The City of Huntington Beach is happy to unveil the first quarter of the citywide 2024 Celebration Calendar. The Calendar includes various celebrations and acknowledgements of historical events significant to the City of Huntington Beach and the United States, City anniversaries, Cultural Heritage Months, and other special celebrations. On December 19, 2023, the City Council voted in favor of establishing a monthly program to honor historic heritage of the United States, the State of California, and the City of Huntington Beach. The intent of the program, and subsequent City Calendar, is to pay proper tribute to these events in an organized and cohesive manner.

January 2024: “Founders’ Legacy – Celebrating Huntington Beach’s Origins”

• New Year’s Day (January 1)
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 15)
• International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27)
  

February 2024: “We Love Our Libraries – Huntington Beach’s commitment to books, reading and learning”

• Black History Month
• City of Huntington Beach Birthday (February 17)
• George Washington’s Birthday (February 19)
  

March 2024: “California’s History – Before statehood to now, and what it means to be a Charter City”

• Women’s History Month

In addition to implementation of this monthly program, the City Council also approved for the establishment of a new Committee to be made up of Huntington Beach residents that will work with City staff in building out the ongoing Calendar. The City’s Office of Communications will lead the effort and work collaboratively with the new Committee and other City Departments to celebrate and commemorate calendared events. City staff intends to develop various forms of content to be published on social media, the City’s website, email newsletter, and local cable channel HBTV3. Additionally, exhibits related to the topics will be displayed in the City’s public facilities, such as libraries, community centers, and City Hall.

“There is always an opportunity to do more in the City of Huntington Beach and I am looking forward to having even more ways to celebrate not just our City’s history, but the history of our Country,” said Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark. “I welcome the addition of a resident Committee to work with City staff on this program, and I am confident that they will create a year full of meaningful celebrations and tributes.”

In the coming weeks, the City will be publishing information and an application for Huntington Beach residents who wish to serve on the new Committee to the City’s website. While the monthly historical themes have been determined for 2024, a calendar of additional acknowledgements and tributes will be displayed on the City’s website and updated quarterly based on Committee and City staff feedback.