Celebrate the 2023 Holidays in Long Beach, CA!
The holidays are back, and there’s no better place to be than Long Beach, CA. We might not see a white Christmas, but there’s plenty to do and see during this time of year to make our time with friends and family magical.
At Edison Apartments, we want you to make the most of all Long Beach has to offer, from activities to shows and shopping to giving back, all while having a safe time. Here’s a list of all you need to know about what’s going on in and around Long Beach, CA, to make the season bright.
ACTIVITIES
Long Beach Christmas Lights: Few sights are as mesmerizing as Naples Island during the holidays. Every year, the neighborhood’s residents compete in a battle of Christmas lights, decorating their houses in the most elaborate light displays you’ve ever seen. The competition draws people from all over the area to come and stand in awe of the Christmas spirit on display. Tours are available, including waterfront and Ferris wheel options. Lights start going up as soon as December rolls around, but the closer to Christmas, the more there is to see.
Aquarium Holidays: December 2 through December 23, make your way to The Aquarium of the Pacific for its annual Aquarium Holidays celebration. During this time, the aquarium goes all out with holiday decor, appearances by Santa Diver, and snowfall in the Great Hall! On weekends through December 17, the aquarium will host photo opportunities with Santa as well as celebrations of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. That makes the Aquarium of the Pacific the perfect place to see the sea’s wildlife and have a culturally diverse experience.
Moonlight 2024 New Year’s Eve Party Cruise: As the holidays come to a close, see 2023 off with a bang down on the water. New Year’s Eve will see a special fireworks cruise leave out of Marina del Rey. The party will feature an open bar, a buffet, two DJs, and the perfect view of Los Angeles as the fireworks take off. Boarding begins at 9:30 p.m., and the party runs from 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. It’s a party like no other, so get your sea legs and set sail into the new year!
Shows and Performances
A Christmas Carol: Dickens’s Christmas classic has become a Long Beach tradition—in more ways than one. The Long Beach Playhouse is “one of the oldest continually running Community Theaters in the western United States,” meaning that the shows are produced, directed, and performed entirely by members of the Long Beach community! December 9–23, come and join the community in enjoying the classic tale of redemption during the holidays. It’s a show the entire family can enjoy together, regardless of age.
Disney on Ice presents Encanto and Frozen: For those with children to entertain, Disney on Ice has you covered with this tribute to two of its most popular films of the last four years. Running at the Honda Center in Anaheim on December 14–18, this show is perfect for children (and even adults) who can’t get enough of talking snowmen, magical houses, and all the songs that come with them. There are matinees and evening shows, making it easy to fit into any schedule or bedtime.
David Benoit’s Christmas Tribute to Charlie Brown: Even if you don’t watch Charlie Brown struggle to learn what Christmas is all about every year, there’s no denying that Vince Guaraldi’s compositions from A Charlie Brown Christmas are as classic as any Christmas hymn or carol. Five-time jazz pianist Grammy nominee David Benoit agrees. He’ll be appearing at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach on December 16 at 8 p.m. for a one-night tribute to these songs that have touched so many. With accompaniment by vocalist Courtney Fortune and The All-American Boys Chorus, it’ll be a magical night.
Shopping
Huntington Beach Thirteenth Countdown to Christmas: Looking for some new decorations to spice up your holidays? You don’t have to venture far from Long Beach for this unique shopping experience. Huntington Beach’s Countdown to Christmas event runs every day, December 7–17, and is the perfect place to find quality, handmade items, including seasonal decor and accessories, gourmet food, candy, clothing, jewelry, and more! That window is smaller than two weeks, so make sure to mark your calendar and check out the vendors while you can.
Fourth Street Retro Row: A permanent feature of Long Beach, Retro Row is well known locally for the variety of shops it hosts, featuring everything from antiques and thrifted clothing to handmade furniture and rare records. It’s the perfect place to find a truly unique gift for the truly unique people in your life and a way to kill an afternoon, especially during the holidays.
Uptown Village Market Holiday: Christmas markets are enjoyed the world over as places where vendors and artisans gather in the holiday spirit. In that tradition, the Expo Arts Center is hosting the Uptown Village Market Holiday on December 1, 5–10 p.m. Come and peruse the wares on display while also enjoying the fresh, hot food and live entertainment.
Opportunities to Share
Santa Claus WITH a Cause: One of the best things about the holidays in Southern California is that it’s never too cold to go outside and get your blood pumping. The Santa Claus WITH a Cause is the perfect opportunity to do that while also giving back to the community. Taking place in nearby Huntington Beach on December 16, this 5K/10K race donates all of its proceeds “to gift those who otherwise would not experience a Christmas and sincerely need staple goods to survive.” So put on your ugliest Christmas sweater, run till you just can’t run anymore, and wind down with a post-race celebration that includes hot chocolate, a raffle, and the knowledge that you’ve helped a good cause.
Winter Wonderland: Toy Drive: On December 9, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., families from around Los Angeles County will come to Huntington Park for the Winter Wonderland: Toy Drive, hosted by Be Social Productions. Every child that attends will receive a free toy, haircut, health screening, and more, seeing to their emotional and physical needs this holiday season. It’s important work, so consider donating your money or time to make this event a rousing success!
Safe Celebration
Candles: Candles are emblematic of the season, with religious and aesthetic applications. When using candles in your celebrations, though, always use caution: up to 7,400 fires are started each year because of household candles. When lighting candles in your apartment, be careful and place them in safe locations, and never leave candles unattended—whether you’re in another room or asleep!
Christmas Trees: You can’t have Christmas without a tree, but that doesn’t mean you just bring a live tree into your home and call it a day. Christmas trees are another fire hazard, and they require proper upkeep to avoid danger. Position your tree securely, and make sure to water it regularly to keep it from drying out. And no matter how green it is, keep it away from any open flames—especially candles. Finally, those lights are lovely, but turn them off when you’re not at home or turning in for the night.
So there you have it. With all of these activities, shows, shopping opportunities, and service opportunities, Long Beach, CA, is the perfect place to have your holiday season. From all of us at Edison Apartments, happy holidays!
At EDISON Apartments,
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