Arts Month in Long Beach
October Arts Month puts Long Beach’s creative side in the spotlight, with artists opening their studios, museums unveiling new exhibitions and public art turning streets and neighborhoods into galleries.
From photography walks and sidewalk chalk art to live orchestral performances and neighborhood events, there are plenty of ways to experience the city’s arts scene. Whether you’re an avid art lover or simply curious to see what local creatives are making, Arts Month offers plenty of inspiration.
LONG BEACH OPEN STUDIO TOUR
Interact with Long Beach’s creative community during the annual Long Beach Open Studio Tour. This free, self-guided event runs over four weekends in October, each spotlighting a different neighborhood: Belmont Shore/Heights (Oct. 3-4), Uptown (Oct.10-11), Downtown (Oct. 17-18), Eastside (Oct. 24-25). Meet local artists, explore their creative spaces, and enjoy art at your own pace. It’s a unique opportunity to connect with the city’s diverse and talented art community.
LONG BEACH SYMPHONY
The Long Beach Symphony kicks off its 2026-27 Classical Series in the Terrace Theater (300 E Ocean Blvd), Oct. 10 with Faces of America at 250, featuring works by Copland and Gershwin as well as Grammy-winning cellist Zuill Bailey. The symphony’s Pop Series begins Oct. 24 in the Long Beach Arena (300 E Ocean Blvd), with The Ultimate Eagles Experience, featuring 7 Bridges, called “the best Eagles tribute band on Earth” by Rolling Stone magazine.
DTLB UNFILTERED
Each October, DTLB Unfiltered invites photographers to capture Downtown Long Beach from fresh, inspiring perspectives. Open to all skill levels, the contest features seven categories that spotlight the people, places, and moments that shape the DTLB community. To help spark creativity, join one of the DTLB Unfiltered Photography Walks. These guided, two-hour walks offer a fun way to explore Downtown, connect with fellow photo enthusiasts and snap shots to submit to the contest.
ART MUSEUMS
Long Beach is home to four remarkable art museums, each with a distinct focus. During October, the Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave), will continue to highlight Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month with multiple exhibitions including Tropicalia, a solo show by Salvadoran artist Antonio Romero. Across the street, the Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum (695 Alamitos Ave) aspires to communicate the collective wisdom of Pacific Islands people of Oceania through rotating installations and lived experiences. Long Beach Museum of Art (2300 E Ocean Blvd) presents Shapes, Places, and Faces, a selection of artworks acquired by LBMA in its 75th year. Featuring artists based in California and beyond, this exhibition showcases works that explore themes of shape, place, and identity through a variety of materials and artistic approaches.The Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum, on the campus of Cal State Long Beach (1250 Bellflower Blvd.), presents several exhibitions, including Carol Anne McChrystal’s selection of handwoven objects visualizing conditions of Filipinos in their homeland and abroad.
PUBLIC ART
Long Beach is home to a collection of public art that is second to none in Southern California with scads of amazing murals, sculptures and historic mosaics located throughout the city.The Arts Council for Long Beach has constructed an excellent digital resource to guide you to virtually any work of art you desire. Its Public Art Map not only has every piece of public art in the city, but also allows you to search using numerous filters, whether by neighborhood, specific artist, art type, etc.
NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS
October is a great month to check out one of the weekly neighborhood art events that happen around the city. Featuring artists/artisans/makers and their wares, these events occur in neighborhoods such as Bixby Knolls, Belmont Shore and Retro Row. DTLB Art Walk takes place Saturday, Oct. 11, throughout Downtown Long Beach’s unique neighborhoods offering a chance to support local artists, visit and shop at participating Downtown businesses.
BELMONT SHORE SIDEWALK CHALK ART CONTEST
Watch as Belmont Shore transforms into an open-air gallery during the 21st annual Belmont Shore Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 AM to 4 PM. More than 50 seasoned and emerging artists, along with students from local high schools and universities, will create colorful works using non-toxic pastels and premium artist’s paper. The event takes place along 2nd Street, between Laverne and Granada avenues. Artists compete for a $1,000 grand prize, while spectators get a front-row look at their creative process.
Related
