Los Angeles and its surrounding coastal cities are lighting up for the season with a full roster of festive events, markets, performances and family-friendly celebrations. From waterfront snowfalls and Santa arrivals to immersive holiday villages and live theater, here are the top holiday happenings to explore this year.
November
November 7 – January 19
Ice at Santa Monica – Presented by Disney+ & Hulu
5th Street & Arizona Avenue
Ice skating under the stars with themed nights, musical programming and special events throughout the season.
November 11
Disney+ & Hulu Skate Night: Joy to the World
Ice at Santa Monica | 7–9 PM
November 18
Disney+ & Hulu Skate Night: A Very Jonas Christmas
Ice at Santa Monica | 7–9 PM
November 20
Official City of Santa Monica Tree Lighting
Third Street Promenade | 6–8 PM
Live performances, holiday market, crafts, free Santa photos, cocoa and snowfall.
2ND & PCH Annual Tree Lighting & Fireworks
Long Beach | 5–8 PM (Ceremony at 6 PM)
November 21
Professional Santa Photos Begin
2ND & PCH | Fridays–Sundays through the season
November 22 – December 24
Coastal Snowfall at 2ND & PCH
Saturdays & Mondays | 5–8 PM
Snowfall at 5, 6 & 7 PM.
Selfies with Santa Begin (Mondays)
2ND & PCH | Nov 22–Dec 15, 4–7 PM
November 25
Disney+ & Hulu Skate Night: Home Alone
Ice at Santa Monica | 7–9 PM
November 29
Santa Visits Begin at Lido Marina Village
Select Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec 21
December
December 4
Holiday Thursdays – Downtown Santa Monica
Third Street Promenade | 5–7 PM
December 5–8
Santa Paws – Pet Photos with Santa
2ND & PCH | Hours vary
December 6
Dreamer’s Market – Mele Kalikimaka
2ND & PCH | 12–6 PM
Breakfast with Santa
2ND & PCH | 9–11 AM
Santa’s Arrival by Electric Boat – Lido Marina Village
11:30 AM
Live music, hot chocolate, face painting, performers and Santa meet-and-greets.
The Holly Belles Performance
Lido Marina Village (part of Santa’s Arrival celebration)
December 7
Silent Santa (Sensory-Friendly)
2ND & PCH | 9–11 AM
December 9
Disney+ & Hulu Skate Night: Percy Jackson
Ice at Santa Monica | 7–9 PM
December 11
Holiday Thursdays – Downtown Santa Monica
Third Street Promenade | 5–7 PM
December 12
Opening Night – The Wonderful Winter of Oz
Scherr Forum Theatre, Thousand Oaks
Performances through Dec 28.
December 13
Breakfast with Santa
2ND & PCH | 9–11 AM
Female Maker Market
Lido Marina Village | 30+ artisans, live entertainment
Taylor Swift Birthday Celebration Skate
Ice at Santa Monica | 7:30–9 PM
714 Market + Hanukkah Event (Day 1)
2ND & PCH | 12–6 PM
Holiday Thursdays – Downtown Santa Monica
5–7 PM (final week)
December 14
714 Market + Hanukkah Event (Day 2)
2ND & PCH | 12–6 PM
Hanukkah Menorah Lighting
2ND & PCH | 12–6 PM
Silent Santa
2ND & PCH | 9–11 AM
Hanukkah in Santa Monica Begins
Third Street Promenade | Sundown
Runs nightly Dec 14–21.
Jingle 5 Performances
Lido Marina Village
December 16
Disney+ & Hulu Skate Night: Gilmore Girls
Ice at Santa Monica | 7–9 PM
December 18
Holiday Thursdays – Downtown Santa Monica
Third Street Promenade | 5–7 PM
December 19–24
Extended Professional Santa Photo Hours
2ND & PCH | 10 AM–7 PM
December 20
Vintage Holiday Market – Lido Marina Village
12–5 PM
Vintage vendors, live music, Santa visits.
Jingle 5 Performances
Lido Marina Village
December 21
The Maker’s Hive – Winter Wonderland
2ND & PCH | 12–6 PM
Artisans, live entertainment, photo ops.
Final Day of Santa Visits at Lido Marina Village
12–4 PM
December 23
Story Time with Mrs. Claus
2ND & PCH | 10 AM–12 PM
Disney+ & Hulu Skate Night: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Ice at Santa Monica | 7–9 PM
December 24
Final Night of Coastal Snowfall
2ND & PCH | 5–8 PM
December 28
Final Performance – The Wonderful Winter of Oz
Scherr Forum Theatre, Thousand Oaks
December 30
Disney+ & Hulu Skate Night: Die Hard
Ice at Santa Monica | 7–9 PM
December 31
Noon Year Celebration – 2ND & PCH Kids Club
10 AM–12 PM
New Year’s Eve East Coast Countdown
Ice at Santa Monica | 7:30–10 PM
January
January 6
Disney+ & Hulu Skate Night: Sports Night
Ice at Santa Monica | 7–9 PM
January 13
Disney+ & Hulu Skate Night: Super Hero Night
Ice at Santa Monica | 7–9 PM
