A GUIDE TO CULTURAL EVENTS & EDUCATION IN LONG BEACH
By Kathleen Mest | Illustrations by Tiana Prince
Long Beach is rich in history, diversity, and culture. Here is a list of resources, festivals and events happening year-round in Long Beach sure to entertain and educate!
Please be sure to check the organization's website or social media for the most updated information.
AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER
@aaccoflb / Aacclb.org
Expo Arts Center’s South Gallery, 4321 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, 90807
The mission of the AACC is to preserve, honor, and celebrate the heritage, and advance the culture of the Black/American community in Long Beach and beyond.
Weekly West African Drum & Dance Classes: All levels and children are welcome.
Weekly Pan Afrikan Study Group: Learn about African history and ancestry. Engage, ask questions, or just listen.
Past exhibits include: Black Power Movement, African American Military Experience, Athletics, Religion & Spirituality, Black Hollywood & Entertainment, Black Dolls
AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC
@aquariumpacific / aquariumofpacific.org
100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
The Aquarium of the Pacific hosts cultural events throughout the year.
Upcoming:
March 18-19, 2023 - International Children’s Festival: Celebrate the amazing talents of children of many cultures. This festival features cultural presentations and performances by children.
Past cultural events include:
• African-American Festival: Celebrate the richness and diversity of African-American and African cultures.
• Pacific Islander Festival: Celebrate the diverse cultures of the Pacific Islands and experience the cultures of Pacific islands, including Hawaiian, Tahitian, Samoan, Tongan, Chamorro, Marshallese, Māori, and Fijian.
• Moompetam American Indian Festival: Celebrate indigenous maritime cultures in California. Including members of the Tongva, Chumash, Acjachemen, Costanoan, Luiseno, and Kumeyaay tribes.
• Baja Splash Cultural Festival: Celebrate the beauty and diversity of cultures found from México to Central and South America to Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and beyond.
CAMBODIA TOWN
@cambodiatownlb / cambodiatown.org
Business corridor along Anaheim Street between Atlantic and Junipero Avenues.
Cambodia Town promotes Khmer culture, customs, and traditions to advance the social and economic well-being of low- and moderate-income communities. It creates a thriving and peaceful community by increasing health access, revitalizing neighborhoods, promoting local businesses, and educating youth.
Upcoming:
April 2, 2023 - Cambodia Town Parade & Culture Festival: This year’s theme is Stop Hate with Love. Parade begins at 10am (route is Anaheim St & Cherry Ave to Anaheim St & Warren Ave) and is followed by the Cultural Festival at MacArthur park.
CITY OF LONG BEACH
@longbeachcity / longbeach.gov
The city of Long Beach is in different phases of incorporating new cultural centers and cultural districts including:
• Cambodian American Cultural Center (CACC) in coordination with the United Cambodian Community (UCC)
• Latino Cultural District: El Mercado de Long Beach
• Filipino Cultural District: Filipinotown, “Little Manila”
LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE
@lbcitycollege / lbcc.edu/cultural-diversity-communities
Long Beach City College strives to promote our cultural and diverse communities. Throughout the year, they host several cultural events including:
• Asian Pacific Islander Desi Heritage Event
• Black Cultural Heritage Event
• Latinx Cultural Event
• Native American & Indigenous Heritage Event
LONG BEACH FILIPINO FESTIVAL
@Longbeachfilipinofestival
Upcoming:
May 5-6, 2023 - Long Beach Filipino Festival: Celebration and promotion of Filipino Arts & Culture.
LONG BEACH FOOD & BEVERAGE
@lbfoodbev / lbfoodandbeverage.org
Upcoming:
March 19-26, 2023 - Long Beach Cambodia Restaurant Week: Long Beach Cambodian Restaurant Week will pay homage to the unique foods of our Cambodian community and support our Cambodian-owned restaurants. Sponsored by the United Cambodian Community. Website: cambodianrestaurantweeklb.com
January 20-28, 2024 - Long Beach Black Restaurant Week: Event devoted to celebrating African, African American, and Caribbean fare. Also seeks to highlight Black-owned culinary businesses, chefs, and bartenders. Website: blackrestaurantweeklb.com
LONG BEACH HERITAGE MUSEUM
4508 Atlantic Ave., #A414, Long Beach CA 90807
Preserving the best of the past for the future. Experience the rich history of Long Beach, California, through the extensive collection of artifacts and historical photos and postcards. The Long Beach Heritage Museum, founded in 1961, is home to the largest collection of historic Long Beach memorabilia in the city. Where is this wonderful museum? It’s out in the community. One by one, the artifacts are being taken from storage, carefully restored, and displayed in local businesses. Our Collections Room maintains a rich archive of Long Beach ephemera.
LONG BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY
(12 branches) | @lbcitylibrary / longbeach.gov/library/
Upcoming:
May 13, 2023 - Festival of AAPI Books (FAB) at the BJK Main Library: Celebrate AAPI stories and culture at the Festival of AAPI Books! Join us for author talks and signings, kids’ activities, and cultural performances!
Past cultural events include:
LBPL is committed to uplifting the contributions, history, and culture of Black Americans during Black History Month, and throughout the year. Past event included book talks, special guest storytimes for children, performances, crafts, and cultural events that center the experience, history, and contributions of Black Americans. Also available, the African American Resource Center at Burnett Library.
LONG BEACH SYMPHONY
@longbeachsymphony / longbeachsymphony.org/concerts-events/khmeraspora/
Long Beach Terrace Theater, 300 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
Upcoming:
April 29, 2023 - KHMERASPORA A Cambodian American Musical Experience: The event will feature world-renown Cambodian rapper, praChly, born in Cambodia and raised in North Long Beach. He combines rap and traditional music to depict tales of the Cambodian Holocaust. This performance depicts Cambodian culture and will combine the Long Beach Symphony with traditional Cambodian instruments, singers, and dancers. The evening will start at 5pm on the Long Beach Terrace Theater Plaza delighting participants in the enjoyable “Night Market” spirit. Take part in this event that includes a variety of foods for purchase, as well as entertainment, curated artistic installations on display in the theater lobby, and good fun. Free reservations required.
LONG BEACH-QINGDAO SISTER CITY ASSOCIATION
@longbeachqingdao / lbqa.org
Our mission is to promote understanding between Long Beach, California, and Qingdao, Shandong Province, in the People's Republic of China, by pledging to assist exchange and trade between the people of the two great cities.
Past cultural events include:
Lunar New Year Festival: A family-friendly event to share in the festivities and learn about Chinese culture. Festivities included a Lion dance, Chinese dinner, kids' lantern parade, art, and entertainment.
MUSEUM OF LATIN AMERICAN ART
@molaa.art / molaa.org
628 Alamitos Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802
The Museum of Latin American Art expands knowledge and appreciation of modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino art through its Collection, ground-breaking Exhibitions, stimulating Educational Programs, and engaging Cultural Events.
Past cultural events include:
Afro-Latinx Festival: Celebrate the cultural diversity of the Americas and the African influence in Latin America and experience a mixture of customs from African and Mestizo peoples in the Americas including live performances, and cultural exhibitions.
Asian and Pacific Islander Latinx Heritage Festival: Celebrate cultural diversity and the cross-cultural pollination of Asian, Pacific Islander and Latinx communities.
Día de los Muertos Festival: In remembrance of loved ones that have passed, celebrate the past and its difficulties, while looking forward to the future.
PACIFIC ISLAND ETHNIC ART MUSEUM
@pieam_arts / pieam.org
695 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802
Many Islands. Many Stories. One Museum.
Our mission is to amplify the collective wisdom of the Pacific Islands people of Oceania through a permanent collection, educational programs, rotating exhibits, and living arts. Our purpose is to connect the community to resources and foster intercultural exchanges with appreciation and respect. Special events are scheduled throughout the year.
PAROL LANTERN FESTIVAL
@lbparol.lanternfest
Long Beach’s Filipino community, one of the largest in the country (home to more than 14,000 residents originally born in the Philippines) celebrates its culture and Christmas traditions during the Long Beach Parol Lantern Festival.
RANCHO LOS ALAMITOS AND RANCHO LOS CERRITOS
@rancho_los_alamitos / rancholosalamitos.com
@rancholoscerritos / rancholoscerritos.org
Both Ranchos have a rich history beginning with the lives of the native people that first lived off the land to the owners and workers who once called these Ranchos their home and transformed its land. The Ranchos provide tours, presentations, and events that celebrate the culture and history.
