Downtown Long Beach does the holidays right! Just look at the pretty lights and our amazingly decorated public spaces! Think of the feelings that get evoked when you hear live holiday music performed in a beautiful old building. Downtown, with its unique blend of the classic and the contemporary, provides many truly memorable settings for you, your family, and your friends to enjoy the holiday season. Consider these options! All of them will bring joy to your December.
PERFORMANCES
THE NUTCRACKER / TERRACE THEATER, DEC. 14 – 22
Photo Courtesy of the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
Tchaikovsky’s timeless masterpiece, performed by the Long Beach Ballet and accompanied by a full symphony orchestra, has been hailed as one of the very best Nutcracker productions in the nation. “For opulent, family-oriented entertainment, seek no further,” said Lewis Segal of the Los Angeles Times.
Filled with special effects, the production masterfully enhances the show’s beautiful score which has become such a beloved part of the holiday season.
Just walking through the Terrace Theater Plaza will get you in the mood for magic! It deserves its own write-up; See below.
There are afternoon matinees and evening performances throughout the show’s run. Arrive early for merch, food trucks, and some truly epic photo ops! Parking is available in the Terrace Theater parking structure for $15 a car. For show times, more details, and to get your tickets, click here.
QUEEN MARY HOLIDAY BALL / SATURDAY, DEC. 21
Photo Courtesy of The Queen Mary
Hearing history-appropriate music in one of the Queen Mary’s art deco-era ballrooms is like stepping into a dream! You are invited to do that on Saturday evening, Dec. 21 when the Amanda Castro Band takes the stage at the Queen Mary Holiday Ball.
Castro and her band will be playing the classics from the glitzy, glamorous ‘20s and the swingin’ big band era of the ‘30s and ‘40s, while mixing in some contemporary hits as well. You’ll think you’ve been transported back in time! Make sure to dress the part. Get your Holiday Ball tickets here.
In addition to the Holiday Ball, the Queen Mary is offering some of the best holiday activities on the coast. During its “12 Days of Christmas” celebration, which runs from Dec. 12 through 23, you can create gingerbread houses, sip eggnog, sing along with Christmas carolers, boogie down at dance parties, and view the lighting of the Queen’s mighty smokestacks. Click here for all the details of this one-of-a-kind holiday experience.
MUSICA ANGELICA / FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, SATURDAY, DEC. 14
Photo Courtesy of Musica Angelica
Long Beach’s own Musica Angelica, now in its 32nd season, is acclaimed as one of California’s most important historical performance ensembles. Hear this amazing group live on Dec.14 in the beautiful, century-old First Congregational Church.
Musica Angelica will be performing “Christmas in Vienna,” a program that includes festive music by legendary Austrians Haydn and Mozart. The music and the setting are sure to get you in your holiday feels!
Your ticket, which you can purchase here, includes admission to a pre-concert reception with complimentary beverages and hors d’oeuvres.
ACTIVITIES
“BE THE LIGHT” STOREFRONT ILLUMINATION / 375 THE PROMENADE N
Photo Courtesy of Loiter Galleries
This is definitely something you don’t see every day! Make sure your Downtown visit includes a stop at the Mosaic storefront so you can check out “The Parade,” a big, stylish, and funny animation projection that brings a striking slice of holiday energy to the block.
“The Parade” is the star of “Be the Light,” the storefront illumination project curated by multimedia artist Kati Angelov, created by The Fox, The Folks multimedia art collective, and brought to you by Loiter Galleries and the Downtown Long Beach Alliance.
The four-minute projection art piece will run continuously from 4:30 to 10 PM every night throughout December. Make sure to bring your camera and your own soundtrack so you can get some special holiday reels and selfies!
TERRACE THEATER PLAZA / THROUGHOUT DECEMBER
Photo Courtesy of Visit Long Bech
This space, with its dancing fountains, 67-foot tall Christmas tree, giant ornaments, over half a million lights, and the three-story glass background of the Terrace Theater lobby, is truly magical! Thousands of people just witnessed the 10 Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and were dazzled by fireworks, the stunning tree, and the fantastic setting.
The Plaza will remain decorated and lit up throughout December. It’s an absolute must for the whole family. Make sure to bring a camera so you can create spectacular holiday memories and share them with all your people.
SHORELINE YACHT CLUB BOAT PARADE / SATURDAY, DEC. 14
Photo Courtesy of Shoreline Village
As the holidays approach, reserve Saturday, Dec.14 for a night at Shoreline Village with family and friends, watching the Shoreline Yacht Club’s annual Christmas Boat Parade!
The parade of beautifully-lit boats will cruise the Shoreline Marina and Rainbow Harbor from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. You can watch for FREE from the Shoreline Village Boardwalk, nearby restaurants, or the Marina break wall behind Shoreline Village.
You can make a complete evening of it! Dine at a Shoreline Village restaurant, enjoy live holiday music performances, get some shopping in, and dance to the selections of a cool DJ. Best unkept secret of the night: It’s going to SNOW at Shoreline Village during the parade!