As we welcome the holliest, jolliest month of the year, residents have plenty of chances to get out into their community and enjoy free crafts, holiday movie screenings, Christmas concerts and niche gift-getting opportunities.
The cold weather offers the perfect setting to bundle up with a few of your closest friends and watch holiday-themed movies. Spend Friday afternoon at the Billie Jean King Main Library watching “The Holly and the Ivy” or brave the brisk winds for a Friday night outdoor viewing of “The Polar Express” at 2nd and PCH, weather permitting.
Saturday morning invites residents to explore the outdoors for native animals at the Los Cerritos Wetlands or be in awe at creations from small business vendors during the Craft Show at McBride High School. Shed off the holiday worries and responsibilities with friendly felines and sound baths Saturday night at the Feline Good Social Club.
Residents can spend their Sunday shopping from small businesses at Sweet Grass Sugar Cane Juice’s merchandise drop, Bixby Park’s ChristmART event or Ten Mile Brewing’s Sip then Shop annual party. The evening offers a much more relaxing setting, as residents can enjoy live holiday music at either Bethany Lutheran Church or the First Congregational Church of Long Beach. There are many more free crafting workshops, movie screenings, library events and Long Beach’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting throughout the week.
Friday 12/2
Preschool Storytime: 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring children ages 3 to 5 to enjoy simple books, rhymes, music and play at El Dorado Neighborhood Library (2900 Studebaker Rd.). Infants will explore the early literacy skills of singing, playing, reading and talking. Free.
Craftin’ Kids: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring children between the ages of 6 and 12 for a crafting project at Los Altos Neighborhood Library (5614 Britton Dr.). Free.
Classic Film Series: 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The public is invited to the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway) for a screening of the 1952 holiday film “The Holly and the Ivy.” Free.
PCH Movies and Moonlight: 6 p.m. The beloved outdoor movie series is returning for two weeks at Second Street and Pacific Coast Highway. Residents are invited to a screening of “The Polar Express,” where self-seating and free-standing heaters will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Free and weather-permitting.
Saturday 12/3
Raptor Rumble: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Ecologists will lead a nature walk at the Los Cerritos Wetlands (6720 E Pacific Coast Highway) to scope out red-tailed hawks, cooper’s hawks, ospreys, kingfishers, egrets, owls and hummingbirds. This walk is appropriate for ages 7 and up. Closed-toe shoes are required. For more information, contact elizabeth@lcwlandtrust.org. Free.
Craft Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Various small business vendors will be selling their products at McBride High School (7025 E Parkcrest St.). The event will include music, raffles, crafts for kids and more. Free to attend.
Film screening: 11 a.m. A special screening of Iranian documentary, “Nasrin” will be shown for one time only at the Art Theatre of Long Beach (2025 E 4th St.). The documentary delves into the life of Nasrin Sotoudeh, an Iranian human rights activist and political prisoner. The screening is free, or you can purchase $1 advance tickets. All proceeds will go to the Iranian American Women Foundation.
Storytime in Khmer: Noon to 12:45 p.m. Brandy Myers, founder of local business Khemara Kids, will read stories and sing nursery rhymes in Khmer at the Mark Twain Neighborhood Library (1401 E. Anaheim St.). Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in clothing from their culture. Free.
Cats & Sound Healing: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tibetan sound bowls and other instruments will be used to create a relaxing environment at the Feline Good Social Club (301 Atlantic Ave.). Attendees are encouraged to bring something to lay down on, such as a yoga mat or blanket. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased on felinegoodsocialclub.com.
Sunday 12/4
Sweet Grass Hat Drop: 11 a.m. Local business Sweet Grass Sugarcane Juice will be releasing a new hat at its Bixby Knolls storefront (3545 Atlantic Ave.) The hats are $50 each, and only 200 will be available.
ChristmART: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This holiday event will include vendors, crafts for kids, carolers and more at Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.). Free to attend.
Sip then Shop: Noon to 6 p.m. Ten Mile Brewing invited residents to its annual Sip then Shop event at the brewery (1136 E Willow St.) There will be 20+ vendors selling their wares as well as live music. Free.
Christmas Concert: 3 p.m. or 7 p.m. The public is invited to a candlelight concert to bring in the holidays at the Bethany Lutheran Church of Long Beach (4644 Clark Ave.). Childrens, adult and handbell ensembles will perform songs such as “Rejoice!” and “On This Day Earth Shall Ring.” Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Entry is free, and there will be a freewill offering passed around to benefit the Music Ministry and Music Scholarship Fund.
Winter Festival Concert: 4 p.m. Sounds of the holiday will fill the halls of the historic First Congregational Church of Long Beach (241 Cedar Ave.) for the Cal State Long Beach Bob Cole Conservatory of Music’s annual Winter Festival Concert. For the 41st year of the tradition, multiple choirs, stringed instruments and Pacific Hand Bells will play holiday music for attendees. Tickets are sold on the Conservatory’s website for $15-30 depending on seating. This is a two-day event beginning on Saturday, Dec. 3.
Monday 12/5
Research for Starting, Managing, and Growing Your Business: 11 a.m. to noon. Entrepreneurs and business owners are invited to learn how to use Reference Solutions, a free program available at the library, to help them start, manage and grow a business. Registration is required for this event. To register, visit https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/6932781878054041870. Free.
Christmas Tree Lighting: 5 p.m. The public is invited to watch the lighting of Long Beach’s Christmas Tree at the Terrace Plaza (300 E Ocean Blvd.). The celebration will include photos with Santa, fireworks, food trucks and more. Free to attend.
Tuesday 12/6
Reading Buddies: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Parents and caregivers can bring children to the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.) where a teen volunteer will give them up to 30 minutes of one-on-one reading practice. Free.
Twain Teen Cafe: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Teens are invited to the Mark Twain Neighborhood Library (1401 E. Anaheim St.) to craft, study and relax. Free.
Wednesday 12/7
Sensory Story Time: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring children to this inclusive storytime at the Bach Neighborhood Library (4055 N. Bellflower Blvd.). Children of all abilities will use their senses to read, create and learn through stories, songs and play. Free.
The Silver Hour: 3 p.m. This weekly musical event at Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.) will feature live music, sing-a-longs and oldies for seniors. Free.
Teen D&D: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Teens are invited to play the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons together at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.) All experience levels are welcome. Free.
Bixby Park Community Meeting: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Residents are invited to the Bixby Park Community Center (2300 E Ocean Blvd.) to discuss upcoming changes to Bixby Park. The results of a community survey will be shared.
First Wednesdays at Aquarium of the Pacific: 7 p.m. The public is invited to the Aquarium of the Pacific (100 Aquarium Way) for a lecture and Q&A about penguin colonies from Dr. Caroline Capello. The event will include a complimentary holiday drink, cocktail hour and access to the Pacific Visions art gallery. Free.
Bear City Comedy: 7:30 p.m. A roster of stand-up comedians perform weekly at Que Sera (1923 E 7th St.). This event is for those 21 and older. Free.
Thursday 12/8
Toddler Storytime: 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring toddlers to the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.) to enjoy songs and stories.
Museum Store Maker Pop-up Sale: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Residents are invited to get Christmas shopping done from a curated selection of jewelry, illustrations, fiber art displays, ceramics and more at the Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Museum (1250 N Bellflower Blvd.). There will be complimentary snacks and hot apple cider for attendees. Free to attend.
Build A S’moreman: 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Teens are invited to the Mark Twain Neighborhood Library (1401 E. Anaheim St.) to create s’more snowman treats, drink hot cocoa, and play games. Free.
Holiday Nightmares: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Teens between the ages of 13 and 17 are invited to a screening of the film “Nightmare Before Christmas” at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway). Attendees will also be able to create marshmallow Jack Skellington treats. Free.
