The following list is a curated roundup of weekend events in Long Beach published every Wednesday on the Hi-lo and Long Beach Post. Have an event to share? Email [email protected] with “Things to Do” in the subject line.
Yes, one of Long Beach’s biggest events is this weekend, and if you’re anywhere near Downtown, you’ll be hearing the revving of engines. But if you want to get away from the Grand Prix, have no fear, this also happens to be the weekend before Earth Day with plenty of ways to observe.
And that’s not all, read on for a baroque concert, an educational symposium and events to celebrate nature all available this weekend.
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Green Generation Showcase (Thursday, April 18)
Cal State Long Beach invites the public to its 13th Annual Green Generation Showcase at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden on the campus from 4 to 7 p.m.
In addition to student project exhibits, representatives from more than 20 campus and local community organizations including Long Beach Beekeepers, Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, and Long Beach Utilities will be at the event to share valuable information about ways to give back and take action to create a better Long Beach and a healthier world. Other highlights include live music, free refreshments, and an opportunity drawing of more than 20 prizes donated by Long Beach businesses and campus organizations.
Admission is free, but RSVP is required at GreenGen2024.Eventbrite.com.
The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is on Earl Warren Drive on the west side of the CSULB campus.
Thunder Thursday (Thursday, April 18)
If you’re looking for just a taste of racing action this weekend, the Long Beach Grand Prix’s free Thunder Thursday event might be for you.
It will take over the Pike Outlets and Shoreline Drive starting at 6:45 p.m. with a pit stop competition followed by a motocross demonstration at 7:45 p.m. The party will include live music from Manuel The Band and The Moon Jays plus a classic car show and beer garden.
The event is open to the public. No tickets are required. Attendees can park at the Pike Parking structure at Chestnut Place off Ocean Blvd. All the details and a full lineup are available here.
Long Beach Grand Prix (Friday, April 19 – Sunday, April 21)
Thousands of people will crowd the streets of Downtown Long Beach to watch the 2024 edition of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach starting Friday.
The three-day, two-night festival of world-class racing will feature the headlining IndyCar race, top sports cars, Formula Drift and Super Trucks. In addition to the big race, there will be plenty of entertainment including a Family Fun Zone, food trucks, concerts, and a car show, featuring Ferraris, Porsches, Lotus and more. There will even be a driver autograph session for people who are hoping to see their favorite racer up close and personal.
For information about ticket prices and schedule of events, visit gplb.com.
Musica Angelica (Saturday, April 20)
Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra hosts Vivaldi Il Veneziano’s Four Seasons at the First Congregational Church of Long Beach from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Also known as “Vivaldi the Venetian,” Antonio Vivaldi had red hair and was ordained to the priesthood at age 25. Dubbed “The Red Priest,” he honed his musical craft while working at the Ospedale della Pietà (a convent and school in Venice), where he taught and composed for orphaned girls. His concertos, whether related to a season or not, are said to display countless examples of sequential mastery and technical bravado, which regularly result in exciting moments for listener and performer alike.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit musicaangelica.org.
The First Congregational Church of Long Beach is at 241 Cedar Ave.
Tree Planting (Saturday, April 20)
Come celebrate Earth Day with the Office of Climate Action and Sustainability and its California Action Corps fellows as they plant 40 trees in the Washington neighborhood of Long Beach at the corner of 14th Street and Locust Avenue from 9 a.m. to noon.
Learn the specifics of how to plant a tree in urban parkways and the benefits of trees to our communities. Registration is required for the event as space is limited.
For more information, call 562-570-6396 or register at shorturl.at/bquxI.
Earth Day Celebration (Sunday, April 21)
Join the city of Long Beach and Breathe Southern California for a special Earth Day celebration at 3801 Willow St. from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There will be fun activities for everyone, including a kids (ages 10-17) DIY electric car competition, a volunteer session to build community plants, EV test drives, educational exhibits, and raffles and prizes.
For more information, call 323-935-8050. To sign up to participate, visit linktr.ee/BSCearthday.
Educational Symposium (Sunday, April 21)
The Academy for Judaic, Christian, and Islamic Studies and South Coast Interfaith Council sponsor “Jerusalem: Crossroads of Three Abrahamic Faiths,” an educational symposium at the Pointe Conference Center on the campus of Cal State Long Beach from 3 to 6 p.m.
Come learn about the historical, religious and cultural significance of Jerusalem from academics, clergy and community leaders of the Jewish, Christian and Islamic faith traditions. Jewish panelists include scholar Rabbi Reuven Firestone, clergywoman Julia Klobach and community leader Jonathan Jacoby. Christian panelists include scholar Dr. John Barton, clergywoman Dr. Rev. Rebecca Prichard and community leader Gabriel Meyer. Muslim panelists include scholar Dr. Hadi Qazwini, clergyman Dr. Ahmed Soboh and community leader Aziza Hasan.
For more information and to register, call 562-983-1665, visit this link or email [email protected].
The Pointe Conference Center is on the CSULB campus at 1250 North Bellflower Blvd.