Santa Monica’s holiday season kicks off in earnest this week with tree lightings, holiday music, photo ops with the Jolly One and more festivities.
Downtown Santa Monica and Main Street will have their own respective holiday events this Friday and Saturday with both sections of town offering their own spin on winter cheer.
DTSM will offer craft stations for the kids, Christmas carols sung by Lincoln Middle School, music from SMCs Emeritus band, photo ops with Saint Nick and a festive tree lighting, fake snow included, to put residents in the holiday spirit.
While a flashy affair, event organizers say the events will still evoke the Santa Monica small-town feel.
“Our event isn’t meant to compete with other big holiday events like what The Grove does,” Kathleen Rawson, CEO of Downtown Santa Monica said. “This is definitely a community event, meant for the people who work and live in Santa Monica.”
In conjunction with the tree lighting event, DTSM has weeks of winter programming dubbed WinterLit, which includes a film series, a menorah lighting, ice skating and breakfast with Santa.
For a full listing of DTSM programming dates and times, visit downtownsm.com
The Official City of Santa Monica Tree Lighting with an appearance by Santa Claus occurs Friday, Nov. 30 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the 1200 Block of the Third Street Promenade.
Main Street will hold their holiday party Saturday, December 1. Their festivities begin with the annual tradition of Main Street’s tree lighting followed by Santa-led walk to the Shopping Cart tree at Edgemar, which, you guessed it, is a Christmas Tree composed solely of shopping carts.
Carolers, music, and Main Street businesses will all partake in the event.
The Main Street Holiday Party begins December 1 at 5 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. The event begins at the Heritage Lawn.
For more information, visit https://www.santamonica.com/event/main-street-holiday-party/
This year, Montana’s popular Holiday Walk will take place on Dec. 8 from 4 - 8 p.m. The day features live music, food, drinks and great deals on Montana Avenue between 6th & 17th Street. Visit http://montanaave.com/events for more information.
The Pico holiday celebration will also be Nov. 28. Merchants and residents are invited to a mixer at the Elks Lodge, 1040 Pico Blvd. from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The free event includes live music, giveaways, food and a cash bar.
