Holiday Laughs, Lights & Cozy Nights

🎄 Holiday Weekend in the South Bay

The holidays are in full swing across the South Bay, and this weekend is packed with festive fun for everyone. From comedy shows and ugly sweater parties to Santa sightings, holiday performances, and community celebrations, there’s no shortage of ways to get into the seasonal spirit. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly activities, a night out, or meaningful ways to give back, you’ll find it all right here.

🗓️ This Week in My South Bay

Thursday, December 18
🕎 Giant Menorah Lighting Ceremony @ Metlox Plaza, Manhattan Beach
🎤 ’Twas the Mic Before Christmas Comedy Show @ HT Grill, Redondo Beach
☕️ Ercole’s Irish Coffee Night @ Ercole’s, Manhattan Beach

Friday, December 19
🚂 Holiday Lights Train Rides @ Wilson Park, Torrance
🎭 Holiday Comedy Night @ Rockefeller Restaurant

Saturday, December 20
🎁 Beach Cities Toy Drive Wrapping Party @ Joslyn Community Ctr, Manhattan Beach
😂 Ugly Sweater Party @ Trusted Gut Brewery, Redondo Beach
🎅 Santa Strolling in Downtown @ Manhattan Beach Pier area
🎬 Beach Cove Outdoor Movie: Elf @ Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes
🩰 Palos Verdes Ballet: The Nutcracker @ Norris Theatre, Rolling Hills Estates
🚂 Holiday Lights Train Rides @ Wilson Park, Torrance
🎄 Torrance Civic Chorale & Jazz Singers: A Family Winter Celebration @ James Armstrong Theatre, Torrance

Sunday, December 21
🌊 Winter Solstice Coastal Hike @ Terranea Bluff Trails, Rancho Palos Verdes
🕎 Giant Menorah Lighting @ Manhattan Village Plaza, Manhattan Beach
🩰 Palos Verdes Ballet: The Nutcracker @ Norris Theatre, Rolling Hills Estates
🕎 Giant Menorah Lighting @ Miramar Park, Torrance
🎄 El Segundo G’s Il Capo Christmas Sing-Along Party @ El Segundo

Ongoing Thru December
 🎄 Terranea Gingerbread Lounge @ Rancho Palos Verdes

🕎 Giant Menorah Lightings Across the South Bay

Celebrate Chanukah with community-wide menorah lightings happening across the South Bay. Join neighbors, friends, and families for festive evenings filled with music, dancing, doughnuts, and hot latkes as giant menorahs are lit throughout the area. All events are family-friendly and open to everyone.

📍 Metlox Plaza, Manhattan Beach
🗓 Thursday, December 18 | 5:30 PM
👉 More Info

📍 Manhattan Village Shopping Center, Manhattan Beach
🗓 Sunday, December 21 | 5:30 PM
👉 Manhattan Village Shopping Center

📍 Miramar Park, Torrance
🗓 Sunday, December 21 | 5:30 PM
👉 Miramar Park

💰 Donations Accepted

🔹 Giant menorah lighting ceremonies
🔹 Music, dancing, and traditional treats
🔹 A meaningful holiday celebration for all ages

🎤 ’Twas the Mic Before Christmas

📍 HT Grill, Redondo Beach
🕗 Thursday, December 18 | Show at 8PM
💰 Ticketed Event

Celebrate the season with big laughs at this festive holiday comedy night featuring 8–10 comics, including local favorites, touring comedians, and a killer headliner. Fresh off a sold-out show, Big Laughs Fest brings the holiday vibes back to the South Bay — all for a good cause.

🔹 Holiday-themed stand-up comedy
🔹 Great food and drinks available before the show
🔹 Part of a 9-year holiday benefit supporting A Gift From Glenn

👉 Event Info

☕️ Ercole’s Irish Coffee Night

📍 Ercole’s, Manhattan Beach
🕗 Thursday, December 18 | 5PM
💰 Pay as you go

Warm up with a Manhattan Beach classic. Ercole’s teams up with San Francisco’s iconic Buena Vista for a special Irish Coffee Night — featuring perfectly crafted hot cocktails and cozy holiday vibes.

🔹 Famous Buena Vista–style Irish coffee
🔹 One-night-only collaboration
🔹 Perfect pre- or post-dinner stop

👉 Event Info

😂 Ugly Sweater Party at Trusted Gut Brewery

📍 Trusted Gut Brewery & Taproom, Redondo Beach
🕗 Saturday, December 20 | Starts at 6:00 PM
💰 Free admission

Break out your ugliest holiday sweater — and don’t forget your pup. This festive, dog-friendly holiday party features music, food, a photo booth, raffles, and prizes for the most outrageous sweaters for both humans and dogs.

🔹 Ugly sweater contest with prizes
🔹 Dog-friendly event with treats for pups
🔹 Food, drinks, music, and holiday photo ops

👉 Event Info

🎄 Terranea Gingerbread Lounge

📍 Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes
🕗 Select dates through the holidays
💰 Varies by menu item

Step inside Terranea’s festive Gingerbread Lounge featuring their largest-ever confectionery creation, seasonal cocktails, and house-made holiday treats. A beautiful stop for photos, desserts, and holiday cheer.

🔹 Massive gingerbread display
🔹 Festive cocktails and seasonal sweets
🔹 Elegant holiday atmosphere

👉 Event Info

🎭 Holiday Comedy Night at Rockefeller Restaurant

📍 The Rockefeller, 1707 S. Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach
🕗 Friday, December 19 | 8PM – 9:30 PM
💰 Ticketed

Celebrate the holidays with an intimate night of indoor stand-up comedy at one of the South Bay’s favorite spots. Enjoy festive vibes, great food and drinks, and a stacked lineup of comedians from Netflix, Comedy Central, and late-night TV — all in the cozy Rockefeller dining room.

🔹 Holiday-themed stand-up comedy show
🔹 Headliners from Netflix, Comedy Central & more
🔹 Craft beer, cocktails, and delicious food

👉 Event Info

🩰 Palos Verdes Ballet: The Nutcracker

📍 Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris Center Dr, Rolling Hills Estates
🕗 Saturday December 20 (7PM) & Sunday December 21 (1PM and 5PM)
💰 Tickets from $45 (children 10 and under $40)

This 45th annual production of The Nutcracker is a South Bay favorite. Local ballet students and international guest artists bring Tchaikovsky's story to life with gorgeous costumes, a live orchestra, and dreamy set design. From falling snow to the Land of Sweets, it is everything you want from a holiday tradition.

🔹 Classic full length Nutcracker with local dancers and international guests
🔹 Beautiful sets including a winter wonderland and hand painted backdrops
🔹 Beloved community performance now in its 45th year

👉 Event Info

🎬 Beach Cove Outdoor Movie: Elf

📍 Terranea Resort Beach Cove, 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes
🕗 Saturday December 20 | 5:15 PM to 7:15 PM
💰 Ticketed (free for resort guests)

Terranea is turning its beach cove into a cozy pop up theater for a special showing of Elf. Sit back in an Adirondack chair facing the ocean, enjoy free popcorn, and watch one of the funniest holiday movies ever made with waves crashing nearby. Extra treats and cocoa are available at the kiosk.

🔹 Outdoor oceanfront movie screening of Elf
🔹 Popcorn included, snacks and hot drinks available
🔹 Free for resort guests or purchase tickets on site

👉 Event Info

🎄 Torrance Civic Chorale & Jazz Singers: A Family Winter Celebration

📍 James Armstrong Theatre, Torrance
🕗 Saturday, December 20 | 5:30 PM
💰 Ticketed

A festive evening of holiday classics and songs from favorite holiday movies like The Polar Express and Home Alone, plus a special sing-along for the whole family.

🔹 Family-friendly holiday concert
🔹 Movie favorites and classic carols
🔹 Sing-along moments included

👉 Event Info

🎄 El Segundo G’s Il Capo Christmas Sing-Along Party

📍 El Segundo G’s Il Capo, 225 Richmond St, El Segundo
🕗 Sunday, December 21 | 2PM –5PM
💰 Free

Join the holiday fun with a customer Christmas party featuring a free hot cocoa bar and a holiday sing-along with The Smokin’ Hollows. Dress festive and celebrate with the community.

🔹 Free hot cocoa bar
🔹 Live holiday sing-along music
🔹 Festive dress encouraged

👉 Event Info

🎅 Santa Strolling in Downtown

📍 Manhattan Beach Pier Area, Downtown Manhattan Beach
🕗 Saturday, December 20 | 12PM - 2PM
💰 Free

Santa is strolling through Downtown Manhattan Beach spreading holiday cheer. Catch him as he wanders the pier area, posing for photos, greeting kids, and bringing festive vibes to shops and streets throughout downtown.

🔹 Free photos with Santa
🔹 Family-friendly holiday fun
🔹 Perfect stop while shopping or dining downtown

👉 Event Info

🌊 Winter Solstice Coastal Hike

📍 Terranea Resort Pointe Discovery, 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes
🕗 Sunday December 21 | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
💰 Free

Welcome the start of winter with a guided nature hike along Terranea's coastal bluffs. This scenic route follows native trails with views of the ocean, Catalina Island, and the Point Vicente Lighthouse. Keep an eye out for whales and enjoy the fresh air.

🔹 Four mile loop to and from Point Vicente with expert guide
🔹 Clear views of the coastline and possible whale sightings
🔹 Open to all ages, dress warm and wear good walking shoes

👉 Event Info

🚂 Holiday Lights Train Rides

📍 Wilson Park Southern California Live Steamers Railroad, 2290 Washington Ave, Torrance
🕗 Friday and Saturday December 19 to 20 | 5:15PM to 8PM
💰 Ticketed

Hop aboard a holiday train ride through a glowing winter scene at Wilson Park. The miniature trains are decked out in lights and inflatables and run a short loop through a magical stretch of the park. It is a favorite for families with little kids and a great way to feel the joy of the season.

🔹 Half mile ride on a decorated holiday train
🔹 Volunteers run the route filled with lights and music
🔹 Best for kids ages 3 and up with a minimum height requirement

👉 Event Info

📸 South Bay Snapshot

That’s it for this week.

Thanks again for being here and spending part of your week with us. Whether you’re heading out to a holiday event, catching a moment by the water, or just soaking in the season in your own way, we hope something in here sparked a little joy.

If you found something worth checking out or thought of a friend who’d love one of these events, feel free to share or forward this along. Every share helps us reach more neighbors and keep this community growing.

See you next Thursday,
Jaime
Editor @MySouthbay