Need a little extra cheer this holiday season? Get merry and bright in Santa Monica!
November 20, 2025 10:56 AM
by City of Santa Monica
*Updated Dec. 9, 2025.* Photo courtesy of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.
The Pacific Park Ferris Wheel lit up like a snowman. Surfing Santas. Ice skating and hot chocolate. Nightly menorah lightings.
The holiday season in Santa Monica is like nowhere else.
After an unspeakably difficult year for many, the city is looking forward to new beginnings, continued implementation of the city’s Realignment Plan, and taking advantage of holiday cheer wherever we can find it.
Fortunately, the next six weeks are packed with opportunities to come together, celebrate our city and each other, and experience a little holiday magic.
Let the festivities begin!
Ice Rink at Santa Monica
Now through Jan. 19, 2026, noon – 10 p.m. daily
The Santa Monica Ice Rink is back for another year of unforgettable holiday magic! From novices to seasoned skaters, everyone is welcome to grab their friends and family and take a spin on the ice.
Ferris Wheel Thanksgiving Light Show
Nov. 21 – 27, sunset to midnight nightly
For the week of Thanksgiving, nighttime visitors to the Santa Monica Pier can enjoy Pacific Park’s seasonal salute to the holiday with a spectacular light show on the Pacific Wheel featuring a larger-than-life Thanksgiving turkey, swirling harvest patterns, and bright orange, red, and gold colors that celebrate the spirit of the season.
Small Business Saturday & Orange Balloon Sales
Saturday, Nov. 29, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., citywide
Knock out your holiday shopping and support your local businesses this Small Business Saturday! Many shops in Santa Monica’s Business Improvement Districts, or BIDs, are holding Thanksgiving weekend sales, so keep an eye out for those orange balloons! (@montanaavesm @mainstreetsm @picosantamonica @dtsantamonica @sunsetparkba) @BuyLocalsm
Official City of Santa Monica Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony (rescheduled from Nov. 20)
Thursday, Dec. 4, 6 – 8 p.m., Third Street Promenade
Start the holiday season with Santa and a snow experience on Third Street Promenade! Enjoy special performances, hot cocoa, free photos with Santa, holiday crafts, and more.
Holiday Thursdays on the Promenade
Dec. 4, 11 & 18, 5 – 7 p.m., Third Street Promenade
All ages are welcome to enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, special performances of holiday music, arts and crafts, a holiday vendor market for all your holiday presents and essentials and gift wrapping by local Girl Scouts troops. Come experience the joy of the holiday season on Thursdays!
Fa-La-La-La-Lanes: Holiday Sweater Community Ride
Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. – noon, meet at 17th St/SMC Metro Station
Throw on your best (or worst!) holiday sweater and join city staff and Santa Monica Spoke for a bike tour of the Bergamot Area First/Last Mile Improvements. The event will kick off with a quick bike-handling refresher and safety tips at 10 a.m., then roll out at 10:30 a.m. for a guided ride featuring key stops that highlight new design features, treatments, and how to use them confidently.
Need a bike? Metro Bike Share is available at the station (rides are $1.75 per 30 minutes), and staff will be onsite to assist. Route ends at 19th St. and Expo Bike Path. If you rent a Metro bike, you can return it at the 17th St/SMC Station.
Candy Cane Drive
Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Kids, keep your eyes and ears out for lights, and parents, have your cameras ready because Santa and his public safety helpers will be distributing good cheer and thousands of candy canes as part of the 33rd Annual "Candy Cane Drive.”
To ensure everyone has the opportunity to visit with Santa, this year’s scheduled stops include one per police beat.
10 – 10:45 a.m. Douglas Park – 2400 California Ave. (Beat 4)
11-11:30 a.m. Christine Reed Park – California Ave. & 7th St. (Beat 1)
1 – 1:45 p.m. Virginia Avenue Park – 2200 Virginia Ave. (Beat 3)
2 – 2:45 p.m. Clover Park – Ocean Park & 25th St. (Beat 2)
Montana Avenue Holiday Walk & Marketplace
Saturday, Dec. 6, noon – 8 p.m., Montana Avenue
Shop, dine and support small business – all at once! Gather on Montana Avenue – which will be closed to cars – for the Holiday Walk & Marketplace and enjoy live music, face painting, carolers, a visit with Santa, and so much more! The tree lighting will take place at 6 p.m. at Montana Avenue and 15th Street.
Holiday Concert & Ukulele Strum-Along
Saturday, Dec. 6, 2 - 3:15 p.m., Main Library
Cali Rose and the CC Strummers invite you to strum along, sing along, and enjoy festive holiday and popular songs. Bring your own uke, borrow one from the Library (supplies are limited) or check out a Ukulele RED Kit.
Holiday performances at Main Street Farmers Market
Dec. 7, 14, 21 & 28, 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Main Street Farmers Market
Enjoy musicians and holiday performances at Main Street Farmers Market each Sunday in December.
Dec. 7: Dance with Miss Alice
Dec. 14: Santa Monica Dance Company Folklorico
Dec. 21: Winter Solstice Celebration
Dec. 28: Triple B Band
Miracle on Main Street
Sunday, Dec. 7, 3:30 – 7 p.m., Main Street
Enjoy kids’ activities, Santa and the annual tree lighting on the Heritage Museum lawn - plus carolers, street-wide festivities, and holiday parties into the night!
Holiday Art Fair at the Santa Monica Airport Arts Center Studios 3026
Sunday, Dec. 7, noon – 4 p.m., 3026 Airport Ave.
Enjoy live music, participate in holiday art activities, sample seasonal refreshments and explore the talent and creativity of our local artists at this festive holiday open studios event.
Children’s Holiday Book Fair
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 4 - 6:30 p.m., Fairview Branch Library
The Library’s annual holiday book fair returns! Kids and teens are invited to “shop” for free gift books for their parents, siblings or someone special, then wrap them up to share this holiday season.
Mini Winter Festival
Saturday, Dec. 13, 9 a.m. – noon, Virginia Avenue Park
Pico Farmers Market and Virginia Avenue Park are hosting a mini winter festival featuring artist booths, face painting, live music, Pico merchants, and a glass art sale from Santa Monica College art studio.
Bergamot Station Annual Winter Open House
Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Bergamot Station Arts Center
Bergamot Station invites the community to its Winter Open House featuring fine art gallery exhibitions, receptions, curator walk throughs, artist talks, food, entertainment, and more!
150th Celebration Grand Finale
Saturday, Dec. 13, noon – 5 p.m., Third Street Promenade
Over the past six months, our community has come together to reflect on 150 years of history. Celebrate the culmination of this milestone year with a free cultural festival and community gathering on the Promenade, with live music, art activations, and fun for the whole family.
Hanukkah in Santa Monica
Dec. 14 – 21, 5 – 7 p.m., Third Street Promenade
Join local community groups as they host Menorah lightings on the 1400 block of Third Street Promenade.
Lyric Chorus: Songs of the Season
Thursday, Dec. 18, 11 a.m. – noon, Main Library
The Lyric Chorus puts you in the holiday mood with their four-part arrangements of Broadway tunes and songs of the season. The 30+ member Chorus was founded in the 1940s and is under the direction of Tom Gerhold.
Locals’ Night: Holiday Edition
Thursday, Dec. 18, 3:30 – 10 p.m., Santa Monica Pier
This special holiday‑themed Locals’ Night edition will feature Holiday Cheer on the Pier and Sandy Cane Lane, transforming the Pier into a festive winter waterfront experience for all ages. And celebrate community and creativity at the Pier’s Winter Art Mart, where you can shop unique art, handmade goods, and festive finds from local artists while enjoying live DJs and ocean views.
It’s Kwanzaa Time!
Saturday, Dec 20, 11 – 11:45 a.m., Pico Branch Library
Ina Buckner-Barnette, The Sunshine Storyteller, shares a West African folksong, highlights the 7 principles, and tells African folktales which illustrate the importance of this cultural celebration. For grades K - 5.
Santa Monica Place Holiday Celebrations
November – December, Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica Place is decking the halls all season long with a variety of events sure to spread some cheer. Take photos with Santa (bring your fur babies Dec. 10 & 11); enjoy holiday-inspired “Sounds of Santa Monica” performances, holiday carolers, and high-kick holiday dance performances from the Santa Monica Beach Belles; experience snowfall and much more!
And be sure to check out the 'Tis the Season to Buy Local Holiday Guide (pages 28 and 29 of the SMDP 'Tis the Season Holiday Guide or on Instagram and Facebook) to find great local gifts and experiences that your recipients will love – while supporting Santa Monica businesses!
Authored By
City of Santa Monica