29th Annual Historical Cemetery Tour

Where Every Plot Has A Story!

You'll be entertained to death!

The Historical Society of Long Beach holds the Annual Historical Cemetery Tour at Long Beach Municipal Cemetery and Sunnyside Cemetery on the last Saturday of October. The all-ages event features graveside performances by community theater actors portraying the life of the person lying at rest. Actors perform in period-appropriate costumes. Each year’s program features a number of stories – some are individuals who helped shape the city’s political past, others are ordinary people whose tales remind us that rich or poor, famed or nearly forgotten, everyone has a story to tell. Attractions include Japanese American History, a Dia de Los Muertos installation, talks by historians, authors signing local history books, and displays of Long Beach history.

 The tour is self-guided. First-person performances last 10 minutes and are repeated every 20 minutes from 9 AM to 2:40 PM. Arrive before noon for the full experience.

Bring lunch or your own refreshments and take advantage of our rest area under the trees.

The event attracts 1500 participants and engages the support of volunteers, the City of Long Beach Parks, Recreation, and Marine, community, and regional leaders. Sponsors help keep ticket prices affordable.

There is limited onsite parking for compact automobiles. Carpooling is recommended and bicycle parking is available.

Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

For youth groups, we ask that up to four children under 12 be accompanied by an adult.     

The Historical Cemetery Tour is the signature event of the Historical Society of Long Beach. It’s the most fun you will have in a cemetery.

Tickets are transferable, but non-refundable.

Visit www.hslb.org for information.

Know Before You Go!

Know Before You Go—29^th Annual Historical Cemetery Tour

This beloved community event will take place on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 9am to 3pm at Sunnyside and Municipal Cemeteries (1095 & 1151 E Willow St, Long Beach, CA 90806). Gates open at 8:30am. Arrive before noon to see it all!

Read below to help plan your trip to the 28th Annual Historical Cemetery Tour

I. Parking

Compact and sedan-sized vehicles are welcome to park inside Sunnyside Cemetery gates on a first-come, first-served basis. Cemetery parking is also available at Willow Springs Park along Orange Ave. The Willow Springs Park Cemetery Tour entrance is not wheelchair accessible. Please see below for further details on accessibility at this event.

There will be additional parking at the Los Angeles County Office of the Assessor (1401 E Willow St, Signal Hill, CA 90755) located on the corner of Gundry Ave and Willow St, just a short walk away from the cemeteries.

Street parking is allowed in the surrounding neighborhood, but please follow all city restrictions.

Parking is limited! Public transportation, carpooling, ridesharing, biking, or walking to the event is encouraged.

II. Checking In

Upon arrival, check in at any of our three ticket booths, whether you have already purchased tickets or not. Ticket booths are located at Sunnyside Cemetery behind the office building at the main entrance, at Municipal Cemetery along its Willow St. entrance, and at Municipal Cemetery along its Willow Springs Park pedestrian entrance. You will present your electronic ticket(s) at the booth. Have the QR code ready to scan.

If you have not purchased tickets or would like to purchase more, you may do so at any ticket booth. Tickets on the day of the event will be $30; HSLB members will receive a 10% discount. Please use a credit/debit card to pay. This is a cashless event. You will receive a wristband once your tickets have been verified or purchased onsite. Please keep this wristband on for the remainder of your visit.

III. What to Bring

Keep in mind that this event is entirely outdoors.

* Check the weather before you go. Plan your attire and sun protection accordingly.

* The cemetery grounds are uneven. Comfortable shoes are encouraged. Walking sticks are welcome.

* We advise against bringing any pets unless they are required for medical or therapeutic reasons. The event is lively and can be stressful for most domestic animals.

* There is limited seating at all the performances. Please feel free to bring a folding chair or blanket.

* Be sure to stay hydrated. Bring a reusable water bottle. A refill station will be available.

IV. Refreshments

You can bring a picnic lunch, water, and snacks to enjoy during the event. There will be a rest and refreshment area with limited seating, as well as a station to refill your water bottles. You are also welcome to respectfully lay a blanket or folding chairs on the lawn and enjoy the beauty and charm of these historic cemeteries with family and friends, but please be mindful of where the performances are happening so that everyone can enjoy the event. We also ask you to please dispose of all trash and recyclables in the appropriate containers.

Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Department rules still apply to all spaces within Sunnyside and Municipal cemeteries. This includes no smoking, alcoholic beverages, or amplified music or sounds. Guests who do not adhere to these rules may be asked to leave.

V. Accessibility

Some of the performances will be more accessible this year to those using wheelchairs, walkers, and motorized scooters. A temporary accessibility ramp and mobility mats will be added to Sunnyside Cemetery located between #14 and #6 on the tour map. 

If you need accessible parking, Sunnyside Cemetery and the Los Angeles County Office of the Assessor are better for wheelchair and scooter access to the cemeteries. There will also be a drop-off area at the corner of Willow Street and California Avenue.

Paved driveways are available at both cemeteries, but they are located some distance from where the actors perform.

There are NO curb-cuts for personal wheeled vehicles, but the curbs are lower in some areas. You may need to lift your wheelchair or scooter unless your device has the ability to climb several inches.

VI. Finding Your Way Around

All guests attending the event will receive a program containing a map with all the performances, attractions, and amenities marked. If you have questions about where to find anything you need, just ask one of our HSLB staff or volunteers for assistance.

You can also find a full schedule and maps with performance times on the ticket purchasing page.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Performances & Attractions