Cemetery Tour Marks 30 Years in Long Beach

The Historical Society of Long Beach's annual Historical Cemetery Tour celebrated its 30th year with graveside performances at two local cemeteries.

Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Cultural

Weathered granite headstones recede across a green cemetery lawn beneath tall palms and pines, with soft coastal haze over the grounds. — The Historical Society of Long Beach marked 30 years of its Historical Cemetery Tour on Saturday, October 31, 2026, with graveside performances at two local cemeteries. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The Historical Society of Long Beach hosted its annual Historical Cemetery Tour on Saturday, October 31, 2026, marking 30 years at Long Beach Municipal and Sunnyside Cemeteries. Hundreds of residents and visitors attended, watching community theater actors portray historical figures at their graves.

Why it matters

The tour gives Long Beach residents a direct way to learn about the people who shaped the city's history. Its longevity reflects sustained community interest in preserving local heritage through public programming.

The tour has run for 30 years and is held on the last Saturday of October each year. The Decker family's 81 years of caring for Sunnyside Cemetery and the 15-year-old ofrenda installation are featured highlights, though exact attendance counts were not reported.

The players

Historical Society of Long Beach

The local nonprofit organization that organizes the annual Historical Cemetery Tour to preserve and share the city's heritage.

Long Beach Playhouse

A community theater that supplied performers in period costumes to portray historical figures during the tour.

The details

Community theater actors, some wearing period-accurate costumes from Long Beach Playhouse, performed at graveside locations depicting the lives of residents who shaped the city. This year's program included the founding of Farmers & Merchants Bank and the Decker family's stewardship of Sunnyside Cemetery.

Last Saturday of October: The Historical Cemetery Tour takes place annually.
October 31, 2026: The 30th anniversary tour was held.

Cultural Continuity

Now in its 30th year, the Historical Cemetery Tour extends a three-decade tradition of using graveside performance to teach Long Beach's history. Its continued annual run on the last Saturday of October shows how local history programs can sustain public interest across generations.

Residents can attend the annual tour on the last Saturday of October to see the graveside performances in person. The tour is held at Long Beach Municipal and Sunnyside Cemeteries, making it accessible to visitors across the city.

The takeaway

Local history often lives in the places people walk past every day. Attending a community heritage event like this one is a simple way to connect with the stories behind a city's streets and names.