This Thursday: Long Beach’s Best Night Market Is Back

Thursday Night Market Brings Life to Long Beach’s Promenade

A weekly community event that blends food, art, and neighborhood connection

Local Vibes, Global Bites

Walk through the market and you’ll be met with the scent of grilled elote, the beat of a live DJ, and families gathered around food trucks under hanging lights. Whether you're sipping fresh agua fresca or sampling a vegan pupusa, the culinary lineup reflects Long Beach’s multicultural soul.

Alongside the food stalls, local artisans display handcrafted soaps, one-of-a-kind paintings, and eco-friendly home goods. Each booth has a story, and most vendors are local to the area—making the market a direct investment in the community.

A Weekly Ritual with a City Heart

What began as a small pop-up has grown into a weekly anchor for The Promenade district. Residents know it’s more than just a place to shop—it’s where neighbors catch up, kids dance to street performers, and visitors get a real taste of Long Beach life.

The event’s open-air layout invites everyone to linger. You’ll often see bikes parked along the walkway and picnic blankets set up in nearby green spaces. On cool fall evenings, the lights strung above create a cozy, festival-like ambiance that keeps people coming back.

Recurring Magic: Why Thursday Nights Matter

Recurring events can lose momentum over time, but the Thursday Night Market has only gained steam. Part of its charm lies in how it evolves—rotating vendors, seasonal offerings, and themed evenings (like “Spooky Thursday” in October) keep things fresh.

In a time when connection feels more valuable than ever, the market stands out as a simple but powerful way to bring people together. It’s an antidote to screen fatigue and an open invitation to explore your city on foot.

How to Make the Most of It

Arrive early if you want first dibs on popular items like artisanal bread or locally grown mushrooms. Most vendors accept cards, but cash can help you move faster during peak hours. Bring a reusable tote, a water bottle, and an appetite.

Parking is available nearby, but many locals prefer to walk or bike in. The Metro Blue Line stop at Downtown Long Beach is just a short stroll away, making the market accessible for transit riders.

Looking Ahead

As fall deepens and the holidays approach, expect the market to lean into festive themes, possibly including holiday crafts, warm seasonal foods, and live performances. It’s not just an event—it’s a rhythm in Long Beach’s week, pulsing with creativity and heart.

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Event Details

Thursday Night Market / Downtown Long Beach
• 📅 Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025
• 🕒 Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• 📍 Location: 300 The Promenade N, Long Beach, CA
• 🎟️ Admission: Free
• 📄 Details: Evening market with food, local vendors, crafts, and a cozy community vibe. A recurring event that brings life to the heart of downtown.

CLICK HERE

Long Beach Pizza Co. Puts Pineapple Pizza in the Spotlight

A flavor choice, a triumph to prosperity, in Long Beach history

What are your go-to pizza toppings? Pepperoni? Mushrooms? Maybe a drizzle of ranch or extra cheese? Everyone’s got a favorite combo—some are classics, some are chaotic. But one topping has stirred more debate than any other.

How about you—would you put pineapple on your pizza?

It’s a question that’s launched online arguments, sparked foodie feuds, and divided dinner tables. Pineapple pizza (sometimes called Hawaiian) has roots dating back to the 1960s, when a Greek-Canadian restaurant owner decided to try something new: sweet fruit on savory dough. Some love the sweet-salty contrast.

But here’s the thing, whether you love it or hate it, pineapple pizza must have a fanbase. Why? Because just about every pizzeria, from the big chains to neighborhood staples like Long Beach Pizza Co., keeps it on the menu. That alone says something.

At Long Beach Pizza Co., Pineapple Has Never Been Just a Gimmick

It’s part of a broader menu that embraces creativity. This is, after all, the same place that brought locals a spaghetti pizza and curry chicken pies. "It’s about giving people something fun and unexpected,” said Nasser, the owner, who has run the Broadway-based restaurant for more than 30 years.

Long Beach Pizza Co. History

First opened its doors in 1994 and quickly became a neighborhood staple. After a decade of steady business, the restaurant underwent a full remodel in 2005, modernizing the space while preserving old-school pizzeria vibes.

But it was in 2018 that the real test came

A car, reportedly driven by someone under the influence—plowed through the front of the restaurant, causing significant structural damage. The pizzeria was forced to close for nearly eight months. For many small businesses, that kind of disruption could be the end of the story.

But not here.

"It was a really tough time", Nasser says. The community waited , And when it reopened, they came back hungry.

The incident became part of the restaurant’s legacy—not as a tragedy, but as a turning point. One that proved just how deeply Long Beach Pizza Co. is rooted in the community it serves.

Online, the pineapple debate is far from settled. But in Long Beach, people tend to take a more laid-back approach. “Order what you like,” said one Yelp reviewer. “If pineapple makes you happy, go for it.”

History Of Pineapple On Pizza

There’s something distinctly Southern Californian about embracing flavors without judgment. In a city known for tacos, teriyaki, and Thai curry, why wouldn’t pineapple be welcome on pizza too?

Besides, the numbers don’t lie. According to a national food delivery app, pineapple is still one of the top ten pizza toppings in the U.S. That includes plenty of orders right here in Long Beach.

Love it or leave it, pineapple pizza has earned its spot—and Long Beach Pizza Co. is happy to serve it up with a side of nostalgia and a slice of pride.

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Business Details

Long Beach Pizza Co. – Italian-American
• 📍 Address: 3430 E Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90803
• 🌟 Yelp Rating: 4.0 | • ✅ Health Grade: A | • 💲 Price Range: $12–$24

• 🌐Website | Google
• 📝 Info: Neighborhood staple serving specialty pizzas, classic pastas, hot sandwiches, burgers, and hearty combo plates.

Interesting Facts

Long Beach was originally known as "Willmore City" in the 1800s before it was renamed in 1888

In 1888, Long Beach adopted its name and began promoting itself as a seaside resort. By 1902, the Pike amusement zone and boardwalk were established, drawing visitors with bathhouses, arcades, and thrill rides that would shape the city’s shoreline identity for decades.

We promote small local businesses and nonprofit organizations, helping them make a lasting impact in their community. We do this by creating a central hub where they can connect, grow, and be seen.

Join the kick-off event for Latino Restaurant Week as part of Hispanic Heritage Month with food & drink from local spots, celebrating culture and community.

Date: September 18, 2025 · Time: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM · Location: Downtown Long Beach · Admission: Free

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“Gabby’s Dollhouse Live!” brings the hit DreamWorks show to life with puppetry, music, and interactive fun for families and kids.

Date: September 19, 2025 · Time: Doors 5:00 PM / Show 6:00 PM · Location: Terrace Theater, Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center · Admission: Ticketed

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Thursday Night Market – food, shopping, local artisans & crafts in a relaxed evening market setting.

Date: September 18, 2025 · Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Location: 300 N Promenade (between 3rd & 4th Street) · Admission: Free

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Coastal Fall Market by the SoCal Etsy Guild — browse handmade goods, fall themed items, artisan vendors.

Date: September 27, 2025 · Time: TBD · Location: 2nd & PCH, Long Beach · Admission: Free

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Part of the Airwaves concert series at LGB featuring Latin Jazz Funk: Nira (tribute to Selena), local cumbia, DJs & more in a festive, open‑air family setting.

Date: September 20, 2025 · Time: ~5:00 PM · Location: LGB Open‑Air Plaza, Long Beach · Admission: Free

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Glow Festival: a beauty & wellness market event with vendors & experiences focused on wellness, skin care, beauty & wellness products.

Date: October 12, 2025 · Time: TBD · Location: LBX Long Beach Exchange · Admission: Ticketed

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LBX Nights – 4th Friday Night Market at the Hangar: food, vendors, music & community gathering.

Date: September 26, 2025 · Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Location: LBX Hangar, Long Beach Exchange · Admission: Free

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The Long Beach Marathon & associated race events along the scenic downtown & shoreline — open to runners & spectators alike.

Date: October 4‑5, 2025 · Time: TBD (day events) · Location: Downtown Long Beach/shoreline route · Admission: Spectator free

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Long Beach Symphony presents “Passion & Tragedy” / family concert – orchestral performance with narrative elements, great for families & music lovers.

Date: September 26, 2025 · Time: 11:00 AM · Location: Long Beach Symphony (venue to be confirmed) · Admission: Ticketed

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Life Begins at 40: Whitney’s Unforgettable Birthday at Ammatolí

Downtown Long Beach’s Levantine favorite hosts a soulful milestone night

A Heartfelt Night at Ammatolí

Whitney, a Long Beach resident since 2008, celebrated her 40th birthday with her closest friends at Ammatolí, downtown’s beloved Levantine restaurant. Known for its warmth, style, and soul-filled menu, it was the perfect setting for a night of reflection, laughter, and bold flavors.

“I always wanted to move to CA and ended up stumbling upon LB,” Whitney said. “LB is eclectic, it gets warm, and it’s welcoming.”

Whitney spent years working in restaurants across the city and now works as an esthetician at Facialworks in Huntington Beach, helping people care for their skin. “Skincare starts from the inside out,” she said. When asked about what keeps her looking young, she added, “Stress, drink water, use retinol and hyaluronic.” Her other secret? “Genes, hydration.”

When asked how she feels at 40, her answer was simple: “Wise.”

Whitney gives a special thanks to Marry, the waitress who helped make the night memorable. “Shoutout to Robert Brennan, Kolby Woods,” she said—two people who have truly been there for her.

Ammatolí: A Long Beach Favorite Since 2018

Ammatolí, a Long Beach favorite since opening in 2018, has become a go-to destination for birthdays, brunches, and special celebrations. It offers more than just good food, with an atmosphere that feels elegant and personal. While some dishes nod to broader Mediterranean cuisine, the heart of the menu is rooted in the Levant, especially the Palestinian and Jordanian heritage of chef-owner Dima Habibeh.

For Whitney, the night’s highlight was the Mosa’bakka—a dish that reflects Ammatolí’s bold, flavorful approach to food. From mezze to musakhan, the menu blends tradition with a modern edge. Every plate tells part of a larger story.

Taste of Palestine Rooted in Long Beach

Dima Habibeh, chef and co-owner of Ammatolí, brings her Palestinian roots to life through a menu full of tradition and heart. From the sumac-spiced musakhan to the sweet, stretchy layers of knafeh, the flavors are bold enough to awaken any palate. This family-owned gem blends cultural authenticity with modern charm. If you're tired of the same old thing, it's time to escape the ordinary and savor something soulful.

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Event Details

Schedule Skincare with Whitney

21022 Pacific Coast Hwy #210, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Appointments | Google

Phone: 17143744233

Ammatolí – Levantine / Mediterranean

📍 285 E. Third Street, Long Beach, CA 90802

🌟 Yelp Rating: 4.5 | ✅ LA County Health Grade: A |Price Range: $31–$50

Website | Google | Instagram

Locations: 1 | Family‑Owned (single independent location)

📝 Bright, casual‑elegant Levantine/Mediterranean spot.

📝 Nearby FREE 2 hours parking

Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor Returns for 2025 with Haunted Mazes and Thrills

Each autumn, the RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach transforms into a living nightmare as Dark Harbor returns to haunt the harbor.

Using the ship’s storied, ghostly reputation, this immersive Halloween event lures guests aboard for a chilling journey through haunted mazes that wind through real cabins and engine rooms.

Expect live scare actors, legendary maritime spirits, and interactive horror set against authentic, creaking steel corridors.

Dark Harbor’s multiple labyrinths—both aboard the Queen Mary and onshore—combine theatrical scares, spine-tingling effects, and atmospheric lighting that blur reality and nightmare.

The event also offers themed bars, performers, and eerie eats, while VIP upgrades and cabanas tempt those looking for an exclusive fright.

Nationally acclaimed, this Long Beach staple draws crowds eager for a frightful night where history and horror entwine—if you dare, book early.