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.
From evening bike rides under the full moon to a small-time summer festival that gets started when the sun is high, this weekend we’ve found events you can enjoy day or night, with music, food, comedy and, yes, even cats.
Get to scrollin’!
MOONLIGHT MASH COMMUNITY BIKE RIDE (Thursday)
If you fancy an evening bike ride that feels safe and fun, consider joining fellow bicyclists during the Moonlight Mash for a bike ride in Downtown Thursday, Aug. 11. The ride happens every month in tandem with the full moon.
The ride is also a bit of a costume party, with participants encouraged to dress up in a specific theme. This month’s is a rave theme, so riders are encouraged to go all out with lights, glow-in-the-dark accessories, or whatever else you got that shines light. Organizers will complete the atmosphere with EDM music playing from speakers.
The ride is free to attend, rules just require that riders wear bike lights and helmets. Meet-up is at 7:30 p.m. at Pedal Movement. Ride-out is at 8 p.m. sharp. There’s an after-ride gathering at Black Bar on Broadway for those who want to keep the party going. Click here for more information.
Pedal Movement is at 223 E. First St.
3RD ANNUAL LONG BEACH BLACK DANCE FESTIVAL (Friday – Sunday)
Back for a third year, the Long Beach Black Dance Festival, organized by The CRay Project, an organization that aims to support and empower Black artists and performers, will return to Long Beach with dance classes, enrichment workshops, panel discussions and a dance concert finale.
The week-long event started Aug. 7, but Friday through Sunday people can still catch free community dance classes, a skate party, and live dance performances.
Click here for more information and to register for events, most of which are free to attend.
TERMINO & 4TH BLOCK PARTY (Saturday)
Local businesses around the area of Fourth Street and Termino Avenue are coming together Saturday, Aug. 13 for a day-long block party where locals can shop and get to know the local business owners and other participating vendors—over 25— joining the occasion.
The block party coincides with the soft opening of local plant shop Plantiitas’s new market concept, which means patrons can now shop goods such as jewelry, skincare, art and more from over 20 local vendors, in addition to their hand-picked selection of houseplants.
The block party is from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is free to attend. Click here for more information.
Plantiitas is at 4003 E. Fourth St.
HAIL SKATIN (Saturday)
Come hang out, grab a drink, and bring your wheels if you got em’ to this outdoor show doubling as a fundraiser for the Silverado Skatepark redesign project on Saturday, Aug. 13 at Alex’s Bar.
In June the Tony Hawk foundation donated $15,000 in grant funds toward the project, but the organization is still working to cover the rest of the $137,000 bill.
The six-hour Hail Skatin event will have live music from local musicians and DJs, skate opportunities and a raffle with prizes from brands such as Thrasher, Vans, Etnies, Moxi Skates and more. All the proceeds will benefit the Action Sports Kids (ASK) Foundation, a local organization behind the initiative to redesign and renew the Silverado Skatepark, which is the only skatepark in West Long Beach.
Tickets for the event, which runs from 2-8 p.m., are $12.88. Click here to purchase tickets and for more information.
Alex’s Bar is at 2913 E. Anaheim St.
COMEDY & CATS (Saturday)
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This comedy night at resident cat lounge Feline Good Social Club also comes with 30 cats and kittens for you to pet and play with while you enjoy some stand-up from LA’s Salty AF comedy troupe.
While the kittens roam about, sometimes interrupting the show with their particular antics, six comedians will perform. FGSC opens its doors at 7:30 so guests can play with the cats before the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $30 and can be purchased online.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Feline Good Social Club is at 301 Atlantic Ave.
PORT CITY TAVERN’S SUMMER FEST (Saturday)
Zaferia district’s Port City Tavern is bringing back its Summer Fest Saturday, Aug. 13 with all-day entertainment, food and drinks.
Five bands are playing, including Youthanize and Nick Young, plus there will be a silent disco with three local DJs performing. Food for the occasion will be Neapolitan pizzas from Felice Italian Catering, sushi and sushi bowls from Long Beach Sushi and late-night tacos and burritos from Flaccos Tacos.
Port City Tavern will be serving up craft cocktails plus a beer garden with brews from Beachwood Brewing.
The event is free to attend, but patrons must be 21 years or older to get in. Party starts at noon and goes on until 10 p.m. Click here for more information.
Port City Tavern is at 4306 E. Anaheim St.
CREATIVE COMMUNAL MAKERS MARKET (Sunday)
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Since near the outset of the pandemic, 2ND & PCH has blocked off Seaport Way, its main road inside the shopping center, to traffic, allowing guests to freely roam about.
This Sunday, Aug. 14, taking over that stretch of street is the Creative Communal market inviting locals to check out the wares from over 30 local and regional artists and makers, which is free to attend.
There will also be food and live music on-site.
The event is from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Click here for more info.
2ND & PCH is located at 6400 Pacific Coast Highway.