The best places to view the parade are on the bridges and waterfronts along the island’s canals, including the bridge sections of 2nd Street and Appian Way as well as Alamitos Bay Marina, according to the Long Beach Visitor & Convention Center. If you can’t make the parade, the island is still a lovely place to walk or float to admire the decorations on the houses lining the canals.
If you want to walk among more lights in Long Beach, check out the 67-foot-tall tree and light-studded decorations at Terrace Theater Plaza, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., about four miles west of the canals. The Long Beach Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at the Terrace Theater Plaza is Dec. 4 at 5 p.m. and includes falling snow, train rides, live musical performances (including scenes from “The Nutcracker”) and a fireworks show at the end.
Finally, the 40th Belmont Shore Christmas Parade is set for Dec. 7 along 2nd Street in Long Beach, from Livingston Street to Bay Shore Avenue and back to Livingstone.
Dates: The Long Beach 10th annual Christmas Tree Lighting is Dec. 4; Belmont Shore Christmas Parade is Dec. 7; and the Christmas Boat Parade is Dec. 21. Holiday lights stay on through Jan. 1.
Hours: The tree lighting at Terrace Theater Plaza is 5-8 p.m., Belmont Shore Christmas Parade starts at 6 p.m. and the Naples Island Christmas Boat Parade starts at 6 p.m. with large boats, 6:30 p.m smaller boats.
Admission: All events are free.
