Moonlight Movies, Reggae Fest, book launch and more!

Now that we are in the middle of summer activities, there are plenty of outdoor events to discover in the next week.

Following the Fourth of July festivities on Thursday, residents can enjoy two free evening activities in the park, including a concert by the Long Beach Municipal Band in El Dorado Park West and a screening of “The Little Mermaid” in Chavez Park. Those looking to volunteer for a weekend can clean up Long Beach’s Midtown neighborhood this Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon or help clean up the El Dorado Nature Center from 10 a.m. to noon.

If you’re looking for festivals near you, there are a few happening this weekend, including the Long Beach Reggae Fest on Saturday at Pier Point Landing and the Tanabata Festival at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden this Sunday.

Other free activities you can try include a micro-art exhibition at Gallery 17 on Saturday evening and a book launch at Kubo LB this Sunday afternoon.

Friday, 7.5.

Concert in the Park: 6:30 p.m. The Long Beach Municipal Band will play a variety of jazz, pop and patriotic songs at El Dorado Park West (2800 N Studebaker Rd.). Visitors are asked to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic food. Free.

Movie in the Park: 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The public is invited to an outdoor screening of the live-action film “The Little Mermaid” (2023) at Chavez Park (401 Golden Ave.). Visitors are asked to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic food. The film begins at dusk. Admission is free.

Saturday, 7.6.

Cleaning up the community: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help clean up the Midtown neighborhood (1744 Gaviota Ave.). This event is organized by the City of Long Beach.

Recycle your mattress: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Long Beach residents are invited to bring their old and unwanted mattresses to 970 W Chester Place in Long Beach. No appointment necessary. Free.

Cleaning up at the Nature Center: 10 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are needed to help clean up the El Dorado Nature Center (7550 E. Spring St.). Volunteers are asked to wear sturdy shoes. Volunteers must register in advance by calling 562-570-1745.

Restoring Los Cerritos Habitat: 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Aquarium of the Pacific and Los Cerritos Wetland co-host this habitat restoration event on the first Saturday of every month. The focus of the restoration is removing non-native weeds and protecting rare native plants. The event is led by trained naturalists and local educators. Closed-toe shoes, a hat, sunscreen and a reusable water bottle are strongly recommended. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Participants meet at 10:15 a.m. at the corner of PCH Highway and First Street in Seal Beach. Admission is free.

LB Reggae Fest: 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The public is invited to hear ten different reggae artists and bands at this music festival at Pier Point Landing (200 Aquarium Way). Food is available for purchase. Tickets can be purchased for $30 on Eventbrite.

Art exhibition: From 6 to 8 p.m., Gallery 17 (2483 Eucalyptus Ave.), a local micro-gallery, is hosting an exhibition by artist Franz Brodmann. Admission is free.

Sunday 7/7

Tanabata Festival: 1 p.m. The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden on the campus of California State University Long Beach (Earl Warren Drive) hosts this festival celebrating the meeting of the two stars Orihime and Hikoboshi in the night sky. There will be gifts, crafts and music. Tickets can be purchased for $10 on the garden’s website. Free parking is available in the G4 lot.

Book publication: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The public is invited to celebrate author Elise Bryant’s new book, “It’s Elementary,” at Kubo LB (3976 Atlantic Ave.). Author Lauren Billing will also be in attendance. Admission is free and signed copies of the book can be purchased for $19.

Monday 7/8

Low-cost vaccination clinic: From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Long Beach Animal Care Services (7700 E Spring St.) and Community Animal Medicine Project offer discounted pet vaccines and services. Services include microchipping, tapeworm treatment, nail trimming, flea/tick treatment and more. For more information, call 562-570-7387. Prices vary.

Movie in the Park: 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The public is invited to an outdoor screening of the 2023 live-action film “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” at Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.). Visitors are asked to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic food. They are also asked to wear funny or unusual socks. The film begins at dusk. Admission is free.

Tuesday, 7.9.

Coffee with a commander: 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The public is invited to meet and have coffee with local police officers and East Division Commander Shaleana Benson at Starbucks (5501 E Stearns St.). Admission is free.

Concert in the Park: 6:30 p.m. The Long Beach Municipal Band will play a variety of jazz, pop and patriotic songs at Bixby Annex Park (intersection of Cherry Ave. and Ocean Blvd.). Visitors are asked to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic food. Free.

Moonlight movies on the beach: 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Catch a screening of “The Meg” at Granada Beach (5000 E. Ocean Blvd). The event features pre-show entertainment from local bands. This screening is part of the summer-long Moonlight Movies at the Beach series. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to sit on. Food trucks will be on site. The screenings are family-friendly and pet-friendly. Free.

Wednesday, 7.10.

Arcade Wednesday: 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Children ages 6-12 are invited to play Mario Party at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway). Snacks will be provided. Free.

Concert in the Park: 6:30 p.m. The Long Beach Municipal Band will play a variety of jazz, pop and patriotic songs at Los Cerritos Park (3750 Del Mar Ave.). Visitors are asked to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic food. Free.

Summer film evenings: 6:30 p.m.: Ficklewood Ciderworks (720 E Broadway) hosts weekly movie nights throughout the summer. This week’s film has not been announced, but is described as a Fourth of July classic. Admission is free.

Thursday, 7.11.

Cool craft summary: 1:30 p.m. Children are invited to listen to stories and do crafts together at Rancho Los Alamitos (6400 E Bixby Road). Admission is free.

Film screening: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The public is invited to a free screening of the film “Vindication Swim” at the Aquarium of the Pacific (100 Aquarium Way). The rest of the aquarium will be closed during the event. Registration is required. To register, visit the city’s online events calendar.

Movie in the Park: 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The public is invited to an outdoor screening of the film “Migration” at Scherer Park (4600 Long Beach Blvd.). Visitors are asked to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic food. The film begins at dusk. Admission is free.