The following is a press release from Downtown Santa Monica Inc. who also provided all images.
As the holiday season approaches, Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM, Inc.) brings the holiday spirit to the downtown district with a series of community events. From the much-anticipated return of Ice at Santa Monica presented by Disney+ and themed skate nights to the delightful Holiday Thursdays and the tree lighting celebration, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this season in the heart of Santa Monica.
On Thursday, November 21, the community will gather for the Official City of Santa Monica Tree Lighting Ceremony from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the 1300 block of Third Street Promenade. Santa will make a special appearance to illuminate the official City of Santa Monica holiday tree, while attendees enjoy live music, festive treats and the company of friends and family as the promenade transforms into a dazzling holiday display. After the ceremony, guests of all ages can take free photos with Santa, create holiday crafts and indulge in complimentary hot chocolate while experiencing “snow” just blocks from the beach! A DJ will provide festive music, complemented by performances from the Westside Ballet, Lincoln Middle School Madrigals, Santa Monica High School Choirs and the SMC Emeritus Concert Band. For more information, visit downtownsm.com/tree-lighting.
Mark your calendars for Holiday Thursdays on December 5, 12 and 19, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Each Thursday will bring a festive celebration on the 1300 block of Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Boulevard, featuring live music, pop-up markets perfect for holiday shopping and activities for all ages. Guests can delight in the lively tunes of Toyland Brass, participate in holiday-themed crafts and write letters to Santa—hand-delivering them to Mr. Claus himself! Local Girl Scout troops will also be on hand to offer gift wrapping services, so come support your local Scouts while celebrating the season. Warm up with free hot cocoa and experience the festive atmosphere created by thousands of twinkling lights adorning the promenade. Plus, on December 12, join us for a special pet night featuring treats and free photos with Santa for you and your furry friends. Stay tuned for more details!
The celebration continues with Hanukkah in Santa Monica from December 25 to January 1, featuring menorah lightings at sundown on the 1200 Block of Third Street Promenade. This event invites community members to enjoy a festive celebration of lights. Each evening will be hosted by a different local congregation, honoring this long-standing tradition.
Ice at Santa Monica presented by Disney+ and operated by Willy Bietak Productions, will transform the corner of 5th Street and Arizona Avenue into a winter wonderland, featuring holiday music and a welcoming atmosphere perfect for families and friends to glide under the stars from November 8, 2024, through January 20, 2025. On opening night, guests can enjoy free skating during the 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. sessions, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
An exciting lineup of musical events at the ice rink will kick off with Wednesdays on Ice, featuring DJs on select nights starting November 13, alongside Classical KUSC Sundays throughout the season. Continue the festivities with Taylor’s Birthday Celebration on December 13. Don’t miss the New Year’s Eve East Coast Countdown on December 31 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. where families and friends can ice skate in a magical atmosphere as they ring in the New Year together. For more information on ice rink events, visit iceatsantamonica.com/events.
Admission to Ice at Santa Monica presented by Disney+ is $22 for a 60-minute session, including skate rental. The rink will be open daily:
- Sundays through Thursdays: from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Fridays and Saturdays: 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Extended Hours (December 15 through December 30): Open daily until 11:00 p.m. every day.
In addition to these festive events, downtown Santa Monica is an ideal destination for your holiday shopping, offering a diverse range of options to meet all your needs. Explore popular national retailers at the Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place like Lululemon, Alo, Sephora and Apple. Nearby, discover unique boutiques like Acorn Store, featuring wooden toys, games and art supplies for kids and Candles on Tap, where you can create custom candles for loved ones. After a day of shopping, indulge in delicious cuisine at one of the many restaurants along the promenade, such as New American fare at 1212 Santa Monica, Mediterranean flavors at Layla, or a sweet treat from McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream. With a variety of dining options, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy.
For details on all holiday happenings in Downtown Santa Monica, visit downtownsm.com/holidays. For more information about Ice at Santa Monica presented by Disney+ and a full schedule of ice rink events, visit iceatsantamonica.com or call 310-807-4822.
