Night comes early in the waning days of fall and the early days of winter, but at this time of year, when darkness falls, the city lights up with a dazzling array of holiday decorations. In East Long Beach, illuminated arches provide tunnels of colorful lights in a neighborhood trend that’s been growing in that area over the past few years. Meanwhile, for decades now, crowds have faithfully flocked to the canals in Naples, where residents bedeck their houses and boats with Hollywood-grade decorations.
And elsewhere—the city comes alive with brilliant holiday spirit and for a few days we can put aside the problems faced throughout the year and bask in the glow of joy and celebration.
Mahlyah Meang, left, Roth Ly, center and Diana Ly walk through the Christmas arches as they look at the holiday lights of East Long Beach Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
More than half a dozen “Christmas trees” made of lights float in the Colorado Lagoon Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
A family walks along Nipomo Avenue and Parapet Street as they look at the Christmas arches of East Long Beach Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Christmas lights project on a home in Central Long Beach on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. Photo by Crystal Niebla.
A Christmas tree made of lights sits atop Signal Hill, overlooking all of Long Beach, as seen from the roof of One World Trade Center in Downtown Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
A young family enjoys a night walk through the Christmas arches as they look at the holiday lights of East Long Beach Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Paddle-boaters make their way around the Trees on the Bay through the canals of Naples in Long Beach Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
A storm showers Christmas light displays at the Terrace Theater Plaza in Downtown Long Beach on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021. Photo by Crystal Niebla.
Cars pass by Christmas light displays at the Terrace Theater Plaza in Downtown Long Beach on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021. Photo by Crystal Niebla.
The delivery car for Pizza Hut near the corner of Seventh Street and Redondo Avenue is covered with Christmas lights for the season on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
A family eats dinner in their Naples Island home—elaborately decorated to resemble a castle in a winter wonderland—as dozens of onlookers walk by on their decoration viewing excursion Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
The annual floating Trees on the Bay at Horney Corner in Long Beach Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
A couple walks by a tree covered in lights on Naples Island Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
A rowing crew makes its way around the Trees on the Bay through the canals of Naples in Long Beach Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Christmas displays line up on a median on Daisy Avenue in the Wrigley neighborhood in Long Beach on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021. Photo by Crystal Niebla.
Reflective ornaments and lights hang over the walkway along the Naples canal Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
A rowing crew makes its way around the Trees on the Bay through the canals of Naples in Long Beach Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Mini figures play in the “snow” as part of a decoration display at a home on Naples Island Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Two ladies pause to look at the Trees on the Bay from the Second Street bridge in Long Beach Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.