First Fridays Long Beach

Atlantic Avenue will be lit and decorated on December 4 for the “Holiday Edition of First Fridays.” There will be something for everyone with plenty of art, music, philanthropy, good cheer, and a tree and menorah lighting.

The 2nd Annual Bixby Knolls Tree & Menorah Lighting Ceremony will take place by the fountains at Nino’s Italian Restaurant, 3853 Atlantic Avenue, beginning at 6:00pm. The entire community is invited to come celebrate this tradition and celebrate the lighting of the tree and Hanukah Menorah, listen to carols, and enjoy some hot chocolate. As this will be a community tree, the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association is encouraging the tree decoration come from area businesses, schools, and residents. Ornaments can either be dropped off at the BKBIA office at 4313 Atlantic Avenue prior to December 4, or brought to the tree lighting ceremony on December 4.

First Fridays will feature a variety of music performances of bluegrass, gospel, harp, ukuleles, a DJ, classic rock tunes, a smooth crooner, piano, saxophone, rock school students, and communal drums. Visual treats include the tree and menorah lighting, carolers & street urchins from LB Shakespeare Company, “Family Night” in the local restaurants, holiday hair designs, card making, art exhibits and art bazaars.

Ceremony starts at 6:00pm, the lights are turned on at 6:30pm and then the Big Red Bus will transport people up and down Atlantic to the participating businesses.

The “First Fridays Collaborative” made up of the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association, Long Beach Shakespeare Company, Historical Society of Long Beach, and Alive Theatre is made possible by a grant from the Long Beach Community Foundation and Leadership Long Beach Connected Corridor. The grant assists with providing more entertainment and surprises to the monthly event as well as a First Fridays Coordinator and the Big Red Bus to transport attendees up and down the Atlantic Corridor to participating businesses.

The mission of First Fridays is to promote and support local artists and musicians by providing them with an outlet to showcase their work. Every first Friday night of the month, participating Bixby Knolls businesses will unite to promote local artists and musicians through extended operating hours. In doing so we hope to encourage a dialogue between businesses, artists and the community.