First Fridays Long Beach

I had no idea what to expect from this event. I saw it advertised on Facebook and decided to give it a shot.
The crux of the event is walking up and down Atlantic and trying to avoid people running into you.
There are a few tents selling the same stuff you see at the swap mee/farmer’s market. The restaurants were packed with families. Parking sucked. I think we ended up in the CVS lot.
The only bright spot was the art exhibition at the Expo. I’m assuming they are all local artists. Some were very talented and original, and some look like my crazy neighbor’s attempt to emulate Wyland’s beach motifs.
I did enjoy visiting the Historical Society. Didn’t even know that it existed in that location.
I don’t think we’ll be returning. Too many people. Not enough to entertain me.

Can’t wait for Lolas Bixby Knolls to open. The best Mexican cuisine in the LBC. Will be a much needed restaurant in the Bixby Knolls area.

I friggin love First Fridays. A new band at every block? Bands in and out of restaurants? Random street art? Goofy people walking about? Art and a great fresh vibe? The only things bad about First Fridays is that parking is tough, the crowds are thick, and there many be a bit too many high school crowds jaywalking across the street.

PROS :
nice way to see/​hear what Bixby Knolls has to offer
great music/​live bands
abundant snack stands (fruit, peanuts, popcorn etc.)
CONS :
quite a lot of unsupervised (!) kids running a muck (ugh!)
some areas need more lighting
TIPS :
street parking in residential areas
bring cash
wear comfy shoes
OVERALL :
Husband and I had a good time while strolling up and down Atlantic for this event. We ate dinner at Nino’s Italian Restaurant and stopped at a few shops we’ve been meaning to checkout. This even is a great way to get to know the people behind the local shops as well as discover new businesses nearby. The shops are often running specials for the evening etc.
While we enjoyed the atmosphere, we didn’t care for the groups of (unsupervised) younger folk weaving in an out of the crowds and congregating on corners (blocking foot traffic). We did notice a few cops walking around surveying the event so it’s relatively safe.

I like the vibe of the event. Plenty of people out on the streets, with live music in at least 20 different locations as you’re strolling along. I’ll have to try dinner at one of the places on the sidewalk just to get the full experience.
I was expecting to see more arts and crafts, but was met with mostly dated, inferior, and low-​quality goods in the shops. There were a couple places with more modern hipster art, but that’s not really my flavor.
Parking is in the residential areas, wherever you find it.

Pretty cool. The trolly moves slower than people walking on the sidewalk, which is rather humorous.
Not just folk music, there was a myriad of genres– some new-​agey type stuff with a Celtic feel, a bit of Classic Rock, some alternative/​indie type music, and more. More bands/​live music than you’ll have time to see. I did love the country band, half of which was playing out of their flatbed truck. Ha!
The sidewalk snacks look interesting, though I didn’t purchase any. There were cupcakes, cake pops, pizza, and a number of other snack foods. I’d almost rather they closed the street so you can go from one side to the other without the pedestrian lights.
The art scene is very strong. From what I’ve read, it was local artists who started First Fridays. Definitely work going, particularly right now when it’s too hot and humid to be stuck inside all day! Good summer entertainment.

If you like arts, musics and get to know local shops, this is a must to attend!
This was so perfect to enjoy in a summer night! It’s bit difficult to find a parking spot but it’s all worth it!

Our first time here. Love that my little city has awsome things like this for my kids to enjoy. As well as for the adults.

I’m a fan of this slowly growing artsy part of the city. It’s pretty family oriented and it also has it’s unique boutiques and «mom & pops» stores that I definitely want to continue to support. I actually live in the area and enjoy the diversity. I hope that in the years to come, this part of city maintains a great neighborhood.
Now back to its first Friday… it’s been slowly growing as there are new businesses participating in the event. However, occasionally, it can be swarmed with young abnoxious teens who really need parents to monitor them. What I like most about Bixby Knolls First Fridays are the performers and artists showcasing their talent and art. I especially love how most the local businesses participate in the event, such as the coffee shops and their open mic!
I think they should have this twice a month! It will not only help the local businesses but also provide another family friendly venue for the locals to attend!

Boyfriend and I finally made our way to the First Fridays for this month: A great time to spend your Friday if you just want to walk around and look at some cool stuff: D Bring cash just in case you want to buy something. We got there a little earlier, around 6, so it wasn’t that packed. Parked in the neighborhood, and started strolling down Atlantic Avenue. We finished the event by 8 and it was packed already.
Events for kids: Skating ranks, face painting, music and dances, coloring and even feeding some goats. While we were walking down the street, we saw people dressed up in vintage costumes– we even saw Elvis Presley look-​a-​like. Jazz bands, cool car shows and restaurants are very welcoming.
Free books. Free water bottles. Free food tasting (little farmer’s market) I ended up buying cool bracelets for about $ 5 each. They sell vintage necklaces and tons of bohemian items. I loved Expo the most! Great paintings, cool art works and friendly staff. Inside Expo, there’s little stores that sells dope shirts. 2 tees for $ 25 I believe, if you buy one is $ 15, so you save $ 5 (:
Oh, there’s a big red bus for lazy people! Overall, a great experience to walk around Atlantic Avenue. Tons of hipsters and bops around Jamba Juice. Next month, I will be here again with my parents since it’s my mom’s birthday that day!

Such a great event for all ages. Early on in the eve kids of all ages enjoy music, art, clowns, face painting etc. As the evening continues, make your way to a number of the gastro-​pubs, bars and a must is to stop off at the Willmore Wine Bar… the coolest place of the evening, the local hot spot. Several other new hot stops to open fall of 2013. S Keep coming and stay tuned to see whats next!

Living near California Heights my whole life, the lady and I FINALLY made our way to First Fridays this month. I really enjoyed the variety of music and enthusiasm for local businesses. This is definitely a family-​friendly event as opposed to similar events.
Shut down Atlantic Avenue for the evening, invite more artists, set up jumpers and crafts for the kids, set up a stage, and this could really be really special.

First Fridays is a cool way to spend an evening. Atlantic Blvd livens up for one Friday evening at the beginning of the month.
There’s a handful of musicians and artists spread across the street. Even a small farmer’s market pops up for the evening offering the freshest vegetables and fruit.
I like being able to stroll up and down the street and perusing through some of the businesses. It’s definitely family friendly. It also appears it’s one way parents can let their teens loose for one night. I see plenty of them walking around.
First Fridays usually begin around 5pm and usually ends at 9pm.
There’s plenty of street parking. Or you can catch the Big Red Bus that is driving up and down Atlantic Blvd in case you parked a little further away from the action.
Yeah, I’m a fan.

A great way to experience the community and local businesses while getting some fresh air and a little bit of exercise on Friday evenings.
The Big Red Bus transports those who don’t want to walk too much, but the area is very walkable. Shops and restaurants open late and have specials to introduce themselves to new customers. Farmers markets and booths line some of the street, with produce and crafts for sale.
Musicians are on the street and in the shops, improv at the tea house, and characters dressed up wandering the street make for entertainment all over.
First Fridays and Fun Fridays!

I’m a fan. Something to do with the fam. It’s a smaller more family friendly version of an artwalk, that’s on a day that families can go on because seriously… what kind of family goes to one on Thursday… just saying. I really dig the vendors that were in the Expo center, such as the man with the random area with scrabbles pieces, old keys, wooden blocks, etc. I also liked the the stuff with sugar skulls. Way better than the skulls at the swapmeet (santa Fe). If you’re Mexican you know what I’m talking about.

First Fridays are awesome!
I might be a little biased because I am a live painter at the event, but even so it’s a great way to meet people!
I’ve worked with Michael who runs the Art Expo Centre and his handful of handpicked artists who I join painting each First Friday. Michael is wonderful and his crew is very friendly and welcoming to a newcomer to LB.
Lots of people, great friendly atmosphere. Good place to stroll, sightsee and talk to randoms. Everyone seems to just want to be out to have a good time, witness the spectacle and enjoy the warm evening weather.
I even stopped for a caffeine boost at the Starbucks down the street, she accidentally mis-​mixed my drink, and gave it to me for free in addition to the correct one. Can’t go wrong with Bixby Knolls First Fridays!

If you have teenagers at home this is a great (and free) thing to do in Long Beach. Hey, if you think about it where else are you gonna hang out on a Friday night if you are 15 anyways? Well, maybe the mall…
With that said, First Fridays is swarming with teenagers. I mean I thought I was drounding in them there were that many. It is uncomfortable at timet o walk down the sidewalk and if you are a childless couple/​single person I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND this. But, if you ahve a family it’s great.
Only some establishments offer free snacks and/​or wine. And they are very few at that. There is the normal fare of pizza, soda, etc… for sale for kiddos…
overall I haven’t gone back for a while.

When did Bixby Knolls get so cool? Sure, it’s not packed with hipsters riding bicycles and looking smelly. It’s full of, you know, married with kids types. What part of Long Beach doesn’t kind of feel like that, though? (Warning: Some of those kids have grown up into young adults and fall into the hipster category).
All the shops stayed open late and offered deals and specials. Roy over at Roy Robbin’s Gifts was serving wine and cheese. He got me a little toasted after already having a couple pints at the Factory. Every restaurant that I passed was packed with people. People were wandering the streets. The Expo showcased an array of photography and art. You could actually watch the artists work their magic in their work space. The Long Beach Historical Society had a free exhibit about the navy’s role in Long Beach with live music and food. If you got tired of walking around, you could hop on the double-​decker red bus that was shuttling people every block. It was a big hit with the kids.
It felt kind of like walking around Second St. Check it out. sometime. You might be surprised.

This was my first event, my first First Friday, I’ll try not to be frumpy, furry or freaky, just frank.
As with any local community event, it takes the support of everyone for any success and that’s especially true when attempts are made to improve the stasis marking an area in economic ennui, as in Bixby Knolls. Having lived in the area for over ten years, I cross my fingers whenever any new establishment opens, hoping for success to improve the general prosperity of merchants in this «bedroom community». I’ll always visit at least once and pray their business model works and attracts the needed clientele to continue to progress.
For my first First Friday, I took a couple friends to the Factory (
) and then we walked the streets stepping into almost every establishment with open doors, paying our respects and noting any special attributes or reason for return. My hair, still chemo-​short but growing, was recently colored yet I made a note to return to Salon Medusa (
) to see what they can do for me after my locks grow some. I was amazed at the collection of pipes and old artwork in the Giltcomplex Antiques store (
). I never knew as much about Long Beach until walking through the displays at the Historical Society (
), I even found out my mom, a «Rosie the Riveter» herself, had a special memorial for her and the many other women who went to «war» in support of our nation in WWII. And then we found ourselves surrounded by local artists and their works in the Expo Furniture building, awash in canvas, paint and models.
We enjoyed the free food and drink, friendly merchants and other supporters enjoying First Friday. I wish the event well and hope that many others take advantage of this unique opportunity to see what the local shops and merchants have to offer. It’s worth it.

After a 2 month hiatus due to construction on Atlantic Ave, First Friday’s made a huge comeback last night! Since First Fridays is in our neighborhood, we have attended this event a few times, but last night was by far the most impressive (and most attended) that we have gone to.
As we strolled down Atlantic Ave exploring the participating businesses (most serving as makeshift art galleries) there was a wonderful sense of community and some great entertainment. Live music was pumping out of many of the venues, and most were offering appetizers, snacks, and drinks. In addition to art & music, we also saw face painting (lots of good things to do for kids), a handwriting analyst (she was awesome), a avant garde hair show, and a massage therapist.
Come out to First Fridays for a great evening & to support local businesses. There’s a little something for everyone & a nice way to meet some new folks.