With only two weeks left in 2023, there’s still plenty of opportunities to soak in the holiday season with fun things to do in Long Beach and Signal Hill.
There are two free winter celebrations open to the public on Saturday, as well as a ticketed Chanukah celebration at a local brewery.
Cinephiles can enjoy the screening of an independent documentary at a local bookstore on Sunday, or test their film knowledge at a trivia night on Tuesday.
Friday 12/15
Crochet Club: 11 a.m. to noon. The public is invited to the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) to crochet together for an hour. This event is appropriate for all skill levels. For more information, call (562) 989-7323. Free.
Drag Show: 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. El Barrio Cantina (1731 E Fourth St.) will be hosting a drag show featuring performances by four drag queens. Local drag queen Reina will emcee the event. Tickets can be purchased for $10 on Eventbrite.
Art After Dark: 11 p.m. The Art Theatre of Long Beach (2025 E Fourth St.) will show a one-night special screening of the 1977 comedy/horror/fantasy film of a group of friends in a freakish mansion where insanity ensues in the form of animated appliances and an evil spirit in a painting of a cat. Tickets are $13.50 and can be purchased online or at the theater.
Saturday 12/16
Food Distribution: 8 a.m. The Puente Latino Association will be distributing groceries to individuals and families in need at Houghton Park (6335 Myrtle Ave.). There will only be food available for the first 150 attendees, and food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Free.
Winter Wonderland: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pueblita Tortillas, UR Foundation and Vice Mayor Cindy Allen will be hosting this seasonal celebration for the public at Orizaba Park (1435 Orizaba Ave.). The event will include falling snow, community resources and complementary burgers and hot dogs. Toys will be given to children in need. Free.
Winter In Willmore: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The public is invited to this seasonal celebration at the historic Bembridge House (953 N Park Circle), featuring food trucks, vendors, entertainment, children’s activities and more. Free.
Grand Opening: 3:45 p.m. The Birthworkers of Color Collective will be celebrating the opening of its first brick-and-mortar business location (1635 E Anaheim St. Suite A). A ribbon cutting will take place at 3:45 p.m. Vendors will be selling handmade items. Food will be available for purchase. To register for this event, visit bit.ly/bwocc-winter. Free to attend.
Photography Club: 10 a.m. to noon. Photographers of all levels are invited to the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) to share and discuss their work with others. Newcomers are asked to come with a USB stick that contains five images that fall under the class theme for this month, “Seasonal Things.” This club is appropriate for those ages 16 and older. Free.
Kalo Futures: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Native Hawaiian Chef Noelani Mengel will be teaching a workshop on how to plant taro, held at the Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum (695 Alamitos Ave.). Registration is encouraged but not required. To register, email team@pieam.org. Admission is donation based.
Mushroom Holiday Market: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Long Beach Mushrooms will be hosting a holiday celebration at its headquarters (1969 Obispo Ave.). The event will feature shopping, tarot card reading and more. Free to attend.
Chanukah Happy Hour: 7 p.m. Long Beach Beer Lab (518 W Willow St.) will be hosting this holiday celebration organized by Beach Hillel and other Jewish groups. The event will feature beer, kosher food and live music. Tickets cost $20 at the door, or $15 if purchased ahead of time on Jewish Long Beach’s website.
Sunday 12/17
Christmas Market: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Farmers Marketplace is hosting their annual Christmas Market at 5000 E Spring St. with vendors, crafters, food and a chance to meet Santa Claus from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Free.
Concert & Book Signing: 10 a.m. The First Congregational Church of Long Beach (at the corner of Third St. and Cedar Ave.) will host a Sunday service featuring a brass and percussion ensemble, the choral masterpiece “Gloria” followed by a holiday market and a Christmas book signing. Free.
Christmas Bike Ride: 11 a.m. Bixby Knolls’ kidical mass bike ride takes place Sunday morning with a special theme of ugly sweaters. Families can meet up at the Pixie Toys parking lot (3914 Atlantic Ave.) to ride through the neighborhood and check out Christmas decorations. There will be treats during and after the ride, and a prize for ugliest and most festive sweaters. Free.
Holiday Movie: 11 a.m. Residents can enjoy a 16mm screening of Frank Capra’s 1946 holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the Long Beach Art Theatre (2025 E Fourth St.). Tickets can be purchased online or at the theater.
Artist Walkthrough: Noon to 2 p.m. Artist Jacqueline Valenzuela will be leading a walk-through of her newest exhibit “Sunday Service: Slow Ride” at Munzón Gallery (1730 E Anaheim St., Unit A). Valenzuela will discuss the themes and inspirations for her work. Free.
Film Screening: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The public is invited to Bel Canto Books (2122 E 4th St.), for a screening of a documentary about the specialty coffee industry in the Philippines. General admission tickets can be purchased for $5 on Eventbrite.
Monday 12/18
Countering Active Threats Training: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. During this informative event at the Alpert Jewish Community Center (3801 E Willow St.), participants will learn how to handle an active threat event, how to increase their chances of survival and how to respond to the arrival of law enforcement. Free, but registration is required on the Alpert Jewish Community Center’s website.
Orchid Club Meeting: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The South Coast Orchid Society will feature a slideshow of orchids their club members have been growing since the pandemic at the Whaley Park Community Center (5620 E Atherton St.). They will also go over the latest trends in orchid growing. Free.
Tibetan Meditation: 7:30 p.m. The Gaden Shartse Thubten Dhargye temple (3500 E 4th St.) will be leading a meditation session centering on the Buddha of Compassion, Chenrezig. During the meditation, participants will use visualization to develop compassion for all sentient beings. Free.
Tuesday 12/19
Movie Trivia Night: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Partake Collective (456 Elm Ave.) will be hosting a movie trivia night, where contestants can wield their film knowledge against each other. Attendees are welcome to come alone or with their own teams. Winners will receive prizes. Free.
Paint & Sip: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Beach Garden Social House (1923 E Broadway) invites those 21 and over to sip on wine while creating a guided Christmas-themed painting. Tickets can be purchased for $40 on Eventbrite.
Wednesday 12/20
Santa’s Workshop: 5 p.m. The City of Signal Hill is hosting this holiday party at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.), featuring a visit from Santa, face painting, holiday crafts, hot chocolate and more. Each child in attendance will receive a free holiday-themed book. Free.
Winter Daydream Burlesque Show: 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Moon Gem Productions will be presenting a winter-themed burlesque show at Supply & Demand (2500 E Anaheim St.). Tickets can be purchased for $15 on Eventbrite.
Thursday 12/21
Junk-N-Jive: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Ficklewood Ciderworks (720 E Broadway) invites people to bring their unwanted items to trade with each other while listening to live music. Free.
Lesbian Speed Dating: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Lesbians between the ages of 22 to 44 are invited to participate in speed dating at Congregation Ale House (201 E Broadway). Tickets can be purchased for $36 on Eventbrite.
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