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# Things To Do This November in Santa Monica / The Westside
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/things-to-do-this-november-in-santa-monica-the-westside/
- Published: 2026-11-05T20:24:49.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-05T20:29:41.000Z
- Description: Best November events in Santa Monica & the Westside: Frost on Fifth ice rink, Swiss Winter Village on the Pier, Renegade Craft Fair, Block Fest, Veterans Day, Turkey Trot.
- Author: Gabe Kaplan
- Tags: Events, #socials

Santa Monica's holiday season starts early this year, with an ice rink downtown, the city's first Swiss Christmas market on the Pier and a 45-foot tree lighting on Ocean Avenue. 

Here is what is happening, when, and how to get in.

For a closer look at this week's events, food and restaurant news, read Sean Besser's weekly Around Town column:

[Santa Monica Events Guide: Skating, Shopping & Diwali DiningSanta Monica holiday events Nov. 5-12: Frost on Fifth ice skating, Renegade Craft Market, free theater, Diwali dining at Fitoor and Khan Saab, Route 66 exhibit opening.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-c3f8520a-40b7-4d3e-9293-b99c02c9ce74.png)SMDPSean Besser![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/unnamed-9ab0cdf8-abaa-4e80-bdfc-745fa6f1b709.png)](https://www.smdp.com/around-town-skating-shopping-and-a-taste-of-diwali/)

### **FEATURED: Frost on Fifth Ice Rink in Downtown Santa Monica**

**When:** Thursday, Nov. 5 to Monday, Jan. 18\. Monday to Friday, 3 to 10 p.m.; weekends and holidays, noon to 10 p.m. **Where:** 1324 Fifth St. (Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue), Santa Monica **Cost:** Starting at $22.

Downtown's holiday ice rink is back for its 19th season under a new name. Formerly Ice at Santa Monica, the rink has 7,200 square feet of real ice and drew more than 36,000 skaters last season. Firepits and party tents are available to rent.

**More info:** [frostonfifth.com](https://frostonfifth.com/?ref=smdp.com) and [downtownsm.com](https://downtownsm.com/holiday-happenings?ref=smdp.com)

### **Abbot Kinney First Fridays in Venice**

**When:** Friday, Nov. 6, 5 to 9:30 p.m. **Where:** Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice **Cost:** Free to attend. Food trucks are pay as you go.

Dozens of rotating food trucks line the boulevard, and shops stay open late.

**More info:** [abbotkinneyblvd.com](http://abbotkinneyblvd.com/firstfridays?ref=smdp.com)

### **Binge Fringe Festival of Free Theatre at Santa Monica Playhouse**

**When:** Through Friday, Nov. 20\. Showtimes vary. **Where:** Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 Fourth St., Santa Monica **Cost:** Free. Reservations have been required in past years, so check the calendar before you go.

The 11th annual festival bills itself as the only free fringe festival in the country, with about 40 plays, workshops and family events.

**More info:** [santamonicaplayhouse.com](http://santamonicaplayhouse.com/the-bff-calendar-of-events.html?ref=smdp.com)

### **Renegade Craft Fair at Santa Monica Airport**

**When:** Saturday, Nov. 7 and Sunday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. **Where:** Santa Monica Airport, 3233 Donald Douglas Loop S., Santa Monica **Cost:** TBA

More than 275 independent artists and makers set up at this open-air market, an early start on holiday shopping. Renegade has run Los Angeles fairs since 2010.

**More info:** [renegadecraft.com](http://renegadecraft.com/event/los-angeles-winter?ref=smdp.com)

### **Veterans Day Ceremony at Santa Monica Beach**

**When:** Wednesday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m. **Where:** Beach Parking Lot 4, between Santa Monica Beach and Crescent Bay Park **Cost:** Free

The City of Santa Monica and the U.S. Army hold the seventh annual ceremony at a new beachside location, with live performances, a Chinook helicopter flyover and remarks from senior military leaders and local officials. The ceremony takes place in Lot 4, so don't count on parking there.

**More info:** [santamonica.gov](https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2026/10/29/annual-nov-11-veterans-day-ceremony-moves-to-a-new-beachside-location-for-2026?ref=smdp.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/11/pexels-bjorn-pierre-2147988187-35874865-1.jpg)

Photo: Pexels

### **Creating Route 66 at the Santa Monica History Museum**

**When:** Opening reception Thursday, Nov. 12, 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibit runs through June 2027\. **Where:** Santa Monica History Museum, 1350 7th St., Santa Monica **Cost:** TBA

The exhibit marks the highway's centennial and Santa Monica's place at its western end. It includes historic photos, roadside signage, a first edition of "The Grapes of Wrath" and an interactive map where visitors can add their own trips.

**More info:** [santamonicahistory.org](http://santamonicahistory.org/exhibitions/creating-route-66/?ref=smdp.com)

### **Santa Monica Block Fest on the Third Street Promenade**

**When:** Saturday, Nov. 14\. **Where:** All three blocks of the Third Street Promenade, plus a food night market on Arizona Avenue **Cost:** Free, all ages. Free advance RSVP.

Block Fest now runs on the second Saturday of every month through December, and recent editions drew more than 20,000 people. Guests 21 and older can drink outdoors in the Entertainment Zone.

**More info:** [santamonica.gov](https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2026/09/11/santa-monica-block-fest-returns-september-12-with-20-000-expected-as-monthly-series-extends-through-december?ref=smdp.com)

### **Swiss Winter Village on the Santa Monica Pier**

**When:** Wednesday, Nov. 18 to Sunday, Jan. 3 **Where:** Event Deck, 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica **Cost:** Adults from $12.90, kids $8.90, ages 3 and under free. Discounts for residents, seniors, students, military and Metro riders. Food, skating, Santa photos and workshops cost extra.

A European-style Christmas market comes to Santa Monica for the first time, with more than 60 artisan chalets, raclette, mulled wine and a skating rink on the Pier. Expect Santa visits, Hanukkah events and flower-crown workshops, plus local vendors including Coast & Canyon Shop, Sunny Blue and Bun & Mi. Organizers donated 1,000 free tickets through community partners.

**More info:** [swisswintervillage.com](https://swisswintervillage.com/santa-monica/?ref=smdp.com)

### **Regent Holiday Tree Lighting at Regent Santa Monica Beach**

**When:** Thursday, Nov. 19, 4:30 to 7 p.m. **Where:** Regent Santa Monica Beach, 1700 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica **Cost:** Open to all

The hotel lights a 45-foot tree with Santa, live music and holiday characters. The evening also includes a give-back component.

**More info:** [santamonica.com](https://www.santamonica.com/event/regent-holiday-tree-lighting-celebration?ref=smdp.com)

### **Holiday Tree Lighting on the Third Street Promenade**

**When:** Date to be announced **Where:** 1300 block, Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica **Cost:** To be announced

Downtown Santa Monica has not announced the date of this year's Promenade tree lighting. Last year's ceremony was Thursday, Dec. 4, with Santa lighting the tree, free photos with Santa, performances, hot cocoa and holiday crafts.

**More info:** [downtownsm.com](https://downtownsm.com/holiday-happenings?ref=smdp.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/11/image3.png)

Courtesy Image: Pali Turkey Trot

### **Pacific Palisades Turkey Trot**

**When:** Thursday, Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving), 8:15 a.m. **Where:** Palisades Charter High School, Pacific Palisades **Cost:** 5K $59.30, 10K $69.90, kids race $45.52, including fees

The 12th annual Turkey Trot returns to Pali High. Last year, nearly 2,000 runners took a rerouted course through fire-damaged streets. In past years, 5K runners were asked to finish by 9:30 a.m. and 10K runners by 10:30 a.m., so expect street impacts in the Palisades on Thanksgiving morning.

**More info:** [https://paliturkeytrot.com/](https://paliturkeytrot.com/?ref=smdp.com)

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Tags: Events, Santa Monica