The following is a curated roundup of weekend events in Long Beach published every Wednesday on the Hi-lo/Long Beach Post. Have an event to share? Email [email protected] with “Things to Do” in the subject line.

Goings-on in Long Beach are in particular abundance for those with children this weekend, with heaps of family-friendly events to explore. For instance, the monthly First Fridays event in Bixby Knolls is going full county fair with heaps of fair foods, games, dancing and the like. We’ve also found a few great Easter activities, including one that’s offering a free swim.

Locals who enjoy the occasional craft fair or pop-up have two worth visiting, each with dozens of local vendors to shop from.

There’s more, but you know what to do: Get to scrollin’!

SPRING FOODWAYS SUMMIT (Wednesday – Sunday)

Chef Chad Phuong stands in front of his meat smoker while working at his Battambong BBQ pop-up in North Long Beach Saturday, November 6, 2021. Phuong will be speaking during the Spring Foodways Summit series on Thursday, April 6. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.

With the mission to better connect locals to their food sources, Long Beach Fresh presents the Spring Foodways Summit, a five-day series of events designed to educate Long Beachers about our local food system.

The series begins today and runs through Sunday, April 9, with a host of events and experiences including food talks with local chefs and farmers, farm tours, food contests and more.

Almost of all of the events are free to attend, though RSVP is recommended. Click here for more information on events.

THE GARAGE THEATRE’S PRODUCTION OF “VENUS IN FUR” (Thursday – Saturday)

Actor Emily Formentini performing on stage in The Garage Theatre production of “Venus in Fur.” Photo by Diana Kaufmann courtesy The Garage Theatre.

The Garage Theatre is offering another beguiling, thought-provoking play with their production of “Venus in Fur,” by the playwright David Innes.

The popular Broadway two-person drama explores the concepts of sexual domination and submission through an encounter between a director who is holding auditions to find a female lead for his new play and an aspiring actress. The themes of “Venus in Fur” might feel more modern, but the play was actually inspired by a 19th-century novella of the same name by Austrian author Leopold von Sacher-Masoch.

Garage Theatre’s production promises all the nuance, complexities and eroticism that had earned the play its popularity—including a film adaptation by the director Roman Polanski in 2013.

Tickets cost $25 and may be purchased online here. Those who can’t make this weekend’s showing can still catch the final productions April 13-15.

The Garage Theatre is at 251 E. Seventh St.

FIRST FRIDAYS: LONG BEACH COUNTY FAIR (Friday)

Courtesy flyer to the Long Beach County Fair First Fridays event in Bixby Knolls.

The Bixby Knolls monthly community event, First Fridays, returns this week, offering locals a county fair-style experience Friday, April 7.

The usual trough of businesses, watering holes and community spaces that take part in the monthly affair will be offering an assortment of fair foods (think cotton candy, deep-fried pickles, bacon-wrapped hot dogs), line-dancing, live music, food-eating contests, art installations and games. There will also be a produce exhibit and contest presented by the Spring Foodways Summit (see above listing).

And as usual, there will be a Big Red Bus offering free rides to attendees so that guests may get the whole experience. Click here to see the entire list of festivities. The fair runs from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

First Fridays takes place in Bixby Knolls along a stretch of Atlantic Avenue. A good place to start is the Expo Arts Center at 4321 Atlantic Ave.

EGG HUNT IN THE HEIGHTS (Saturday)

Courtesy flyer to the Egg Hunt in the Heights event on Saturday, April 8.

The fourth annual Egg Hunt in the Heights returns Saturday, April 8, at the Red Car Greenbelt walking trail, where over 3,000 eggs will be scattered about the area for children to find.

This free event also features an area for children under 5 to egg hunt and an appearance from “Belmont the Bunny.” Kids should also keep an eye out for five special golden eggs.

The Egg Hunt, which starts at 10 a.m., is free to attend, but attendees will need to bring their own baskets to collect the eggs.

Egg Hunt in the Heights is at the Red Car Greenbelt at the intersection of Fourth Street and Park Avenue.

NYTE MRKT (Saturday)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ⭐️ Nyte Mrkt ⭐️ (@nytemrkt)

This community-organized and curated pop up brings in artists and makers by the dozen, backed by live music and entertainment to enjoy.

Over 70 vendors are expected to show, offering a wide variety of goods including jewelry, vintage clothing, ceramics and art, as well as food, drinks, tarot readings, tattoos and more.

Entry is free, though donations are optional upon entry for those who’d like to support the event. Follow the Nyte Mrkt Instagram for more information. Find the event at the Expo Arts Center in Bixby Knolls from 5-9:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 8.

The Expo Arts Center is at 4321 Atlantic Ave.

SPRING BREAK SPLASH (Saturday)

Courtesy flyer to the Spring Break Splash at the California Aquatic Therapy and Wellness Center in Long Beach Saturday, April 8.

Pools of Hope, a warm water rehabilitation center, is hosting a special Easter swim Saturday, April 8.

The free event is open to children up to 17 years old for swimming and will also include free Easter baskets for the first 100 kids to arrive. The center will be giving out free groceries for families until supplies are gone, and attendees can also capitalize on free asthma screenings.

The Spring Break Splash will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Click here for more information and to RSVP.

Pools of Hope is located at California Aquatic Therapy and Wellness Center at 6801 Long Beach Blvd.

DAINTY DISCO ONE YEAR CELEBRATION (Saturday)

Courtesy flyer to the Dainty Disco One Year Celebration at its North Long Beach Shop Saturday, April 8.

One year ago, Marissa Lujan realized her dream of owning a gift shop and this Saturday, April 8, she’s celebrating the success of her business, Dainty Disco, with the public.

Locals are invited to visit her handmade gift and accessories shop in North Long Beach from noon to 5 p.m. to check out over 30 local vendors selling art, jewelry, clothing and other handmade goods. There will also be a live DJ, coffee, desserts and a costume contest with a prize for those who come in their best ’70s-style outfit.

The event is free to attend. Click here for more information.

The Dainty Disco is at 5659 Atlantic Ave.

SPONSORED BY THE PIKE OUTLETS

THUNDER THURSDAY AT THE PIKE OUTLETS (Thursday, April 13)

Thunder Thursday presented by The Long Beach Convention Center and Visitors Bureau will be back on April 13th from 6-10:30 p.m. at The Pike Outlets! Bring the whole family to enjoy a free action-packed night beginning with a race car display.

Come see the Freestyle Kings freestyle motocross demonstrations, Indycar pit stop competitions on Shoreline Drive, meet drivers and pit crews, get driver autographs on Bay Street, check out the antique and classic car show on The Paseo, race car show on Bay Street, new Iron Goddess all female motorcycle show on Bay Street, live performance from The Brobots Band, beer garden sponsored by SOLID Property Services, food tents, photobooths and more!

Plus, amazing deals and discounts from our retailers and don’t forget to grab a bite at one of the fantastic restaurants after the event!

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor The Long Beach Convention Center and Visitors Bureau and our Beer Garden Sponsor Solid Property Services for helping make this event possible! To RSVP, click here.

The Pike Outlets is at 95 S. Pine Ave.