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:
Sean Besser
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 and downtownsm.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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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/
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Tags: Events, Santa Monica