Holiday Happenings Around Town
Naples Island Boat Parade, Holiday Decorations
Long Beach’s Naples Islands will celebrate the holidays with a holiday boat parade on Dec. 18 for the first time in three years. The 75th annual Naples Christmas Boat Parade will feature small watercraft sailing through the canals and big boats in Alamitos Bay. Houses on the island will be lavishly decorated.
Streets will begin to close at 5 p.m. At 6 p.m., the first large vessels will depart, followed by smaller boats at 6:30. Some of the best spots to watch the lights as the boats make their rounds are the bridges and waterfronts along the canals on Naples Island. The Second Street Bridge, Appian Way Bridge and Alamitos Bay Marina are good spots to watch the larger boats.
Belmont Shore Winter Village
In lieu of the annual Christmas Parade, which is planned to return next year, the Belmont Shore Business Association is hosting the Belmont Shore Winter Village on Saturday, Dec. 4. The celebration will extend the length of the Second Street business corridor and includes activities and entertainment for all ages.
A central stage set up next to the Chase Bank building will feature local performers, including high school bands, dance troupes and an eight-piece brass ensemble, as well as a special holiday concert from Manuel the Band who will close out the evening.
The event includes Santa at the “Shorth Pole” on the north corner of Second and Nieto streets.
Partial closures of side streets will allow for many of the usual float entries to become stationary features that people can explore as they walk up and down the street.
