There’s no doubt that a city like Long Beach, with a population close to half a million, is going to have plenty of events going on no matter what time of year you visit. The coastal city is a popular destination for tourists and Southern California natives who are looking for a weekend getaway. Spontaneous travelers will find that there is almost always a festival, fair or convention going on in this busy city outside of Los Angeles.
You could take your chances on stumbling upon an event, but a better idea is to plan your vacation around an annual event. With a little bit of organization, you will know what to expect and be able to take advantage of all the perks that come with being in town for one of Long Beach’s fabulous events.
One of the best ways to search for local events and festivals is to use the Internet. You can find listings for things that are going on now and in the future, allowing you to better plan your vacation. If you are looking to visit for a specific event or during a certain time of year, an online calendar is a convenient way to see what’s happening and when.
A smart place to start is the Long Beach Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Their online calendar will let you see at a glance everything that’s going on throughout the year in the city. Some of the most popular annual events are:
January: New Year’s Eve celebration on the Queen Mary
February: The Belmont Shore Chocolate Festival
March: Indian Pow Wow at CSULB
April: Toyota Grand Prix
May: Lesbian and Gay Pride Festival
June: Ink & Iron Tattoo Convention
July: Tafesilafa’i Festival
August: Long Beach Jazz Festival
September: the Greek Festival
October: Harvest Festival original art and craft show
November: Veteran’s Day Parade
December: Naples Boat Parade
Attending a local festival, fair or special event can give you a new perspective on local culture. In addition, it’s a great way to save money while still experiencing all the best that the city by the sea has to offer. Although every festival or fair will have a ticket price, your daily “entertainment budget” will be less than it would be if you paid for individual tours and attractions.
Another benefit of planning a vacation to coincide with a local festival is that you may be able to purchase a package deal from the hotel that includes discount tickets to your chosen event. When you book your stay, be sure to ask the hotel if they offer a special rate to guests that are attending the festival.
Music festivals and concerts, extreme sporting events and golf tournaments, art walks and crafting extravaganzas, conventions and seminars — Long Beach events aren’t hard to find as long as you know where to look. Whether you’re interested in a particular festival just want to experience something new, planning your vacation around a special event is a great way to make sure you have plenty to do….
About the Author
EverythingLongBeach.com is a community website that covers Long Beach art, news, music, and entertainment. The site is a wonderful resource for anyone that wants to discover local events or plan their next trip around a Long Beach festival.
Article source: http://keyknowhow.com/travel/long-beach-events-plan-your-vacation-around-a-local-festival-or-special-event.html
