OPA Holiday Party Details
Mark your calendar to join us the Edgemar Restaurant Sunday, Dec. 7, from 3:00pm – 6:00pm. Click here to add the holiday party to your calendar.
Apps and soda and one drink are free for OPA members and $10 for guests.
Edgemar Restaurant will be extending their 25% off employee pricing to their Sunday menu for anyone who wants to stick around for dinner. They do a GREAT Sunday Supper series that is $45 for adults and $25 for kids for a pre-fixe meal and the discount will apply to that plus drinks, etc. Click here to make a reservation (strongly encouraged).
We will be having a raffle for gift cards from these generous neighborhood businesses (please thank them!) and more: AJA Vineyards, Alfalfa, Blue Plate Restaurant Group, Jameson’s, Library Ale House, Love for Pilates, Papille Gustative, Pilatesmith, The Pump Station, Shore Hotel.
We are looking for raffle prizes for the party…please reply to this email if you want to donate.
Looking for Sponsors for the Holiday Party: OPA Diamond Sponsor Raphael Barragan is our signature sponsor, but we could use one or two $250-500 sponsors to help cover the costs of the holiday party. Please reply to this email if you might be interested in supporting us. Thanks!
2026 OPA Board Nominees: We’re excited to share that these seven people are running to be on the OPA Board next year: Andrew Lee, Dave Tann, Jeff Jarow, Lucy Stone, Mary Burch, Robbie Leer, and Tess Nelson. Voting will be at our Dec. 7 Holiday Party and the following few days online. Learn more about them here.
Other Holiday Happenings
Ocean Park Social Club Holiday Potluck and Cookie Exchange (Sunday, Dec. 14, 3:30-5pm): Location is TBD, but the idea is that attendees mix and mingle while assembling a box of assorted cookies made by your neighbors! Attendees should bake and bring at least 1 dozen cookies, a tupperware, and an ingredient list for your cookies. RSVP to samosocialclub@gmail.com.
Holiday Potluck and Festivities (Sunday, Dec. 14 5:30-7:30pm @ The Church in Ocean Park): Stay tuned for details, how to RSVP, and potluck sign up sheet!
The Official City of Santa Monica Tree Lighting is rescheduled for Dec. 4, 2025 due to inclement weather.
Downtown Santa Monica Undergoes Major Improvements
Crews began implementing improvements in downtown Santa Monica this week as part of a $60 million revitalization effort. The work includes pruning historic Ficus trees along six blocks, planting 37 new trees and power washing five public parking structures in the shopping and dining district. More details and pictures here.
Streetscape Upgrades and New Police Substation Launch $60 Million ‘Santa Monica Renaissance’: This Westside Current article highlights how “The City is moving forward with its revitalization plan, including a new police substation, landscaping, and infrastructure repairs, less than a month after the initiative’s approval. The City Council voted unanimously at the end of October to approve City Manager Oliver Chi’s $60 million Santa Monica Realignment Plan, a controversial effort introducing new policies, additional police resources, and citywide upgrades. City officials say the initiative is designed to upgrade streets, strengthen public safety, help local businesses thrive, and restore Santa Monica as a safe, vibrant place for residents, workers, and visitors.”
Santa Monica Boy Scouts Christmas Tree Lot Now Open: Local Troop 2 has a tree lot at 2412 Pico Blvd. The scouts do all the unloading, selling, deliveries, and clean up. Parents volunteer to run the chainsaw and cashier. No one gets paid, and all the proceeds go to pay for camps for kids who could otherwise not afford it. More details here.
(Video) Inside Look at Santa Monica College’s New State-of-the-Art Planetarium: This SaMoMirror video report details the new facility.
SaMo Dem Club Giving Thanks(giving) with SMC: Join other SMDC members Tuesday, Nov. 25, 5:00pm-8:00pm as we distribute Thanksgiving groceries to Santa Monica College students. If you can’t join that evening, there are other opportunities to help from Sunday, Nov 23 – Tuesday, Nov 25. More details and sign up here.
Volunteer: St. Monica’s Thanksgiving Dinner (day before Thanksgiving): This beautiful annual effort serves ~1,000 neighbors with meals, services, clothing, haircuts, and more. I’ll be there — join me. Let’s show gratitude for all we’ve got by giving to others. More details here.
Attention Thanksgiving Pie Lovers: NBC4 Highlights The Gourmandise School’s Virtual Class: Pastry Chef Robyn Collins will lead a three-hour online pie-a-palooza, teaching people how to make apple and pumpkin pies and more. The “live virtual baking experience” is set for Monday, Nov. 24, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. More details here.
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Things to Do This Weekend
Holiday Cheer on the Pier (Now – Dec. 18): The SaMo Pier is bringing the holiday cheer this year with a month of programming sure to bring a smile to everyone in the family, including holiday performances, decking out the windows of the historic Merry Go-Round windows, and photos with Santa. https://www.santamonicapier.org/cheeronthepier/
La Soirée Los Angeles (Thursday 6 – 11pm): The French American Chamber of Commerce California is bringing its legendary Year-End Gala, La Soirée, to Los Angeles for the very first time. Enjoy a night of French elegance, culinary delights, networking & music, ahead of the holiday season. Tickets include unlimited buffet, fine wines & entertainment. @ Expert Dojo, 395 Santa Monica Place https://luma.com/zw8phh9y
Community Shabbat Evening at Mishkon Temple (Friday 5:15 – 8pm): Join Mishkon’s community for a three-part Shabbat evening! The night will kick off with a Pre-Neg Pizza Party with Mishkon’s preschoolers, followed by a Kabbalat Shabbat service, and ending with a delicious community dinner. 206 Main St, Venice. More details here.
Venice Winter Fest (Saturday): The Venice Winter Fest brings holiday cheer to the beach with live music, festive vendors, and family-friendly activities along Venice’s iconic boardwalk. Enjoy seasonal treats, local art, and plenty of entertainment as the community comes together to celebrate the season seaside. It’s a laid-back, sun-soaked twist on winter fun in LA. instagram.com/p/DNyUk3D0kOK/
Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm):Looks like clear skies for this Sunday! We are celebrating with special guests the Triple B Band 10am-1pm! So put on your dancing sneakers and be prepared to boogie those rainy-day blues away. We have a full market with farmers excited to bring you all that you need for your week of holiday feasting. Big and Tiny will be on the lawn with activities for the kids! See you there!
Ina Bakes Pastry Pop-Up for a Cause (Sunday 9am–2pm): Join Ina Bakes—founded by two Santa Monica moms known for their creative custom desserts—for a sweet Sunday pop-up benefiting Operation Happy Nurse, a nonprofit supporting nurses’ mental health. Enjoy signature treats and seasonal pastries. @ 535 Rose Ave., Venice inabakes.com
Winter Holiday Market for Dogs (Sunday 12 – 3 pm): The event transforms Santa Monica Brew Works into a canine winter wonderland featuring photos with Santa Claus, a puppy ball pit, oversized nutcracker displays, pup cups, a dog cookie cart and a human cookie bar. A holiday bouquet-making station and beer tastings will also be available. FREE. @ 1920 Colorado Ave. hitlivingfoundation.org/upcoming-events
Looking for where to eat out for Thanksgiving? Here’s my weekly Santa Monica Daily Press column that lists options all around town.
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