Winter and Early Spring Events in Long Beach
Long Beach keeps a steady calendar running from January through March, with something worth circling each month.
January
The Martin Luther King Jr. Parade rolls through downtown Long Beach each January, drawing thousands of residents for one of Southern California's largest MLK celebrations. It's a community staple with marching bands, floats, and civic groups. Visit lbMLKparade.org for details.
February
Black History Month programming at the Long Beach Museum of Art and the African American Cultural Center brings lectures, exhibitions, and community gatherings throughout the month. Check lbma.org for the current lineup.
March
St. Patrick's Day festivities arrive in Belmont Shore, where Second Street fills with crowds for the annual parade and street celebration. It's casual, family-friendly, and reliably packed. See belmontshorebid.org for updates.
Spring and Summer Traditions That Draw the Biggest Crowds
April through August is when Long Beach truly comes alive. From roaring race engines to waterfront concerts, this stretch of the calendar packs in the city's most beloved recurring events.
April
The Grand Prix of Long Beach is the signature event of the entire year. Streets near the waterfront transform into a temporary road circuit, drawing IndyCar drivers and hundreds of thousands of spectators over a full race weekend. The energy spills into restaurants, hotels, and the harbor. Details at gplb.com.
May – June
Carnival on the Pike and assorted waterfront festivals typically fill these months with live music, local food vendors, and family programming along the shoreline.
July – August
Summer art walks through the East Village Arts District run regularly, pairing gallery openings with street performances. The Long Beach Jazz Festival anchors August with free and ticketed performances at Willow Springs Park.
Fall and Holiday Events Keep Long Beach Festive Year-Round
As summer fades, Long Beach shifts into a packed season of cultural celebrations, neighborhood traditions, and waterfront spectacles that carry the city through December.
September
The Long Beach Greek Festival brings authentic food, live music, and dancing to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church each fall. It's a genuine neighborhood tradition with strong community roots and reliable annual turnout.
October
Halloween on Pine Avenue draws families downtown for trick-or-treating along one of the city's most recognizable corridors. Seasonal art walk programming also picks up across various galleries during this month.
November – December
The Shoreline Aquatic Park hosts the annual Holiday Boat Parade, where decorated vessels light up the harbor in a beloved waterfront tradition. Visit lbboatparade.com for official details. Festive programming continues citywide through the end of December, making the calendar feel genuinely full year-round.
Long Beach Offers Something to Celebrate Every Season
From one month to the next, the city keeps its calendar packed with reasons to show up. Signature events like the Grand Prix draw international crowds, while neighborhood art walks and holiday boat parades keep things rooted in local tradition. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a longtime resident planning your year, there's no shortage of reliable anchors to build around. Because dates and details shift annually, it's always worth checking each event's official page before you go. This guide gives you the recurring favorites – the rest is just good timing.