As friends and families gather to celebrate the holidays, local libraries, small businesses and fellow neighbors have put together a boat-load of ways to honor the season—including multiple merry boat rides.
Residents can celebrate Hanukkah with a candle lighting ceremony at the Alpert Jewish Community Center, join their neighbors for Christmas carols and hot cocoa or take in the holiday classic ballet “The Nutcracker” on Friday. Local libraries will be hosting holiday-themed movies and crafts Friday afternoon.
There is one last chance for families in need to receive free toys Saturday morning at the Local Hearts Foundation’s giveaway. There will be a Christmas Eve service hosted by the Christ Lutheran Church and a Caribbean boat cruise for those who wish to spend the evening enjoying music and lights among nature.
Local businesses Cafe Sevilla and Falcon North will be hosting their own Christmas Day parties, the first consisting of a three-course meal and the latter featuring drink deals and karaoke. Residents can honor the Kwanzaa holiday with the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach with their two-day event on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Friday 12/23
Animation Film Series: 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The public is invited to Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway) for a screening of the 2011 holiday film “Arthur Christmas.” Free.
More Than Stories: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring kindergarten through 3rd grade students to Bach Neighborhood Library (4055 N. Bellflower Blvd.) to enjoy holiday stories and crafts. Free.
Chanukah Candle Lighting: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The public is invited to watch the lighting of the last candle on the menorah by Rabbi Perelmuter at the Alpert Jewish Community Center in honor of Chanukah (3801 E Willow St.). Free.
Reflections Closing Reception: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The public is invited to the closing reception of the group art exhibit “Reflections” at Open Gallery (1740 E 7th St.). The event will feature art, music, beverages and merchandise. Free to attend.
Carols and Cocoa: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The public is invited to dress in warm clothes and bring their lawn chairs and blankets to the parking lot of 4130 Gardenia Ave. to join their community in singing Christmas carols, drinking hot chocolate or coffee and snacking on cookies. Free.
Long Beach Nutcracker: 7:30 p.m. The Long Beach Ballet will be performing the classic holiday ballet, “The Nutcracker,” at the Long Beach Convention Center (300 E Ocean Blvd.). Standard admission tickets can be purchased for $35, either in person at the Convention Center’s box office or online on Ticketmaster.
Musica y Mujeres: 9 p.m. Those 21 and over can listen to the musical selections of three Latina DJs at the Grasshopper (136 E Anaheim St.). Entry is free.
Saturday 12/24
Ridgewood/Bixby Knolls Clean Streets: 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The community is invited to pick up trash and debris throughout the streets, parkways and medians of Bixby Knolls for one hour. Meet at 4555 Orange Ave. Free.
A Diamond Christmas: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Local Hearts Foundation will be distributing toys to children in need at MacArthur Park (1321 E Anaheim St.). Free.
Christmas Eve Service: 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. Christ Lutheran Church (6500 Stearns St.) will be holding two Christmas Eve worship services for the public to attend. Services will include candlelight and live music and will be streamed on Facebook Live. Christmas carols will be sung following service. Free.
Christmas Eve Caribbean Boat Cruise: 6:30 p.m. Marcus B. Entertainment invites residents for a lively Christmas boat cruise that will feature Caribbean music, afro beats, R&B, hip-hop and more. The Catalina Duchess will cruise around the Long Beach Harbor and take in the lights and decorations. There are two levels for attendees to enjoy; one indoors and one outdoors. Tickets are $65.
Sunday 12/25
Christmas In Spain: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Cafe Sevilla (140 Pine Ave.) will be serving a special three-course Christmas Menu for $65. Dishes can also be purchased a la carte. To make reservations, call 562-495-1111.
Christmas Day Beer Bust: Long Beach nightclub Falcon North (2020 Artesia Blvd.) will be hosting a Christmas Day party with draft beer specials all day long and karaoke beginning at 8 p.m. DJ Yellow will be playing “holiday beats.” Entry is free.
Monday 12/26
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/7538683153703267600. Free.
Christmas Cruise of Lights: 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The Sea View will be hosting Christmas cruises that take attendees through the lights and decorations of Alamitos Bay. There are three hour-long cruises from 6 to 7 p.m., 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. and 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. There will be hot chocolate and Christmas music provided. Tickets are $10 and boats will depart from 223 Marina Dr.
Tuesday 12/27
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.
Kwanzaa Celebration: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The African American Cultural Center of Long Beach (4321 Atlantic Ave.) invites the public to celebrate Kwanzaa with a two-day event. Tuesday will focus on kujichagulia, which means self-determination, and will feature a candle lighting ceremony, “Baba” the Storyteller, a children’s activity corner, an African marketplace with vendors, live artist creation, a jazz performance, West African drum and dance and a Karamu feast. There is a $10 suggested donation and RSVP is strongly suggested.
Wednesday 12/28
Kwanzaa Celebration: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. For those who can not attend the first day of the AACCLB’s Kwanzaa celebration, the second day of the event will focus on Ujima, meaning collective work and responsibility, and will include a candle lighting ceremony, a Black artist showcase, a children’s activity corner, an African marketplace with vendors an Nzugo Saba dance class and West African drum class. There is a $10 suggested donation and RSVP is strongly suggested.
Run Club: 7 p.m. The Long Beach Run Club meets weekly at 3300 E Ocean Blvd. for a group run. All are welcome. Free.
Thursday 12/29
HIV Testing: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. HIV testing will be provided by the Long Beach Health Department at Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.) Free.
Fuse Party: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Alegria Nightclub (115 Pine Ave.) will be hosting a pre-New Year’s Eve party filled with music and dancing for those 18 and older. Free.
