What's happening in Long Beach, CA, this October?
Here are our top picks for weekend events and activities in Long Beach this month. Enjoy!
Calling all cowboys and cowgirls! The DTLB Live! this year is country-themed, featuring an evening of live country classics and modern hits. Sip on local flavors while strolling the Promenade and jamming out to incredible performances from singers and bands.
Dare to dine where the spirits linger. This Dark Harbor Season, the Queen Mary's Show Room transforms into the Grey Ghost Galley — an all-you-can-eat Halloween feast unlike any other aboard the world's most haunted ocean liner. Indulge in 90 minutes of bottomless bites and boo-tiful indulgence.
The dead don’t stay dead in this horrifying stage adaptation of George A. Romero’s groundbreaking horror film, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. As sensationalized and conflicting reports from the media start being broadcast about an unknown threat, a group of conflicted strangers are trapped in a rural Pennsylvania farmhouse by a horde of marauding ghouls.
Kick off fall with family fun, pumpkins, and festive activities all season long. Whether you’re searching for the perfect pumpkin, hopping on a train ride, or exploring with the kids, there’s something for everyone! Choose pumpkin fun passes, buy ride tickets, or get both for the full experience.
On First Fridays in Bixby Knolls, enjoy an evening of live music, art, performances, and fun taking over the streets. Support local restaurants, breweries, and shops while experiencing the creativity, energy, and community spirit that make this event a favorite.
Step inside Long Beach’s most haunted home—where history whispers, shadows stir, and every room holds a ghostly story. On your chosen night, you will step through the doors and join a small group of fellow explorers, just 6–8 at a time, guided by lantern light through shadowed staircases, haunted rooms, and the attic where the whispers grow loudest.
Gretchen Parlato has forged a singular voice that honors jazz's deep tradition while fearlessly advancing it. The recording and touring quartet reunites Gretchen with longtime bandmates bassist, guitarist, and vocalist Alan Hampton and drummer Mark Guiliana, alongside pianist Gerald Clayton.
To celebrate Long Beach Arts Month and National Arts and Humanities Month, artists will open their studios to visitors during the Long Beach Open Studio Tour over four weekends in October. Each weekend features a different area of Long Beach.
Oct. 3-4: Belmont Shore
Oct. 10-11: Uptown
Oct. 17-18: Downtown
Oct. 24-25: Eastside
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-N-Fire 2026 Tour brings fans’ favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks to life, including Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, HW 5-Alarm, Bone Shaker, Bigfoot, and Skelesaurus. Experience FMX riders performing jaw-dropping stunts and witness a fire-breathing, car-crushing robot dinosaur in action.
This tour covers the eastern side of the Alamitos Beach neighborhood and the one-block-long Lowena Drive Historic District. Alamitos Beach has more designated Long Beach historic landmarks than any other residential neighborhood. Participants will hear about the neighborhood’s history by looking at many of its historic landmarks and sites, such as the Bixby Park Bandshell, the Lifeguard Headquarters, Better Home Electrical, El Cordova Apartments, and the Alamitos Branch Library.
Join Rancho Los Cerritos Art Collective for a joint meeting with North Orange County Urban Sketchers. At the Rancho, creativity and history come together in a beautiful outdoor setting. Artists of all skill levels are invited to sketch, paint, and enjoy the Rancho’s gardens, architecture, and scenic grounds while connecting with fellow creatives in a welcoming atmosphere.
The Aquarium of the Pacific hosts a free monthly habitat restoration event at the Los Cerritos Wetlands. This is your opportunity to visit and learn about our local wetlands, help the environment, and support the Aquarium. Restoration will focus on removing non-native weeds and conserving rare native plants.
Save the date for the third annual Cambodian Food Festival presented by Chef Chad Phuong of Battambong BBQ at Ten Mile Brewing! This event will feature cooking demonstrations, performances, and food vendors.
Save the date for the third annual Cambodian Food Festival presented by Chef Chad Phuong of Battambong BBQ at Ten Mile Brewing! This event will feature cooking demonstrations, performances, and food vendors.
Go to Rancho Los Alamitos for a guided botanical art experience led by Tiger Blossom Studio. Set within the Rancho’s historic gardens, participants will explore floral arranging as a way to connect with place, seasonality, and personal expression.
Once a month, LBMA Downtown offers dedicated drawing time in the gallery, inviting attendees to bring their own supplies, or borrow supplies from the front desk.
Join Long Beach Heritage and The Bembridge House for an unforgettable outdoor concert featuring legendary blues artist Bernie Pearl, performing live in Peppertree Court.
A brand-new show from America’s premier doo-wop group! Featuring original Broadway cast members from Jersey Boys, Motown: The Musical, and more, The Doo Wop Project spotlights classics by The Four Seasons, The Marcels, The Tymes, and The Del-Vikings with their soaring harmonies and timeless style.
Musician Marco Antonio Solis brings his Gratitud Tour 2026 to the F&M Bank Amphitheater in Long Beach on October 4, 2026. Tickets available on Ticketmaster.
Latino Restaurant Week returns for its third edition, celebrating the rich cultural heritage and culinary talent of Latino-owned restaurants and chefs. From October 5 to 11, 2026, during Hispanic Heritage Month, discover exclusive menus and authentic flavors that showcase the diversity of Long Beach’s Latino culinary community.
An unlikely musical comedy inspired by an earnest 1936 public service film of the same name, this raucous spoof takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the hysteria caused when clean-cut kids fall prey to marijuana, leading them on a hysterical downward spiral filled with evil jazz music, sex and violence. You won’t be able to resist the goofy charm of REEFER MADNESS, an addictive, hilarious, highly stylized musical romp with sly, satirical political commentary that will leave you wanting more.
Challenge yourself to 26.2 miles and look forward to a fast and flat course at sea level elevation. Starting in Downtown Long Beach, runners head towards the historic Queen Mary and then through Shoreline Village.
The Aquarium of the Pacific will partner with the Long Beach Marathon events team to host their 5K Run/Walk. The scenic course will loop through Shoreline Village Park, past the lighthouse in Shoreline Aquatic Park, through Queensway Bridge, and around the Aquarium. Participants will receive a race t-shirt, finisher’s medal, and reduced Aquarium admission on race morning with advance ticket purchase.
This docent-led tour dives into the neighborhood’s unique history and changing early-20th-century architectural styles, including Victorian cottages from as early as 1905, “own-your-own” residential apartment buildings that catered to luxury resort living, and Modern additions in the post-World War II years. You will learn about the Royal Hotel, Lafayette Complex, Linden Tower, Broadlind Hotel, Metropolitan, Cooper Arms, and more!
Join the Long Beach Symphony for “Faces of America at 250”, a stirring musical celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary performed under the artistic direction of Eckart Preu at the Terrace Theater on October 10, 2026. This powerful concert celebrates the spirit and ideals of America through music. From the stirring strains of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and Copland’s iconic Fanfare for the Common Man, the program honors the values of freedom, resilience, and history that define the nation.
Prost, Long Beach! It's time to raise your steins and celebrate 9 incredible years of craft beer, community, and unforgettable memories at Long Beach Beer Lab! Enjoy live music, new beer releases, small-business pop-ups, delicious eats, a stein-holding competition, kids' activities, and more!
Come experience Franz Schubert's Mass in G, an intimate, deeply moving masterpiece that balances profound spirituality with lyrical and melodic warmth. Whether you are a longtime choral enthusiast or experiencing classical music for the first time, its radiant melodies and peaceful atmosphere make for an unforgettable concert experience.
A soft, grounding experience designed to help you slow down, reconnect with your body, and settle into deeper rest. We’ll begin with a few minutes of gentle breathing to bring awareness into the body, soften tension, and create space to arrive fully in the present moment. From there, you’ll settle into a comfortable resting position and be guided through a nourishing sound bath.
Enjoy local vendors, food and drinks, handmade goods, local services, and live music on the third Friday of September, October, and November at Admiral Kidd Park on the Westside.
Maimouna Youssef (aka Mumu Fresh) is a Grammy-nominated singer, MC, songwriter, activist, and acclaimed hip hop artist who has been called a “quadruple threat” by the Roots’ Black Thought and “groundbreaking” by Oscar-winning artist, Common. Mumu Fresh draws from her expansive musical background in gospel, jazz, soul, hip hop, and more in this uplifting program.
Holo Holo Music Festival will take place at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on October 17, 2026. Stay tuned for the lineup and festival info.
Head to Rancho Los Alamitos for a guided sensory experience as the sun sets with certified Forest Therapy Guide Meghan Pinyan. Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, forest bathing means taking in nature through your senses.
The Aquarium of the Pacific will host its 22nd annual Southeast Asia Day festival. The festival’s program will highlight the beauty and diversity of cultures from this region. Guests can enjoy music, dance, cultural craft demonstrations, and other programming representing countries such as Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Embark on a journey of learning at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden on the campus of CSU Long Beach every second Saturday of the month. Discover a world of diverse workshops to learn about Japanese culture, the lush variety of garden plants, sustainable activities, and much more.
Embark on a journey of learning at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden on the campus of CSU Long Beach every second Saturday of the month. Discover a world of diverse workshops to learn about Japanese culture, the lush variety of garden plants, sustainable activities, and much more.
LB Sake Day is a chance to connect with Japan and celebrate World Sake Day with fellow Sake Lovers! Come try dozens of Craft Sake brewed in Japan AND locally, along with food and Japanese light bites like Drinking Buddy Artisan Snacks. Celebrate the history of Sake and deepen your understanding of the breadth and depth of flavors Sake can offer.
DTLB Live! is the Downtown Long Beach Alliance's free, monthly event series that brings live music, local craft vendors, and family-friendly activities to the Promenade every third Saturday. Each event transforms the Promenade into a lively community hub with rotating musical performances, a curated market of local makers, and interactive activities for all ages.
Save the date for this fundraising evening at Rancho Los Alamitos, which features food and drink pairings, live music, and an auction.
Turnpike Troubadours perform at Long Beach’s F&M Bank Amphitheater during their fall headliner tour. The Long Beach show, set for Saturday, October 17, features special guests Steve Earle (acoustic) and Hunter Flynn.
Shoreline Village's annual Long Beach Zombie Walk + Halloween Party returns Saturday, October 17th 2026! This is a FREE Community Event! Remember, YOU are the Zombies, so please come dressed up and walk in the Zombie Walk.
Spend a fun-filled afternoon at Rancho Los Alamitos! Families are invited to enjoy face painting, music, a petting zoo, games, and hands-on crafts celebrating Día de los Muertos. Barnyard Afternoon is a program with a mix of history, animals, and interactive moments.
Green Routine and horticulturist Lauren Brumbaugh will host a spooky afternoon of Plants & Pints at Hyatt Centric Long Beach! Paint a pot, pick a plant, and pour a pint. Costumes encouraged! Your ticket includes 1 beer or wine, a beginner houseplant, a terracotta pot, paint supplies, soil, and guided repotting.
Hotel Maya will host a free wellness pop-up event in partnership with The DEN Mediation - a vibrant, free-to-attend gathering celebrating connection, creativity, and the Long Beach wellness community, held ahead of An Autumn Sound Ceremony.
Formula DRIFT brings its 2026 season finale to Long Beach after dark. Round 8 of 8: Shoreline Showdown runs October 23-24 on an outdoor course in the lot adjacent to the Long Beach Arena, at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. This will be the first Formula DRIFT PRO Championship round in Long Beach scheduled as a standalone night event, with drivers competing under the lights.
Dive into spooky Halloween activities for the whole family at the Aquarium’s Scarium Family Night. Guests can touch sharks, rays, and sea jellies as they venture on a self-guided scavenger hunt. Event highlights include a costume contest, trick-or-treating with provided goodie bags, a vampire magician, and kids activity booths.
Attracting more than 50 seasoned and emergent visual artists, as well as participants from local high schools and universities, the annual Belmont Shore Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest, presented by Justin Rudd and his nonprofit Community Action Team (C.A.T.), will showcase the works of diverse artists who will use chalk as their medium, and the sidewalks of Belmont Shore for their premium paper canvases.
Get ready to see the world more curiously, because Blippi is coming to your town in the all-new Be Like Blippi Tour! Join Blippi and Meekah live on stage for a one-of-a-kind interactive adventure that inspires kids to move like, play like, and explore just like Blippi!
Long Beach Heritage will host a Halloween-themed tour of the Willmore Building, Downtown’s landmark Italian Renaissance Revival structure from 1924. Guests will also learn about the storied history of the former (Stillwell) Hotel building and a few of its residents over the past century. The tour includes scary and 20s-era scenarios in the magnificent Lobby, a walk down one of the upper-floor hallways, more displays in the chilling Solarium, authentic artifacts in the Pike Museum, and incomparable Long Beach (and beyond) views from the Rooftop Patio!
Downtown Long Beach’s Fright Fest on Pine is taking over Pine Avenue for an 18+ Halloween block party packed with local makers, killer eats, spooky cocktails, live music, Halloween entertainment, and immersive activations! Plus, it’s an EZ Sip Event, allowing guests 21+ to purchase drinks from participating Downtown businesses and enjoy them throughout the designated event area.
Coming from Nashville, Tennessee, this high-energy tribute to the music of the Eagles includes stunningly accurate renditions of timeless classics and fan favorites such as “Hotel California,” “Take It Easy,” “Desperado,” “New Kid in Town,” as well as “Wasted Time,” “Pretty Maids All in a Row” and others, specifically chosen to feature the Symphony.
Celebrate the power, resilience, and spirit of womanhood in RISE, an immersive Indian American dance experience told in four movements. Follow the journey of an Indian woman—her youthful dreams, the weight of societal expectations, the strength to overcome adversity, and the hope that emerges through faith and sisterhood.
Celebrate local literature in Belmont Shore! Featuring Local Writers, Publishers, Poets and works about local lore. Discover and purchase new books. Support our local literary community. Meet local writers and publishers, enjoy poetry readings, and attend engaging panel discussions.
Plan the ultimate quinceañera at the Quinceanera.com Long Beach Expo! Your dream quinceañera starts here! We’ve gathered the BEST vendors from across Southern California, so you can shop, plan, and book everything for your big day—all in one place!
From the effervescent mind of Noël Coward comes his engaging comedy of ghostly charms, BLITHE SPIRIT. When a séance goes awry, the fussy, cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine finds himself quite literally haunted by the ghost of his first wife, Elvira. As she makes her displeasure with Charles’ current wife, Ruth, known, personalities clash, and the eccentric and flighty medium Madame Arcati is called back in to resolve this love triangle from beyond the grave.
Celebrate Halloween aboard Battleship IOWA with a day of spooky science, hands-on discovery, and family fun! Our Halloween STEMebration combines Halloween excitement with engaging Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) experiences aboard a real battleship.
For three decades, the Historical Society of Long Beach has invited residents to walk among the stories that built our city. This Halloween, HSLB marks the 30th anniversary of its Historical Cemetery Tour, a milestone for one of Long Beach's most beloved community events.
This festival is especially magical, taking place just as the Garden begins its seasonal transformation and the vibrant colors of fall start to appear throughout the landscape. Enjoy a day filled with live music, crafts, activities, and beautiful chrysanthemums available for purchase, so you can bring a little piece of the Garden home with you!
This festival is especially magical, taking place just as the Garden begins its seasonal transformation and the vibrant colors of fall start to appear throughout the landscape. Enjoy a day filled with live music, crafts, activities, and beautiful chrysanthemums available for purchase, so you can bring a little piece of the Garden home with you!
For all upcoming events visit our Event Calendar or check out the This Is Long Beach blog.
