Following the hurry and flurry of the holiday season, Long Beach orgs and residents have put together plenty of ways to reset, recharge and prepare for a new year among neighbors and friends.
Enter the new year with a clear mind and vision, encouraged by events like Earthlodge’s sunrise gratitude gathering or Loquita’s manifestation and vision board party both on Sunday, or a virtual reflective writing workshop Monday.
Make new connections at community-centric events like a group bike ride Saturday morning beginning at Sports Basement, a swap and supportive hangout at Junipero Beach Sunday afternoon, a monoprint workshop at PLACE Monday night or the Long Beach Pinball League’s weekly meetup Tuesday at the Long Beach Beer Lab.
Holiday events are still trickling in, with creative new twists on tradition such as the African American Cultural Center’s Kwanzaa celebration Saturday with the first-ever Kwanzaa Awards, Sports Basement’s Noon Year’s party Wednesday at noon or The Wicked Wolf’s ‘60s-themed New Year’s Eve party.
Friday 12/26
Free Groceries: Residents can receive free groceries from Long Beach Community Table every Friday from noon to 4 p.m., Saturday from noon to 2 p.m., and Wednesday and Thursdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. (Excluding New Year’s Eve) at 3311 E. 59th St. Free.
Day After Christmas Party: 5 p.m. to close: The Auld Dubliner (71 S. Pine Ave.) is hosting a day after Christmas party, with live music from Dropkick Mickeys at 10 p.m. and a half-priced cocktail list. Free entry.
Saturday 12/27
Group Bike Ride: 8 a.m. On the second and fourth Saturday of each month, the Sports Basement Long Beach Ride Group meets in front of the store (2100 N. Bellflower Blvd.) for a ride. Meet at 7:30 for route details and to sign a waiver. Free.
‘When Harry Met Sally’: 11 a.m. Rob Reiner’s 1989 romantic comedy classic “When Harry Met Sally” is coming to the big screen at the Art Theatre of Long Beach (2025 E. Fourth St.) on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
Kwanzaa Celebration: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The African American Cultural Center of Long Beach is hosting a two-day Kwanzaa celebration on Saturday and Sunday at the Expo Arts Center (4321 Atlantic Ave.). The event will feature the first-ever Kwanzaa Awards, a candle lighting ceremony, a tribute to the ancestors, music, dancing and workshops on West African drumming and dancing, a paint and sip and children’s corner. Free.
Sunday 12/28
Sunrise Gathering and Gratitude: 6:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. This end of the year gathering hosted by the Earthlodge Center pays tribute to the ocean through indigenous tradition with singing and prayer. Register online at bit.ly/specialEL.com.
Loteria Manifestation Boards: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Local business Loquita Bath and Body will be hosting a manifestation loteria cards/boards making party at Open Gallery (1738 E. Seventh St.). Tickets are $25 and include all materials needed, snacks and a Loquita goodie bag. Tickets can be purchased through the link in the bio of @loquitabathandbody on Instagram.
Hot Gurl Swap: Noon. Residents are invited to bring any clothes, books, art supplies, trinkets and whatever else they want to swap to the Junipero Beach Skate Park (2630 E. Ocean Blvd.) and enjoy live poetry readings, all vinyl DJs, art shows, live paintings, harm reduction resources and a safe space to share hardships and celebrate resilience. Free.
Monday 12/29
Reflection Writing Workshop: 10 a.m. to noon. Earthlodge Center’s fourth annual Fill Your Imaginative Cup virtual writing workshops invites people to end the year with intention by reflecting where you’ve been, releasing what no longer serves you and writing toward a transformative future in tune with the wisdom and rhythm of Mother Earth. This workshop will be taught in English and Spanish. Register at bit.ly/HITHwriting.com.
Monoprint Workshop: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Learn how to use nature to make prints at PLACE’s last printmaking Monday gathering of the year at 2172 Pacific Ave. All supplies will be provided, and a donation is encouraged, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Tuesday 12/30
Long Beach Pinball League: 7 p.m. Retro game lovers can come to the Long Beach Beer Lab (518 W. Willow St.) to play pinball on various machines, with the chance to win prizes and meet new people with the Long Beach Pinball League. DM @LongBeachPinball on Instagram or email LongBeachPinball@gmail.com for registration or any questions. Free to attend.
Comedy Night: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Secret Island (209 Pine Ave.), the tiki-themed speakeasy located beneath Shannon’s on Pine, is hosting a side-splitting night of laughter with a lineup of local comedians. Free entry.
Wednesday, 12/31
Free Groceries: 11:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents can receive fresh produce and pantry staples from Help Me Help You’s free pantries from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Lincoln Elementary School (1175 E. 11th St.) and from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Philadelphian SDA Church (2640 Santa Fe Ave.). No sign-ups necessary. Free.
Noon Year’s Eve: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sports Basement (2100 N. Bellflower Blvd.) is hosting its second annual kid-friendly New Year’s celebration, with a countdown at 11:59 a.m. to noon. Families should bring noise makers, a blanket and picnic lunch. Free.
Twist & Shout New Year’s: 9 p.m. to close: Celebrate the new year with a ‘60s-themed extravaganza at The Wicked Wolf (2332 Pacific Ave.), complete with midnight champagne, DJ Little Redd and food from Triple D BBQ. Tickets are $15 online and $20 at the door.
Thursday 1/1
Farmers Markets: Select times. The Bixby Knolls Farmers Market at the corner of E. 46th St. and Atlantic Ave. will offer fresh produce and homemade goods from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., as well as the Fourth Street Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Entry is free.
Disney on Ice: Let’s Dance!: 5 p.m. Disney on Ice returns to Long Beach Arena (300 E. Ocean Blvd.) with its newest ice skating spectacular, Let’s Dance! Prior to each show, there will be a festive holiday sing-along. Thursday’s performance will be the first of seven shows happening through Sunday. Tickets start at $32 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.
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