The Best of Long Beach—

First Fridays in Bixby Knolls

First Fridays in Long Beach got its start as a way to bring out the community to support Bixby Knolls businesses and grew into a landmark event, attracting people from across the city to enjoy a night out with art, music, and more. Held from 6:30 to 9:30 PM on the first Friday of every month along Atlantic Avenue—primarily between Bixby Road and San Antonio Drive–people can enjoy art exhibits and installations, buskers, and businesses open late with live music, food and drink specials, and special pop-ups.

THEME NIGHTS

Each First Fridays event celebrates a special theme, inspired by holidays like St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, or Día de los Muertos, or highlights cultural heritage events like Women’s History Month. One of the most popular is the springtime Long Beach County Fair, which features a barnyard animal petting zoo, contests for best homegrown produce, and carnival games.

SMALL BUSINESSES

All the restaurants and shops get in on the First Fridays action, staying open late to welcome the influx of visitors and host musicians or special pop-up experiences. For example, Pixie Toys might have a facepainting artist on hand for kids, while Bixby Knolls Wellness Center sets up complimentary chair massages. The restaurants and breweries create special menus to match the theme, and the shops offer giveaways, raffles, and discounts. It’s a great night to go out for dinner in Bixby Knolls or go brewery hopping with friends, after all the area is nicknamed Brewery Knolls.

LIVE MUSIC

More than a dozen bands, buskers, and DJs are embedded along the route for First Fridays, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the neighborhood. Some play out on the street, while others are inside bars and restaurants. SteelCraft often has a DJ set up spinning vinyl, while other spots welcome bands from local schools or some of the many popular local singers and small combos who play gigs around Long Beach.

EXHIBITS & SPACES

Originally branded an art walk, First Fridays always draws on Long Beach’s creative community to incorporate art exhibits and special installations. You’ll find them in The Allery, an outdoor gallery located in an alley, which is decorated with murals and always activated during First Fridays. The Expo Arts Center houses rotating exhibits in its Able Arts Work Gallery, African American Cultural Center space, Katie Phillips Gallery, and expansive main room. The Historical Society of Long Beach also opens up its gallery space on First Fridays, allowing people to explore its exhibits of Long Beach-centric objects and photographs accompanied by live music.

SHUTTLE SERVICE

Driver is a local transportation company that operates electric golf cart rentals and offers a free shuttle at every First Fridays event. The route travels Atlantic Avenue from 36th Street to San Antonio Drive, then cuts west along Bixby Road to make a loop that includes SteelCraft Long Beach on Long Beach Blvd. With 10 stops along the route and shuttles circulating throughout the event, it’s easy to experience everything happening during First Fridays

Author

Claire Atkinson
Claire Atkinson is a Southern California native who has lived in Long Beach for over 20 years. She spends her free time visiting local parks, farmers markets, and museums, and loves learning about Long Beach history and culture.

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