Sand Snowmen, Real Snow & Santa

Hello South Bay,

Where else in the world can you build a sand snowman in the morning and be at a tree lighting by night? It’s officially December, and the weird, wonderful holiday spirit of the South Bay is in full swing. This is when the neighborhoods feel the most connected, and the calendar is packed with our best, most quirky traditions.

If you need a great excuse to stop doomscrolling, grab a coat (maybe!), and enjoy the glow of the pier and the local lights, this is your guide.

Here’s what’s going on around the South Bay.👇

🗓️ This Week in the South Bay

Thursday, December 4
🎄 Joy Around the World Festival of Holidays & Tree Lighting @ El Segundo
🛍️ Riviera Village Holiday Stroll @ Redondo Beach
🎭 The Women of Lockerbie @ Redondo Beach (Dec 4–7)

Friday, December 5
🎶 Holiday Carolers @ Redondo Beach
🏠 Sandpipers Holiday Homes Tour @ Manhattan Beach & Hermosa Beach (Dec 5–7)
🎷 Concerts by the Coast: “Sax Dreams” @ Rancho Palos Verdes

Saturday, December 6
⛄ Sand Snowman Contest @ Hermosa Beach
❄️ Let It Snow Redondo @ Seaside Lagoon
🎆 Peninsula Holiday Parade of Lights @ Rolling Hills Estates
🎨 Retro Rudolph Paint & Sip Night @ Torrance

Sunday, December 7
🎅 Breakfast with Santa @ Torrance
🎄 Let It Snow Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting @ RPV
🎉 North Manhattan Beach Holiday Stroll @ Manhattan Beach

Ongoing
🎅 Redondo Beach Santa Sleigh @ Various Neighborhoods (ongoing through mid-December)
✨Sleepy Hollow Holiday Lights (Candy Cane Lane) @ Torrance
🎨 Astra Lumina Night Walk @ Palos Verdes Peninsula

What’s Happening This Week

🎄 Joy Around the World: Festival of Holidays & Tree Lighting

📍 El Segundo City Hall Plaza & 300 Main Street, El Segundo
🕗 Thursday, December 4 | 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Tree lighting at 5:30 PM)
💰 Free

Celebrate global holiday traditions at El Segundo’s annual tree-lighting extravaganza, where Christmas, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and more share the spotlight. This family-friendly street festival features live music and cultural dance performances, Santa’s grand arrival, kids’ train rides, and hands-on craft stations reflecting celebrations around the world. Enjoy diverse cuisines from food trucks and shop a mini holiday marketplace before the ceremonial lighting of the community tree.

🔹 Multicultural performances & displays
🔹 Kids’ activities: train rides, craft stations & Santa meet-and-greet
🔹 Tree lights up at 5:30 PM with music, dance, cocoa & cookies
👉 Event Info

🛍️ Riviera Village Holiday Stroll

📍 Riviera Village (Catalina Ave & Avenue I), Redondo Beach
🕗 Thursday, December 4 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
💰 Free

Kick off the season with an evening seaside stroll through Redondo’s charming Riviera Village. Boutiques and eateries stay open late with treats, specials and festive cheer while carolers and live bands fill the air. Catch the procession featuring Santa and the Grinch and enjoy the Village’s signature tree lighting. Interactive kids’ attractions, photo ops, and roaming holiday characters round out the night.

🔹 Over 100 local boutiques offering treats & promos
🔹 Santa and the Grinch appearances
🔹 Pedestrian-only streets with live music & tree lighting
👉 Event Info

🎶 Holiday Carolers at The Portofino Hotel

📍 The Portofino Hotel & Marina, 260 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach
🕗 Friday, December 5 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (also Dec 12 & 19)
💰 Free

Experience a Dickens-style holiday evening at the waterfront Portofino Hotel, where Victorian-costumed carolers sing classic harmonies throughout the lobby and marina-side terraces. Cozy up by the fireplace with complimentary cookies, cocoa or cider as music fills the elegant seaside setting. Guests can also participate in the hotel’s seasonal toy drive.

🔹 Victorian-costumed a cappella carolers
🔹 Free cookies, cocoa, cider & mulled wine
🔹 Marina views and cozy fireside atmosphere
👉 Event Info

🏠 Sandpipers Holiday Homes Tour

📍 Check-in: Neptunian Woman’s Club, 920 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach
🕗 Fri–Sun, December 5–7 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
💰 Ticketed (Holiday Market is free)

Tour five spectacular private residences in Manhattan and Hermosa Beach, each professionally decorated in unique holiday themes. This self-guided weekend experience also includes two artisan Holiday Markets featuring gifts, décor, jewelry and refreshments, with proceeds supporting Sandpipers’ local charitable programs.

🔹 Five homes professionally styled in holiday themes
🔹 Artisan Holiday Markets with food & gifts
🔹 Supports Sandpipers’ philanthropic work
👉 Event Info

⛄ Sand Snowman Contest

📍 15th Street & The Strand, Hermosa Beach
🕗 Saturday, December 6 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
💰 Free

Build your best sand “snowman” at this quirky coastal competition. Individuals and teams of all ages sculpt creative holiday-themed masterpieces before judging at 11:15 AM. Expect seashell buttons, sand Santa hats, palm-tree props and plenty of beachy fun.

🔹 Open to all ages
🔹 Prize categories: Best Dressed, Funniest, Most Traditional & more
🔹 Free onsite registration at 9 AM
👉 Event Info

❄️ Let It Snow Redondo!

📍 Seaside Lagoon, 200 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach
🕗 Saturday, December 6 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
💰 Free (donations welcome)

Enjoy sledding hills and snow-play zones made with real snow at Seaside Lagoon. The event also features free crafts, cookies, cocoa, Santa photos and holiday music. Attendees are encouraged to bring toys, coats or gift cards for local families in need.

🔹 Real snow sledding hills
🔹 Free cookies, cocoa, crafts & Santa photos
🔹 Toy and coat drive supporting local families
👉 Event Info

🎆 Peninsula Holiday Parade of Lights

📍 Silver Spur Rd & Deep Valley Dr, Rolling Hills Estates
🕗 Saturday, December 6 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
💰 Free

This beloved illuminated parade features marching bands, floats, equestrian groups, classic cars and Santa’s festive arrival. The route winds through the Promenade on the Peninsula with great viewing spots throughout the shopping district.

🔹 Nearly 90 entries from community groups
🔹 Santa closes the parade in festive style
🔹 Free parking & curbside seating
👉 Event Info

🎷 Concerts by the Coast: “Sax Dreams”

📍 St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 31290 Palos Verdes Dr. W, RPV
🕗 Saturday, December 6 | 6:30 PM reception; 7:00 PM concert
💰 Ticketed Event

A world-class duo recital featuring saxophonist Sergei Govorov and pianist Vladimir Khomyakov. The program spans classical masterworks, tango, jazz-inspired pieces and reimagined pop favorites. A complimentary wine reception is included before and after the performance.

🔹 Program from Bach to Beatles
🔹 Meet-the-artists wine reception
🔹 Intimate, high-quality chamber performance
👉 Event Info

🎨 “Retro Rudolph” Paint & Sip Night

📍 Absolution Brewing Company, 2878 Columbia St, Torrance
🕗 Saturday, December 6 | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
💰 $40 (includes supplies & first drink)

Create a retro-style Rudolph painting with step-by-step guidance from Pop!Art Studios while enjoying craft beer in a festive brewery setting. Expect trivia, an ugly sweater contest, and fun holiday vibes.

🔹 Step-by-step painting instruction
🔹 Holiday trivia & ugly sweater contest
🔹 Food truck & craft beer available
👉 Event Info

🎅 Breakfast with Santa at Dave & Buster’s

📍 Dave & Buster’s (Del Amo Fashion Center), Torrance
🕗 Sunday, December 7 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
💰 Ticket Required

Enjoy an unlimited breakfast buffet, meet-and-greet photos with Santa, holiday crafts and early access to arcade games. Each ticket includes a $10 game card plus unlimited play on non-ticket games.

🔹 Full breakfast buffet
🔹 $10 game card + unlimited video gameplay
🔹 Personal photo time with Santa & holiday crafts
👉 Event Info

🎄 Let It Snow Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting

📍 Green Hills Memorial Park, Rancho Palos Verdes
🕗 Sunday, December 7 | 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
💰 Free

A winter festival featuring snow sledding, sleigh rides, kids’ crafts, ornament decorating, live music and Santa photos. The evening concludes with a touching Memorial Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5 PM honoring loved ones.

🔹 Snow play & sledding
🔹 Craft booths & Santa photos
🔹 Memorial Tree Lighting at dusk
👉 Event Info

🎉 North Manhattan Beach Holiday Stroll

📍 Highland Ave (32nd–35th St), Manhattan Beach
🕗 Sunday, December 7 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
💰 Free

A cozy neighborhood stroll featuring open-late boutiques, local treats, holiday deals, carolers and Santa sightings. This community-focused evening also includes a small tree lighting and live music.

🔹 Local shops offering treats, giveaways & specials
🔹 Carolers, Santa sightings & festive décor
🔹 Family- and pet-friendly neighborhood event
👉 Event Info

✨ Sleepy Hollow Holiday Lights (Candy Cane Lane)

📍 Seaside Ranchos neighborhood, Roberts Rd & Reese Rd, Torrance
🕗 Nightly through December | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
💰 Free (walk or drive)

The Seaside Ranchos neighborhood in South Torrance lights up every December with one of the most loved holiday displays in Southern California. Known locally as Candy Cane Lane, the area comes alive with hundreds of homes decorated in elaborate lights, lawn displays, and creative themes. You can walk or drive the route, but strolling offers the best view.

🔹 Runs nightly from 6–10 PM through Jan 1
🔹 Weeknights = fewer crowds and easier parking
🔹 Park on nearby streets (Calle Mayor, PCH, Seaside Elementary) and walk in
👉 Event Info

🎭 The Women of Lockerbie — RUHS Drama

📍 Redondo Union High School Auditorium, 1 Seahawk Way, Redondo Beach
🕗 December 4, 5, 6 at 7:00 PM • December 7 at 2:00 PM
🎟️ $8–$15 (ages 2+ require a ticket)

RUHS Drama presents The Women of Lockerbie, a poignant play inspired by the true events surrounding the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 tragedy. The story follows a grieving mother searching for answers seven years after the bombing, and the women of Lockerbie who offer compassion, strength, and a path toward healing. Thoughtful and moving, the production highlights the emotional weight of loss while showcasing the depth and talent of RUHS’s student performers.

🔹 Evening performances Dec 4–6 at 7 PM, matinee Dec 7 at 2 PM
🔹 Emotional, intimate, and beautifully acted
🔹 Reserved seating; recommended for ages 10+
👉 Event Info

🎅 Redondo Beach Santa Sleigh Ride

📍 Various Neighborhoods throughout Redondo Beach
🕗 Ongoing through mid-December | Evenings starting around 5:00 PM
💰 Free

The Redondo Beach Santa Sleigh is already making its way through local neighborhoods, spreading holiday cheer with lights, music, and Santa waving from his glowing sleigh. Each night features a different route guided by RBPD, so families can step outside and catch the magic as it comes through their area. If weather or scheduling delays occur, the city adds make-up nights to ensure every neighborhood gets a visit.

🔹 Sleigh is already on its nightly routes — check the city map for your neighborhood
🔹 Family-friendly, easy to enjoy from your porch or sidewalk
🔹 Make-up nights scheduled in mid-December if needed
👉 Event Info & Routes

🎨 Astra Lumina Night Walk

📍 South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Peninsula
🕗 Select evenings through the season
💰 Ticketed (pricing varies by date)

Astra Lumina returns to transform the South Coast Botanic Garden into an immersive nighttime journey filled with light, sound, and glowing celestial installations. This self-guided outdoor walk leads you through illuminated pathways and interactive displays that blend nature with art in a calm, magical atmosphere. It’s a beautiful way to spend an evening outdoors and a standout seasonal experience in the South Bay.

🔹 Stunning light installations throughout the garden
🔹 Great for families, date nights, and out-of-town guests
🔹 Timed entry tickets required; evenings can sell out
👉 Event Info

📸 South Bay Snapshot

🌊 That’s a Wrap on This Week’s Lineup

I hope this lineup helps you carve out some time to enjoy the lights down by the water. If you know a friend who needs these weekend plans, please feel free to send this along! Wishing you a great few days of holiday cheer.

See you around the neighborhood,
Jaime
Editor @MySouthBay