Celebrate the start of the holiday season in Downtown Santa Monica! Thursday, November 21 · 6 - 8pm PST

Experience a magical evening under the stars as Santa lights the Official City of Santa Monica Holiday Tree! The holiday festivities will feature performances by local choirs, a special performance of the Nutcracker, and "snow" on Third Street Promenade. After the ceremony, guests of all ages are invited to take FREE photos with Santa, make holiday-themed crafts, and enjoy hot cocoa. A DJ will keep the festivities going with a holiday dance party. All activities at this event are FREE and open to all ages!



Special Performances by:

Westside Ballet
Lincoln Middle School Madrigals
Samohi High School Choirs
SMC Emeritus Concert Band

Holiday Activities:

FREE photos with Santa
“Snowfall” on the Promenade
Holiday-themed crafts for all ages
Hot cocoa
Holiday dance party

The tree lighting will take place on the 1300 Block of Third Street Promenade, between Santa Monica Boulevard and Arizona Avenue.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

The Santa Monica Pier is bringing the holiday cheer this year with a month of programming sure to bring a smile to everyone in the family. Starting NOVEMBER 21ST and running through DECEMBER 19TH, the historic Merry Go-Round windows will be decked out with a one-of-a-kind installation from the Santa Monica Pier Corporation, that sets the stage for incredible holiday events all season long.

Activities & Schedule

Windows of Enchantment

November 21 - December 19 | Merry Go-Round Building

Grand Unveiling Ceremony: Thursday, November 21 | 8:00PM

Celebrate the iconic legacy of the Santa Monica Pier through a series of
festive and nostalgic window display installations.
Holiday Music & Performances

December 5, 12, 19 | Thursdays | 4-8PM | Merry Go-Round Building

Join us for a festive celebration featuring live music performances throughout the event, bringing extra holiday cheer for the whole family to enjoy!
Bob Baker Marionette Theater

December 5, 12, 19 | Thursdays | 4-8PM | Merry Go-Round Building

This iconic group is BACK for THREE nights of puppetry,
singalongs, and holiday cheer!
Photos with santa, letters to the north pole, holiday car show, & live music

December 19th | 4-9:30PM | Merry Go-Round Building & Pier Parking Deck

Join us for Locals' Night with live music on the Pier’s parking deck! Stop by our festive pop-up post office to write letters to Santa in the Merry Go-Round Building, and check out the Holiday Car Show where classic cars shine in style. It’s a night of fun for everyone!

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

Get ready, Santa Monica! November’s Locals' Night is going to be the event to kick off your holiday season! Join us on Thursday, November 21st at the Santa Monica Pier for an evening packed with fun, music, and community vibes. We’re turning up the holiday spirit with our Holiday Art Mart, where you can shop local, snag one-of-a-kind gifts, and support awesome small businesses—holiday shopping has never felt this good!

Bring the kiddos to the Merry Go-Round building for some story time magic with Books & Cookies at 3:30pm and 4:30pm. Don’t miss the Santa Monica Ballet Folklorico performance at 4:30pm, bringing beautiful, traditional dance to the Pier. Car lovers, we’ve got you covered too with epic car club displays that’ll make you swoon. Ready to shake things up? Dive into salsa dance lessons with Salsa Way and the amazing Courtney Parisi, and groove to beats spun by Santa Monica local DJ Devil-Los.

And the party doesn’t stop there! We’re bringing the heat with live music from the electrifying Mayaztek and the legendary Leslie Paula & Latin Soul Band. Trust us, this is one Locals' Night you don’t want to miss. Mark your calendars, rally your crew, and come be a part of this all-ages Pier party that’s all about fun, community, and good times. See you there!

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

A police officer gets his taser ready to use on an angry homeless man when they try to remove his encampment from the front of a house.

Mike, aka German in Venice, vlogs about daily life in Venice Beach, and the nearby communities.

"Today, I went down to Venice Beach to see the beautiful sunset and right underneath the Venice sign they filmed a crime thriller with Halle Berry and Chris Hemsworth. Of course I try to get a pic of those celebrities. After this I cruise around on my minibike to see the beautiful sunset on Venice Beach."

The city of Santa Monica will join the U.S. Army for a Veterans Day ceremony on Monday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. on the Santa Monica Pier.

Now in its fifth year, the event will feature exciting performances, military demonstrations and a flyover, as well as remarks from senior military leaders and local elected officials. The ceremony, which will take place on the Pier’s west parking deck, is free and open to the public.



The event program will include:

A military convoy led by former NFL players Andrew Whitworth, Cade McNown, and Donnie Edwards with Army vehicles from the California Army National Guard.

Posting of Colors performed by UCLA ROTC cadets

A military flyover with Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters from the U.S. Army Reserve

Demonstration by the West Point Drill Team from the United States Military Academy (sponsored by American Legion Palisades Post 283)

Performances by the 300th Army Band

National Anthem and “God Bless America” performances by Miss USO Heidi-Marie Ferren

Keynote speech from a top Army 4-star General

Remarks from Santa Monica Mayor Phil Brock

Remarks from Councilmember Gleam Davis

Remarks from former NFL All-Pro and Super Bowl champion Andrew Whitworth

Future soldier swearing-in ceremony by Major General Dianne Del Rosso

Free ride tickets for veterans and active military members (courtesy of Pacific Park)

Free meals for veterans and active military members (courtesy of Meals on Wheels)

Music and entertainment provided by 95.5 KLOS (courtesy of Meruelo Media)

“On this Veterans Day, and every day, we should strive to honor our veterans not only with words but through our actions,” Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army Sonki Hong, who organized the event, said. “We can support them, advocate for their needs, and ensure that they feel valued in our communities. Each veteran carries a unique story, filled with bravery and sacrifice, and it is our duty to listen to those stories and recognize their impact on our lives. We should also acknowledge the families of our veterans, who stand by them through challenges and triumphs. Their support is vital and deserves our deepest gratitude.”

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

Andy Anderson, the Dogtown Car Club, Hecho En Venice and more in the Vendor Village at the Venice Skatepark 15th anniversary celebration.

Montage of clips from the campy 1984 teen comedy 'Hot Moves', showing american 80s beach life at its finest.

Ice at Santa Monica presented by Disney+ will be opening on Friday, November 8, 2024 for an unforgettable holiday season experience! Located in the heart of Santa Monica, our rink offers the unique opportunity to skate under the California sun by day and the twinkling stars by night.

Season Opening: Friday, November 8, 2024
Season Closing: Monday, January 20, 2025s



Located at the corner of Arizona Avenue and 5th Street in Downtown Santa Monica.

Nearly 8,000 square feet of shimmering ice with a 400-square-foot tot rink for the little ones.

Season opens Friday, November 8 at 11:30am with the Opening Celebration starting at 5p.m.

Hours of operation are Sundays through Thursdays 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Click here for full schedule.

Skate rental and admission is $22 with locker rentals at $5.



For more info, Click Here

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.