Everyone loves a Christmas Parade

The winter air is brisk and the sun goes down early—perfect conditions for two things: Christmas Lights and Holiday Parades. Whether you prefer a marching band or flotilla of lighted boats, get out your calendar and circle these dates. The holidays are here and parades will be making their way through Long Beach all during the month of December.

Belmont Shore Christmas Parade

Saturday, December 3, 2011: The Belmont Shore Christmas parade is the youngest  holiday parade in Long Beach. It runs along Second Street from Livingston Drive to Bay Shore Avenue. This year “It’s a Green Christmass” will mark the 29th anniversary of a joyous Belmont Shore holiday tradition. This holiday parade, which attracts more than 50,000 spectators, features bands, homemade floats and Santa Claus. The parade is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Second Street will be closed to traffic beginning at 2 p.m. For additional information visit www.BelmontShore.org or read the complete article here.

56th Annual Daisy Avenue Christmas Tree Lane Parade

Saturday, December 10, 2011: A unique community event sponsored by the City of Long Beach, the Christmas Tree Lane Parade begins at 5 p.m. and travels along Daisy Avenue from Hill Street to Pacific Coast Highway and returns. Don’t miss the holiday village set up in the grassy median as well, it stays up all month. For more information contact the office of 7th District Council office at (562) 570-6139, visit www.longbeach.gov/district7 or read the complete article here.

Shoreline Yacht Club Parade of 1000 Lights

Saturday, December 10, 2011: This boat parade, themed “Eat, Drink and Be Merry,”  begins at the Long Beach Shoreline Marina, travels along the breakwater through the entrance to Rainbow Harbor, across the water to the Queen Mary and back to the Long Beach Shoreline Marina. The best places to see the parade are from restaurants and the boardwalk at Shoreline Village; the Marina breakwall behind Shoreline Village; or Shoreline Park around the Lighthouse. For further details visit www.shorelineyachtclub.com

Naples Holiday Boat Parade

Saturday, December 17, 2011: The second oldest boat parade in Southern California, this is a spectacular display of decorated boats and gondolas sailing through the charming canals of Naples Island. This year’s parade is themed “TV Land Holidays.” Small boats start out at 6 p.m. from the 2nd Street Bridge, followed by large boats starting at 6:30 p.m. from near Alamitos Bay Yacht Club. Come early and enjoy the sounds of carolers walking around the islands by the bridges. View the parade from the bridges and along the canals around Naples Island or from the 2nd Street Bridge and along Alamitos Bay Marina. For more information visit www.naplesca.com or call (562) 570-5333.