The City of Long Beach is asking residents to nominate a neighbor who made a difference this year, and the person chosen will help light the Kennedy Plaza Christmas Tree on Friday, December 4, 2026. Nominations for the city's Nominate Someone Great program are due by Tuesday, December 1, and every name submitted will be printed on an ornament and hung on the tree.

The city announced the program and the tree lighting on its official website, along with the 13th Annual Long Beach Electric Light Parade on Saturday, December 12.

Nominate Someone Great

The city is looking for people who have done something for the community this year. Its announcement lists examples: a neighbor helping a neighbor, a teacher going the extra mile, someone serving in the military, or an individual or group that deserves recognition.

  • Deadline: Tuesday, December 1, 2026.
  • Eligibility: Nominees must be residents of the City of Long Beach.
  • How it works: A selection committee picks the person or people who will light the tree from the pool of nominations. The city says the choice is not based on how many times someone is nominated, so a single nomination counts.
  • Every nominee is recognized: All names submitted will be imprinted on ornaments placed on the tree in Kennedy Plaza.
  • How to submit: Use the online nomination form linked from the city's announcement page.

The City Council will announce the honoree to the crowd at the lighting, and that person will join city officials to switch on the lights.

The Kennedy Plaza Tree Lighting

The annual ceremony takes place in Kennedy Plaza, outside City Hall at 1 West Chester Street, on Friday, December 4, 2026. Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. According to the city's event page, the evening includes:

  • Santa's arrival with help from the Long Beach Fire Department.
  • The lighting itself, led by the City Council and the Nominate Someone Great honoree.
  • Treats after the lighting: hot chocolate, warm cookies, donuts and candy canes.
  • Activities for kids: children can add their names to ornaments on the tree and send letters to Santa.
  • Commemorative tree lighting ornaments, available while supplies last.
  • A Toys for Tots collection: bring a new, unwrapped toy for the city's annual drive.

The city lists Mount Sinai South Nassau, Toast, West End Dunkin and Sweet Street as sponsors. The event page does not list an admission charge. The city also notes a Grand Menorah Lighting on Monday, December 7.

Electric Light Parade on December 12

Eight days later, the 13th Annual Long Beach Electric Light Parade steps off at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 12, 2026. The route runs through the West End on West Beech Street, beginning at Ohio Avenue. Antique cars, fire trucks, floats and bicycles are wrapped in lights, and awards go to the most festive entries. The city says West End restaurants will offer specials and kids activities after the parade.

  • Parking: Long Beach Catholic Regional School yard via West Broadway, and the LIRR parking deck.
  • Shuttle: Buses loop from the LIRR station to Ohio Avenue to Long Beach Catholic and back about every 15 minutes, starting at 4:30 p.m.
  • Want to be in it? Participant applications opened November 9, and the early bird deadline is November 19. The application is posted on the city's parade page.

Next Steps

If someone in Long Beach made this year better for the people around them, submit a nomination through the city's form before Tuesday, December 1. Plan to be at Kennedy Plaza by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 4, with a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots, and save Saturday, December 12 for the Electric Light Parade in the West End, using the LIRR shuttle to skip the parking search. Questions can go to City Hall at 516-431-1000 or [email protected].

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