Many families look forward to their vacation all year. So, it’s only natural to start planning as early as possible for where to go and what to do. This year, consider a trip somewhere sunny where there is always something interesting to do.

The city of Long Beach, in Southern California is more than just a beach getaway. Its rich history of art and culture has inspired many actors, artists and musicians to keep returning year after year. The area is also famous for its many festivals.

One such festival is the Long Beach Sea Festival. Folks come out in numbers every summer in support of this three-month celebration. Among the popular highlights are the Offshore Powerboat Race, the Catalina Ski Race, Dragon Boat Festival and the Tiki Beach Festival. Another famous event of this festival is the Transpacific Yacht Race which takes place every two years and begins in Long Beach and ends in Hawaii.

Another annual event is the Harvest Festival, which takes place over a three-day period in the fall. Here, hundreds of artisans come out to showcase their creativity. Items displayed range from hand-woven clothing to paintings, specialty foods, photography, sculptures and jewelry. A Kids Zone with activities is also available for the young ones. This unique experience is complemented by eclectic entertainment and a variety of food choices.

The ancient luxury ship Queen Mary recently became the venue of choice for the international Ink and Iron Festival. This three-day convention highlights the talents of some of the best tattoo artists on the planet. Besides the regular skin tattoo, these artists display their work on items such as paper, canvases and photos for a more pronounced effect. The festival features a tattoo contest, cabaret shows and pin-up pageant.

Long before Hollywood, the Balboa Studios in Long Beach, California was in the movie making business. In an effort to preserve this history the International Film Festival was born. This festival aims at highlighting local filmmakers while educating the community. This annual event features film and screenplay competitions, a children’s day programme and an awards gala dinner. Like many other events, the International Film Festival is held aboard the historic Queen Mary.

Though among the newest, the International Quilt Festival is a massive three-day event. During this time, quilt lovers from all over gather for this annual summer show. The event is designed for those whose desire is to buy, sell, teach or learn. The show features quilts, textiles, art ensembles as well as hands-on classes. A major highlight of the festival is ‘Make it University’ which includes special exhibits and teaching show cases.

The International Martial Arts Festival has been an annual event in Long Beach for decades. Formerly known as the Long Beach International Karate Competition, this festival showcases a range of martial arts styles such as Tae Kwon Do, Gi Jiu Jitsu, American Kenpo and Okinawan. These may be presented as part of a fitness expo or used amongst competitors. Other highlights of the festival are training camps and workshops.

In Long Beach, California there is always somewhere to go. In fact, every month of the year a number of events and festivals are featured. Visitors can always expect to have a fun filled experience when vacationing in this city. Just remember to book your hotel early, because some of these festival attract large crowds.