Photo courtesy of The Aquarium of The Pacific
Check out all these choices for DTLB holiday fun, spread out before you like presents under a tree! From seasonal songs delivered by a solo singer in an intimate dining scenario to a mighty symphony filling the Terrace Theater with iconic music from The Nutcracker, from tiny tots meeting Santa for the first time to a favorite dining and drinking spot that magically transforms for the holidays every year, Downtown has all kinds of goodies for you, ready to unwrap.
MIRACLE AT THE ORDINARIE / 210 THE PROMENADE N
For the seventh year, The Ordinarie has been transformed into one of the most dazzling winter wonderlands you could imagine. It’s hard to believe it’s the same place! Bring your friends, wear your best ugly sweater, and order from the special holiday cocktail menu. Miracle at the Ordinarie will be in full holiday effect through New Year’s Day!
HERITAGE HOLIDAYS / THE BEMBRIDGE HOUSE
The Willmore District’s beautiful Bembridge House at 953 N Park Circle will become an enchanted toyland in the weeks leading up to the holidays! During Heritage Holidays, presented by Long Beach Heritage, you & the fam will get caught up in the holiday cheer at the historic house, which is decorated from top to bottom with amazing holiday decor.
HOLIDAY SIP & SHOP / HI-LO LIQUOR MARKET
Hi-Lo Liquor Market, that cool spot in The Current at 707 E Ocean Blvd., is hosting a Holiday Sip & Shop this Saturday, Dec. 6 from 2 to 6 PM. Do some pre-holiday small shopping, celebrate local makers & vendors, & lift your spirits with complimentary tastings!
AQUARIUM HOLIDAYS / AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC
Aquarium Holidays at the Aquarium of the Pacific starts this Saturday, Dec. 6, runs through Sunday, Dec. 21, and is as packed with gifts as Surfer Santa’s swag bag! Meet him, wave at Santa Diver, see holiday films, enjoy a Kwanzaa display, gather for Hanukkah storytelling, & take tons of pix in a unique holiday atmosphere!
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA / AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC
Have Breakfast with Santa at the Aquarium of the Pacific! Surfer Santa will be dropping in this Saturday, Dec. 6 from 8 to 9 AM as you partake of Cafe Scuba’s hearty breakfast buffet. Aquarium sea-creature mascots will roam around spreading good cheer as you & the fam explore the entire Aquarium! Santa will be back on two more Saturdays, Dec. 13 & 20.
INTERNATIONAL TAMALES FESTIVAL / SCOTTISH RITE EVENT CENTER
Tamales are the featured dish at many, many holiday tables. Find out why at the International Tamales Festival 2025, on Sunday, Dec. 7 from 1 to 7 PM at the Scottish Rite Event Center, 855 Elm Ave. Have a full day of fun with live entertainment, kids zone, shopping, a homemade tamales contest, tequila tasting & much more!
A HOLIDAY TEA EXPERIENCE / EVENTS ON PINE
Chef Melissa Ramsay & Events On Pine invite you to spend an elegant afternoon at A Holiday Tea Experience, Sunday, Dec. 7 from 1 to 4 PM at Events On Pine, 140 Pine Ave., 3rd Floor. A classic tea lunch menu will be served in a setting filled with beautiful holiday decor & live entertainment. Each guest gets a teapot & tea set!
WINTER IN WILLMORE: A HOLIDAY MARKET / THE BEMBRIDGE HOUSE
Yes, the rumors are true: It’s going to SNOW at Winter in Willmore: A Holiday Market! What perfect weather for you & your family to enjoy while shopping for presents, getting tasty treats at the food trucks, listening to live music, & meeting Santa, Queen Victoria, & Prince Albert! It all happens Sunday, Dec. 7 from 4 to 8 PM at the Bembridge House, 953 N. Park Circle.
HOLIDAY ORNAMENT PAINTING / OLIVE & ROSE
It’s going to be Happy Hour all night at Olive & Rose! On Thursday, Dec. 11, the restaurant at 255 Atlantic Ave. is hosting a Holiday Ornament Painting session from 6 to 9 PM. Included are all the art supplies you need & plenty of cocktails to sip on while you unwind, socialize, & create your holiday masterpieces.
DISTRICT ONE HOLIDAY GATHERING / BABY BROS PIZZA
Meet & share good cheer, music, & refreshments with your DTLB neighbors at the District One Holiday Gathering, Thursday, Dec. 11 from 6 to 8 PM at Baby Bros Pizza, 217 Pine Ave. The event is FREE, & free parking validations will be provided. If you’re able, please bring a new, unwrapped toy.
TODDLER CHRISTMAS PARTY / CHRISTIAN OUTREACH IN ACTION
Introduce your little ones to Santa at this Toddler Christmas Party hosted by Christian Outreach in Action (COA). The FREE event includes small gifts, Christmas stockings, and a milk & cookie station for the kiddies. It happens Friday, Dec. 12 from 1 to 3 PM at COA, 515 E 3rd St.
CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE VIEWING PARTY / SHORELINE VILLAGE
The Shoreline Yacht Club’s Christmas Boat Parade Viewing Party at Shoreline Village on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM gives you & your people the best views of a dazzling & unforgettable holiday spectacle! Live holiday music & dance tracks will be heard throughout the Village, and it’s going to SNOW during the boat parade! This event is FREE.
LONG BEACH BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER / TERRACE THEATER
Long Beach Ballet presents the 43rd Anniversary Edition of the beloved holiday classic The Nutcracker on Friday & Saturday, Dec. 13 – 14 and Dec. 20 – 21 at the Terrace Theater. This renowned production features a full symphony orchestra, a flying sleigh, a real live horse, on-stage pyrotechnics, and a cast of over 200!
RECIRCLE YULE NIGHT MARKET / RECIRCLE HOME
The ReCircle Yule Night Market is a beautiful way to brighten up the darkest part of the year! Shop for witchy goods, jewelry, & crafts. Get a Tarot or Astrology reading while digging some vibe-appropriate live music. The market happens Sunday, Dec. 14 from 6 to 9 PM at ReCircle Home, 501 E Broadway.
HOLIDAYS WITH HAZEL / THE BEMBRIDGE HOUSE
Step back in time inside the gorgeously decorated Bembridge House at 953 N Park Circle in the Willmore Neighborhood during Holidays With Hazel, a cozy evening of champagne, storytelling, & self-guided tours. Mingle with Hazel Rankin, a house matriarch from the past! She has plenty of historical tales to share.
GREEN & GRUMPY NIGHT MARKET / PARTAKE COLLECTIVE
Are you ready to party with the Mean, Green One? You can do it at the Green & Grumpy Night Market, Friday Dec. 19 from 5 to 9 PM at Partake Collective, 456 Elm Ave. This FREE-entry, family friendly event is the perfect place for last-minute shopping, festive music, hot cocoa, and a meet-&-greet with the Grumpy One himself!
4th ANNUAL NORTHEAST VILLAGE GIFT GIVEAWAY / GUMBINER PARK
Residents of the 90813 area code who have a child with them are cordially invited to the 4th Annual Northeast Village Gift Giveaway, Saturday Dec. 20 from noon to 2 PM at Gumbiner Park, 880 E 7th St. FREE parking will be available across the street at the Museum of Latin American Art.
PIKE MARKET CHRISTMAS PARTY / THE PIKE OUTLETS
The Pike Market Christmas Party gives you & your family a full day for shopping, snacking, and plenty of holiday arts & crafts for the kids. First 50 kids get a FREE slime kit! The fun happens Saturday, Dec. 20 from 1 to 8 PM at The Pike Outlets, 95 S Pine Ave.
HOLIDAY FAVORITES BY SAM A CAPELLA / L’OPERA RISTORANTE
Sam A Capella’s wonderful singing has endeared him to diners & drinkers for many, many years at L’Opera Ristorante. He’ll be performing Holiday Favorites there on Saturday, Dec. 20 & 27 from 6 to 9 PM. L’Opera is located at 101 N Pine Ave.