Holiday Performances in Long Beach

Once again, Long Beach comes alive this holiday season with festive performances put on by some of the city’s most popular and respected organizations. From classic ballet to captivating concerts to seasonal theater, they offer a chance for the community to come together and celebrate the spirit of the holidays. Check out this season’s lineup.

HANDEL’S MESSIAH, LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE

Long Beach City College Department of Music, Radio & Television and Associated Student Body will proudly present George Frederic Handel’s Messiah on Dec. 7 in the Bob and Barbara Ellis Auditorium (4901 E Carson St). Thrill to performances by Long Beach City College Viking Chorale, Viking singers and soloists. Also, enjoy a performance by the Long Beach City College Caroling Choir to ring in the holiday season.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, LONG BEACH PLAYHOUSE

December 6-22

Returning for its annual incarnation, this fast-paced retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol features all of the familiar characters: ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future, as well as Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and, of course, Ebenezer Scrooge. This yearly tradition takes place from Dec. 6-22 at the Mainstage of Long Beach Playhouse (5021 E Anaheim St).

Credit: Long Beach Playhouse

CHRISTMAS IN VIENNA, MUSICA ANGELICA

December 14

One of the country’s foremost historical performance ensembles, Musica Angelica's musicians play on instruments authentic to the Baroque period, or carefully crafted replicas. Christmas in Vienna harkens to the charming December markets that the city has hosted since 1296. Festive works by Mozart and Hayden, who likely enjoyed the markets when not composing, will be performed Dec. 14, at the First Congregational Church of Long Beach (241 Cedar Avenue), along with music by Vienna native Arnold Schoenberg.

THE NUTCRACKER, LONG BEACH BALLET

December 14-15 & 20-22

Long Beach Ballet’s production of the Tchaikovsky classic has been voted the nation’s most loved. That devotion owes a lot to Artistic Director David Wilcox’s tendency to pull out all the stops on the production, now in its 42nd year. This year’s performance at the Long Beach Terrace Theater (300 E Ocean Blvd) is no different, as the production, which runs from Dec. 14-15 and 20-22, will feature a cast of more than 200, full orchestra, flying sleigh, plenty of on-stage pyrotechnics and, yes, a live horse.

HANDEL’S MESSIAH, LONG BEACH CAMERATA SINGERS

December 19

For the 17th year, Camerata Singers–choral partner for the Long Beach Symphony and Musica Angelica–will perform Handel’s Messiah, Dec. 19 at Long Beach City College Auditorium (4901 E Carson St). Also, the crystalline a cappella voices of Camerata’s Catalyst Chamber Ensemble will perform Candlelight Christmas on Dec. 4 at the Los Altos United Methodist Church (5950 E Willow St).

About the Author

Steve Lowery

Steve Lowery is a longtime local. Over the years he has written for the Los Angeles Times, ESPN, and others. If you're looking for the hidden gems of Long Beach, Steve is your go-to.