6th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony & Santa Arrival at 2ND & PCH on Thursday, November 20th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This highly anticipated family tradition transforms the coastal lifestyle center into a festive winter wonderland, complete with sparkling lights, cheerful décor and holiday spirit. This year’s tree stands an impressive 52.5 feet tall, the tallest real tree in Long Beach.

Guests can enjoy a live performance by SZN4 from the hit show Building the Band, the much-anticipated arrival of Santa Claus, and an evening filled with holiday crafts, face painting and seasonal entertainment for all ages. The event will culminate in a fireworks display lighting up the Long Beach sky, marking the official start of the holiday season at 2ND & PCH.

WHEN:

Thursday, November 20th

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: 

2ND & PCH is located at E 2nd St & Pacific Coast Hwy Long Beach, CA 90803.

RSVP Here: https://2ndandpch.com/portfolio/annual-tree-lighting-and-santa-arrival/

Credit: 2ND & PCH

This November, Bella Terra, Huntington Beach’s premier lifestyle destination, invites the community to embrace the magic of the holidays with a joyful season of celebration, connection, and giving. Twinkling lights, festive music, and heartwarming moments await as we come together to make this holiday season truly bright!

From family-friendly events and live music to the ongoing Share the Warmth campaign, Bella Terra is bringing locals together in the heart of Surf City. More than just a shopping destination, it’s where neighbors gather, families make memories, and the community comes alive.

Check out what’s happening at Bella Terra!

Merriest Dreamers Pop-Up Market | Saturday, November 15 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM

Mark your calendars!  The Merriest of Dreamers Makers Pop-Up Market is coming to Bella Terra on Saturday, November 15th, from 1–5 PM. Shop local makers and enjoy a festive afternoon filled with fun for all ages, including a character meet & greet with a very famous mouse duo from 2–4 PM, a free slime bar, face painting, permanent jewelry, photo ops, and more holiday magic throughout the center!

Live Music on The Green | Throughout October (Various times)

Bring your blanket, a chair, sit on the grass or find a seat in our Green Garden area and enjoy live music.

SCHEDULE

November 15 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM

November 16 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM

November 22 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM

November 23 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM

Location: The Green (lawn area in front of Century Theaters)

Parking: Park in the structure next to Costco. You can access the parking structure off Center Ave when exiting the 405 North or heading South on Beach Blvd.

Wicked for Good at Bella Terra | Friday, November 21 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM

Get ready to go Wicked for Good at Bella Terra! Experience a magical evening on The Green celebrating the spellbinding story of friendship, courage, and good vibes inspired by Wicked.

Enjoy a day full of enchanting fun, from snapping selfies at the themed photo backdrop to colorful face painting and balloon art. Meet Elphaba and Glinda and choose your side, dance to lively DJ music, and enter the Century Theatres giveaway for themed prizes. Get creative at the craft station, pick up exclusive Team Glinda or Team Elphaba giveaways (while supplies last), and scan the QR code to grab tickets to see Wicked on the big screen!

PURCHASE TICKETS

A Very Bella Holiday – Tree Lighting Celebration | Sunday, November 23 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM

Kick off the holiday season with A Very Bella Holiday – Tree Lighting Celebration, a magical evening filled with festive fun for the whole family! Come for the Tree Lighting Ceremony as we illuminate our beautiful holiday tree to officially welcome the season. 

Experience the wonder of winter with artificial snow falling throughout the event and enjoy live holiday entertainment, including upbeat performances by Jingle 5 and The Holly Belles for a full concert experience. The celebration continues with delightful holiday characters and performers—from Candy Cane Stiltwalkers and the Drummer Boy & Ballerina to the Sugarplum Fairy and, of course, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, ready for photos and holiday cheer. 

Guests can enjoy free face painting, capture the magic at our Photobooth and 360 Video Booth, and even take home a free holiday giveaway (while supplies last).

Share The Warmth at Bella Terra | October through December 21 

Join Bella Terra as they partner with One Warm Coat to help keep our community warm this season.  All coats collected will be donated to The Lighthouse Outreach, the local nonprofit partner for this campaign.

From October to December 21st, Bella Terra will be collecting new or gently used coats for those in need. Bring your new or gently used coat to one of our donation drop-offs. Drop it in the designated bin. 

If you wish to donate monetarily, you can learn more here.

WHERE TO DONATE

• Hummus Republic – Donation bin inside the restaurant.
• Islands – Donation bin inside the restaurant.
• Security Dispatch Office (Suite 135) – Drop-off bin located in the hallway near Cost Plus World Market

When you donate at participating retailers, you’ll also receive a little extra “thank you” from one of Bella Terra’s partners!

• Hummus Republic – Donate a coat and receive your choice of a free falafel side or lemonade (Valid one incentive per coat donation. Must register in the database app or POS at checkout)

• Islands – Donate a coat and be among the first 50 donors to receive a free Islands Shake card
• J.Crew – Donate a coat and enjoy 10% off a purchase of $75+. (Valid October 1 – December 21, 2025)

Credit: Bella Terra.

The joint project “Gacha & Catch” between Japan Entertainment One Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation; Mitsubishi Corporation), TOMY Company, Ltd. (TOMY), and SEGA CORPORATION (SEGA) will launch a limited-time pop-up store centered around prize-winning arcade machines including Gacha (capsule toy machines) and UFO CATCHERS (claw machines) on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at the Promenade, a bustling shopping district in Santa Monica, California.

Gacha & Catch is a pop-up store and interactive space where visitors can experience two of Japan’s most iconic forms of Japanese arcade entertainment, Gacha and UFO Catchers. These games are rooted in the long-standing legacies of TOMY and SEGA, two of Japan’s most renowned entertainment brands. Featuring over 100 gacha capsule toy machines and more than 300 exclusive prizes, Gacha & Catch offers guests the thrill of winning uniquely Japanese collectibles through authentic Japanese games. Prizes include a wide range of merchandise and plush toys from iconic series, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Demon Slayer, Dan Da Dan, and more. 

Grand Opening Celebration! Weekend-Only Special Event
A special event will be held on Saturday, November 22 and Sunday, November 23 to celebrate the store’s grand opening. There will be exciting chances to win exclusive prizes, including tokens usable for UFO CATCHER and Gacha capsule toy machines, original stickers, and more. Don’t miss this limited weekend-only celebration!

Store Information

Store Name: Gacha & Catch 

Address: 1451 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Hours of Operation:

Mondays thru Thursdays and Sundays Every Week: 11:00am – 9:00pm

Fridays and Saturdays Every Week: 11:00am – 10:00pm

Event period subject to change without notice. 

The store may close during the year-end and new year holidays without prior notice.

Official Information

Gacha & Catch Official Website: https://gachaandcatch.com/

Gacha & Catch Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gacha_and_catch

Gacha & Catch Official X: https://x.com/gacha_and_catch

Copyright Notice： 

©T-ARTS “Gacha®” is a registered trademark of T-ARTS Company, Ltd.

©SEGA “UFO CATCHER” and “UFOキャッチャー” are registered trademarks or trademarks of SEGA CORPORATIO

The HIT Living Foundation’s 2nd Annual Holiday Market is Los Angeles’s free one-of-a-kind, dog-friendly, “Insta-worthy” immersive pet market — bringing together animal lovers of all ages to shop, snap, and celebrate while supporting rescue dogs this holiday season. This joyful community event transforms Santa Monica Brew Works into a festive playground of holiday magic for pets and people alike.

WHO:
The market will feature photo ops with Santa Claus, a ball pit for pups, giant nutcracker photo-op displays, and delicious treats like “pup cups” and a dog cookie cart. Attendees can shop from beloved local pet-centric brands including:

• MODERNBEAST – Stylish dog accessories
• Cleo&Hooman – Limited-edition merch and grooming goodies
• Joya Dog Diamonds – Bedazzled dog jewels
• Unbound Brews – “Pawfee” organic coffee blends
• Plus, enjoy a holiday bouquet-making station, beer tastings from Santa Monica Brew Works, and—most importantly—adorable dogs available for adoption, plus so much more!

WHERE:
Santa Monica Brew Works
1920 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica, CA

WHEN:
Sunday, November 23rd | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM PT

WHY:
Founded by two devoted LA women, HIT Living Foundation is a homegrown nonprofit making a lasting difference for pets and the people who love them. Through hands-on rescue, fostering, and mobile spay/neuter programs, they’re tackling shelter overcrowding and providing hope to families in crisis. After recent wildfires left local shelters overwhelmed, HIT Living’s mission has never been more vital — ensuring that no one, human or animal, faces hardship alone. Entrance is free and every vendor purchase at the Holiday Market directly supports their life-saving work, proving that giving back can be as heartwarming—and as photogenic—as it gets.

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beacha proudly welcomes back Pete’s Christmas Vacation for its second year, returning by popular demand. Running November 19 through January 3, the festive pop-up transforms Pete’s Sunset Grille into a coastal winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, cozy outdoor igloos, and a cheerful seasonal menu.

The menu features holiday favorites with a festive twist, from Bah Humbug Fries with smoked paprika aioli and Sleigh Bell Wings glazed in honey sriracha or spicy cranberry, to the Charcutewreath, a playful take on the classic board with Bavarian pretzel, artisan cheeses, and cured meats. Heartier dishes include the Jolly Old Saint Rib with creamy Boursin polenta and the tropical Mele Kalikimaka Bowl with diced ahi, avocado, and wakame over steamed rice.

Desserts continue the seasonal cheer with offerings like Passionfruit Cheesecake with gingersnap crust and orange honey whip, Pumpkin Bread Pudding with toffee sauce and vanilla gelato, and the indulgent S’mores Bar with toasted meringue and whiskey butterscotch. With its creative menu, cozy atmosphere, and a touch of holiday nostalgia, Pete’s Christmas Vacation is the ultimate destination to celebrate the season the SoCal way.

WHEN:
Open to the public November 19, 2025 – January 3, 2026

WHERE:
Pete’s Sunset Grille at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa
21500 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, CA 92648

RESERVATIONS:

Tables for Pete’s Christmas Vacation can be booked here.

The Aquarium of the Pacific’s twenty-fourth annual Autumn Festival highlights the traditions and cultures of China, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines through a weekend of learning opportunities and family entertainment celebrating the diversity of Asian and Asian American cultures. The festival will feature traditional craft demonstrations, music, dance, cultural arts exhibits, and storytelling.

During the Sunday of the festival, the Aquarium will honor Eung Hwa Kim, founder and executive and artistic director of the Kim Eung Hwa & Korean Dance Academy. Through her nonprofit Academy, Kim works to provide education and training and to foster cultural awareness and community outreach through performances and workshops. Kim has dedicated her life to the preservation and sharing of traditional Korean dance and music.

WHEN:          Saturday and Sunday, November 15 and 16, 2025, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

WHERE:        Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

COST:           Included with general admission: $44.95 per adult (ages 12+), $34.95 per child (ages 3-11), $41.95 per senior (ages 62+), and free for Aquarium members and children under age three / Reservations required 

INFO:     (562) 590-3100 or aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/autumn_festival  Reservations required.

Credit: Aquarium of the Pacific.

The Paramount Swap Meet’s Inaugural Día de los Muertos Celebration featuring a Catrina Contest

A Celebration of Beauty, Creativity, and Tradition – Calling All Catrinas!

Sunday November 16, 2025

Event Details: The Paramount Swap Meet invites the community to join us for the inaugural Día de los Muertos Celebration.

This event continues our legacy of celebrating heritage, art, and togetherness while honoring the memories that connect us all.

**Catrina Contest: A Celebration of Beauty, Creativity, and Tradition**

We invite participants to showcase their most original and creative Catrina looks for a chance to win 1st and 2nd place prizes in the Most Original Catrina category.

Adding to the excitement, the contest will feature special guest judge La Muerta Maria, known for her stunning artistry and dedication to cultural representation.

Entry to the contest is free—so bring your best look, your brightest spirit, and your love for tradition!

This free, family-friendly event honors the vibrant Mexican tradition of remembering and celebrating loved ones who have passed while embracing the beauty of life, culture, and community.

For 70 years, Paramount Swap Meet has been a cultural and community hub for families across the region.

Join us in celebrating this rich tradition!
Attractions Guests can enjoy a variety of interactive and cultural activities throughout the day, including:
 Face Painting
 Sugar Skull Creations
 Papel Picado Crafts
 Community Altar (bring a photo or offering)
 Catrinas Contest (with prizes!)
 Raffles & Family Fun
 Delicious Food Vendors
 Live Music & Performances
 Photo Exhibition & Live Canvas Painters
 Traditional Aztec Dancers
WHEN: Sunday November 16, 2025
Time: 11 AM – 4 PM

WHERE: The Paramount Swap Meet
Admission: $3
Parking: Free
Family-Friendly | All Are Welcome
The Paramount Swap Meet is located at 7900 All America City Way, Paramount, CA 90723.
https://www.paramountswap.com/about/