There’s a chill in the air, and it’s time to get into the holiday spirit with some of the first celebrations of the season. There will be two Christmas tree lightings on Wednesday and Thursday. Those interested in taking holiday photos can learn how to edit their own using a green screen during a workshop at Billie Jean King Main Library.
Residents looking to pick up a new hobby can attend a chess club on Friday, a classical music workshop or a salsa dance class on Tuesday. Nature lovers can help plant trees in the Willmore neighborhood or help clean Colorado Lagoon on Saturday. Families with young children can attend two different storytimes at local libraries on Friday and Monday, as well as a group bike ride through Bixby Knolls on Sunday.
To keep up to date with the local community, attend either an open house for an upcoming public project or a meeting with the Long Beach Police Department on Thursday evening.
Friday 11/15
Preschool Storytime & Play Time: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Children ages 3 to 5 can enjoy an hour of play, music, stories and snacks at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Free.
Chess Club: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Adults and teens are invited to play chess at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.). All skill levels are welcome to participate. Chess sets will be provided. Free.
Friendsgiving Night Market: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy a festive evening of karaoke, vendors, food, a photo booth, raffles and an open mic night at the Partake Collective (456 Elm Ave.). Those who donate canned foods will be entered into a raffle. Free.
Moonlight Mash Bike Ride: 7:15 p.m. Ride your bike with a few hundred fellow neighbors in the light of the full moon at this monthly gathering through downtown Long Beach hosted by Pedal Movement. The dress up theme for the month is Orange is the New Black, and the ride will begin at Pedal Movement (223 E First St.). Free.
Saturday 11/16
Willmore Neighborhood Tree Planting: 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are needed to help plant trees in the Willmore neighborhood (Chestnut Avenue & W Seventh Street.). Free.
STEM Festival: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Families can enjoy this educational and holiday-themed event at Cabrillo High School (2001 Santa Fe Ave.) featuring a turkey craft, 3D designing, laser cutting and a math activity. Kids who are registered will receive a free STEM toy and food care package to take home. Register on Eventbrite with the password CEDfallSTEM24.
Downtown Architectural Walking Tour: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Discover the architectural history of Downtown Long Beach on this guided walking tour with the local nonprofit organization Long Beach Heritage. Held on the third Saturday of each month, this tour covers 1.5 miles and showcases landmarks that highlight the city’s evolution, such as the WPA-era Recreation Mural, The Willmore, Farmers & Merchant Bank and the First National Security Bank Building. The tour will begin at Harvey Milk Promenade Park (185 E. Third St.). Tickets can be purchased for $15 on Long Beach Heritage’s website.
Wetland Warrior Cleanup: 10 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are needed to help clean the Colorado Lagoon Marine Biological Reserve (5119 E. Colorado St.). Volunteers will meet near the bike racks along Appian Way. The parking fee will be waived for volunteers. Registration is required, Call 562-570-1745 to register.
Historical Film Series: 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. In honor of Native American Heritage Month and Veterans Day, the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway) will host a double-feature screening of “Choctaw Code Talkers” and “War Horse.” The double feature starts with “Choctaw Code Talkers” at 1 p.m., a documentary on Choctaw soldiers’ role in World War I using their native language as a coded communication tool. Next, Steven Spielberg’s “War Horse” will begin at 2:15 p.m. and tell the story of a boy and his horse during WWI. Both screenings will feature a brief introduction and discussion. Free.
Book Release Party: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Join the celebration for the release of “Letters to Our Sons” at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway, Long Beach). Meet the authors, photographer and contributors behind the book. Light refreshments will be provided. Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase a signed first edition copy of the book. Free admission.
Sunday 11/17
Snowfest: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Sports Basement (2100 N Bellflower Blvd.) will host this holiday gathering at their new location. Attendees can enjoy sports gear giveaways, beer to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach, ski and snowboard vendors, discounted deals and more. RSVP on Eventbrite. Free.
Kidical Mass: 11 a.m. Families with kids of all ages are invited to this group bike ride through Bixby Knolls. Participants are encouraged to wear ugly Christmas holiday sweaters during the ride, and the ugliest sweater will win a prize. Families can meet in the back parking lot of Pixie Toys (3914 Atlantic Ave.). Free.
Sound Bath: 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Listen to this sound bath session led by Reiki Master Alana Weinberg at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden (Earl Warren Dr.) on the Cal State Long Beach campus, featuring singing bowls, a guided meditation and Reiki. Mats are provided, but participants are welcome to bring a blanket, pillow or eye mask for added comfort. Tickets cost $25 per person on the garden’s website.
Monday 11/18
Port of LB Community Meeting: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Residents can learn about the Harbor Scenic Drive Roadway and Infrastructure project extending from the 710 freeway to key terminals at the Port of Long Beach. The project includes rebuilding pavement, aligning roadways, upgrading highway lighting, installing signs, and is expected to begin in 2026. The meeting will take place at the Port of Long Beach Maintenance Facility (725 Harbor Plaza). Free.
Dog Training: Noon to 1 p.m. Friendly dogs are invited to learn new skills during this outdoor training class at Lincoln Park (101 Pacific Ave.). Free.
Read & Create: 5 pm. to 6 p.m. School-aged children are invited to listen to a story and make crafts together at Harte Neighborhood Library (1595 W Willow St.). No registration required. Free.
Tuesday 11/19
Learn About Classical Music: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to an interactive introduction to chamber music at Los Altos Neighborhood Library (5614 Britton Dr.). Led by the ensemble Up Close and Classical, this workshop will guide attendees through the traditions and nuances of chamber music. Attendees will listen to pieces from Mozart’s Quartet No. 17, “The Hunt” and Grieg’s Quartet No. 1 in G minor, complemented by live demonstrations by the group’s cellist. Registration is not required, but space is limited. Free.
Dancing Underneath the Stars: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 2ND & PCH (6400 Pacific Coast Hwy) invites the public to a night of dancing. A salsa class will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., open to all skill levels and beginner-friendly. Afterward, an hour of social dancing will be held starting at 8 p.m. Free.
Live Theater: 7:30 p.m. The musical “Come From Away” will be performed at the Terrace Theater (300 E Ocean Blvd.). The play tells the true story of a small Newfoundland town that welcomed 7,000 stranded travelers in the wake of 9/11. Tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster starting at $52.90.
Wednesday 11/20
Free Groceries: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Residents can receive free groceries at Whittier Elementary School (1716 Walnut Ave.) on the third Wednesday of each month. Free.
Centennial Tree Lighting & Lights Extravaganza: 6 p.m. Celebrate the holiday season at Signal Hill’s special Centennial Tree Lighting & Lights Extravaganza at City Hall (2175 Cherry Ave.), featuring a tree lighting ceremony, crafts, pictures with Santa, holiday performances, cookies and hot chocolate. Free to attend.
Orange Avenue Backbone Bikeway Open House: 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The City of Long Beach Public Works Department invites residents to an open house at the EXPO Arts Center (4321 Atlantic Ave.) to learn about the Orange Avenue Backbone Bikeway project. This project aims to improve the safety of Orange and Alamitos Avenues by installing protected bike lanes and high-visibility crosswalks. Attendees will receive an overview of the project, and will be able to ask questions and provide feedback on the final design. Language interpretation in Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog will be available. Light refreshments will be provided. Free.
South Division Commander’s Community Forum: 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This is a chance for residents and business leaders in downtown to connect with the Long Beach Police Department’s South Division (400 W Broadway). Attendees are encouraged to discuss neighborhood concerns and learn more about public safety. Members of the LBPD will also inform and update the public on some of its operations. Free.
Women Who Whiskey: 6:30 p.m. Local spirit enthusiast group Women Who Whiskey Long Beach will host this tasting party of the women-owned brand Lodestar Whiskey at the women-owned sports bar Watch Me Sports Bar (6527 East Pacific Coast Highway Unit B-2). Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite for $43 and comes with two cocktails and appetizers.
Thursday 11/21
Grocery Giveaway: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Residents can receive free groceries at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park (1133 East Rhea St.) on the third Thursday of every month. Free.
Holiday Green Screen Magic: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. This interactive workshop at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway) teaches participants to create their own holiday-themed backgrounds using green screen technology. Library staff will guide attendees through the editing process, and each attendee will take home a printed holiday photo. All materials will be provided. This event is for adults and kids over the age of 12. Free.
Thanksgiving Dinner: 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Residents can enjoy a Thankful Heart Thanksgiving dinner and receive access to senior resources at this holiday gathering at McBride Park Gymnasium (1550 Martin Luther Jr. King Ave.) hosted by Councilmember Suely Saro’s office. Free.
Youth Power Participatory Budgeting Orientation: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Youth ages 13 to 26 are invited to the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway) to learn how to participate in a youth-led initiative to influence how public funds are spent. The Youth Steering Committee (YSC) for Youth Power PB LB is looking for members to help facilitate its voting process, where local youth vote on which non-profits will receive public funds. Free.
Tree Lighting and Santa Arrival: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Kick off the holiday season with this annual celebration at 2ND & PCH (6400 Pacific Coast Hwy.). Enjoy a grand entrance from Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and more. Free.
