Holiday events in Long Beach

First Night Out and Luminary Night on New Year’s Eve

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The Historic West End Business Owners and West End Neighbors Civic Association have teamed up to organize a First Night Out community New Year's Eve event on Tuesday, Dec. 31, from 4 to 9 p.m.

Organizers say that First Night Out is an evening of alcohol-free family fun, celebration and entertainment. The event will take place in the West End at the West School playground and the West End Community Center. There will be music, arts and crafts, face painting and other activities for all ages. The event will also feature ice-sculpting shows from 4 to 6 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.

Admission is $5 for adults; free for kids age 12 and under. Admission also includes special discounts at local restaurants.

“We have come a long way since last year,” WENCA President John Bendo said in a Dec. 23 email to members. “Neighbors came together to help each other and people are working together to continue to improve the West End. The West End has been buzzing with activity, especially during this holiday season. I hope you been enjoying the decorative lights on Beech Street, the Festival of Lights Parade we had on Beech Street and the pop-up shops in the restaurants. It just shows what we can do when neighbors work together. But we also must not forget that some of our neighbors are still struggling to get back into their homes. We need to keep them in our thoughts during this holiday season.”

First Night Out is being produced by Imagine Long Beach, and sponsored by Renaissance Downtowns and supported by the City of Long Beach.

Additionally, Project 11561 and LBNYHI are organizing the second annual Luminary Night on New Year’s Eve to light up the city’s streets, businesses and empty neighborhood lots to support a community still recovering from Hurricane Sandy. Participants will need bags and flameless candles. Last year, luminary bags and votive candles lined the streets of Long Beach on New Year’s Eve as part of the first annual Light Up Long Beach event.


For more information, visit the First Night Out and Luminary Night event pages on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/191879567668494/ and https://www.facebook.com/events/556525141089361/permalink/556583377750204/