(…and yes, we’ll be out there shopping small and bringing the vibe.)
Key Takeaways
- Long Beach offers exciting holiday markets for a joyful shopping experience.
- Soul & Cheer on Dec 13 features over 40 local vendors and fun activities; it’s a must-visit.
- Winter in Willmore on Dec 7 showcases local vendors and charming holiday events.
- Uptown Village Market on Dec 5 features handmade gifts and local art in a lively atmosphere.
- Long Beach Night Market on Dec 19 offers a playful twist on holiday shopping with local treats and music.
If you’re ready to skip the corporate chaos, avoid the fluorescent aisles of Big Box Hell, and actually enjoy holiday shopping this year, Long Beach has you covered. Our city goes full sparkle in December: makers, music, food, community, and actual joy instead of “limited-time doorbusters.” Shop local. Boycott corporations. Support your neighbors. You know the drill.
And yes… we’ll be participating at Soul & Cheer this year, so come say hi, shop with us, and soak up the energy because that market is a whole vibe.
Here are the holiday markets in Long Beach worth hitting:
Soul & Cheer: The Connection Market at LBX
Dec 13 • 12–7 PM • LBX Hangar
We’ll be here fully present and fully extra. This market brings together more than 40 local vendors, Santa photos, a DIY ornament station, face painting, a live DJ, free massages, giveaways, an ugly sweater contest, food, drinks, and all the community energy you can handle. It’s pet-friendly, family-friendly, free to attend, and free to park.
This is Long Beach wrapped in twinkle lights — inclusive, creative, joyful, and full of real humans showing up for each other. If you only go to one market this season, make it this one. And come find us.
Winter in Willmore Holiday Market in Long Beach
Dec 7 • 4–8 PM • Historic Bembridge House
A cozy, charming neighborhood event featuring snow, Santa photos, a DJ, food trucks, holiday crafts, house tours, and 13 local vendors. You’ll even run into Queen Victoria and Prince Albert wandering the grounds. Only in Long Beach.
Uptown Village Market — Long Beach Holiday Edition
Dec 5 • 5–10 PM • Expo Arts Center
A handmade festival with indoor and outdoor shopping, live music, food trucks, and a true indie craft vibe. It aligns with First Fridays in Bixby Knolls, which means large crowds, tons of energy, and an entire night of local art, music, and shopping. If you want personal, meaningful gifts, this is your stop.
Long Beach Night Market: A Green & Grumpy Holiday
Dec 19 • 5–9 PM • 456 Elm Ave
For those who love the season but also have a little December attitude. A playful, slightly irreverent holiday market with local vendors, treats, cocoa, music, and meet-and-greets with the “Mean One.” It’s fun, it’s silly, it’s Long Beach doing what Long Beach does.
2025 Long Beach Holiday Arts and Craft Show
Dec 11–14 • Long Beach Convention Center
A massive multi-day craft event featuring local artisans, demonstrations, workshops, handmade goods, and food vendors. Free entry, tons of talent, and a great spot to grab unique, handcrafted gifts while supporting Southern California makers.
Final Word
Shop small. Support makers. Keep your dollars in the community you actually live in. And come see us at Soul & Cheer on December 13 — we’ll be out there laughing, shopping, connecting, and celebrating Long Beach the way it deserves.
Soul & Cheer at LBX on December 13. It’s the biggest vibe, the most vendors, the most community energy, and we’ll be there. If you want the full Long Beach holiday experience in one stop, that’s the one.
Shockingly, no. Soul & Cheer, Uptown Village Market, and the Arts & Craft Show all offer free parking. Willmore has neighborhood parking — get there early and don’t block driveways unless you want to meet Long Beach Parking Enforcement in a very memorable way.
Every single one. Soul & Cheer has Santa, face painting, a DIY ornament station, and plenty of space for little ones to run around. Willmore has falling snow and historic house tours. Uptown and the Night Market are great for families too.
Most vendors take cards or mobile payments, but bring a little cash. Long Beach makers always appreciate it, and it speeds things up when lines get long.
Handmade jewelry, candles, art, plants, ceramics, holiday décor, clothing, bath and body goods, baked treats, metaphysical pieces, gifts for pets, gifts for kids, and random treasures you didn’t know you needed until you saw them.
Soul & Cheer, Uptown Village Market, and most outdoor markets are pet-friendly. Just bring a leash and a polite dog. If your dog is an unhinged holiday menace, maybe skip the indoor ones.
Absolutely. Each market pulls a different crowd and vendor mix. Soul & Cheer has the high-energy community party vibe, Uptown has the indie handmade scene, Willmore brings the cozy, historic charm, and the Arts & Craft Show is huge and varied. If you want unique gifts, you’ll find something different at each stop.
