The Most Electrifying Holiday Parade Near NYC Is Just An Hour Train Ride Away — And It’s Happening This Saturday

Just a stone’s throwaway from NYC (and a long snowball toss for Santa Claus), the quaint town of Long Beach, NY comes alive each December — transforming its iconic West End into a corridor of lights, music, and festive chaos. Neon-wrapped fire trucks glide past antique cars, DIY floats dazzle with pop-culture nods, and neighbors spill out of bars and restaurants to cheer it all on. For New Yorkers craving a one-night holiday escape that’s equal parts small-town charm and beach-town energy, the Electric Light Parade delivers in spades. It’s the kind of spectacle that feels as local as the doxie Christmas parade in NYC yet just as high-energy as any event on our roundup of best holiday things to do around the city—but this one comes with salt air in your lungs and sand just a block away. A holiday parade like no other ------------------------------ This Saturday, December 13, 2025 , West Beech Street in Long Beach’s West End becomes a hyper-local holiday wonderland. The 12th Annual Electric Light Parade steps off at 6 pm from Ohio Avenue, turning the boardwalk-adjacent streets into a glowing carnival of lights and music . This isn’t your typical Christmas parade. Antique cars, fire trucks, bicycles, and walking groups are draped in thousands of LEDs, inflatables, and themed props . Floats riff on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s, and the winter solstice, making each entry a creative spectacle. Long Beach’s own West Chester Electric Light Parade Crew, a local legend, often steals the show with intricate floats like Coca-Cola polar bears and Hess trucks, treating the event like a seasonal Super Bowl. Awards are handed out along the route and later at the Sands parking lot, including Best Overall, Biggest and Brightest, Most Original, and even the FruitCake Award for humor. How to plan your perfect parade night in Long Beach --------------------------------------------------- Looking for something easy to do? This parade is an ideal December Saturday: a quick LIRR ride to Long Beach, a shuttle to the West End, and an evening of lights, drinks, and holiday chaos —all without a car. ### Secret parking & shuttle hack: * Street parking on West Beech is nearly impossible, with closures starting at 2:00 pm. * Take the free shuttle running every 15 minutes from the Long Beach LIRR Station → Ohio Avenue → Long Beach Catholic School → back to the station, starting at 4:30 pm. * Park at the LIRR garage or Long Beach Catholic School lot to skip the headache. ### Timeline for the ultimate parade experience: * 4 pm – Pre-party: Canz Long Beach (777 West Beech St) hosts the official warm-up with drinks and holiday energy. * 6 pm – Parade kickoff: Floats step off from Ohio Avenue, winding down Beech Street as thousands cheer. Expect elaborate lights, marching bands, and high-spirited competition. * 7:30 pm – After-party: With the floats passed, West End restaurants and bars transform the street into an open-air celebration. Live music, cocktails, and local snacks keep the night alive. ### Top spots to watch & drink: * The Inn (943 W Beech St) – classic local bar with live music energy. * Shine’s Bar (55 California St) – for a true “Old School Long Beach” vibe. * Jetty Bar & Grill (832 W Beech St) – high-energy spot for younger crowds. * Borrelli’s Taproom – wood-fired pizza and craft beer as the floats pass by. TLDR: key details about the parade ---------------------------------- * Event: 12th Annual Long Beach Electric Light Parade * Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025 * Time: 6 pm step-off from Ohio Avenue * Location: West Beech Street, Long Beach, NY * Parking & Shuttle: Long Beach LIRR Station or Long Beach Catholic School lot; shuttle runs every 15 minutes starting 4:30 pm * Tips: Dress warmly, bring a camera, and grab a drink or snack from West Beech bars for the full holiday block-party experience. 🎅 For more information on this weekend’s Electric Light Parade in Long Beach, head here! Source: https://secretnyc.co/long-beach-ny-electric-light-parade-2025/