Holiday events around Long Beach and Orange County in December

Happy December!

Last month I touched on some of the things going on in the Long Beach area in November.  Now that the calendar has turned to December, celebrations and events really ramp up.  What is there to do in Long Beach and the area this month?

The Christmas trees in Alamitos Bay were turned on Thanksgiving night.  Have you seen them yet?

Credit to "Living Long Beach" for photo

(Unless otherwise noted, these events are in Long Beach)

December 5:  Seal Beach Christmas Parade

December 6:  Belmont Shore Christmas Parade

December 6-7:  Holiday Treats for the Animals, Aquarium of the Pacific

December 7:  Old Time Christmas Festival, Rancho Los Cerritos

December 13:  Naples Island Holiday Boat Parade

December 13:  Parade of 1,000 Lights, Shoreline Marina

December 13:  Daisy Avenue Christmas Parade

December 13-14:  Huntington Harbour Holiday Boat Parade

December 13-14:  Nutcracker, Long Beach Ballet at Terrace Theater

December 12-14: Holiday Shopping in the Shore, carolers, Santa photos, 2 hours free parking

December 16:  Menorah Lighting, Fashion Island Newport Beach

December 17-23: Newport Harbor Boat Parade, 6-10p nightly

December 17-23: Philharmonic Cruise of Lights, Huntington Harbour

December 20-21:  Nutcracker, Long Beach Ballet at Terrace Theater

December 20-21: Holiday Shopping in the Shore, carolers, Santa photos, 2 hours free parking

December 21: Shul By The Shore Menorah Lighting in the Citibank parking lot, 5354 E. 2nd Street

December 31: New Year's Eve Aboard the Queen Mary

Which ones will you attend? 

Let me know if you have any family visiting that fall in love with the area and are interest in moving to Long Beach or Orange County.  I'd be happy to find them a home and they can watch Christmas parades with boats while wearing flip flops for many holidays to come.




Alamitos Bay in winter



Holidays in Long Beach - Lights On!

Thanksgiving is over, we are in the middle of Hanukkah and Christmas is fast approaching.  There are the traditional parades to enjoy and new holiday traditions being started here in Long Beach, many centered around lights.

The floating Christmas trees in Alamitos Bay and other public recreation areas have been up for a few weeks and they were turned on the day after Thanksgiving.  The tradition of Trees in the Bay goes back to 1949, but the first of the wooden structures you see today started in 1953.  The trees are maintained and lit through generous donations of local organizations and individuals.

This year Shul by the Shore's Fire & Ice Extravaganza was a public menorah lighting and celebration of Hanukkah.  Located at the Citibank parking lot on 2nd Street, the event was held on December 1st, and was the first one held in the Shore.  Here's hoping that becomes a tradition.

This week we have the 31st Annual Belmont Shore Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 7th.  The parade starts at 6:00 p.m. at the corner of 2nd Street and Livingston, continuing the length of 2nd Street to Bayshore.  You can set up chairs and blankets after 5p.  Dress warmly!

The Shoreline Marina Yacht Club puts on the Parade of 1,000 Lights on December 14th, after the 60th Annual Daisy Avenue Christmas Parade, which begins at 5:00 p.m.

Mark your calendar for the Naples Island Annual Holiday Boat Parade on December 21st.  It's the 67th edition of the floating tradition. 

You don't need a date and a time to walk the canals of Naples to enjoy the holiday lights.  Make your own parade by renting a Duffy Boat to view the lights from the water.

There are so many more events that make Long Beach the place to be for the holidays.  And if you're looking to buy or sell a home here, don't just tell Santa, please let me know!  I'd love to help your holiday home dreams come true.  Wishing you a Joyous Hanukkah, a Merry Christmas, a Happy Kwanzaa and a wonderful holiday season.