Latest News


The 2nd Annual Skate N Scare skate contest at the Venice Beach Skatepark held on Halloween afternoon.



UPCOMING ROAD CLOSURES: Streets along the beach in Santa Monica and Venicve will be closed this Saturday, Dec. 2, from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the 46th annual Santa Monica-Venice Christmas Run

Santa Monica BARNARD WAY from OCEAN PARK to NEILSON WAY
5:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Los Angeles WINDWARD AVE from PACIFIC AVE to SPEEDWAY
3:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
PACIFIC AVE from MARINE CT to SOUTH VENICE BL
5:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
ROSE AVE from PACIFIC to OCEAN FRONT WALK
5:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
SOUTH VENICE BL from OCEAN FRONT WALK to LINCOLN BL
5:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
ABBOT KINNEY BL from WASHINGTON BL to SOUTH VENICE BL
5:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.


Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.


Santa, Carolers, Klezmer and more. 11 blocks of Holiday cheer, sales, and great food! From 7th to 17th Streets along Montana Ave

For more info, Click Here

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.


Miracle on Main Street, Tree Lighting Celebration
Saturday, December 9th


Embrace the spirit of the holidays as Miracle on Main Street returns with two dazzling tree lightings, photos with Santa & more!

Celebrate the holidays on Main Street with a festive afternoon of holiday cheer, starting at 3:30 PM at the California Heritage Museum. Enjoy activities for kids, live music, and Santa's grand entrance at 4:00 PM. See the full schedule below and RSVP for updates.

3:30-5:30PM: Holiday Kid Corner

Free Face painting, Instrument Petting Zoo, Soft Play Area, Games & Cub Scout pack 67 Holiday Bake Sale!

4PM: Santa & Mrs. Claus

Witness the grand entrance of Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus as they arrive in a festive fire truck at 4:00 PM.

5:30PM: Tree Lighting Countdown

Join the joyous countdown to the tree lighting ceremony, followed by a heartwarming candlelight walk to the iconic Edgemar Shopping Cart Tree.

6PM: Edgemar Shopping Cart Tree

Festivities continue at Edgemar, where you can capture cherished moments with Santa, revel in the captivating tunes of Off the Jingle Bell Rockers, and indulge in a delightful array of holiday treats at the enchanting home of the world-renowned Shopping Cart Tree.

Let Santa Monica's Main Street be your gateway to a holiday wonderland filled with enchanting memories that will last a lifetime!

For more info, Click Here

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.


16th Annual Muscle Beach Toy Drive
Sunday December 3, 2023
10am - 3pm

PLEASE DONATE A NEW UNWRAPPED TOY

Event t-shirts, product giveaways, contests, photo ops, Red Carpet Holiday "shout outs" & much more.

At 1pm, Santa and his lovely Elvettes will arrive on his Sleigh provided by LAPD Pacific Division. Joining them on board will be a very special guest. 😉 See you there!!

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.


– The Venice Chamber of Commerce proudly presents the 12th Annual Venice Holiday Sign Lighting Event, presented by 881 Abbot Kinney. This free, family-friendly event, featuring over 100+ local businesses, is set for Dec. 2, 2023, from 6-9 p.m. at Pacific and Windward avenues. This year, the iconic Venice Sign shares the spotlight with the debut of “Holiday Taste of Venice” and “Windward Wonderland,” creating new festive gateways for local engagement.

“The Venice Holiday Sign Lighting is more than a tradition; it's a tribute to the enduring spirit of our community, especially after challenging times," says George Francisco, the event’s producer and driving force for over a decade. “Every holiday season we strive to bring people together in new and different ways, and this year is no different.”

The 12th Annual Venice Holiday Sign Lighting Event marks the onset of the holiday season in Los Angeles, uniting the local community, businesses, and artists in a spectacular celebration. This year, Venice's streets will come alive with photo opportunities with Santa, complimentary carnival games at "Windward Wonderland," and a tantalizing array of free food and drinks at "Holiday Taste of Venice."This West Los Angeles holiday extravaganza will also feature live performances by Grammy winners, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, and emerging local talents.



“Holiday Taste of Venice” will line the streets, featuring local Venice restaurants, offering free bites and sips from their renowned kitchens. Participants include Si! Mon, Atla, Market Venice, The Rose Venice, Gjusta Grocer, The Butcher’s Daughter, Belles Beach House, Owa, Hatchet Hall, Cerveteca, La Cabana, The Penmar, The Sidewalk Cafe, Baja Cantina, Hinano’s, Nighthawk, The Venice Ale House, Love Amaro Pizzeria at Big Daddy’s Food Corner, Fig Tree, Winston House, Venice Beach Wines, Menotti’s and a host of others, promising a diverse taste of Venice's best culinary offerings.

Right beside the "Holiday Taste of Venice," the "Windward Wonderland" emerges as a reimagined carnival experience, brought to life by local businesses. This vibrant new section brims with vintage-themed carnival games, enticing prizes, and interactive activities, complemented by the nostalgic aromas of fresh popcorn and roasted nuts. "Windward Wonderland" also offers a magical touch for children and the young at heart. Visitors can meet Santa and snap a photo, courtesy of LA Car Guy, and adults can experience a bit of glamour on the red carpet at the photo booth, presented by 881 Abbot Kinney.

Reflecting its longstanding reputation for attracting notable and award-winning musical acts, the 12th Annual Venice Holiday Sign Lighting Event continues this legacy with a distinguished lineup of surprise Grammy and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame musical guests and local talents, all thoughtfully selected by Musical Director Rob Christie, who brings his own accolades as a two-time Grammy winner, respected producer, and renowned music industry executive.

Another major community highlight at the event is the 9th Annual "My Venice Holiday” Poster Contest, steered by the Venice Art Crawl. Hundreds of entries, illustrating the season's significance to artists from Venice’s public elementary schools, are proudly displayed on Windward Avenue. A winner from each grade, kindergarten through fifth, will be announced onstage during the show by Los Angeles Unified School District Board Vice President Nick Melvoin.

The evening’s centerpiece is the lighting of the iconic Venice Sign at 8 p.m., a symbol of hope and community spirit. Los Angeles Councilmember from the 11th District Traci Park will preside over the ceremony, introducing a celebrity Venice resident and guest of honor to lead the countdown. Past “Sign Lighters” include a roster of Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy winning artists including Robert Downey Jr. , Anjelica Huston, P!nk, Robby Krieger, Matthew Modine, Linda Cardellini, Andy Summers, and Lori Petty.

For more info, Click Here

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.


Mark your calendars! Santa is coming to town for the return of the 46th annual Santa Monica-Venice Christmas Run on December 2, 2023! Experience this historic event in person as you dash down the beautiful streets of Santa Monica and Venice, California, including a long stretch along the famous Venice Beach boardwalk.

Sleigh one of the 5K or 10K courses before jinglin’ your way across the finish line where a holiday bash will be waiting for you with delicious treats and festive beverages that would make Santa’s reindeer jealous.



The Santa Monica-Venice Christmas Run starts at Ocean View Park on Barnard Way and finishes on Pacific Avenue & Windward Avenue on Saturday, December 2nd! Start time for 5K runners is 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM for 10K runners. We’ll be updating this website regularly with new information, so be sure to check back periodically for up-to-date information!

For more info, Click Here

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.


Explore the restored dune habitat and life cycle of the small, white snowy plovers that make this stretch of beach their winter home!

Revel in this guided walk exploring the restored dune habitat and life cycle of the small, white snowy plovers that make this stretch of Santa Monica beach their winter home. Binoculars will be provided, or bring your own!

The Snowy Plover Beach Walk with Santa Monica Audubon and Nature Nexus Institute is a free event. Recommended for adults, though all are welcome. Reservations are requested. In-person registration will be available.

Comfortable clothing and sun protection are recommended. Gather at Guest Services.

The Annenberg Community Beach House is wheelchair accessible and ADA compliant. Two beach wheelchairs will be available for this activity. To reserve a wheelchair or inquire regarding disability related accommodations please call Guest Services at (310) 458-4904 or email beach.house@santamonica.gov.

Getting Here: The Annenberg Community Beach House is located at 415 Pacific Coast Hwy. Parking is available for $3 per hour or $8 per day. Please pay for parking at the machine upon your arrival. Cash and credit card accepted.

Sunday, December 10 · 9 - 10:30am
415 Pacific Coast Highway Santa Monica, CA 90402

For more info and to register, Click Here

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.