For the next month, Long Beach and Signal Hill will become a joyous, festive smorgasbord of holiday events such as performances, toy drives, arts and crafts and more. The Signal Tribune gathered 10 events to kick off the holiday season, ranging from new, crafty workshops to decades-old traditions.
Signal Hill Police Department Toy Drive
Nov. 25 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Target (950 E 33rd St.)
The Signal Hill Police Department will be accepting new, unwrapped gifts for the department’s annual toy drive. Residents are asked to bring toys valued at $10 or more. All donations will go to children in the Signal Hill area.
Gingerbread Decorating Workshop
Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Confidential Coffee (137 W Sixth St.)
Local master gingerbread maker Isaac Salgado is hosting a four-week series teaching children how to decorate gingerbread houses or gingerbread men. The classes will be taught by Salgado in a Santa Claus costume and will offer photo opportunities.
Tickets include decorating supplies, a gingerbread house and will allow entry for one accompanying adult per purchase. The recommended age for this class is from 4 to 15 years old. The first two classes will be taught at Confidential Coffee and the last two classes will be taught at The Pie Bar. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Long Beach Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Nov. 28 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Long Beach Terrace Theater (300 E Ocean Blvd.)
Long Beach will light the city’s tallest Christmas tree at its ninth annual Christmas Tree Lighting event at The Long Beach Terrace Theater. The event will include falling snow, fireworks, food trucks, train rides, Santa Claus, a live performance of The Nutcracker and holiday music.
Other performances include a brass choir, acapella group SoCal Vocals, singer Terron Brooks and the Lucky Devils Band. The event is free to attend.
Signal Hill Christmas Tree Lighting
Nov. 29 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at City Hall (2175 Cherry Ave.)
Signal Hill will usher in the holidays with its annual Christmas Tree Lighting outside of City Hall. The event will include a visit from Santa Claus, arts and crafts activities for children, festive treats, music and more. This event is free to attend.
First Annual California Heights Neighborhood Christmas Tree Lighting
Nov. 30 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the corner of Orange Avenue and Bixby Road
The first annual California Heights Tree Lighting Ceremony will be hosted by F/8 Studios, District 5 Councilwoman Megan Kerr, the California Heights Neighborhood Association and the Cal Heights Business District.
The 15-foot tree will be lit in the front yard of F/8 Studios, a snow play area, story time with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, cookie decorating, disco ball ornament making, coffee and hot chocolate, treats and drinks from Roxanne’s and more. The event is free to attend.
‘Polar Express’ Movie Screening
Dec. 1 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 2nd and PCH (6400 Pacific Coast Highway)
Residents can grab their warmest blankets and coziest lawn chairs for a nighttime screening of “Polar Express” at 2nd and PCH. If the weather permits, the movie will begin at sundown. Before the movie screening, kids can enjoy free airbrush tattoos. Self-seating and heaters will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and residents are encouraged to bring their own blankets and lawn chairs. Pets are welcome on a leash. This event is free to attend.
Belmont Shore Christmas Parade
Dec. 2 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. along Second Street
The 39th annual Belmont Shore Christmas Parade will boast floats, over a dozen local marching bands, elves, Santas and more. Residents can watch the festive fun as it travels along East Second Street and begins heading east from Livingston Avenue to Bayshore Avenue.
East Second Street will close to traffic at 5 p.m., when residents can set up chairs and blankets to watch the parade. Floats can win prizes based on execution of theme, originality of design and spectator appeal. This event is free to attend.
Story Time With Mrs. Claus
Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2nd and PCH (6400 Pacific Coast Highway)
Children 12 and under can enjoy story time, singing and arts and crafts activities with Mrs. Claus. This event is free to attend.
Holiday Jazz Concert
Dec. 8 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church (5450 E Atherton St.)
The Duck Soup Trio will be playing the music of pianist Vince Guaraldi, including all of the songs from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and other memorable Guaraldi compositions. There is a suggested donation of $20 for general and $10 for students. Children 12 years and younger are free.
Daisy Lane Christmas Parade
Dec. 9 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. along Daisy Avenue in Long Beach
Long Beach’s longest-running Christmas parade is returning with a lineup of festive appearances and performances. The festival will begin at 5 p.m. on Daisy Avenue and West Burnett Street and travel south, down the eastside of Daisy Avenue to Pacific Coast Highway, where it will wrap around the median and travel back up the west side of Daisy Avenue and conclude near West Hill Street and Maine Avenue around 7 p.m.
Local businesses and organizations interested in participating in the parade can submit an application until Nov. 29. For more information, email district7@longbeach.gov.
