Long Beach, it’s the weekend before Halloween, which means all y’all have a costume party tonight, another one Saturday, and a group chat arguing about whether a “sexy” version of literally anything still counts. We get it. But if you need a break from the fake blood and cobwebs, there are plenty of other things to do in Long Beach this weekend, October 24–25, 2026.
And yes, Formula DRIFT is back downtown for its season finale, the Shoreline Showdown, running under the lights Friday and Saturday nights next to the Long Beach Arena. So if you hear tires screaming near Ocean Blvd, that’s not a ghost. Plan your parking accordingly.
Here’s the LBC Vibe rundown of the best Long Beach events this weekend, in order, from a Día de los Muertos art workshop to a queer day in the park, a free art shuttle through Zaferia, a haunted history tour at the Willmore, and a costume run by the sea.
Día de los Muertos: Symbols of Remembrance
- Where: Rancho Los Cerritos, 4600 Virginia Rd, Long Beach, CA 90807
- When: Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Cost: $15
- Link: Arts Council for Long Beach event page
Start your Saturday with paint on your hands instead of a hangover. Long Beach artist Hely Omar Gonzalez is leading this all-ages Día de los Muertos painting workshop at Rancho Los Cerritos, inspired by the Seeds of Resilience: Barrio Americano exhibit currently on view at the Rancho.
You’ll paint your own piece using classic Day of the Dead imagery: marigolds, calaveras, butterflies and more. It’s not just a craft hour, either. The workshop is a space to slow down and think about the roots and meaning behind these traditions and symbols across Mexican communities. When you’re done, you can add your artwork to the community ofrenda in front of the Rancho Los Cerritos Visitor Center.
Fifteen bucks, two hours, a gorgeous historic adobe, and a meaningful way to kick off Día de los Muertos season in Long Beach. Bring the kids, bring your mom, bring your tía who has opinions about marigold placement.
The Big Gayborhood Gathering
- Where: Bixby Park, 130 Cherry Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802 (the Ocean Blvd side of the park, near Junipero)
- When: Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Time: 1 – 6 p.m. (after-party at The Hare, 1800 E Broadway, starts at 9 p.m.)
- Cost: Free, all ages. After-party is $10 and 21+.
- Link: Big Gayborhood Gathering info and free RSVP
The Gayborhood is throwing a party in its own backyard, and everyone’s invited. LB Proud, the folks behind the Big Gay Floatilla, beach takeovers and Be Proud! Fest, are taking over Bixby Park for a free afternoon of LGBTQ+ community, music, art, local queer vendors, performances and hands-on activities. Pop singer Hera Anderson is on the lineup, too.
The vibe is “bring a picnic and stay awhile.” Shop the arts and crafts market, hang out at the community camps, meet local organizations and artists, and catch performances throughout the day. Heads up: there are no alcohol sales at the park, so pack your sparkling water and your best snacks. Parking is at the Junipero Beach lot or on the street, which in this neighborhood means circle, pray, repeat.
It’s also the first step toward Be Proud! Fest 2027, and organizers want the community’s input on what Pride in Long Beach should look like. Then, if you’ve still got energy, the official after-party at The Hare goes full Halloween: costumes, devils, demons and a 21+ crowd. Come early.
Long Beach Open Studio Tour x Via Zaferia
- Where: Zaferia District, Long Beach, CA 90804 (stops along E. Anaheim St., Gladys Ave., Loma Ave. and Park Center Plaza on E. PCH)
- When: Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Time: 1 – 5 p.m. (some stops have their own hours)
- Cost: Free, all ages, including the shuttle
- Link: Via Zaferia event page
This one is a whole afternoon of free fun on wheels. The Zaferia Business Association and the Long Beach Open Studio Tour are teaming up for National Arts & Humanities Month, and they’re running a free shuttle bus through the district so you can hop between artist studios, shops, restaurants and craft stations without fighting for parking at every stop.
Highlights along the route:
- LB COOP (1330 Gladys Ave): Open studios for six resident artists, local art and jewelry, plus complimentary refreshments
- Bamboo Club (3522 E. Anaheim St.): An artisan market, plus food and drinks at the bar
- House No23 (1347 Loma Ave., 12–5 p.m.): Free pottery workshop with shells and colorful glass, Allora Pizza pop-up, and shopping from local and vintage vendors
- Port City Tavern (4306 E. Anaheim St.): Bounce house, free ice cream, a free kids’ painting workshop from 2:30–4 p.m., and live music from 2–5 p.m.
- Born Wild Sporting Club (4133 E. Anaheim St.): Food and drink specials and free watercolor bookmark kits
- Park Center Plaza (E. PCH): A free pumpkin spice latte at Cafe Lorel, a lantern-making workshop at The Barre, and cookie decorating at Cookies by Design
Free lattes, free ice cream, free crafts, a bounce house and a bus that does the driving? Zaferia really said “we love you” this weekend. This is one of the best free things to do in Long Beach with kids, and honestly without them, too. Just note that only studios inside the Zaferia district are on the shuttle route.
Haunting History Tour at the Willmore Building
- Where: The Willmore, 315 W. 3rd St., Long Beach, CA 90802
- When: Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Time: 3 – 6 p.m.
- Cost: $33.85 (includes fees)
- Link: Tickets on Eventbrite
If you want your Halloween with a side of actual Long Beach history, this is your move. Long Beach Heritage is hosting a haunted stroll through the Willmore, Downtown’s landmark Italian Renaissance Revival building from 1924, which started life as the Stillwell Hotel.
You’ll hear stories about the building and some of the residents who’ve passed through it over the last century, with spooky and 1920s-era scenes staged throughout. The route covers the gorgeous lobby, one of the upper-floor hallways, the solarium (described as chilling, so brace yourself), the Pike Museum, and rooftop views of Downtown Long Beach. Afterward, you get a complimentary drink at La Traviata next door.
Costumes are encouraged, so dust off the flapper dress or go full Victorian ghost. One note: the rooftop portion isn’t ADA accessible. This is one of the most unique Halloween events in Long Beach this year, and Long Beach Heritage tours tend to sell out, so don’t sleep on those tickets.
Trick or Trot 5K, 10K and Half Marathon
- Where: 5400 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90803 (Belmont Shore)
- When: Sunday, October 25, 2026
- Time: Bib pickup 6:15 – 7:35 a.m. Half marathon starts at 7 a.m., 5K and 10K at 8 a.m., kids’ run around 9:15 a.m.
- Cost: About $42 – $53 depending on distance (fees included); kids’ 200-yard dash available
- Link: Registration and race details
The Long Beach run club girlies have been waiting for this one. CaliFlow Runs is celebrating its third annual Trick or Trot, a Halloween run by the sea along the paved coastal path in Belmont Shore. Pick your poison: a 5K, a 10K, or a USATF-certified half marathon, plus a 200-yard dash for the tiny ghouls.
Costumes are basically mandatory, energy-wise. Witches, goblins, a guy dressed as a banana, it’s all welcome. The race is chip timed with live results, the top three male and female finishers in each distance get medals, and race-day photos are free.
Beach lot parking runs $2 an hour, so bring your card and your best running playlist. If you’ve been looking for Halloween events in Long Beach that don’t end with a headache, this is the healthiest way to dress up all weekend.
What Are You Doing in Long Beach This Weekend?
So there you have it. The lead up to Halloween weekend in Long Beach doesn’t have to be one long blur of costume parties (although we fully support that, too). You can paint marigolds at Rancho Los Cerritos in the morning, picnic with the Gayborhood at Bixby Park, ride a free art shuttle through Zaferia, get spooked at the Willmore, and still make it to the start line at Trick or Trot on Sunday.
Two of these Long Beach events are totally free, the others won’t wreck your budget, and every single one supports local artists, local nonprofits and local businesses. That’s the LBC Vibe way. Pick a few, screenshot this list, send it to the group chat, and go have a ridiculously good weekend.
Got an event we should know about? Tag us or send it our way, and we’ll see you out there.
FAQs: Things to Do in Long Beach This Weekend
What is there to do in Long Beach this weekend, October 24–25, 2026?
This weekend’s Long Beach events include a Día de los Muertos painting workshop at Rancho Los Cerritos, the Big Gayborhood Gathering at Bixby Park, the Long Beach Open Studio Tour x Via Zaferia, the Haunting History Tour at the Willmore Building, and the Trick or Trot 5K, 10K and Half Marathon in Belmont Shore. Formula DRIFT’s Shoreline Showdown is also running downtown Friday and Saturday nights.
What are the best free events in Long Beach this weekend?
The Big Gayborhood Gathering at Bixby Park (1–6 p.m. Saturday) and the Open Studio Tour x Via Zaferia (1–5 p.m. Saturday) are both free and all ages. Zaferia even throws in a free shuttle, free workshops, free ice cream and a free pumpkin spice latte while supplies last.
What Halloween events are happening in Long Beach this weekend?
For Halloween events in Long Beach without a nightclub cover charge, try the Haunting History Tour at the Willmore on Saturday afternoon or the Trick or Trot costume run on Sunday morning. If you do want the nightclub, the Big Gayborhood Gathering after-party at The Hare is a 21+ Halloween party starting at 9 p.m. Saturday.
Are there Día de los Muertos events in Long Beach this weekend?
Yes. Rancho Los Cerritos is hosting Día de los Muertos: Symbols of Remembrance on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. It’s a $15, all-ages painting workshop led by Long Beach artist Hely Omar Gonzalez, and you can add your finished piece to the community ofrenda.
What family-friendly things are there to do in Long Beach this weekend?
The Open Studio Tour x Via Zaferia is the big one for kids, with a bounce house, painting and cookie-decorating workshops and a free shuttle. The Día de los Muertos workshop, the Big Gayborhood Gathering and the Trick or Trot kids’ dash are all family friendly, too.
Do I need tickets for the Willmore Haunting History Tour?
Yes. Tickets are $33.85 on Eventbrite and include a complimentary drink at La Traviata after the tour. Long Beach Heritage tours often sell out, so grab yours early.
Is it too late to sign up for Trick or Trot?
Check the registration page for the latest spots and pricing. Entry runs about $42 to $53 depending on distance, and bib pickup starts at 6:15 a.m. on race day.
When is Formula DRIFT in Long Beach this weekend?
Formula DRIFT’s season finale, the Shoreline Showdown, runs Friday and Saturday, October 23–24, as a night event on the course next to the Long Beach Arena downtown. Expect extra traffic and pricier parking near Ocean Blvd.
