Uncover Long Beach's Holiday Delights and Community Spirit
Friday 12/20
The Dana Neighborhood Library invites the community to enjoy an afternoon of cider-tasting, holiday snacks, and festive crafts from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at 3680 Atlantic Ave. This family-friendly event is open to all ages and is completely free. It's a great way to get into the holiday spirit with friends and family.
Frosty Night Market takes place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Partake Collective (456 Elm Ave.). Enjoy a festive evening of shopping, food, and holiday fun. The event features holiday-themed vendors, kids' activities, and a Santa Claus meet-and-greet. Admission is free.
Saturday 12/21
Discover the architectural history of Downtown Long Beach on the guided walking tour from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with Long Beach Heritage. The tour covers 1.5 miles and showcases landmarks like the WPA-era Recreation Mural and other historical buildings. Tickets can be purchased for $15 on their website.
At Willow Springs Park from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the public is invited to celebrate the winter solstice. The event includes a guided walk, a sound bath, a view of the solstice from the highest point in Long Beach, and a live ukulele performance by the Long Beach Ukulele Club. Registration is required for the guided walk and sound bath, but the solstice viewing and ukulele performance are free.
Bilingual Storytime for young children takes place at Rancho Los Cerritos from 10 a.m. in the garden. Enjoy stories and songs in English and Spanish while sitting on benches or bringing blankets and snacks for added comfort. It's a wonderful opportunity for families to bond.
Sunday 12/22
Local nonprofit Compound invites the community to a workshop led by artist Tanya Bartels at noon. Create a collaborative multimedia collage with all art supplies provided. No prior experience is necessary. Register on Eventbrite for free.
Christmas Karaoke Show at Sports Basement Long Beach from noon to 6:00 p.m. is a family-friendly event with a karaoke contest, a toy drive for children in the Philippines, and local vendors. Tickets can be purchased for $17.85 on Eventbrite.
Monday 12/23
Children and their families are invited to The Harte Neighborhood Library from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. for Read & Create, enjoying stories and an art activity led by Agape Children's Museum. It's a great way to spend an afternoon together.
The Queen Mary hosts a silent disco from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. to close out its 12-day Christmas celebration. General admission tickets can be purchased for $26.50 on the ship's website.
Tuesday 12/24
Kids can keep active during winter break with the Winter Fun Days drop-in recreation program from noon to 5 p.m. for children ages 5-12 at select Long Beach parks. Pre-registration is required. It's a fun way to stay entertained during the holidays.
Holiday Gift Wrapping is available at the Harte Neighborhood Library from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Guests can enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea while library staff helps with gift wrapping. Supplies are provided while they last, with a limit of five gifts per person. It's a convenient service for last-minute gift wrapping.
Wednesday 12/25
The Art Theatre screens "A Complete Unknown" at 4:05 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. This film explores Bob Dylan's rise to fame and is rated R with a runtime of 141 minutes. Tickets are available on the theater's website for $12.
Christmas Premier Dinner Cruises depart from Rainbow Harbor, Dock 6A from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Enjoy a festive dinner, a DJ, and scenic views of the Long Beach skyline. Boarding begins at 4:30 p.m. and tickets start at $90 on the online platform City Experiences.
Thursday 12/26
Children between the ages of 3 and 12 are invited to the Bach Neighborhood Library from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for Kwanzaa Crafts & Stories. It's a great way to celebrate Kwanzaa with crafts and stories.
Family Movie at the Harte Neighborhood Library from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. is a screening of the classic holiday film "The Grinch" with closed captions. It's a perfect way to relax and enjoy a holiday movie with the family.