Staying in town after the semester ends? Long Beach has a wide array of fun, exciting options for you to enjoy this summer!
Spend a warm summer night at the weekly “Moonlight Movies on the Beach” events (June 21 to Aug. 30) catching a fun movie on the shore of Granada Beach. Free parking is provided by the Port of Long Beach, and dinner, snacks and popcorn will be available for purchase.
Looking to jam to some summer tunes? The Aquarium of the Pacific is hosting its popular Night Dive on June 17, an adults-only event taking place in the Aquarium’s galleries with local bands, DJs, art, drinks and food trucks. In a similar vein, this year’s Summer and Music Festival (SAM) is returning for another entertaining season with plenty of awesome bands, skateboarding, food vendors and live music. And if you’re still looking for some more outdoor music, you can always check out the Long Beach Jazz Festival (Aug. 12 - 14) for some “spicy jazz,” classic R&B and a wide food selection.
Long Beach’s summer gems also include a number of cultural festivals, where members of the community come together to celebrate different heritages and traditions. For example, you can visit The Bayou Festival (June 18 - 19) and experience a full Mardi Gras party with dance, Cajun and Creole food and a French Quarter Marketplace. And if you want a taste of another cultural experience while you’re there, you can check out the Big Irish Fair Musicfest (June 18 - 19) for tons of traditional Irish music, food and dancing, sheep-herding shows and a parade. Then there is the Tiki Beach Festival taking place from August 20 to 21 where the free Polynesian festival will offer hula dancing, island music, a market with over 100 vendors and the famous Alhoa food court.
And finally, you’ll be able to find everything “Long Beach” at the Love Long Beach Celebration (July 16 - 17), a free celebration with a luau, farmers market, 5K run, dance party, fire show and burning man. The entire event will benefit the Long Beach nonprofit Children Today. If you want to get artsy at the beach, check out the Long Beach Sand Sculpture Art & Music Festival (Aug. 13 - 14), featuring an impressive professional sculpture, creative opportunities, live music and food.
And of course, your University Student Union will still be open over summer. Come visit us!.
