With its diverse population and eclectic neighborhoods, Long Beach is home to a number of interesting art galleries and museums. The Museum of Latin American Art is located in Long Beach, and is the only such museum in the western United States.

There’s also the Long Beach Museum of Art, located in the historic Elizabeth Milbank Anderson residence and operated by the Long Beach Museum of Art Foundation. California State University at Long Beach is home to the University Art Museum, which is known for its high-quality and innovative programs.

The newest art museum to come to Long Beach is the Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum. This museum was founded by Dr. Robert Gumbine, who also founded the Museum of Latin American Art, and just opened its doors in 2010.

The community of Long Beach hosted the first International Sculpture Symposium in the United States in 1965. Today there are still over 20 sculptures on display around the Long Beach State campus. Long Beach is also known for street art. There are a number of murals throughout the city, some of which were created in conjunction with the city's Mural and Cultural Arts Program and others that were not. The East Village Art District in downtown offers monthly art openings and street exhibits.

Musically Long Beach has a lot to offer, from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSULB to the Long Beach Symphony to the Long Beach Opera and the Long Beach Community Concert Association. Each of these organizations puts on a number of performances throughout the year, ensuring there’s always a great concert to attend whenever you find yourself in the area.

Long Beach is also home to many long-running music festivals, including the Bob Marley Reggae Festival in February, the Cajun & Zydeco Festival in May, the El Dia De San Juan Puerto Rican Festival in June, the Aloha Concert Jam, also in June, the Long Beach Jazz Festival in August, the Long Beach Blues Festival in September, and the Brazilian Street Carnaval, also in September.

There are also a number of theatre companies in Long Beach, offering a variety of plays and performances in the community every season.