Holiday festivities are in full swing, and Long Beach and Signal Hill residents have plenty of opportunities to get into the spirit. Two holiday parades will be taking place on either end of the city on Saturday, with the Daisy Lane Parade in the Wrigley Neighborhood and the Boat Parade in the Naples neighborhood.
Prepare for gift exchanges by hand making cards at a workshop at Flux Art Space, help yourself to free gift wrapping supplies at the Signal Hill Public Library or find locally made gifts at a holiday market along Coronado Ave.
Those more fortunate this year can help themselves remember the true meaning of the holidays on Saturday by donating toys or cash to struggling children during an event by the Local Hearts Foundation, or donating food and cash for their homeless neighbors during a holiday concert at a local church.
Friday 12/9
Restoration Fridays: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help care for native plants and pull weeds at Willow Springs Park (2745 Orange Ave.). Volunteers are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle, comfortable shoes and sunscreen. Free.
Asian Film Series: 3 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. The public is invited to the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway) for a screening of the 2013 Indian romance film “The Lunchbox,” which explores the relationship between a widower and a neglected wife. Free.
Saturday 12/10
The Kwanzaa Experience: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The public is invited to the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.) to learn about and celebrate Kwanzaa. The event will include a drum circle, holiday crafts and more. Free.
Card Making Workshop: Noon to 4 p.m. Local artist Guerra will teach a card-making workshop at Flux Art Space (410 Termino Ave.). Participants will learn how to make greeting cards using relief printmaking. Free.
Winter Family Festival: Noon to 4 p.m. The public is invited to Rancho Los Alamitos (6400 E Bixby Hill Rd.) to learn about the traditions of the Indigenous people of this land while enjoying carriage rides, a petting zoo and more. General admission is $18 for adults, $15 for children over 3 years old, and free for children 2 years old and younger.
Toy Drive: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Local Hearts Foundation and other organizations ask members of the public to donate $10 in cash or a $10 toy for children in need during the holidays at Hudson Park (2335 Webster Ave.).
Community Gift Wrapping Workstation: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Residents are invited to the Signal Hill Library (1800 E Hill St.) to use complimentary gift wrapping supplies in a quiet place. Free.
Daisy Lane Parade: 5 p.m. The Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance invites the public to watch a holiday parade travel along Daisy Avenue from Pacific Coast Highway to Hill St. Free.
Naples Island Boat Parade: 6 p.m. Boats decorated with Christmas lights will travel down the canals of the Naples neighborhood, starting from the Long Beach Yacht Club (6201 Appian Way). The theme of this year’s parade is “Sleighs on the Bay.” Free.
Sunday 12/11
Coronado Avenue Holiday Market: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A variety of independent businesses will be selling their products along Coronado Avenue from Anaheim Street to 14th St. The Rok Academy will be playing live music. Free parking will be available at Compound Long Beach’s parking structure (1326 Obispo Ave.). Free to attend.
Christmas Concert: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Justin Rudd and the Community Action Team invites the public to a holiday concert at Bay Shore Church (5100 E The Toledo). This is a donation-based event. Those who attend are asked to bring peanut butter, breakfast cereal, boxes of macaroni and cheese and packs of men’s socks to donate. To reserve a seat for the concert, visit Eventbrite.
Monday 12/12
Spanish Story Time: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring children of all ages to the Signal Hill Library (1800 E Hill St.) to listen to stories told in Spanish. Free.
3D Printing for Kids: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Children 5 years and older are invited to learn the basics of 3D printing during this workshop at the Signal Hill Library (1800 E Hill St.). Only 10 spaces are available. To register a child, call (562) 989-7323. Free.
Tuesday 12/13
Health Permit Workshop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Long Beach Health Department invites mobile food vendors, such as food truck operators and street food vendors, to learn how to obtain a Long Beach Health Permit and discuss the upcoming changes to the California Retail Food Code at Admiral Kidd Park (2125 Santa Fe Ave.). Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog interpretation will be available on site. Free.
Rummikub Game Night: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The public is invited to learn how to play Rummikub, a combination of mahjong and rummy, at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway). Free.
Wednesday 12/14
Senior Bingo: 10 a.m. Seniors are invited to play bingo together while enjoying light refreshments at the Signal Hill Library (1800 E Hill St.). Free.
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.
DIY Snow Globes: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Teens are invited to the Los Altos Neighborhood Library (5614 Britton Dr.) to make their own snow globes. Free.
Thursday 12/15
Teen After School Program: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Students from the sixth to ninth grade are invited to the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) to enjoy STEAM crafts, movies, gaming, snacks and more. Free.
Romance Comedy Book Club: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) invites fans of the comedy romance genre to discuss the book “In a Holidaze” by Christina Lauren. Free.
