Marina Del Rey
Enjoy the festive glow at Burton Chace Park nightly in December, 4-10 p.m. Make it a fun family outing with dinner at one of the Marina’s waterfront restaurants, then a walk around the park to enjoy the holiday light displays.
Snow Wonder (DECEMBER 8 – evening)
Eighty tons of snow are trucked in to Burton Chace Park to make a sledding hill and snow-play area. Pummel your pals with balls of snow – then take cover behind a Christmas tree!
Holiday Boat Parade (DECEMBER 8 – 5PM-onwards)
Burton Chace Park and Fisherman’s Village are the best places to watch the trail of lighted boats cruise the main channel. A 10-minute fireworks show at 5:55 p.m. will announce the start of the parade.
New Year’s Eve Glow Party (DECEMBER 31 – evening)
Head to Burton Chace Park for a family-friendly Glow Party, 7 p.m.–midnight, with face painting, DJ music, dancing, and food trucks. Watch live broadcasts of the east and west coast countdowns to 2019 with fireworks at 8:59 p.m. and again at 11:59 p.m. Admission is free, with food for purchase.
Venice & Santa Monica
Ice at Santa Monica – An 8,000 sq ft. Skating Rink (Now till January 21 – hours vary)
Every holiday season Downtown Santa Monica brings a little ice to our beachside community, transforming the corner of Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue into the winter wonderland known as Ice at Santa Monica, an 8,000-square-foot ice-skating rink.
Holiday Stroll and Snow Day on Abbot Kinney (DECEMBER 9 – 11AM-4PM)
Every year the Merchants of Abbot Kinney kick off the Holiday season with a day of fun that includes sledding on real snow, Santa, Holiday activities for the kids, special merchant treats and events, and other wintry fun.
35th Annual Venice Canals Holiday Boat Parade (DECEMBER 9 – 3:30PM)
Kicks off at 3:30 p.m., at the intersection of Eastern Canal and Carroll canals. The Venice Canals welcomes everyone to be part of the parade.
41st Annual Santa Monica – Venice Christmas Run (DECEMBER 15 – 6:30AM-onwards)
The Santa Monica-Venice Christmas Run is Los Angeles’ largest holiday running event and a great fundraiser. There’s a 5K and a 10K run that winds through the beautiful streets of Santa Monica and Venice, including a long stretch along the famous Venice Beach boardwalk. Those who complete the race are treated with a snowy finish line.
Brennan’s Ugly Sweater Holiday Party (DECEMBER 22 – 8PM-midnight)
Join the Brennan’s crew for an amusing ugly sweater party with spiked hot cider, coca, and photos with “bad” Santa. It’s sure to be a hoot.
Venice Penguin Swim (January 1 – Noon)
Choose (on-site) between two courses: one is a fun dip of 50 yards and the other, for those who are up for a challenge, is a 500 yards swim in the freezing cold Pacific Ocean. You’ll definitely be alert and ready for the new year after this splash!
