Downtown Long Beach, California

The annual New Year’s Eve Street Party, hosted by the City of Long Beach and supported by a lineup of energetic bands, kicked off at 7 p.m. on the final day of 2011. Simultaneously, free activities and fireworks lit up Rainbow Pier (see blog post: “The Last Touch of Color at Rainbow Pier in 2011”). Though the weather took a turn—heavy fog rolled in just five minutes before the fireworks—the crowd remained spirited. Across the street, the street party continued in full swing until the midnight countdown welcomed the New Year.

The night air in downtown Long Beach wasn’t freezing, but it was certainly chilly. Portable heaters were placed along the two streets, which were cordoned off with iron fences to create the event space. Due to the number of performing bands, tickets were required—available in advance or at the gate. A long line formed early, and we waited in the cold wind for over half an hour, enduring a slow but thorough security check. At last, we made it to a heater, warmed our hands, and got ready to join the celebration.

The buildings lining the street were adorned with festive lights, and Christmas decorations still lingered, glowing alongside a fresh wash of neon. The holiday spirit hadn’t faded—in fact, with the New Year arriving, the crowd seemed even more alive, spilling into the streets to revel in the moment.

In the middle of the road, a towering lighting rig cast colorful, strobe-like beams across the scene. The everyday street transformed into a disco-lit carnival. Bands took turns blasting out popular rock anthems under shifting, hypnotic lights. The sound and energy were electric.

One keyboard player stood out—playing and singing effortlessly with serious skill. At first, most people simply watched, but soon enough, they began to dance. The square quickly filled. I’ll never forget the woman dressed like Michael Jackson—her outfit was bold, and her dancing stole the spotlight.

Some folks in the crowd looked straight out of a music video—definitely camera-worthy. As a local, I came prepared with my camera and tripod, content to watch and capture the chaos.

Between the booming music and dazzling lights, it wasn’t exactly my ideal scene, but the vibe was infectious. Street lamps still bore their Christmas décor, a sign of how the two weeks surrounding Christmas and New Year’s are treated like one long, relaxed holiday. Stores often shut down. Students are off. Teachers are on vacation. Life slows to a crawl. For newcomers from overseas, this shift can feel disorienting.

“Ghosts and monsters” appeared in long exposure shots—blurs of movement in the light.

Interestingly, despite the crowd, local bars and small restaurants were unusually quiet. Makeshift bar stalls and portable ATMs popped up along the street instead. On one side, soft drinks; on the other, hard liquor. Coexisting peacefully under a windblown sign that read "2012."

Colorful lights draped the entire block, and people buzzed with energy and joy. As for the background noise in the video clips—well, consider it part of the charm.