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.
If you’re of the mind that you can eat your way to happiness, this weekend may be the time to try in Long Beach. There’s the 2nd annual Long Beach Taco Fest, for one, plus a new Filipino dessert and baked goods tasting in Bixby Knolls. Though a bit of a drive, if you head on over to Bellflower there’s also the Taste of SteelCraft, which is offering attendees a chance to try out samples of all the vendors the outdoor dining center has to offer.
We’ve also found a lovely Pride celebration in San Pedro and the return of a local storytelling gig in Downtown.
Get to scrollin’!
RIVETED STORYTELLING — ELINOR (Friday)
If you’ve ever listened to an episode of NPR’s live storytelling podcast “The Moth” and thought, “I wish something like this existed in Long Beach,” then a stop by Elinor drinkery in Downtown should be on your agenda.
This Friday, June 17 during Riveted Storytelling, six local storytellers will be sharing unique stories that, as their past shows have shown, are likely to provoke thought, entertain and inspire.
It’s free to attend, but guests must be 21 or older to enter the business and show proof of vaccination. Click here for more information.
Elinor is at 250 N. Tribune Court. The entrance is at the alley behind MADE by Millworks.
‘CAN’STRUCTION PET EDITION — TRADEMARK BREWING (Friday)
The annual CANstruction, a day-long event that invites engineer and architectural firms to build elaborate displays out of canned goods that will be donated to charity, is returning this year at Trademark Brewing Friday, June 17.
This year the recipient of the canned food will be Sparky and the Gang, a local animal rescue. Using canned dog food, design and engineering firm P2S Inc. Engineering will have 12 hours to create an animal-themed structure made up of 3,500-4,000 cans.
If you want to hang out and grab a beer, you can check out the action in real-time (they start building at 7 a.m.) or head over in the evening to see the finished product which should be done by 7 p.m. There will also be a small adoption center set up at the brewery featuring several dogs currently up for adoption with Sparky and the Gang.
After, the structure will be dismantled and the dog food donated to Sparky and the Gang. Click here for more information. The event is free to attend.
Trademark Brewing is at 233 E. Anaheim St.
TASTE OF STEELCRAFT — STEELCRAFT BELLFLOWER (Saturday)
If you’ve been meaning to make your way over to SteelCraft Bellflower to eat, this Saturday, June 18 is the time. From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. the outdoor dining center will be hosting Taste of SteelCraft, a tasting event that gives you the chance to try out everything the center has to offer.
For $35 guests can try samples from Burger Monster, Modern Filipino Kitchen, Softie Haus and Tacos Arandas, which opened recently. For those 21 and older, there will be beer and wine samples from Ten Mile Brewing, Off Duty Wine Bar and coffee from Solid Coffee.
As you make your way through the offerings, make sure to fill out a punch card that once completed, you can enter into a raffle for prizes. Click here for more information on the event and to purchase tickets.
SteelCraft Bellflower is at 16500 Bellflower Blvd.
HALO HALO SUMMER — KUBO (Saturday)
From the organizers behind Long Beach Ube Festival, is a new dessert and baked goods festival spotlighting Halo Halo (meaning mix-mix), a popular cold Filipino dessert made with crushed ice, evaporated milk, and various ingredients ranging from ube halaya, sweetened beans, flan, fruits, and ice cream.
For the event, organizers are bringing in over 14 vendors who will be selling a plethora of Halo Halo desserts to try. The festival will be at Kubo, a new multi-purpose event and Filipino community space in Bixby Knolls.
Entry costs $5. The desserts may be purchased at an additional cost.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Kubo is at 345 E. Carson St.
SAN PEDRO PRIDE — DOWNTOWN SAN PEDRO (Saturday)
San Pedro Pride is on this Saturday, June 18 with a day-long celebration in the Downtown San Pedro area. Expect music, art and live entertainment including a drag performance by Jewels and a show by Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Ángeles, considered the world’s first LGBTQ+ Mariachi band.
Festivities begin at 1 p.m. and last until 9 p.m. There will also be food trucks and beer and wine available for purchase.
The event this free to attend. Click here for more information.
The event will be in the area at 425 W. Fifth St. in San Pedro.
LONG BEACH TACO FEST — SCOTTISH RITE EVENT CENTER (Saturday)
Back for its second year, The Long Beach Taco Fest is taking over the Scottish Rite Event Center Saturday, June 18 with music, dancing, tequila, classic cars, and of course, plenty of tacos.
Included in this year’s lineup are local restaurants Chinitos Tacos, La Chancla, El Barrio Cantina, Honduras Kitchen and Fonda Tobalá. Plus, the fest will be bringing in the popular Los Angeles chefs behind Evil Cooks, a taco spot that made the LA Times Best 101 Restaurants despite not having a brick-and-mortar.
Tickets start at $25. Children 12 and under can get in for free. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
The Scottish Rite Event Center is at 855 Elm Ave.