Santa Monica Holiday Dining, Events & Specials

ICE Santa Monica

Now – January 15, 2024

Experience fun for the family at Ice at Santa Monica. Visit the biggest rink in Santa Monica this holiday season for ice skating, special events and more. Get your tickets today.

Photos with Santa at Santa Monica Place

Throughout December

Santa is back starting on November 17, and he’s ready to take photos and make memories to last a lifetime. See Santa’s schedule and book your time.

Holiday Performances at Santa Monica Place

Throughout December

Join all season long for special holiday performances in Center Plaza, featuring the Santa Monica Beach Belles, the Santa Monica Oceanaires A Cappella Barbershop Chorus, and live DJ performances.

Santa Monica Playhouse

Receive $2.50 off all December Family Theatre events from December 2-10, and receive $5.00 off each ticket with code TT for the 54th Annual All-New One-Time-Only Santa Monica Playhouse New Year’s Eve Musical Revue, Sunday, December 31, 7 pm and 10:30 pm. Admission includes champagne, sparkling juice, dessert buffet, hats, leis, noisemakers, tiaras, the works! To get your discounts, contact the Playhouse Box Office at 310-394-9779, ext 1 or theatre@SantaMonicaPlayhouse.com.

Pico Holiday Celebration

December 2, 2023, 9:00 am

Join Pico friends, family and merchants at the Virginia Avenue Farmers Market for complimentary food, drink and holiday activities!

Civil Society Vintage: Antique, Vintage, & Fine Jewelry Holiday Edition

December 2, 2023, 10:30 am

Civil Society Vintage is excited to host a one-day holiday pop-up event on Saturday, December 2 at Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows. See more information!

Santa Monica Conservancy Holiday Celebration

December 2, 2023, 3:00 pm

Connect with fellow members and community partners and toast the close of a successful 20th Anniversary Campaign. Attendees will gather at the Church in Ocean Park, whose doors have reopened after a successful restoration and repair project.

Montana Avenue Holiday Walk

December 2, 2023, 4:00 pm

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and the festive spirit has arrived to Montana Avenue! Gather on December 2 for live music, face painting courtesy of Tumbleweed Day Camp, carolers strolling up and down the street and meet Santa and the gang at Montana Avenue’s biggest event of the year!

Holiday Boutique and Used Book Sale

December 3, 2023, 10:00 am

Looking for unusual, hand-crafted, and delicious gift ideas? Want to support local, small and women-owned businesses? Come to the boutique & used book sale on Sunday, December 3 from 10am – 3pm, rain or shine.

Art At The Airport Holiday Art Sale & Open Studios

December 3, 2023, 11:00 am

The artists-in-residence at the 18th Street Arts Center will be on hand to help you navigate your holiday shopping list, ensuring that you find the perfect gifts for everyone, including yourself. This event stands out as Santa Monica’s premier shopping extravaganza for fine art at studio prices, allowing patrons to buy directly from the talented emerging and established makers behind the creations.

Raclette Fest

December 3, 2023, 3:00 pm

Esters Wine Shop & Bar’s patio will be tented and cozy, so they’re bringing a little après-ski to Santa Monica! Wear your favorite ski shirt and enjoy all the raclette you can dream.

Fairview Branch Library Open House and Children’s Holiday Book Fair

December 5, 2023, 12:00 pm

Join the Fairview Branch Library for an Open House celebration that will welcome back neighbors and the wider Santa Monica community. Library patrons are invited to bring their cards and learn how to sign up for the branch’s unique self-service system, find out a little bit of history of the branch and its place in the Sunset Park Community, browse and check out books and other media, enjoy crafts with the kids, as well as light refreshments.

Ha Ha Hanukkah Comedy Show

December 7, 2023, 8:30 pm

Join Crow Comedy for a special fundraiser night for JFS SOVA with the best Jewish comedians from HBO, Comedy Central, and Netflix. 50% of the proceeds from the comedy show will benefit SOVA (part of JFSLA). Learn more.

Menorah Lightings at Third Street Promenade

December 7 – 14, Sundown

Celebrate the Festival of Lights during the Hanukkah season with nightly menorah lightings on the 1400 block of Third Street Promenade (located between Santa Monica Blvd and Broadway). The lighting ceremonies will begin at sundown. The final lighting ceremony will take place at the ice rink.

Movie Friday: Die Hard 

December 8, 2023, 6:30 pm

Settle the debate once and for all: Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? Witness the verdict as you watch Bruce Willis save Los Angeles’ Nakatomi Plaza.

Join for the final outdoor movie of the year and enjoy quality time with friends and family on the fully decked out promenade. Enjoy holiday snacks and activities when doors open. Reserve a spot.

Santa Monica is a foodie’s dream this holiday season. Check out these Christmas menus in Santa Monica before you plan your upcoming holiday meal.

1 Pico Restaurant

Chef Runyon’s favorites will include heritage turkey, irresistible desserts and more. Guests can also find a la carte offerings at Coast Beach Café and Bar. Learn more.

Fig Restaurant

Join for a delectable classic Christmas Eve and Christmas day dishes including Colorado Loin of Lamb and Egg Nog Creme Brulee or the famous Carving Station and Bloody Mary Bar. Make reservations now.

Huckleberry Bakery & Cafe

On Christmas morning, enjoy Coffee Coffee Cake or Gingerbread Teacake while everyone unwraps presents, then dig into a Farmers’ Market Vegetable Quiche or Housemade Lox Platter with all the fixings and Milo + Olive’s awesome bagels. For Christmas Dinner, round out that Brisket or Salmon with Tutti Frutti Farms Pumpkin Soup, a Savory Bread Pudding filled with garnet yams, spigarello, herbs & cheddar and more. An Eggnog Cheesecake with gingersnap crust & candied cranberries or a variety of Christmas Cookies (chocolate peppermint sandwiches, pistachio thumbprints) are a sweet finish. Pre-order by December 16 at 3 pm for pickup & delivery on December 24.

Santa Monica Proper Hotel

Experience a dose of holiday cheer from Calabra’s sweeping rooftop. Savor a chef-driven, three-course meal paired with innovative libations on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 11am to midnight at $125 per person. View the Christmas Eve menu and the Christmas menu here. Plus, enjoy a holiday-worthy dinner at Palma’s art-filled restaurant and lounge. Linger over seasonally-inspired dishes and classic cocktails as you celebrate Christmas. Make a reservation here.

Soko

For those in search of an untraditional yet elevated Christmas dinner experience, you’ll want to snag a coveted reservation at Fairmont Miramar’s intimate 8-seat sushi bar, where Chef Masa Shimakawa delivers a master class in refined technique, presentation, and quality. A special seven-course Omakase menu for $200, with $60 sake pairings and a selection of amuse bouche is available for booking, as well as a limited a la carte menu. Reservations are available via Resy for Christmas Eve & Christmas Day from 5– 10 pm.

Solidarity

Bring home a Polish Christmas with hearty Polish delicacies from Solidarity’s special holiday take-out menu. Items like traditional Potato Salad, Christmas Borscht Soup, Pierozki Mushroom Rolls and more can be purchased in 16 or 32 oz. for parties big and small. Orders can be placed no later than December 19 for delivery on December 24 or December 25. Click here to see the menu.

It’s time for traditional meals that will speak to body and soul and bring the celebration. Before prepping the feast, see what Santa Monica’s best restaurants have to offer this holiday season.

Birdie G’s

Birdie G’s partners with The Crow comedy club for “Ha, Ha, Hanukkah,” a 2-day charitable fundraiser for Jewish Family Service LA’s SOVA, which helps locals experiencing food insecurity. Enjoy 8 Nights at Birdie G’s (a Hanukkah-ish dinner series) on December 5 or December 7, add a comedy show at 8:30 p.m. with an all-Jewish lineup at The Crow right next door! Make a reservation and write in the “Any Special Requests” section that “I’m going to The Crow after” so Birdie G’s can donate 10% of your dinner bill to SOVA, while The Crow will donate 50% of your show ticket. Comedy show tickets can be purchased through The Crow’s website.

Huckleberry Bakery & Cafe

Enjoy all the traditional favorites, alongside beautiful, farmers market vegetables and seasonal sweets. Pre-order online until December 1 at 3 pm for pickup & delivery from December 7 – 9, 10 am – 2 pm.

Birdie G’s

Get a “World Famous” rose petal pie for that holiday dinner or soiree! Pre-order online.

Huckleberry Bakery & Cafe

Enjoy festive desserts, like an egg nog cheesecake, Christmas cookies and more. Pre-order by December 17 at 3pm for pickup & delivery on December 24. For Huckleberry’s Hanukkah and Christmas takeout, pre-order online or e-mail catering@huckleberrycafe.com.

Don’t miss out on fabulous hotel deals this holiday season when you book your trip to enjoy the festivities and holiday events in Santa Monica. Plenty of hotels are offering savings on room rates to help you get into the holiday spirit for less. Plus, if you’re local or know someone who is, check out the Santa Monica Extra Bedroom program for unbeatable prices; available for Santa Monica residents looking for a staycation or accommodations for visiting guests!

Courtyard by Marriott Santa Monica

Book now and save up to 10% on your next holiday getaway. Offer available for valid stays over November 1, 2023 – January 31, 2024.

Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows

The holidays are for giving back. Receive 15% off & a $25 hotel credit when you book the Tree of Hope offer. Every night, $10 from your stay will be automatically donated to the charity. Learn more about the offer and book before rooms fill up!

The Georgian Hotel

Enjoy 15% off your stay and a $50 daily dining credit when you book by December 30, 2023.

Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites

Book the Experience the Stay package and indulge with an on-property credit, plus perks like premium WiFi, free early departure, early check-in, and late check-out where available.

Hotel Casa del Mar

Room with a View: Discover endless summer in Santa Monica and enjoy a room with a view and save up to 25% off. Stay More, Save More: Save up to 30% and receive a one time $100 hotel credit per stay. Offer is subject to availability at the time of reservation; blackout dates may apply. Valid through 12/31. Click here for additional offers and to book. Click here to check dates.

Bombshell Hair Salon

Get 10% off when this offer is mentioned on all services excluding extensions.

Divine Vintage

For the perfect holiday gift personalize one of Divine Vintage’s new gift baskets. Choose from a curated basket, build their own, and allow their dedicated team to help create a basket for any budget.