This Weekend in Long Beach: Events & Things to Do

Here are our top picks for weekend events and activities in Long Beach this April! Enjoy!

1. Formula Drift

When: Friday, April 5th - Saturday, April 6th, 2019

Formula DRIFT is happening in Long Beach once again. 2019 marks the racing event’s 13th year in a row. Permatex and O’Reilly Auto Parts proudly present the latest installment of an event in a long line of heart-stopping, gear-grinding Grand Prix competition on the Long Beach Street Course dating back to 1977. 

Formula DRIFT joins Formula 1, The Pro/Celebrity race, American Le Mans Series, and IndyCar in the Street Course Grand Prix roster of events. This year’s event promises even more thrills on the blacktop. Last year’s champion drivers included James Deane and Travis Reeder. Whose name will ring out through the crowd in 2019? Tickets available online starting at $40. Visit formuladrift.com for more information.

2. Love and Death in Venice

When: Saturday, April 6th, 2019

A musical tribute to Venice, featuring beloved classical works by composers hailing from the Italian city including Handel, Vivaldi, and more.  Under the direction of Cynthia Roberts, Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra will join Soprano singer Ellen McAteer and Countertenor vocalist Daniel Taylor to pay tribute to the influence of Venetian music across Europe and throughout the world. The legacy of Venice is preserved in the continuing popularity of music from the Baroque era.  Don’t miss this exciting live tribute at the Beverly O’Neill Theater in Long Beach!

Individual tickets range from $45 to $59, with discounted tickets available for students. The $95 Family Concert Pass includes up to two adult tickets and up to four youth tickets at the discounted price. The concert runs from 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM.

3. Acura Grand Prix 2019

When: Friday, April 12th, 2019

Acura presents, for the first time, the Grand Prix of Long Beach in 2019. The name is new but the excitement you’ve come to expect year after year is still here! This event is a racing fan’s delight, featuring a half dozen different races and activities for the entire family to enjoy across 3 days and 2 nights. 

The Friday night events are capped off with a concert by legendary rock band El Tri, who have been described as “Mexico’s answer to the Rolling Stones: ancient, raunchy but still hugely popular.” Saturday’s schedule concludes with a concert by Long Beach’s own Cold War Kids. Various hair-raising events will take place at break-neck speed on the 1.97-mile street circuit, featuring 11 turns, and encompassing Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, the Pike at Rainbow Harbor, and Aquarium of the Pacific.

4. A Night to Remember in Honor of the RMS Titanic

When: Saturday, April 13th, 2019

One legendary ship honors another in this special event aboard the Queen Mary, commemorating the RMS Titanic. Master Illusionist Aiden Sinclair invites guests to join him on an immersive recreation of the fateful voyage which became the stuff of tragic legend. Enjoy a 7-course gourmet meal inspired by the last meal served aboard the nearly mythic ocean vessel. 

The dinner is followed by an illusion-filled seance, featuring artifacts from the ship itself and tales of passengers who lived to tell - and some who did not. This highly unique Black Tie event is not to be missed, a tribute to the spirit of grandeur that has kept the Titanic and its passengers alive in our minds through generations.

5. Disney On Ice: Worlds of Enchantment

When: Thursday, April 18th - Sunday, April 21st, 2019

All of your children’s favorite Disney characters come to life in Long Beach!  Don’t miss this special four-night visit to the Long Beach Arena by Disney On Ice, as part of their Worlds of Enchantment tour. Long Beach has plenty of its own enchantment under the hot California sun. This is a great opportunity to cool down and enjoy a frozen spectacle featuring familiar faces destined to delight every face on your family. Lightning McQueen, Ariel, Anna and Elsa, and of course Buzz Lightyear hit the ice and bring their friends along for a thrilling adventure your kids will love being a part of.

6. In the Penal Colony

When: Saturday, April 27th, 2019

The Long Beach Opera presents an unforgettable musical adaptation of the classic Franz Kafka story. Philip Glass provides the music, with a book by Rudolph Wurlitzer, to this examination of the moral obligation of the so-called innocent bystander.  The composition by Glass, conducted here by Andreas Mitisek, adds significant tension to the philosophical tug of war at the center of the debate between The Visitor, sung by Doug Jones, and The Officer, sung by Zeffin Quinn Hollis in this thought-provoking opera directed by Jeff Janisheski.

7. Mozart’s “Jupiter”

When: Saturday, April 27th, 2019

The Long Beach Symphony, under the musical direction of conductor Eckart Preu, brings this highly original classical performance featuring violinist Simone Porter to the Terrace Theater at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. This concert features classical works from Mozart and three other more contemporary composers, including a piece written in the 1940s by Korngold, one from 1977 by Pärt, and a 2010 composition by Golijov. 

Each of the pieces is intended to put listeners in touch with a deep sensory experience. This allows audiences to be aware of how their senses absorb the music as it is played, as well as how their senses respond to each composition, in terms of breathing, heart rate, and more, depending on the sounds, rhythms, and sequences of specific notes built into each piece.

8. Che Malambo

When: Saturday, April 27th, 2019

This performance by the popular group from Argentina incorporates percussion and dance into a musical celebration of the gaucho, the South American cowboy which is recognized as a national Argentinian symbol. The ensemble utilizes traditional elements of Malambo, which first arose during the 17th century as a competition of agility, dexterity, and strength among the gaucho. 

Other regional traditions were later incorporated as Malambo became less about competition and more about performance, such as the zapateo style of footwork based on the fast-paced galloping of horses and the use of whirling boleadoras, weighted throwing objects made of intertwined chords. Che Malambo brings their renowned and exciting stage show to the Richard & Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center in this Long Beach appearance that you won't want to miss. 

9. Royal Sunday Brunch at the Queen Mary

When: Sundays throughout April

Every weekend all month long the legendary Queen Mary hosts the Royal Sunday Brunch, featuring dishes from around the world in a one-of-a-kind dining experience. The centerpiece of the brunch is the carving station which includes prime rib cooked to perfection and served with au jus, as well as leg of lamb with mint jus. 

Additionally, breakfast favorites like eggs benedict, omelettes, and pancakes are made to order. There are also options for Southwestern flavors and even Asian cuisine, as well as the chef’s own crafted Cobb salad and an assortment of cheeses, both domestic and imported, at the salad station. Have a seat and enjoy one of Long Beach’s most popular ongoing local attractions.

For all upcoming events visit our Event Calendar or check out the This Is Long Beach blog where you can sign up for our email newsletter!