It Gets Dark Early, But the South Bay’s Lighting Up

Hello South Bay

We’ve crossed into mid-November, and the early evenings are here to stay. The sun’s gone before most people leave work, and it feels like everyone’s quietly shifting into holiday mode.

This week brings that in-between mix — a little fall, a little holiday sparkle. There’s an arts & crafts event in Torrance, a guided nature walk on the cliffs of Palos Verdes, and a big downtown lighting ceremony to kick off the season in Manhattan Beach.

If you’ve been waiting for a reason to get out before the holidays take over, this is a good week for it.

Here’s what’s happening around town.👇

🗓️ This Week in the South Bay

Friday, November 14
🌅 Light Gate Sunset Alignment @ 14th St & Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach
🧝 Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt begins @ Downtown Hermosa Beach
🎉 The Slip Bar 10-Year Anniversary Celebration @ RB Pier
👶 Cry It Out Play in Little Fish Theater Begins @ Redondo Beach

Saturday, November 15
🌿 Guided Nature Walk in White Point Nature Preserve @ San Pedro
🎨 56th Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Faire @ Torrance Cultural Arts Center
🎉 The Slip Bar 10-Year Anniversary Celebration Continues @ RB Pier
🏃‍♂️ Run for Myles @ Point Vicente Interpretive Center, Rancho Palos Verdes

Sunday, November 16
🎨 56th Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Faire continues @ Torrance Cultural Arts Center

All Weekend (Nov 14–16)
🎄 Norwegian Christmas Market @ Seamen’s Church, San Pedro

Wednesday, November 19
🎄 Pier Lighting & Holiday Open House @ Downtown Manhattan Beach

🌅 Light Gate Sunset Alignment in MB

📍 14th Street & Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach
🕗 Friday, November 14 | Sunset (around 4:50 PM)
💰 Free

Twice a year, the sun lines up perfectly through Light Gate, Manhattan Beach’s glass-and-steel art installation perched between City Hall and the library. Created by artists Mags Harries and Lajos Héder, the sculpture was designed to catch and refract light in dazzling ways, but on November 14, it does something special. As the sun dips toward the horizon, its rays pass straight through the circular “keyhole,” filling the plaza with color and light.

It’s one of those simple, quiet local moments that turns into a shared experience, cameras out, neighbors gathered, everyone stopping to watch the day end.

🔹 Public art installation aligning with the sunset each January 27 and November 14
🔹 Glass panels refract light into shifting colors as the sun moves
🔹 Located between City Hall and the Manhattan Beach Library
👉 Event Info

🎉 The Slip Bar 10-Year Anniversary Celebration

📍 The Slip Bar, 120 N. International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach
🕗 Friday, November 14 at 8PM
🕐 Saturday, November 15 from 1PM- 8PM
💰 Free Admission

Redondo’s favorite harbor-front bar is celebrating 10 years of good times, cold drinks, and live local music. Swing by this weekend for back-to-back bands, anniversary drink specials, and waterfront views that never get old. Just mention “Slip 10” for some fun surprises.

🔹 Live music both nights featuring Jukebox, JohnnyZ, and Pop Vision
🔹 Outdoor seating along the International Boardwalk
🔹 Laid-back local vibes and harbor views all weekend
👉 More Info

🌿 Guided Nature Walk @ White Point Nature Preserve

📍 1600 W Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro, CA
🕗 Saturday, November 15 | 10:30 AM
💰 Free

Join the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy for a guided nature walk through the scenic trails of White Point Nature Preserve. Explore coastal sage scrub habitat, spot local wildlife, and enjoy sweeping ocean views — all led by volunteer naturalists who share stories about the land’s ecology and history.

🔹 Family-friendly guided hike with ocean overlooks
🔹 Learn about native plants, birds, and conservation efforts
🔹 No reservations required — meet in front of the Nature Center
👉 Event Info

👶 Cry It Out Play in Little Fish Theater RB

📍 Little Fish Theatre at Beach Cities Health District, 510 N. Prospect Ave, Redondo Beach
🕗 November 14–30 | Various showtimes (matinees now begin at 2:30PM)
💰 Ticketed

From the writer of Netflix’s Maid, Cry It Out is a raw, heartfelt, and sharply funny look at new motherhood, class, and human connection. Three very different parents form an unexpected bond over sleepless nights, coffee chats, and the emotional rollercoaster of raising a child — all from a shared backyard.

🔹 Written by Molly Smith Metzler (Maid, Shameless), Directed by Mirai, known for Little Fish’s Pick of the Vine
🔹 Sunday Matinee Talkback on November 23
🔹 Free parking is available in an adjacent structure.
🔹 Performed by an award-winning local ensemble
👉 More Info

🎨 56th Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Faire

📍 Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Dr, Torrance
🕗 Saturday & Sunday, November 15–16 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
💰 Free

One of the South Bay’s biggest craft fairs returns, with 80+ local artists offering handmade gifts, jewelry, ceramics, and more. A perfect stop for early holiday shopping — and it’s completely free to attend.

🔹 80+ artists and crafters
🔹 Free parking and admission
🔹 Great for families and early gift-hunters
👉 Event Info

🎄 Norwegian Christmas Market

📍 Norwegian Seamen’s Church, 1035 S Beacon St, San Pedro
🕗 November 14–23 | Mon–Sat 11AM–4PM, Sun 12–4PM (Closed Nov 19)
💰 Free

This Scandinavian-style Christmas bazaar brings the spirit of Norway to San Pedro. Explore traditional ornaments, Nordic décor, and handcrafted gifts while enjoying seasonal treats like krumkake, brown cheese, and smoked salmon.

🔹 Authentic Norwegian foods and holiday baked goods
🔹 Handmade gifts, décor, and imported crafts
🔹 Candlelit church setting with cozy courtyard
👉 Event Info

🎄 MB Pier Lighting & Holiday Open House

📍Downtown Manhattan Beach & Pier
🕗 Wednesday, November 19 | Santa 5:00 PM, Pier Lighting 7:00 PM
💰 Free

Manhattan Beach flips the switch on the season with its annual Pier Lighting and downtown open house. Santa arrives early, shops stay open late, and live music fills the streets — all ending with the pier lighting at 7 PM.

🔹 Downtown shops and restaurants open late
🔹 Live holiday music and carolers
🔹 Family fun at Metlox Plaza with Santa and kids’ activities
👉 Event Info

🧝 Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt

📍 Downtown Hermosa Beach (start at 120 Pier Ave)
🕗 November 14–24 | All Day
💰 Free

The elves are back in Hermosa. Pick up a game card at the Chamber office and search local shops for hidden Elf figurines. Finish the hunt to win small prizes and gift cards.

🔹 Free, family-friendly scavenger hunt
🔹 Organized by the Hermosa Beach Chamber
🔹 Runs for ten days through downtown
👉 Event Info

🏃‍♂️ Run for Myles — RPV Landslide Relief Run

📍 Point Vicente Interpretive Center, 31501 Palos Verdes Dr W, Rancho Palos Verdes
🕗 Saturday, November 15 | 8:00AM (10K & 5K), Kids Run at 9:30AM
💰 Registration required

Run with a view for a great cause. This scenic 10K, 5K, and kids’ run supports the Portuguese Bend landslide relief fund. With ocean views, fresh air, and a community vibe, it's a meaningful way to get active and give back.

🔹 Coastal race routes with ocean views
🔹 Family-friendly with kids’ run and stroller-friendly course
🔹 Supports local landslide recovery efforts
👉 Event Info

📸 South Bay Snapshot

🌊 That’s a Wrap on This Week’s Lineup

Thanks for keeping up with what’s happening around the South Bay. The lights are going up, the air’s turning colder, and there’s a steady rhythm of things to do before the holidays hit full speed.

If you know someone who says there’s nothing going on this time of year, send this their way.

See you out there,
Jaime
Editor @MySouthBay