Bixby Knolls First Fridays

Overview: First Fridays is a monthly event (1^st Friday of the month) that takes place on Atlantic Ave in north Long Beach in the neighborhood of Bixby Knolls where businesses, street musicians, artists, and street vendors all congregate for a block-​party of sorts. It’s a crowded mess of awesome music, dancing, street vendors, and a surprising number of children running around unsupervised that I both hate and love at the same time.
The Music: From professional jazz musicians, to Lo-​Fi drugged out indie bands, to classy cover bands, to random teenagers trying to make it with their acoustic guitars (unamplified), First Fridays really runs the full gamut. Most of the musicians are performing out on the street for tips but many of the restaurants have musicians playing indoors.
The Performers: There are break-​dancers, street artists, and graffiti artists just to name a few of the fun things you’ll see.
The Vendors: I’m not really a fan of street vendors in general and never feel that what they sell appeals to me. It’s the same here on First Fridays as the vendors are mostly selling overpriced sandwiches, cheap jewelry or esoteric clothing.
Conclusions: I love First Fridays and think it’s one of the best parts about living by Bixby Knolls. Come for the music, food, shopping, and people-​watching!

Bixby Knolls First Friday’s is always a fun time. Atlantic Avenue comes alive with live music scattered around, dancing, and tons of food! It’s a great atmosphere for your family and tends to be on the safer side if you feel like dropping off your teens somewhere for an hour. It’s not bad for a casual date either but because the age range is either between 10 – 16 or 30 – 60, it might be a little weird. In this case, it’s not the best place for young adults although some linger around at a local pub or grabbing dinner.
If you’re into window shopping or browsing art that’s what First Friday’s is all about.
However if you don’t feel like having a sit down meal or overpriced sandwiches come having already eaten or with the intention to go to dinner after. Most establishments around are quite pricey or packed because of the amount of people around.
Bottom line, if you’re looking for a lively place for your family to take an evening stroll this is definitely the place.

First Fridays is a nice way to explore the Bixby Knolls area. There are live bands and entertainers up and down Atlantic Avenue and many of the shops and restaurants stay open extra late. The Expo center is usually open late displaying local art work and crafts for sale.
The reasons for sure stars instead of five? The annoying teenagers and kids. Like obnoxiously annoying. I think some parents treat the street as a free babysitter for their brats and the kids get crazy because they’re surrounded by their friends and no parents. I don’t hate kids, but I dislike irresponsible parents.
The Big Red Bus provides free transportation up and down the street to those who don’t want to walk. There is free parking on the streets and in parking lots.
6:30−9:30pm
First Friday of the month