We are near to ushering in another year, and as we say goodbye to the successes and struggles that 2022 presented, what better way to celebrate the year than by supporting Long Beach’s local businesses and raising a toast with fellow community members.
Residents don’t need to venture far to ring in the new year. Whether you wish to spend the holiday eating soba noodles and meditating, eating a carefully planned out four-course meal, watching fireworks or hopping from bar to bar and dancing the night away, Long Beach has a memorable experience for everyone. The city’s public transit services will be offering free rides from 5 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on New Year’s Eve for those celebrating in the city.
Friday, Dec. 30
HIV Testing: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Long Beach Health Department will be providing HIV/STI testing at Ronald R. Arias Health Equity Center (6301 Myrtle Ave.). Test results will be ready that same day. Condoms and lubricant will be distributed. Free.
Noon Year’s Eve: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This kid-friendly New Year’s celebration will take place in the Billie Jean King Main Library’s community room (200 W Broadway.). The celebration will include music, crafts and a balloon drop. Free.
World Cinema Series: 3 p.m. The public is invited to a screening of the 1997 Persian drama “Children of Heaven” in the Billie Jean King Main Library’s Miller Room (200 W Broadway.). The film tells the story of two poverty-stricken siblings trying to find a new pair of shoes for the sister to wear. The film is in Farsi with English subtitles. Free.
Grand Opening: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The public is invited to the grand opening of Long Beach’s newest restaurant, Viaje (5224 E 2nd St.). Viaje combines Mexican cuisine with a fine dining experience. Menu prices will be available the day of the grand opening.
Saturday, Dec. 31
Cafe Sevilla’s New Year’s Eve brunch, dinner and more: 11 a.m. to midnight. Cafe Sevilla will be hosting a New Year’s Eve day brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring popular Spanish breakfast foods and bottomless mimosas. The cafe will be hosting a three-course dinner meal from 5 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. followed by live Latin music and a Flamenco show. Dinner selections include champiñónes crema soup, Spanish beer-glazed duck, churros and an apple tart. Tables can be reserved starting at $300 for the New Year’s Eve tapas bar package, which includes a live band and DJ, a NYE dinner and cocktail menu, complimentary midnight champagne and more. Prices vary, reservations are recommended by calling 562.495.1111.
Disney On Ice Road Trip Adventures: 3 p.m. This kid-friendly performance centers on an adventure Mickey and Minnie Mouse’s adventures to magical destinations. General admission costs $25 per person and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.
Joya no Kane: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Long Beach Buddhist Church (2360 Santa Fe Ave.) will be honoring a centuries-old Japanese tradition of Joya no Kane, which translates to New Year’s Eve bell, by ringing the Densho bell 108 times. Each ring of the bell symbolizes the elimination of worldly pleasures that we experience on Earth, as the last ring of the bell is meant to cleanse you of the previous year’s worries and problems. Following the Joya no Kane service, attendees can enjoy Toshikoshi soba noodles which are meant to symbolize the hope for a long life, as the buckwheat plant survives severe weather changes during its lifespan and embodies resilience. The Long Beach zazenkai will be holding a zazen meditation practice from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Free to attend.
Fuego New Year’s Eve dinner: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fuego will be hosting a four-course dinner with options of a crab and lobster cream bisque, burrata salad, jumbo sea scallops, prime filet mignon, maine lobster tail and more. Reservations made for the 5 p.m. dinner will be sold for $150 and will include a champagne toast and live entertainment from Latin guitarist Daveed Fernando Alvarado. Reservations for the 9 p.m. time will be sold for $200 and will include a champagne toast, party favors and live entertainment from Mike and the Chemicals.
Queensview Steakhouse 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Queensview Steakhouse (435 Shoreline Village Drive) is hosting a four course Pre-Fixe style menu and drinks along with live jazz music from Ryan Rost Trio. Reservations can be made for one of four seatings beginning at 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. priced at $120 per person and ending at 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. priced at $140 per person with a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Bar top will be open seating first come, first served. Reservations are highly encouraged, and five window tables are available to reserve with a $250 deposit. For more information or to book a reservation, call (562) 432-6500.
End of the World Party: 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Those 21 and older are invited to ring in the New Year at the Blind Donkey (149 Linden Ave.). Music will be provided by DJ Antidote310. There will be a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. There is a $20 cover charge to enter.
New Year’s Eve Party: 6 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The Renaissance Hotel (111 E Ocean Blvd.) will start its New Year’s celebration in the lobby from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The celebration will include food vendors, tarot card readers and a magician. This first half of the night is open to everyone over 21 and free of charge. At 9 p.m. those who purchased tickets for the event will move to the hotel’s sip lounge, where they can purchase drinks and listen to DJ Sloepoke. Tickets for the sip lounge party cost $40, and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
NYE at the Bamboo Club: 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. End the year with tiki cocktails and live entertainment with the Bamboo Club (3522 E. Anaheim St.) with their New Year’s Eve party. Tropa Magica will perform live music while DJ Dennis Owens will be playing an all-vinyl set for attendees. There will be a complimentary champagne toast and a special menu. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
New Year’s Eve bar crawl: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. There will be parties all along Pine Avenue for those who want to take part in one last bar crawl for the year. Over 10 bars, clubs and night lounges will be participating by offering drink specials and festive fun for those 21 years and older including Agave’s Kitchen, 4th Horseman, The Ordinaire, R-Bar and more. Tickets start at $29.
Fireworks show on the waterfront: 9 p.m., midnight. There will be two firework shows in the Long Beach Harbor that can be seen from multiple points in the city, including restaurants in Shoreline Village with an ocean view. Free.
Rainbow Harbor Fireworks Cruise: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Take a trip around Long Beach Harbor on the Sir Winston, a luxury VIP yacht hosting their annual 21+ New Year’s Eve Cruise. There will be an open bar, appetizers, plus two live DJs and dance floors. Boarding begins at 8:30 p.m. at Dock #2 in Rainbow Harbor Marina (100 Aquarium Way) and the boat will leave the dock at 9 p.m. and return around 12:30 a.m. Tickets cost $150 per person.
Sunday, Jan. 1
Cafe Sevilla’s ‘I woke up like this’ brunch party: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cafe Sevilla will host its second annual brunch party with a live DJ, bottomless mimosas and a full brunch and dinner menu with popular dishes such as lobster eggs benedict and a smoked salmon platter. Those who attend the party in pajamas will receive a free signature peach bellini with the purchase of an entree. Reservations are recommended.
Monday, Jan. 2
Introductions to Reference Solutions: 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.
COVID-19 Testing: 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. COVID-19 testing is available for those who think they have been exposed to the virus or who are showing symptoms. Most test results are ready within 72 hours. To make an appointment, call 562-570-4636.
Tuesday, Jan. 3
Blood Drive: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Alpert Jewish Community Center (3801 E Willow St.) will be hosting a blood drive to benefit the Red Cross. Volunteers are needed to donate life-saving blood.
Rancho Storytime: 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring young children to Rancho Los Cerritos (4600 Virginia Rd.) to enjoy stories from diverse authors. Families are welcome to bring blankets, strollers and snacks. Free.
Trivia Night: 7 p.m. Those 21 and older are invited to Beachwood Brewing (210 E 3rd St.) to compete in various rounds of trivia. $5 beers and Hawaiian food will be available for purchase. First, second and third place prizes will be given out at the end. Free.
Wednesday, Jan. 4
Virtual Job Fair: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Veterans and their spouses can participate in this online job fair, where they will be able to apply for over 40 companies in three hours. To register for the event, visit https://cloudhire.com/job-fairs/california/long-beach/242375927395254272.
Teen Advisory Group: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Local high schoolers are invited to help the library develop events, crafts and activities for their peers at the Burnett Neighborhood Library (560 E. Hill St.). Free.
Thursday, Jan. 5
Toddler Storytime: 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Parents and caregivers of toddlers from 1 to 3 years old are invited to bring their kids to Bay Shore Neighborhood Library (195 Bay Shore Ave.) to enjoy stories, songs and more. Free.
Job Search Strategies: 11 a.m. to noon. The Long Beach Public Library will be holding an online seminar on how to use the Reference Solutions computer program available at library locations to search for jobs or internships. During this online event, participants will learn how to create a cover letter, gather references, find mentors, and build lists of potential employers. To register for this event, visit https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/8116986684304601869.
Night Market: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The public is invited to enjoy this combination of a street fair and farmers market in downtown Long Beach (300 N Promenade.) The event will include vendors, live music and more. Free.
