Things to do in Long Beach: Vinyl listening parties, Christmas dinners, Kwanzaa celebrations and more!

Dancers with the Long Beach Ballet performa dance from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker during the Long Beach Tree Lighting Celebration on Nov. 28, 2023. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

‘Tis the season for holiday movie screenings with friends, Christmas dinners at local restaurants and many more fun and festive things to do this week in Long Beach and Signal Hill. 

Those searching for last minute gifts are encouraged to stop by the Signal Hill Public Library to take advantage of their buy-one, get-one-free book sale going on through December. 

Fun performances will take place at the Long Beach Convention Center with beloved performances of “The Nutcracker” Friday and Saturday, while Harvelle’s will host burlesque and pole dance performances Friday. Families can watch “Gremlins” at Trademark Brewing Friday night, vintage cartoons at the Long Beach Art Theatre Saturday morning or “The Grinch” at Lincoln Park Thursday night. 

Two performers with the Long Beach Ballet perform parts of “The Nutcracker” during the Long Beach Tree Lighting celebration on Nov. 30, 2021. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Friday 12/22

Holiday Book Sale: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) is hosting a buy-one, get-one-free book sale at its shop through the month of December. The book nook also offers CDs, magazines, audiobooks and more. Prices vary. 

Art Chat: Noon to 2 p.m. A weekly discussion of the exhibits at the Long Beach Museum of Art (356 E 3rd St.). Docents will inform attendees about each exhibit currently on display at the museum and facilitate a discussion about them. Participation is included when visitors pay the $12 admission to enter the museum. 

Holiday Movie Screening: 7 p.m. Trademark Brewing (233 E Anaheim St.) will be screening the holiday movie “Gremlins.” To register for this event, visit Eventbrite. Free.

Long Beach Nutcracker: 7:30 p.m. The Long Beach Ballet will host performances of the classic holiday ballet, “The Nutcracker,” at the Long Beach Convention Center (300 E Ocean Blvd.). Standard admission tickets can be purchased for $65, either in person at the Convention Center’s box office or online on Ticketmaster

Twisted Tease: 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Harvelle’s (201 E Broadway) will be hosting a performance that combines burlesque and pole dancing for those 21 and older. There will be a two-drink minimum. General admission tickets can be purchased online on Eventbrite for $21.

Tito “Hood Santa” Rodriguez, president of the Local Hearts Foundation, gives a scooter to a child at the 10th Annual Diamond Christmas Toy Giveaway.

Saturday 12/23

Toy Giveaway: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Local Hearts Foundation will be giving toys to children at MacArthur Park (1321 E Anaheim St.). Free. 

Holiday Cartoon Madness: 11 a.m. The Long Beach Art Theater (2025 E 4th St.) will be screening a collection of vintage Christmas cartoons, featuring well-known characters such as Betty Boop, Popeye and more. Tickets can be purchased for $12 on the theater’s website.

Stand-up Comedy: 7 p.m. Popular comedians will perform at Good Time LB (1322 Coronado Ave.) as the cafe remains open after hours to offer craft beer, wine and plants for sale. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

A patron sits at the main bar inside the Bamboo Club in Long Beach on Dec. 22, 2021. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Sunday 12/24

Christmas Brunch & Dinner: 11 a.m. to midnight. Residents can kick off Christmas Eve with a “Santa Hat Christmas Eve Brunch” at Cafe Sevilla (140 Pine Ave.) featuring bottomless mimosas, Spanish breakfast foods and live DJ music. Dinner will also be available all day with a three-course Christmas menu and live Latin music from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

The Dirty Lowdown: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. DJs Devyn and Ryan will be playing selections of yacht rock, city pop, funk and soul at The Bamboo Club (3522 E Anaheim St.). This event is for those 21 and older. Free to enter.

Storefront of Trademark Brewing at 233 E Anaheim St. in Long Beach. (Signal Tribune File Photo)

Monday 12/25

Meatless Mondays: 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Trademark Brewing (233 E Anaheim St.) hosts a rotating slew of vegan vendors such as Mexican food, pizza, pasta, desserts and more. Entry is free. 

Dinner & Music: Shenanigans Irish Pub & Grill (423 Shoreline Village Drive A) will be hosting a special Christmas dinner. The meal will include a 9 ounce prime rib, mashed potatoes, garlic broccolini, a dinner roll and garlic butter au jus. The dinner costs $46 per person.

Signal Tribune file photo

Tuesday 12/26

Latin Music: 8 p.m. to midnight. Every Tuesday night, The Bamboo Club (3522 E Anaheim St.) features a rotation of all-vinyl DJs spinning Caribbean music. The restaurant will be serving Latin American food and drink specials. Entry is free. 

Christmas Tree Recycling: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can bring their Christmas tree to 12 locations around Long Beach for free recycling services. All decorations and stands must be removed, trees 12 feet and over must be cut in half and flocked trees will be accepted. If unable to drop off, trees can be picked up for free on Jan. 13 if the tree is placed where recycling is usually picked up by 7 a.m. Both services are free. 

Pacific Pal Meet-and-Greet: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Local aquatic celebrities at the Aquarium of the Pacific (100 Aquarium Way) will meet and hang out with guests on select dates through Jan. 5. Mascots include Axl the Axolotl, Seymour the Shark and two other pacific pals. The experience is included with general admission tickets, which can be purchased online, and is free for Aquarium members. 

Two of the 150 public commenters, one pro-Israel wearing a flag and one pro-Palestine wearing a keffiyeh, stand in line together while waiting to give public comment on a vote for a response calling for a ceasefire in Gaza on Dec. 19, 2023, at the Long Beach City Council. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Wednesday 12/27

Community Wellness Space for Palestinians: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Palestinian, Arab and Muslim people are invited to this community space by Birth Workers of Color Collective, where they can receive complimentary massages, acupuncture and more. Attendees will receive items that can help regulate their nervous systems to take home. Send a direct message on Instagram to @solandrootsdoula to RSVP. The address will be shared after RSVP. Free.

Trivia: 7 p.m. The Long Beach Beer Lab (518 W Willow St.) will be hosting a trivia night organized by America’s Pub Quiz. The winners will receive gift certificates. Free.

An aerial view of Lincoln Park play area in Downtown Long Beach on Feb. 11, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Thursday 12/28

Family Christmas Movie Night: 3 p.m. Families can enjoy a free screening of the 2018 animated film “The Grinch” along with cookie decorating, Grinch-themed arts and crafts, hot cocoa and popcorn at Lincoln Park (101 Pacific Ave.). Free parking is available in the Civic Center garage at 332 W Broadway. Lawn chairs, blankets, food and drinks are encouraged. The movie will begin at dusk. Free. 

Kwanzaa Kuumba: 5 p.m. Studio Pick (4356 Atlantic Ave.) will be hosting this workshop in anticipation of Kwanzaa. Attendees can prepare for the holiday by creating their own unity cup and mkeka mat. This workshop will be taught by Mirah, the President of the Black Student Union at a local highschool. All materials will be provided. Each family will get one unity cup. Free.

Disney On Ice: 7 p.m. This kid-friendly performance at the Long Beach Convention Center (300 E Ocean Blvd.) features the Disney characters Anna, Elsa and Mirabel as they discover the power of love. Everyone ages 2 and older is required to have their own ticket. Those ages 14 and older are asked to please not come in costume, but costumes are fine for smaller children. General admission costs $25 per person and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.

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