Whether it’s voluntary or not, we know you’ve got the holidays on the brain.

Walk into any store and you’ll walk out humming “Santa Baby” whether you like it or not. Every other palm tree you come across is strangled in lights and people at the office will demand your opinion on how the office Christmas tree should be themed.

All around you, everyone is talking about how excited (or stressed) they are for Christmas. You can’t get away from it; we can’t get away from it, so why fight it?

This week we’ve got heaps of Christmas events, activities and spectacles for you to surrender to—Filipino food, festive boats, sweet pups, parades, snow, lights… it’s nuts.

Alright, off you go!

1. NAPLES BOAT PARADE (Saturday)

Just as with the light displays on the homes above the canals, what raises the Naples holiday flotilla above similar fleets in Huntington Harbor and Newport Beach, is the intimacy and coziness the others can’t really touch, but you can.

This is in part owing to the fact that when the light-festooned ships pass by you feel as though you can reach right out and touch whatever it is those on board are drinking. The parade gets starts at 6 p.m. and can also be seen from numerous other vantage points including the beach along Bay Shore and the Peninsula. (Steve Lowery)

Another great thing: Two days before the boat parade, Runner’s High will host a three-mile run through Naples to enjoy the Christmas lights while also enjoying hot chocolate, Santa hats and jingle bells. You’ll need to RSVP for this, do it here.

Giving us a moment’s pause: Cocoa cramps.

For more information about the Naples Boat Parade, click here.

2. REASONS TO LOVE LONG BEACH X THE BIG RED BUS 2ND ANNUAL SANTA CRAWL (Sunday)

Courtesy Facebook/Reasons to Love Long Beach.

If there’s nothing you’d rather do than imbibe in a Santa suit on a double decker bus, then this is the event for you. Christmas costumes (and $32) are required to hop on the Big RED Bus, which will stop at three different bars for the second annual Reasons to Love Long Beach Santa Crawl, where there will be drink specials and free appetizers. (Asia Morris)

Another great thing: WATERFRONT TOUR OF LIGHTS (Thursday, Friday, Sunday) 

Courtesy Facebook/Big RED Bus.

If you’re looking for a bus ride that’s a bit more family friendly, check out these holiday lights tours, also on the Big RED bus, or “double-decker sleigh,” where riders will get a view of the floating trees of Alamitos Bay and some of the best-lit homes along the waterfront. Expect live Christmas music, hot chocolate, cookies and photo opportunities with Santa.

Giving us a moment’s pause: So. Many. Santas.

Join the Reasons to Love Long Beach Santa Crawl on Sunday, Dec. 15 at the old Tilted Kilt at 6575 E. Pacific Coast Highway at 1 p.m. for pick up. For tickets, visit reasonstolovelongbeach.com.

The Waterfront Tour of Lights take place almost every evening through Dec. 24, except Saturdays. Click here for details and reservations. Pick up is at Glory Days at 620 Pacific Coast Highway in Seal Beach.

3. IT’S A DRAG TO GIVE (Friday)

Courtesy Facebook/It’s a Drag to Give.

Sure, there are drag queens that have perfected the art, that have found their strut, that have made it their duty to awe and push the boundaries of entertainment, and what could possibly be more entertaining? Those who haven’t perfected the art, but are going to dress in drag anyway to raise funds for local nonprofits, that’s who.

Take first-time drag performer and Long Beach Creamery dynamo Dina Amadril, for example. The chemist behind many a drool-worthy flavor combination, Amadril will be seen on stage as Cara Mel at the fifth annual It’s a Drag to Give, hosted by Hamburger Mary’s Jewels and local drag queen and community activist Mia Farrow.

The event, a full-on fundraising gala, will include cocktails, silent auction, performances and raffles all in support of four local nonprofits: Beacon for Him, The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach, Long Beach Immigrant Rights Coalition and WomenShelter of Long Beach. (AM)

Another great thing: HOLIDAY ROLLER DISCO & TOY DRIVE (Saturday)

Skates hit the pavement at a Thursday evening skate at the Bayshore Rink in Long Beach Thursday, October 17, 2019. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.

On Saturday, Dec. 14, there’s a six-hour window where you can lace up those roller skates and boogie down with music selected by a host of local DJs, including Hawkeye, Life Coach, Anguelova and Jus Dyrti.

This time, Bayshore Rink Party is bringing the fun to an indoor venue in Signal Hill, protecting skaters from the chilling bay breeze most fair-weather lovers at the outdoor location would avoid, complete with a roller skate and non-roller skate dance floor (so if you’re just looking to dance on your stable feet you can do that, too).

If you bring a toy donation you can get in free, otherwise it’s $15 at the door. All toys will be given to Long Beach Pride’s Annual Toy Giveaway on Sunday.

Giving us a moment’s pause: At It’s a Drag to Give, there may or may not be a first-time drag king performing under the handle “Reddy Uranus.”

It’s a Drag to Give takes place at the Long Beach Convention Center; 300 E. Ocean Blvd. from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets for $15 (sales end Thursday, Dec. 12) visit the Eventbrite here.

Holiday Roller Disco takes place at 1005 E. Burnett St. in Signal Hill from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Buy tickets online for $10 here, at the door for $15, or bring an unwrapped toy worth $10 and get in for free. 

4. THE NUTCRACKER (Saturday, Dec. 14-22)

Long Beach Ballet performs “The Nutcracker” for the 36th year. Company dancers perform a section of the ballet at the Performing Arts Center’s lighting ceremony. Photo by Stephen Carr / Long Beach Post

A cryptic, patch-eyed uncle, human-sized mice soldiers and the elegant Sugar Plum Fairy. You know it, you love it; now go and see it.

For this 37th incarnation, the Long Beach Ballet brings Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece to the Long Beach Terrace Theater again in one of the most dazzling, high-quality performances of the season. This year, the show boasts guest artists Sarah Richard Orza as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Seth Orza as the Nutcracker Prince, both principal dancers with the Pacific Northwest Ballet. There will be a flying sleigh, a real live horse, on-stage pyrotechnics and a full symphony orchestra geared with a cast of over 200 dancers to bring the gorgeous, timeless tale to existence. (Cheantay Jensen)

Another great thing: THE “MUTT-CRACKER” ADOPTION EVENT (Sunday)

Photo by Ben Majors. Courtesy Long Beach Ballet/Weekly Runt.

This year the Long Beach Ballet has teamed up with local dog rescue Sparky and the Gang and pet advocate and blogger of the Weekly Runt, Katy Cable, to bring you the “Mutt-Cracker.” Before you get excited, no, there won’t be any dogs in the annual performance, but there will be dogs outside the Terrace Theater at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center for you to pet, swoon and “awww” over this Sunday, Dec. 15 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Many of the dogs you see in the photograph above will be at the event, just waiting to find a new loving home. Sparky and the Gang will be there accepting applications and donations, ready to answer any questions you may have about adoption. Can’t make it this Sunday? Another “Mutt-cracker” adoption event will take place again on Saturday, Dec. 21.

Giving us a moment’s paws:

The Nutcracker runs Dec. 14 through Dec. 22 in the Long Beach Terrace Theater at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center; 300 E. Ocean Blvd. Ticket prices range from $34 to $115 and can be purchased here. For more information you can check out their website, here.

Sparky and the Gang “Mutt-cracker” adoption event is Sunday, Dec. 15 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Terrace Plaza in front of the Long Beach Performing Arts Center; 300 E. Ocean Blvd. They’ll be hosting a similar event again on Saturday, Dec. 21.

5. PAROL LANTERN FESTIVAL (Saturday)

This weekend brings not one, but two festivals celebrating Filipino people, culture and food. Two! Twice as much as one!

The fun starts on Saturday at 5 p.m. with the second annual Parol Lantern Festival. A parol is an ornamental, star-shaped Christmas lantern from the Philippines traditionally made from bamboo and paper and comes in various shapes and sizes but generally, one way or another, resembles a star, evoking the Star of Bethlehem.

The star also is a metaphor for the victory of light over darkness that fuels Filipino hopes and dreams during the holiday season.

That sounds pretty heavy, so just know that if you head down to Pine, between Fourth and Fifth streets, you’ll see plenty of lanterns, but also lots of food, music, things to buy and lots of really happy people looking to greet and get festive with you.

This goes on until 10 p.m.

Another great thing: LONG BEACH FILIPINO FESTIVAL (Sunday)

This is also back for its second year because, apparently last year, our Filipino friends and neighbors were in a particularly festive mood.

This festival gets started early, 9 a.m., and is billed as a Pasko (Christmas) edition. The festival takes place from Browning High School and will feature performers such as actress/singer Jules Aurora, vocalist/producer/DJ Gingee, rappers, magicians, and martial artists will also be on stage as well. Comedians Eric Escobar, Eric Esteban & Mary Grant the Filipina will host.

There will also be more than 40 retail and community vendors, along with amazing Filipino, Asian and fusion foods.

The Parol Lantern Festival takes place from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Pine Ave., between Fourth and Fifth streets. For more information, click here

The Long Beach Filipino Festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Browning High School located at 2180 Obispo Ave. For more information, click here.

6. DAISY AVENUE CHRISTMAS TREE LANE PARADE (Saturday)

Adeline Gallardo and Sarah Hicks wave at the parade while sitting in front of one of the Daisy Avenue displays during the 65th Annual Daisy Avenue Christmas Tree Lane Parade on Saturday, December 8, 2018. Photo by Bill Alkofer

Expect dazzling lights, decorated floats and, of course, feel-good family entertainment. The parade route itself has some history; dubbed Christmas Tree Lane in the 1950s with its grassy median decorated with a Christmas Village and residents following suit with their own house decorations, even with the absence of parade fanfare, it’s quite a sight to see and a welcomed addition to any holiday to-do list.

The 66th Annual Daisy Avenue Christmas Tree Lane Parade happens Saturday, Dec. 14 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., between Hill Street and Pacific Coast Highway. For more info, click here. (AM)

Another great thing: WINTER IN WILLMORE (Saturday)

Make a gingerbread house, sled down 40 tons of snow, meet Santa and his elves, get your face painted; there’s so much to do at this free family-friendly event created by the Willmore City Heritage Association. While the event is free to attend, you can bring a canned food item to trade for a raffle ticket, which, we are told, you won’t want to miss this year.

Winter in Willmore runs from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m at Drake Park; 951 Maine Ave. For more info, click here.

7. MUSICA ANGELICA BAROQUE CHRISTMAS (Friday)

Photo courtesy Musica Angelica.

Those looking to find their Christmas verve in a more timeless tone need look no further than Musica Angelica’s Baroque Christmas performance. Now in its 27th season (its fifth year of residence in Long Beach) this year’s seasonal show features voices lent from renowned American soprano Robin Johannsen and the Long Beach Camerata Singers in a setlist filled with European pieces that have evoked the Christmas spirit for centuries.

Expect French Noel “Kyrie” from Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s “Messe de Minuit,” Father of symphony Franz Joseph Haydn’s classic concerto for organ and orchestra and Mozart’s timeless church music including “Laudate Dominum,” (for soprano, choir and orchestra) “Ave verum” and “Exsultate jubilate” that will lead up to the climax of Handel’s “Hallelujah” from the iconic “Messiah.”

The performance will be preceded with a dinner of small plates at Bogarts & Co., located underneath the Beverly O’Neill Theater at 6:30 p.m. Concert starts at 8 p.m., so you don’t have to come early to the free meal, but then again, why wouldn’t you? (CJ)

Another great thing: LONG BEACH CAMERATA SINGERS AT RANCHO LOS ALAMITOS (Thursday)

Photo courtesy Rancho Los Alamitos.

On Dec. 12 history comes to cozy life in this special performance by the Long Beach Camerata Singers at historic landmark Rancho Los Alamitos. Adapted from the illustrative children’s novel “Christmas Eve at Rancho Los Alamitos” by Katharine Bixby Hotchkis—which is based on the personal recollection of Katharine’s childhood Christmases while living on the ranch—the performance will be a musical adaptation of the book, telling (and singing) stories about family holiday traditions from early in the last century.

The event doubles as a music program geared for children ages 3 to 8 years old and will explore musical concepts such as melody, tempo, dynamics and rhythm. (CJ)

Following the program will be light refreshments, children’s craft activities in the barnyard, and tours of the decorated ranch house.

Giving us a moment’s pause: Celebrating Christmas in a barnyard…sound familiar?

Musica Angelica’s Baroque Christmas performance is Friday, Dec. 13 at the Beverly O’Neill Theater in the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center; 300 E. Ocean Blvd. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $59 to $79, to purchase tickets visit their website, here.

Christmas at the Rancho with the Long Beach Camerata Singers falls on Thursday, Dec. 12 at Rancho Los Alamitos; 6400 E. Bixby Hill Road. The performance starts at 3:30 p.m. and runs until 5 p.m. Adult tickets are priced at $15 with children ages 12 or younger priced at $10. Free admission for children ages two or younger. The event requires RSVP, which you may do so, here.