East Village Arts District in Downtown Long Beach California
For those of you who are new to downtown Long Beach or even for those of you who have been here a little while and are looking to explore a little, we’ve compiled a brief list of some of the more exciting activities and events in the area.
For one weekend every year in April, you’ll hear the thrumming of high-horsepower engines and the squeals of screeching tires as Formula 1 racers compete for glory on the city streets of Long Beach. This is a major event that draws crowds from far and wide to see the adrenaline-pumping action. Free tickets for Friday admission are generally available for locals. For more information: http://www.gplb.com/.
If you like to run or are interested in getting into it, this is a great race to get initiated with. The Long Beach Marathon has one of the flattest and most scenic courses there is, including a loop near the Queen Mary, a stretch around Lighthouse Park and several miles through the grounds of Cal State Long Beach. This event isn’t just for the people who want to go the full 26.2 miles; in fact, most participants opt for one of the several shorter races available. Regardless of your age or ability level, this is an event that can be enjoyed by just about anyone. For more information: http://runlongbeach.com/.
Long Beach hosts several free concerts during the summer. One of them is held at the Pine Avenue Pier within walking distance of most of downtown. Admission to these events is free. For more information: http://summerandmusic.com/.
In addition to summer concerts, free movie showings are held at Granada Beach along with several other city parks. Concession stands are available for those who would like to purchase candy or popcorn with the show, but admission to the movie is completely free. For more information: http://100daysofsummer.org/?cat=4&it=music/movies.
Held year-round on the second Saturday of every month, the Long Beach Downtown Art Walk is a free event for all ages. A multitude of local artists put their work on display both indoors and out for your viewing pleasure. It’s also a great opportunity to see some of the artists in action, as they actually create their work while you watch. For more information: http://lbdaw.org/.
