Feel the magic of the season at Third Street Promenade on December 4th, 11th, and 18th!

Get ready for the holidays with live holiday music while you sip hot cocoa and watch it "snow" in Santa Monica! This series of events is for all ages and will include holiday crafts and games for everyone. The magic doesn't stop there; the Girl Scouts will be on hand to help you wrap your presents in time for the holidays.

Come experience the joy of the holiday season on Thursdays!!

- Hot Cocoa and Cookies: Holiday sips and treats are on us!
- Special Performance by Toyland Brass: What's the holiday season without holiday music?
- Holiday Vendor Market for all your holiday presents and essentials
- Holiday Crafts: For all ages!
- "Snowfall": Experience the magic of "snow" by the beach.
- Gift Wrapping: The local Girl Scouts troops will be on hand to wrap gifts. Donations are appreciated.

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

Longtime time Venice Beach street musician Nathan Pino, famously known as “The Venice Piano Man” for his manyy years of playing classical music on the boardwalk, was not around when the Wednesday Homeless Clean Up Crew rolled by. His pianos and other items, being left unattended were put in the garbage truck, except for the one piano that was functional, it was hauled away.

The city is starting to enforce the official Basic Vendor Guidelines and Vending Rules (L.A.M.C. Code 42.15) to ensure a smooth and compliant experience!

✅ Allowed Vending
Vending is primarily reserved for First Amendment-protected expressive activities, meaning:
• Original Artwork & Communicative Pieces ONLY.
• Items must be considered art and have no practical/secondary use or purpose (nominal value) other than to be looked at, read, or listened to.
• Examples: Books, original paintings, photographs, prints, sculptures, newspapers, leaflets, bumper stickers, patches, buttons, and audio/video recordings of the artist’s performances.

🛑 Not Allowed Vending
Selling commercial items or goods with practical/secondary uses is prohibited (even if they contain artistic elements).
• Examples of Prohibited Items: Food/drink, clothing/accessories (sunglasses, jewelry), housewares, oils, perfumes, lotions, candles, stuffed animals, and any non-art goods/services.

📍 Designated Spaces & Time Limits
• Vending and performances may NOT start before 9 AM and must end at sunset (L.A.M.C. 42.15(F)1).
• You must vend in one of the Designated Spaces (L.A.M.C 42.15(A)4).
• You may not occupy more than one single regular-sized or double-sized designated space at any given time (L.A.M.C. 42.15(E)7).
• Do not place anything that extends beyond your space or obstructs access areas.
These rules are in place to preserve the Boardwalk’s history of free speech, art, and performance.

The Santa Monica Route 66 Music Contest is an exciting opportunity for songwriters and musicians to showcase their talent and creativity, with a grand prize of $10,000 up for grabs. Celebrating Santa Monica’s iconic connection to the legendary Route 66, the contest invites artists from all genres to craft original songs that capture the spirit, history, and cultural significance of the famous highway’s connection to our beachside city. Whether it’s a nostalgic tribute to road trips, a reflection on the SoCal landscape, or a modern take on the Route 66 legacy, the contest encourages diverse interpretations of this historic route.

For updates and to sign up for more info, Click Here

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

It’s the most magical night in Venice! Join us for the 14th Annual Venice Holiday Sign Lighting on Saturday, December 6th, from 6–9 PM at Windward & Pacific. Celebrate the season with live music, food, family fun, and the iconic lighting of the Venice Sign!

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

Rainy day cruising around Venice Beeach.

Due to a traffic crash and downed power lines, Kanan Dume Road was closed between Newton Canyon Road (just north of Tunnel 1) and Cavalleri Road on Friday.



For more news, updates and traffic conditions on PCH and other local beachside roads, Click Here.

Santa Claus is coming to town with Santa Monica's police officers & firefighters leading the way. Santa and his public safety helpers will be distributing good cheer and thousands of candy canes as part of this year’s 33rd Annual "Candy Cane Drive.”

Everyone is invited to join in the festivities sponsored by the Santa Monica Police Officers Association and Santa Monica Firefighters, Local 1109 .

To ensure everyone has the opportunity to visit with Santa, this year’s scheduled stops include one per police beat.

Saturday, December 6, 2025:

10:00 – 10:45 am Douglas Park - 2400 California Ave (Beat 4)

11:00-11:30 am Christine Reed Park California Ave & 7th Street (Beat 1)

1:00 – 1:45 pm Virginia Avenue Park - 2200 Virginia Ave (Beat 3)

2:00 – 2:45 pm Clover Park - Ocean Park & 25th St (Beat 2)

Santa Monica children are encouraged to look and listen for the lights and sirens of the public safety vehicles, while parents are encouraged to bring their cameras.

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

Caltrans will close a 3.6-mile stretch of Topanga Canyon Blvd between PCH and Grand View Dr TODAY, Thursday, Nov. 13, 10 PM ahead of heavy rain expected overnight and through the weekend.

The closure will remain in place until conditions improve, likely through the Friday morning commute and possibly into the weekend. The National Weather Service forecasts 2–4 inches of rain, with peak rainfall rates up to 0.7 inches per hour, raising the risk of debris flow in burn scar areas.

Caltrans crews are securing the area with k-rail, sandbags, and stabilization work as part of ongoing Palisades Fire recovery efforts.

Drivers should use alternate routes, expect delays, and avoid travel during heavy rain, especially near burn areas. Motorists should keep headlights on, and watch for workers and work vehicles in the road. Never touch downed power lines - stay back, warn others, and call 911.

For more news, updates and traffic conditions on PCH and other local beachside roads, Click Here.