Santa Monica Holiday Dining, Events & Specials

Explore the Santa Monica holiday events, Christmas menus, Hanukkah menus, holiday desserts, seasonal specials and hotel deals being offered throughout the city.

For those ready to keep the celebration going, discover New Year’s activities, dining and more!

Shine Through the Holidays

The holidays are happening in Santa Monica! Restaurants, retailers, and businesses are offering an array of festive, physically-distanced attractions and charitable food and clothing drives to give back to the community this season. From free holiday art installations at the iconic Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Pier, a ballerina snow-globe performance at Santa Monica Place and festive shopping along holiday-trimmed streets like Main Street, Montana Avenue & Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica continues to shine through the holidays while keeping the community safe and healthy.

Santa Monica Holiday Events

Community Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 4

Open to the public, this cherished Fairmont Miramar tradition brings together neighbors, families, and friends for a festive evening under the twinkling lights. Enjoy classic carols performed by the Santa Monica High School Choir, indulge in hot chocolate, capture photo moments with Santa, and delight in the magic of the season.

Holiday Art Fair
December 7

Share in the holiday cheer as over 30 professional artists open their studio doors offering unique art and gifts to elevate your holiday shopping!

Holiday Cheer on the Pier
Now – December 18, 2o25

The Santa Monica Pier is bringing the holiday cheer this year with a month of programming sure to bring a smile to everyone in the family. Starting NOVEMBER 20th and running through DECEMBER 18th, the historic Merry Go-Round windows will be decked out with holiday spirit from the Santa Monica Pier Corporation that sets the stage for incredible holiday events all season long.

Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 4

Join for the Tree Lighting Ceremony, where Santa himself will light up our official holiday tree on Third Street Promenade between Santa Monica Boulevard and Arizona Avenue (1300 block). The holiday festivities will feature performances by local choirs, a special performance of the Nutcracker, and “snow” on Third Street Promenade. After the ceremony, guests of all ages are invited to take FREE photos with Santa, make holiday-themed crafts, and enjoy hot cocoa. A DJ will keep the festivities going with a holiday dance party. All activities at this event are FREE and open to all ages!

ICE Santa Monica
Now – January 20, 2025

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.

Letters to Santa & Ornament Painting
December 4

Step inside the historic Merry Go-Round building to write heartfelt Letters to Santa—yes, they’ll be mailed straight to the North Pole! Kids can also create festive take-home crafts and ornaments with help from local creative studio Paint:Lab.

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.

Montana Avenue Holiday Walk
December 7, 2024, 3:00 pm

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and the festive spirit has arrived to Montana Avenue! Gather on December 7 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!

Menorah Lightings at Third Street Promenade
December 14 – December 21, Sundown

Celebrate the Festival of Lights during the Hanukkah season with nightly menorah lightings on the 1300 block of Third Street Promenade. The lighting ceremonies will begin at sundown.

Miracle on Main Street
December 8, 2024, 3:30 pm

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.

Meet Me Under the Fig Tree
December 15, 2024, 1:00 pm

Every year, The Miramar guests and friends from the local Santa Monica community gather under our historic Moreton Bay Fig to celebrate the holiday season! Get ready to frolic with us and enjoy live entertainment, photos with Santa, arts & crafts and snow!

Santa Monica Pub Crawl
December 12

Join thousands of Santas, Elves, and Reindeer and over 20 of the City’s best bars and restaurants to Crawl for a Cause as the entire city comes together to raise money for the Westside Food Bank and help those in need for the holidays.

Santa Pet Nights
December 10 & 11

Visit Santa Monica Place this holiday season and bring your furry friends on December 10 & 11 from 4 – 7 pm for Pet Night Photos with Santa.

Warm holiday drink in clear mug with brown dusting sprinkled on top and multicolored sprinkles; Santa Monica dining

Santa Monica Holiday Drinks

Goodboybob Coffee

Enjoy Goodboybob’s special drinks, including Frosted Mocha Latte, Iced Frosted Mocha and Icy Blue Iced Matcha. Available for a limited time.

La La Land Kind Cafe

Sip through the holidays with La La Land Kind Cafe’s holiday menu, complete with various lattes like S’Mores Cloud Latte, Peppermint and Sugar Cookie Lattes.

Palma

Enjoy Afternoon Tea, with specialty holiday blends created with Tea Leaves, served alongside seasonal pastries and sweets. Every experience ends with a take-home gingerbread cookie, baked in-house for the holidays.

Sweet July

Step inside Sweet July Café to savor the warmth of the season with festive, handcrafted holiday drinks designed for guests of all ages. Every sip invites a cozy moment of joy, comfort, and connection amid the holiday bustle.

Viceroy Santa Monica

Experience the magic of the season with an intimate, themed cocktail session on December 7th & 14th featuring handcrafted holiday libations, each designed to delight your senses with vibrant flavors and festive garnishes. With only eight seats available per event, this cozy experience is perfect for celebrating the holidays and ringing in the New Year (21+). Reserve your spot here!

Restaurants Open on Christmas Day

1 Pico

Enjoy Chef Vittorio’s California Christmas classics, infused with a hint of Italian flair that nods to his Neapolitan roots. Blinis topped with caviar and decadent desserts add indulgence. Each menu is carefully prepared for comfort and the connections that define this special day.

Calabra

Celebrate the holidays with Calabra’s Christmas special — a festive feast featuring seasonal, organic dishes and holiday-style “For The Table” starters, perfect for sharing in a cozy rooftop setting.

FIG Restaurant

Indulge in Gingerbread Pancakes topped with whipped cream cheese and orange marmalade or elevate your Christmas morning with a luxurious Truffle & Asparagus Omelet. For something hearty, savor our Savory Bread Pudding with smoked gouda, bacon lardon, mushrooms, caramelized onions, mustard hollandaise, and a poached egg. Cap off brunch with Santa’s Hat, featuring orange sponge cake, silky white chocolate mousse, and a tart cranberry glaze.

Orla

Celebrate the holidays at Orla by Michael Mina with a lavish Christmas Feast featuring holiday-inspired favorites — from orange-glazed ham and roasted Mary’s chicken to butter-poached turkey breast, slow-confit turkey leg, and prime-rib — all served in a warm coastal-chic setting with the Pacific as your backdrop.

Palma

Celebrate the holidays at Palma with a cozy Christmas dinner built on seasonal, organic ingredients, from fresh salads to rich entrées like Chianti-braised short ribs over creamy polenta, served in a warm, art-filled setting at the Santa Monica Proper Hotel.

The Penthouse

Celebrate Christmas above Santa Monica at The Penthouse Restaurant with a festive three-course holiday menu featuring thoughtful bites, from lump crab cake or winter chicory salad starters, to luxurious mains like wagyu steak or Chilean sea bass, finished with indulgent desserts such as pumpkin Basque cheesecake or pecan pie.

Terrazza

Experience the holidays at Terrazza through our chefs’ elegantly crafted three-course prix-fixe menus, from a festive Christmas Brunch with the season’s best such as Dungeness Crab Cake Benedict to a succulent Christmas Day tradition like a Prime Rib Roast.

Santa Monica Holiday Desserts

Tartine Santa Monica

Holiday specials are many and bright at Tartine! Enjoy sweet treats from Persimmon Vegan Crumb Cake to the Petite Lemon Cranberry Pistachio Tea Cake. There’s plenty more! See the full holiday menu.

Santa Monica Holiday Hotel Deals

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!

The Huntley Santa Monica

At The Huntley Santa Monica Beach, stunning ocean views, the acclaimed rooftop restaurant, and elegantly designed spaces set the stage for an unforgettable gathering. Pair it all with elevated coastal cuisine and refined hospitality, and your holiday event becomes truly extraordinary. Book now to secure your date and unlock exclusive perks, including 10% off your total bill (before service charge & tax); discounted valet for your guests; and complimentary upgrade to the Platinum Bar Package. Available

The Pierside Santa Monica

Immerse yourself in holiday magic with the Coastal Cheer holiday package. Enjoy a carefully decorated suite and curated experiences to get the most out of this season. Learn more.

Regent Santa Monica Beach

Holiday by the sea shimmers with gratitude and magic. Gather for coastal feasts, sunrise shoreline runs, and Santa’s sweet surprises. From cocoa carts to gingerbread dreams, every moment glows with Regent holiday wonder.

Reserve your holiday stay with a Third Night Free or view exclusive offers & packages.

Fairmont Miramar Hotels & Bungalows

Embrace the spirit of the season with coastal holiday magic at Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows. Retreat to one of our spacious private bungalows or ocean-view suites, with rates starting at $499. Throughout December, delight in our pop-up Gingerbread House in the lobby, festive Afternoon Tea in the whimsical Fountain Room, and holiday flavors at Soko Sushi & FIG Santa Monica, and much more. Book now.

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