Long Beach Isn’t Waiting Until December to Light Up Christmas

Still working through the Halloween candy? Long Beach Exchange is ready to move on to Christmas.

Its Merry Little Village celebration returns with holiday music, crafts, seasonal characters and a tree lighting to bring everyone together. Santa will be stopping by, too.

There is something appealing about getting a little holiday time before December fills up. Before the competing invitations, the shopping lists and the realization that the month somehow has fewer available weekends than you thought.

This one offers a chance to ease into it.

A Little Gingerbread, a Little Sugarplum

Gingerbread Characters and Sugarplum Fairy performances will help set the scene, with holiday crafts giving children something to make along the way. Sweet Photo Pop cookie photos are also planned for the first 150 children, while supplies last.

For families, those little stops can become the afternoon’s biggest moments. A character who gets a shy smile. A craft carefully carried home. A picture that earns a place on the refrigerator long after the decorations come down.

And for the grown-ups, it is an opportunity to put the phone to work taking pictures instead of checking another thing off a list.

Come for the Lights, Browse a Little Longer

Artisan vendors will give visitors a chance to browse, while the Merry Little Village Holiday Photo-Op offers a spot for a seasonal picture.

Maybe you find a gift and get to feel unusually ahead of schedule. Maybe you simply wander, take a few photos and enjoy being out together.

There is no requirement to have your own decorations out yet. Enjoying someone else’s holiday preparations is a perfectly reasonable place to start.

A Little Christmas Before the December Rush

The tree lighting gives the celebration its gathering moment. With Santa visiting and holiday music playing, the evening offers an early opportunity to settle into the season.

November 7 might feel early. But an evening together does not need to wait for December.

Event Details

4th Annual Merry Little Village Tree Lighting Ceremony
• Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
• Time: 4–8 p.m.; tree lighting at 6:15 p.m.
• Location: The Hangar at Long Beach Exchange, 4150 McGowen Street, Long Beach
• More information: Visit the official event page for activity schedules and details.