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The Queen Mary Decks the Halls this Holiday Season with “Holly Days Aboard,” Featuring Festive Activations and Special Seasonal Programming

November 7, 2025 By Leave a Comment

Dine with Santa at Sunday Brunch, Gingerbread House Making, a 

Christmas Bar called the ‘Peppermint Lounge’, a Hot Cocoa Bar, 

Silent Disco: Christmas Songs Edition, Letters to Santa, and Much More!

The Queen Mary in Long Beach is making everything merry and bright this holiday season, decking her halls (and decks) with twinkling lights, decorated trees, and a month of festive programming through December 24th. From Santa at Sunday Brunch and the can’t miss Christmas Bar called the “Peppermint Lounge” to live entertainment and family-friendly fun, the legendary ocean liner is offering holiday cheer for all ages.

Throughout December, visitors and guests can enjoy a variety of holiday happenings and themed events that make the Queen Mary one of Southern California’s most unique holiday destinations. The celebrations begin with Santa Sundays at the ship’s signature Royal Sunday Brunch every Sunday in December (Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27), where guests can savor a lavish holiday spread while meeting Santa himself. December 4 – 24, visitors can also sip and be merry at the all-new Peppermint Lounge, a Christmas bar located in the Embarkation Room, featuring live music on select nights and specialty cocktails that taste just like the season. On Friday, December 5th, experience a festive evening of dancing under the stars with sweeping harbor views and a playlist of holiday favorites during Silent Disco: Christmas Songs Edition.

The celebration reaches its peak December 19–21, when Santa’s Ship Stop in the Queens Salon becomes the ultimate destination for hands-on holiday fun. Families can build gingerbread houses with Santa’s elves ($25 per child or available as a package with Photos with Santa), sip something sweet at Cocoa with Claus, and send off Letters to Santa, with replies from the North Pole guaranteed! These activities will take place from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, December 19, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, December 20 and 21. During select hours, children can enjoy Cookies with the Captain, where every young guest receives a complimentary cookie while parents are welcomed to toast the season at the Peppermint Lounge.

The festivities continue throughout the week with a lineup of can’t-miss holiday events leading up to Christmas. On Wednesday, December 17, guests can cozy up for Movie on the Mary: Christmas Edition in the Queen Mary Theatre from 6–8 p.m., followed by Brushes & Bubbly: Winter Wonderland on Thursday, December 18, from 6–8 p.m. On Friday, December 19, the ship comes alive with Bingo Loco in the Grand Salon from 7–11 p.m., along with Holiday Follies performances running December 19–20. 

With its gleaming Art Deco halls, sweeping ocean views, and nostalgic holiday atmosphere, the Queen Mary offers a truly one-of-a-kind backdrop for celebrations big and small. Guests are invited to book their holiday parties, plan festive gatherings, and experience the spirit of the season aboard one of the world’s most iconic ships.

Deck the halls and sail into the season aboard The Queen Mary! For more information on the Queen Mary, to book a holiday party, seasonal offerings, and more visit queenmary.com/whatsondeck, or connect with us on social @TheQueenMary.

Credit: The Queen Mary.

Filed Under: Featured Events

Rabbit, Nov. 7 Pet of the Week

November 7, 2025 By Leave a Comment
AWWWWWW!

Look at those eyes, as blue as the sky on a clear day! They belong to Rabbit, a year-old Siberian husky blend. Rabbit earned his name from the way he hops and skips playfully around the yard with the doggie friends he’s made at Long Beach Animal Care Services and helped adjust to shelter life. He loves the doggie pool! Rabbit has human friends, too—he loves his volunteer buddies, although he’s shy at first with new people. Like any rabbit, Rabbit loves tricks, especially agility and “sit pretty.” Shelter life, as good as it may be at Long Beach Animal Care Services, is no place for any pet, particularly one as timid as Rabbit. A forever home, or at least a foster, would be ideal, with a predictable setting and consistent, loving human attention. Could you do the trick of pulling the Rabbit out of the hatch? Long Beach Animal Care Services is over capacity with dogs, so speed the process to adopt or foster Rabbit or any of our other pets by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. Our shelter hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors). Ask for ID#A738526.

Filed Under: Featured Content, Pet Corner

L.A.’s Wildest Holiday Tradition Returns!

November 7, 2025 By Leave a Comment

L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow

 TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

CREDIT: © Los Angeles Zoo

 L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow, L.A.’s Wildest Holiday Tradition, is returning for 2025 and tickets are now on sale at www.lazoolights.org! Running from Nov. 13, 2025 through Jan. 11, 2026, guests will immerse themselves in a dazzling world of lantern sculptures and lights, with exciting new elements that will delight and entertain the entire family.

In 2025, L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow brings guests through a holiday themed wonderland; the weird and wonderful world of plants and pollinators featuring larger than life birds, butterflies, insects and flowers; glowing lanterns depicting wildlife of Southeast Asia; and an African landscape that includes representation of the continent’s iconic regions and wildlife, all illuminated by spectacular sculptural lights.

In addition to the all-new lanterns and light displays, the Zoo is returning some of last year’s fan favorites including the interactive displays, a giant walk-in kaleidoscope, seasonal treats and cocktails, and photo-ops through the park including Santa Claus himself. Guests can ride the conservation carousel and enjoy warming treats like churros, smores, and hot cocoa. Those 21 and older can enjoy beer, wine, and spiked hot cocoa available every night, and credit card bars Friday through Sunday.

L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow will also host two special community nights:

  • Sensory-Inclusive Zoo Lights: Dec. 9, 2025 – A serene evening with sensory accommodations for all guests, which includes smaller crowds, quieter music, sensory bags available on a first-come first-served basis, reentry options, and more.  
  • Pride Night: Jan. 8, 2026 – Celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community with added festivities, including an all-ages DJ dance party and a full cocktail bar for adults 21-and-over. For this event, guests are welcome to use their chosen restroom facilities.

L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow is L.A.’s wildest holiday tradition. The event runs from Nov. 13, 2025 – Jan. 11, 2025, however, the event is closed most Mondays and Tuesdays, plus Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 27), Christmas Eve (Dec. 24), Christmas Day (Dec. 25), and New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31). General admission tickets start at $19 for children ages 2-12 and $29 for adults ages 13+. L.A. Zoo members receive a $5 discount off ticket prices. For the event’s full schedule, information, and ticket pricing, visit www.lazoolights.org.

Credit: Los Angeles Zoo.

Filed Under: Featured Content, Featured Events

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever * A Powerful Reminder Of The Importance Of Community And Togetherness

November 7, 2025 By Leave a Comment

The Herdmans are absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, they steal, they bully…and now they’ve hijacked the town Christmas pageant. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever follows six siblings who sneak into church searching for snacks and walk away with the lead roles in the town pageant. Grace is directing the performance for the very first time, but she and her daughter Beth and husband Bob are in over their heads, especially against a town that wants them to kick the Herdmans out. But the play’s mischievous stars might unwittingly teach a community the true meaning of Christmas.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Adele B. comments, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is an energetic and fun family movie. The emotional depth of the characters and the heart-warming themes are what truly drew me in and kept my attention.”  Isabella V., adds, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever manages to perfectly mix comedic and heartwarming moments. It is an incredible watch – it’s unique compared to other Christmas movies and the cast’s performance is outstanding.” Josephine K. wraps it up with, “The film’s message is that love, family and acceptance are the true meanings of Christmas. This film is a powerful reminder of the importance of community and togetherness.” See their full reviews below.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

By Adele B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is an energetic and fun family movie. The emotional depth of the characters and the heart-warming themes are what truly drew me in and kept my attention.

The story starts with Beth (Lauren Graham) reminiscing about her home town’s most famous event – The Christmas Pageant. In a flashback a younger Beth (Molly Belle Wright) thinks the pageant is boring and needs changing. She just may get her wish when Mrs. Armstrong (Mariam Berstein), long time pageant director, breaks both of her legs and her mom, Grace (Judy Greer), steps in to direct. Then, the Herdman family’s six kids, considered renegades, decide to join the pageant. Will the town realize that maybe the Herdman’s aren’t so bad and put on the best pageant ever?

The movie has tremendous emotional depth. The cast really connects with each other in a very realistic and fun way. Their effortless chemistry with each other leads to both comedic and touching scenes. I love when Imogene (Beatrice Schneider) plays Mary in the pageant and she cries on cue while she is holding a baby Jesus doll. Her believability made me teary eyed. Another favorite scene is when Gladys (Kynlee Heiman) plays the Angel of the Lord, and she excitedly and loudly tells the shepherds to find baby Jesus. It is a great comedic release. The Herdman kids’ realistic struggles from neglect and bad behavior modeling really comes through, as we see them act out so much. It is so heartwarming when Beth‘s dad, Bob (Pete Holmes), brings them a whole ham for Christmas as a positive gesture. The costumes are also noteworthy and match each character quite well. One of my favorite outfits is Gladys’s detailed angel costume. I also like Beth’s blue turtleneck sweater and Imogene’s unique style, like her jean jacket.

Kindness and inclusivity themes are woven throughout the movie. We are reminded that everyone deserves a chance for love and to not judge a book by its cover or people by how they look. Find what’s truly inside them.

I give The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18 plus adults. It releases on Blu-ray™ and DVD October 28, 2025.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Isabella V., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever manages to perfectly mix comedic and heartwarming moments. It is an incredible watch – it’s unique compared to other Christmas movies and the cast’s performance is outstanding. The production is executed perfectly, making it an ideal movie to watch during the holiday season.

The story is narrated by an older version of the protagonist, Beth (Molly Belle Wright, Lauren Graham) and follows her mom (Judy Greer) trying to take over the town’s national Christmas pageant when the usual director gets injured. However, there’s trouble when the worst group of kids in town, the Herdmans, take over the pageant and her mom must deal with the consequences.

The story is told incredibly well, with a mix of narration and live events. I became invested easily, and feel that the narration allows for added context to scenes that need it. It’s a very unique Christmas movie in that, rather than focusing on the protagonist, it tells the story from the perspective of others. This makes for great plot development, as the audience doesn’t automatically know everything about these characters, just how Beth sees them. The movie offers a range of tones, from extremely funny to extremely sad or heartwarming. The humor is amazing; I found myself laughing aloud multiple times. There’s many well-placed gags, partially thanks to the narration. However, the movie is also heartbreaking at times, and I found myself tearing up during the last couple minutes. These features are both heavily helped by the great performances from the cast, with the standout being Beatrice Schneider as Imogene Herdman. Her acting is outstanding and really allowed me to feel bad for Imogene, who I disliked in the beginning.  She shows a huge range, both comedically and dramatically. My favorite part is its message and how the characters develop. Discovering why the Herdman kids behave the way they do, over the course of the film, is heartbreaking and watching them overcome it when no one else believed in them is so satisfying.

The film’s message is to not judge people who you don’t know, because you never know what may be going on with them or how they might change. Be forewarned that there is mild violence between the children.

I give The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 8 to 18. It releases on Blu-ray™ and DVD October 28, 2025.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

By Josephine K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

This movie is superb! The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is heartfelt and thoughtful. The characters are well defined and develop nicely throughout the film. Also, the time period is fascinating and delightfully simple.   

The story begins with a girl named Beth (Molle Belle Wright) and a rowdy clan of trouble-makers, known as the Herdmans. Beth’s mother (Judy Greer) is hosting their town’s monotonously traditional Christmas pageant and the Herdman’s have decided to make a troublesome appearance and take center stage. So it’s up to Beth, her mother, and the ever problematic Herdmans to prove to everyone, and to themselves, that they really can make this year’s pageant the Best Christmas Pageant Ever!

This film is delightful. It is an emotional masterpiece. The Herdmans are a difficult bunch, but as their experiences are revealed, it’s easier to empathize with them. The characters’ backgrounds are intricately developed and fascinating – each has their own riveting backstory. This film takes place in the early 70s and portrays the innocence of that time period. The little details that show the time period such as the corded wall phone and the various hair styles are delightful. My favorite character is Imogene Herdman (Beatrice Schneider) because, though she presents like she is tough, she is actually kind and fiercely protective of her siblings. My favorite part is when Imogene returns something to Beth because it shows her growth throughout the film.

The film’s message is that love, family and acceptance are the true meanings of Christmas. This film is a powerful reminder of the importance of community and togetherness.

I give The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It releases on Blu-ray™ and DVD on October 28, 2025.

Trailer:

Filed Under: Media Reviews