Trick or Treat in Long Beach!

There’s really no trick to finding treats for the kiddies this Halloween. Not with multiple organizations and businesses in Long Beach offering multiple ways, and days, for kids to land some candy in unique, fun, safe environments. Here’s some options for the upcoming Halloween weekend that’ll ensure your kids’ trick or treating is a sweet experience.

Credit: Vixen Creative Agency

BILLIE JEAN KING MAIN LIBRARY

The Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway) has two fun, Halloween events running concurrently, Saturday, October 29. From 12-1:30 p.m., it will host its annual Halloween Parade with kids, ages 0-12, gathering in the library’s KidSpace and then parading throughout the library, trick-or-treating all the way. There will also be lots of Halloween-themed games and crafts. Speaking of crafts, on the same day, from 12-5 p.m, the library’s Miller Special Collections Room will host an Art History Halloween encouraging kids to create and wear a costume based on their favorite artist or artwork. Kids will be asked about their costumed creations, given a treat and be able to participate in the parade.

Credit: Long Beach Public Library

LONG BEACH TOWNE CENTER

The Towne Center’s (7575 Carson Blvd.) free Halloween Spookfest happens Friday, October 28 from 5-7 p.m. and features a lot of family-friendly entertainment, including a Halloween-themed stilt walker available for selfie photo ops! There will also be lots of trick-or-treat candy stations, airbrush tattoo artists, balloon twisters, kids crafts and DJs spinning some fun Halloween-themed music.

BELMONT SHORE

It’s a long-standing tradition in Belmont Shore for businesses on Second Street to hand out treats on Halloween. And once again, from 4-6 p.m., kids will be able to go to participating businesses displaying a Jack-O-Lantern in their window and receive a special treat. Kids can also strike a pose while in costume at a professional photo booth located at Chase Bank (5200 Second St.) There will be DJs spinning some spooky tunes and kids are welcome to participate in the Belmont Shore Business Association’s Instagram Photo Contest by posting their costume onto the organization's Instagram stories (@belmontshorelb) during the event. Winners will be announced the following day.

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FAIRFIELD FAMILY YMCA

On October 28, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Fairfield Family YMCA (4949 Atlantic Ave.) will host a Family Trunk or Treat event, and no, that’s not a typo. Trunk or Treat events are a twist on traditional trick or treating, where vetted volunteers decorate their vehicles and open up their trunks full of treats in a safe environment for kids to enjoy a supervised Halloween. Not only will there be treats and a costume contest, but those handing out treats from their vehicles will be eligible to win prizes for their trunk design. There will also be arts and crafts, music, dancing and free food.

SHAQTOBERFEST

Shaqtoberfest (1126 Queensway Hwy.) offers fun Halloween activities for kids and their families during the daytime for the entire month of October, including plenty of trick-or-treating throughout the multiple attraction areas located near the Queen Mary. Shaq Diesel’s Pumpkin Patch which not only offers trick-or-treating, but pumpkin sculptures and inflatable play zones, while Midway Madness is filled with rides, games, food and a carnival-like feel. Lost City Boardwalk, located underneath the gangways alongside the Queen Mary, offers larger-than-life characters as well as frozen treats at the Ice Cream Shaq.

Credit: LB Special Events & Filming
About the Author
Steve Lowery
Steve Lowery is a longtime local. Over the years he has written for the Los Angeles Times, ESPN, and others. If you're looking for the hidden gems of Long Beach, Steve is your go-to.