannon’s Sports Pub hosts a neighborhood night where Long Beach residents can enjoy food, drinks, games and specials. And if you’re looking for a place to watch the UFC fight this Saturday, June 29, Shannon’s will have it. Find more of their events here.
Thursday
- The Queen Mary will host a guided art session to paint and enjoy one glass of wine (or other beverage). Tickets are $49 per person and include includes 11x14 canvas, paint, apron and one complimentary beverage. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis. The Queen Mary’s full events calendar can be found here.
Friday
- Shakespeare by the Sea opened their season in Long Beach this year with a show last weekend. The company’s second show, “Henry IV,” will debut Friday at 8 p.m. at the Bandshell at Recreation Park. There will also be a show Saturday at 8 p.m. The event is free and ticketless.
- Domenico’s Italian Restaurant will celebrate its 70th anniversary with select menu items for $19.54 (the year they opened) from 5 to 10 p.m. and host a giveaway for free pizzas for the first 100 households.
Saturday
The Addams Family musical will begin its run at the Long Beach Playhouse Saturday. Opening night Saturday will also include a champagne gala to celebrate. Tickets and showtimes can be found here.
Pirate Invasion is hitting Long Beach with a two-day event starting Saturday at 10 a.m. at ShoreLine Aquatic Park. There will be food, live entertainment, games, an interactive kid's zone, and it wouldn’t be a pirate invasion without sword fights and musket battles. There will also be a VIP area and pub crawl. Tickets range from $10 to $200 and can be purchased here.
Celebrate Independence Day a bit early with the Third Annual Independence Day Dog Parade on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at Lincoln Park in Downtown Long Beach. The event is free and pups will have the chance to win prizes. There will also be pet and veteran resources available. Register your dog here.
Playlarga and LB Living have brought back the Long Beach Taco & Tequila Festival on Saturday from 2 to 10 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $95 and can be purchased here. Enjoy live entertainment, lucha libre (professional wrestling), a variety of taco vendors, tequila and more.
LATEST HEADLINES
Long Beach neighborhoods gear up for short-term rental fight
Alicia Robinson • Jun 23, 2024
People on both sides of the issue agree the city needs to do more to enforce the rules it has.
Read full story →
'This has broken my whole family': Family mourns death of mother killed in shooting
Fernando Haro • Jun 21, 2024
The bond Myriam Zaragoza shared with her family was irreplaceable. The mother of two was the life of the party everywhere she went, her family said. A showstopper who would make everyone laugh and smile with her bubbling personality. But that bright light Zaragoza brought to other’s lives was cut …
Read full story →
Man strikes, kills man with a car during argument in West Long Beach, police say
Fernando Haro • Jun 24, 2024
A man died Sunday morning when another man struck him with a car during an argument in West Long Beach, according to authorities. Officials say two men were arguing in the area of Santa Fe Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway around 9:50 a.m. when one of them hit the other with a car, the Long Beach Police Department reported.
Read full story →
We need your support.
Subcribe to the Watchdog today.
The Long Beach Watchdog is owned by journalists, and paid for by readers like you. If independent, local reporting like the story you just read is important to you, support our work by becoming a subscriber.
