The atmosphere of Veteran Stadium’s Antique Market blended creativity and nostalgia as people tried on vintage coats, sifted through bins of unique trinkets and flipped through old records on Nov. 16.
The Long Beach Antique Market, established in 1982, is home to more than 800 vendors who show up rain or shine and many were on the lookout for gifts with personality and charm, pausing at booths filled with items that reflected decades of style and craftsmanship.
Seasonal booths offered discounted holiday decor, drawing crowds searching for affordable inspiration.
Sal Alsouqi, owner of the “Twilight Caravan” booth, sells a mix of vintage Americana and Japanese collectibles, including decor, toys, knick-knacks, and other unique finds.
“Here at Long Beach, typically, everything is vintage. You’re not gonna find too much new stuff, no new products. Just that Americana, cool, Japanese stuff, this and that from the 1920s to the 90s,” Alsouqi said.
Filled with rows of vintage clothing, handcrafted furniture, secondhand books and accessories, many holiday gifts could be found for under $20.
Handmade trinkets, vintage decor, and even small antiques appeared throughout the market, offering budget-friendly but meaningful options.
Shoppers wandered through the stadium grounds, vendors shared the history behind their items, showcasing everything from mid-century home goods to worn-in leather jackets.
The market featured jewelry, clothes, decorations, collectibles and art, offering merchandise for shoppers of all tastes.
A standout type of antique were handcrafted ceramic kitten heels, which doubled as candleholders, and featured different floral prints with vibrant colors.
Handcrafted ceramic kitten heels candleholders, showcased in a variety of floral prints at the Antique Market at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach, CA on Nov. 16, 2025 (Hailey Hildreth).
LBCC student Jeremiah Savedra and his friend Ezekiel Aficial, who run the vintage clothing shop “By Gone Surplus,” were among the vendors set up for the day.
They said selling at the market is about more than business, it’s about connecting with people who share their appreciation for vintage style.
“The biggest thing for me about this is building community and sharing my personal style and what I like with other people,” Aficial said.
Vendors also shared insight into trends that keep customers returning each season, noting rising interest in sustainable shopping and the appeal of owning items with a story.
Some visitors, such as Melanie McWhirter, a student visiting from Palm Springs, traveled far to attend and said the trip was worth it.
“I’m here with my friends, they came up with the idea to come to the flea market. I thought it was a fun idea. We drove three hours here, and I’ve just been shopping around, having fun,” McWhirter said.
Throughout the day, the market fostered a sense of community while celebrating the value of secondhand culture and the thrill of discovering one-of-a-kind pieces.
The next Long Beach Antique Market event will take place on Dec. 21 and continues to recur every third Sunday of the month from 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium.
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