Community News

Mingle & Jingle

Children’s Benefit League will be holding its 11th annual Mingle & Jingle social and fund-raising event on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach. The holiday event starts around 10:30 for guests and members to shop for clothing, jackets, jewelry, candies and purses. Twenty percent of all sales are donated to help underserved children and their families.

The cost is $75, which includes lunch and entertainment from the CSULB Chamber Choir, entertaining guests with old and new holiday songs.

Info: www.cbllb.org.

Prince of Peace Pageant

The 51st annual “Portraits of the Prince of Peace” Pageant will be held nightly, 7-8:30 p.m. on Wardlow Road at Bellflower Blvd. on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8.

The Christmas Pageant, as is better known, began in 1973 and was initially hosted by three churches. The founders were Long Beach Christian Reformed Church, St. Lukes Lutheran Church and University Baptist Church. In the following years they were joined by St. Cornelius Catholic Church and Truett Memorial Baptist Church which is now known as The Anointed Place. The Pageant has taken place continuously since 1973 (except 2020 due to the pandemic).

The pageant is an outdoor event featuring over a dozen separate visual presentations with living statues and live animals depicting the prophecy and birth of Jesus Christ. There are many participating musical groups that provide live music. The pageant is open to the public free of charge. Enjoy a pleasant evening stroll while you review each scene; ample parking is available. Or, if preferred, you may remain in your vehicle and drive the entire route.

Catalina Museum Events

Catalina Museum for Art & History invites guests to celebrate the holiday season with festive programming throughout December, including a special Holiday Sip & Shop on Friday, Dec. 6, 5-7 p.m. and a free Holiday Concert featuring the Loyola Marymount University (LMU) Choir on Saturday, Dec. 14, 6-7:30 p.m.

Sip & Shop attendees can enjoy complimentary champagne and cider while exploring the museum’s galleries, digital theater and scenic open-air plazas. For one evening only, all items in the museum store will be 25% off, with museum members receiving an additional 15% discount on top of that. The storewide sale continues through Dec. 24, but the exclusive 25% off is only available during this event.

The Holiday Concert invites guests to immerse themselves in the seasonal spirit with classics performed live in the museum’s Schreiner Family Plaza. Visitors can also enjoy the museum’s exhibitions, including The History of Catalina Island and special exhibitions, Cabinet of Curiosities: 70 Objects for 70 Years and Capturing Memories: A Half Century of Fishing 1900-1950. Complimentary holiday cookies will be available, along with specialty cocktails, warm beverages and other refreshments for purchase.

More information can be found at CatalinaMuseum.org/calendar.

Wetlands Nature Walk

Learn about the history of Los Cerritos Wetlands, the restoration of wetland habitat and the plan to reintroduce tidal flow into the wetlands on Dec. 7. Bring binoculars, if you have them, to view wetlands wildlife. This walk is appropriate for ages 7 and up. Closed toe shoes are required.

Park at the intersection of PCH and 1st St., near the border of Long Beach and Seal Beach. For more information or to RSVP for the nature walk, contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@lcwlandtrust.org.

Annual Daisy Lane Parade

The City of Long Beach and the office of Seventh District Councilmember Roberto Uranga present the 70th Annual Daisy Lane Parade on Saturday, Dec. 14. The festive parade will be followed by a night of holiday entertainment on Sunday, Dec. 15.

The holiday parade will begin at 5 p.m. on Daisy Avenue at West Burnett Street and travel south, down the eastside of Daisy Avenue to Pacific Coast Highway, where it will make its way around the median and go back up the westside of Daisy Avenue, concluding near West Hill Street and Maine Avenue around 7 p.m.

The night of holiday entertainment will feature a spirited selection of celebratory performances and will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15 on the Daisy Lane median at Daisy Avenue and 20th Street.

Local businesses, nonprofit organizations and community groups interested in participating in the Daisy Lane Parade may submit an application by Dec. 2.

For more information, contact the Seventh District Council Office at (562) 570-7777 or district7@longbeach.gov.

The Daisy Lane Parade began in 1953 as the brainchild of Gertrude Whittle, who originally worked with the Long Beach City Council and Council of Churches to help decorate the grass median on Daisy Avenue with a Christmas Village and nativity scene, an effort which then garnered participation from nearby residents and continued to grow over many years.

Today, the Daisy Lane Parade is presented by the city and Seventh Council District and stewarded by the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance and Maria Norvell. She is known as the “Mother of Christmas Tree Lane” for being one of the original founders of the parade and for her continued role in this holiday celebration.

More information about this year’s Daisy Lane Parade and the night of entertainment will be available in the coming weeks at longbeach.gov/daisyparade.

Family-Friendly Holiday Celebration

The Long Beach Towne Center invites the community to a festive Holiday Celebration Event on Saturday, Dec. 21, from noon to 2 p.m. Guests can enjoy take-home photos with Santa, kids’ crafts, face painting, balloon twisters and the magical touch of falling snow for a delightful holiday experience. This holiday event is free and open to the public. Families of all ages are welcome to join in the seasonal fun and capture unforgettable holiday memories.

Long Beach Towne Center is located at 7575 Carson Blvd.

2ND & PCH Holiday Events

2ND & PCH invites the community to experience the joy and magic of the holidays with free, family-friendly events in a beautiful coastal setting. This year’s holiday season promises unforgettable experiences, featuring live entertainment, picturesque snowfall, one-of-a-kind holiday markets, vibrant cultural celebrations and much more.

There’s something for everyone to enjoy with a full calendar of activities ranging from a spectacular tree lighting ceremony to Santa meet-and-greets.

• Free Hula Classes: Dec. 4, 6-7 p.m.
• Holiday Around the World Celebration & Market Pop-Up: Sunday, Dec. 8, noon to 6 p.m.
• Embrace the spirit of Mele Kalikimaka in partnership with Sister Cities of Long Beach that promises a festive pop up market honoring various cultural holiday traditions including Mele Kalikimaka (Island Celebration), Pasko (Philippine Christmas Celebration), Kwanzaa (African Heritage) and more! The event will feature artisan goods, live music, performances, photo opportunities and exhibitions from several multicultural organizations.
• Dreamers Market: Jingle and Mingle Pop-Up: Saturday, Dec. 14, noon to 5 p.m. & Sunday, Dec. 15, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Browse this holiday market for one-of-a-kind gifts from local artisans and vendors, perfect for last-minute shopping. The markets will feature Santa meet and greets, a kids entertainment area and more.
• Unidos Market: Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) Edition: Saturday, Dec. 22, 2-8 p.m. Celebrate Latinx holiday traditions at this vibrant market, complete with seasonal crafts, cultural performances and photo opportunities.
• DJ Set and Live Performances on the Grand Staircase: Thursday, Dec. 26, Friday, Dec. 27 & Saturday, Dec. 28, 4-8 p.m.
• Coastal Snowfall: Dec. 23, 5-7 p.m. Enjoy this magical holiday snowfall at various dates throughout the season, creating the perfect backdrop for family memories.
• Story Time with Mrs. Claus: Tuesday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m. to noon.
• Breakfast with Santa: Saturday, Dec. 7 & 14, 9-10 a.m. Start the day with a festive breakfast at Noble Rotisserie featuring a special visit from Santa. Reservations are required. For additional details, menu options and booking visit 2ndandpch.com/Events.
• Santa Photos: Paid Photos are Fridays through Sundays throughout the holiday season, hours vary; Selfies with Santa: Monday, Dec. 16, 4-7 p.m.; Santa Paws: Friday, Dec. 13, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Silent Santa: Sunday, Dec. 8 & Dec. 15, 9-11 a.m. The Silent Santa event provides a calm, sensory-friendly environment for children and adults to meet Santa in a quieter setting without crowds, lights and noise. Online RSVPs are required, to register visit 2ndandpch.com/Events.
• Mailbox: Kids are welcome to drop off their letters to Santa at Santa’s Mailbox before, during or after their photo sessions. Reservations are recommended, but walk ups are welcome. For additional details and booking visit 2ndandpch.com/Events.
• Beachside Beats Holiday Vibes Live Music by the Grand Staircase: Thursdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19, 6-8 p.m. Enjoy live holiday music, featuring talented local musicians playing seasonal favorites on the grand staircase.
• Menorah Lighting with Shul by the Shore: Dec. 29, 6-8 p.m. Join Shul by the Shore for a festive Menorah Lighting in celebration of Hanukkah. Gather with the community and kindle the lights of the menorah together.

All events are outdoors and weather permitting. For more information on events and a complete list of tenants visit 2ndandpch.com or interact via Instagram or Facebook.

Osher Learning Institute

On Dec. 9 the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at California State University, Long Beach will begin registration for its Winter Session. Classes will be held on campus, at satellite community locations and online using Zoom.

Over 80 classes including 10 new ones will be offered covering a wide variety of subjects including computer/tech skills, music, art, crafting, fitness and wellness, food and nutrition, French and Spanish language, writing, literature, history, current events and recreational activities. OLLI will also provide six free educational programs and workshops open to the community.

The eight-week session begins on Jan. 6 and is open to all adults 50 and over. The annual membership fee is $40 and classes are $15 each. More information, including registration, can be found by visiting the OLLI website www.csulb.edu/olli.