The Most Instagrammable Holiday Spots In Long Beach
Good luck going more than a block or two in Long Beach without running into some form of holiday cheer, be it lights, displays, decorations, ornamentation or some seriously large trees!
In the FOMO-fueled world we inhabit, it’s become important not only to experience these things but to chronicle ourselves experiencing these things. There are so many photo-worthy holiday experiences in Long Beach this time of year. Planning an action-packed itinerary around Christmas time? Along with festive performances and magical parades, here are some locations to make your holidays picture perfect.
Terrace Theater Plaza
If you’re in the mood for some variety, this is the place to be. The Plaza has quickly become one of the most popular and recognizable spots for holiday shots, since there’s so much to choose from and it’s located right off well-traveled Ocean Boulevard in Downtown Long Beach. Let’s see: there’s the record-breaking 67-foot tree decorated with more than 500,000 lights, there’s the truly larger-than-life Christmas ornaments and snow globes that folks can pose inside, there’s dancing water, and a magical Santa Stroll which will immerse you in a winter wonderland.
Don't miss the annual Terrace Theater Plaza Christmas tree lighting!
TREE LIGHTING AND SANTA ARRIVAL AT 2ND AND PCH
This popular retail center by the bay hosts numerous events throughout the year, many of which are just perfect for photos. On November 20, 2025 at 5:00 p.m., watch a holiday wonderland come to life with a magical tree lighting. Take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and join in the festivities with a complimentary light stick (available to RSVP'd attendees).
Miracle at The Ordinarie
Already one of the most popular spots to eat and drink in Downtown Long Beach, The Ordinarie (210 The Promenade North) transforms into “Miracle at The Ordinarie” every holiday season, with nary an inch of the American tavern not adorned in some kind of colorful and/or kitschy decorations. There is tinsel and strung lights everywhere, ornaments, decked out trees and lots of Christmas statuary. And, of course, there is the Miracle Menu, featuring some of the most fun and creative holiday cocktails, some poured over real snowballs – at least one served in a SanTaRex Christmas dinosaur mug.
Experience the Miracle at The Ordinaire from November 7, 2025 to January 1, 2026.
Daisy Lane
Located in the historic Wrigley Neighborhood, for 71 years the medians on Daisy Avenue have been adorned with Christmas lights, holiday villages and nativity scenes. Plus, the entire neighborhood does its best to decorate their homes for the holidays. This place makes for great shots in the daytime, but you’re likely going to want to take photos in the evening when everything is lit up. And, if you want some movement, you can check out the annual Daisy Lane Parade that takes place on December 13, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
Naples Island Christmas Lights
If you’re looking for a seemingly never-ending ribbon of unique, eye-popping shots, Naples is probably where you want to go. One of Long Beach’s most desirable neighborhoods, many of the homes that line the area’s famous canals are decorated not only in lights but many tell holiday tales through the use of audio and animatronics. It’s an amazing sight and one that attracts not only families but couples, so it’s a great place to take the shot when you’re ready to make your relationship official. If you’re looking for even more, on December 20, 2025 at 6:00 p.m., the canals will be alive with spectacularly decorated boats and watercraft taking part in the annual Naples Boat Parade.
Trees in the Bay
These are truly the holiday icon of Long Beach. The floating wooden wonders have colorfully lit up Long Beach’s holiday season for more than 70 years. Classic, bright and beautiful, they can be found practically anywhere there’s water in Long Beach, which is a lot of places. These 16-foot tall, pyramid-shaped wooden trees are wrapped in lights that gleam off the likes of Alamitos Bay, Colorado Lagoon, Rainbow Harbor, Spinnaker Bay and so much more. If you’re looking for that signature Long Beach shot, this is it.
The Bembridge House
Of course, Christmas is all about traditions. The Queen Anne Victorian Bembridge House (953 Park Circle) is simply one of the most beautiful and historic residencies in the city. More than 115 years old, the house, owned by Long Beach Heritage, an organization that advocates for historic preservation, decks the house out each holiday season in traditional yuletide magnificence, with spectacular ornamented trees, gingerbread houses, as well as plenty of lights both inside and out. If you have followers of a certain age, or perhaps just read a lot of Dickens, you’ll want to get some shots of this.
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