So Much Happening Before the Turkey Hits the Table

Hey South Bay,

Thanksgiving week is creeping up, but there’s still a ton happening around town before we all slide into food-coma mode. From art shows to hot rods, ballet nights to holiday kickoffs, there’s a little something for everyone this week. If you're looking to shop small, support local talent, or just soak in that classic South Bay vibe, you’re in good shape.

Here’s what’s going on 👇

🗓️ This Week in the South Bay

Thursday, November 20
🎭 The Nutcracker Opening Night @ Norris Theater, Rolling Hills Estates

Friday, November 21
🎉 Hermosa for the Holidays Kickoff @ Pier Plaza, Hermosa Beach
🎭 The Nutcracker @ Norris Theater, Rolling Hills Estates

Saturday, November 22
🚗 Cruise at the Beach Thanksgiving Car Show @ Redondo Beach Marina
🎨 Destination: Art 11th Anniversary Celebration @ Torrance
🎸 A Pink Floyd Affair Rock Concert @ Hermosa Beach Community Theatre
🎉 Hermosa for the Holidays (Day 2) @ Pier Plaza, Hermosa Beach
🎶 Music in the Afternoon @ El Segundo Public Library
🌺 South Bay Island Fair @ Redondo Beach
🎭 The Nutcracker @ Norris Theater, Rolling Hills Estates

Sunday, November 23
🎄 Hermosa for the Holidays Tree Lighting & Concert @ Pier Plaza, Hermosa Beach
🎭 The Nutcracker Closing Show @ Norris Theater, Rolling Hills Estates

Wednesday, November 26
🍸 Thanksgiving Eve After Dark @ Esperanza, Manhattan Beach

Tuesday, November 19 – Saturday, November 30
🎄 Holiday Scavenger Hunt @ Downtown Manhattan Beach
🎁 Holiday Window Decorating Contest @ Downtown Manhattan Beach

🎉 Hermosa for the Holidays: Holiday Open House & Tree Lighting

📍 Pier Plaza | Downtown Hermosa Beach
🕗 Fri, Nov 21 – Sun, Nov 23 | See schedule (various activities each day)
💰 Free

Hermosa turns into a beachy little winter village this weekend. Stroll the vendor tents, grab some gifts from local makers, hop on the Ferris Wheel at sunset, and bring the kids for storytime and Santa sightings. Sunday wraps it all up with live music, a community concert, and the tree lighting, A cozy, only-in-Hermosa kind of night.

🔹 Vendor tents & artisan gift market along Pier Plaza
🔹 Carnival rides (Ferris Wheel), children’s storytime & letters to Santa
🔹 Live holiday concerts; family-friendly tree lighting with Santa on Sunday
👉 Event Info

🎭 “The Nutcracker” by Peninsula School (Rolling Hills Estates)

📍 Norris Theater, 27570 Norris Center Dr, Rolling Hills Estates
🕗 Thursday, Nov 21 – Sat, Nov 23 | Multiple showtimes (see schedule)
💰 Ticketed ($40 adults, $30 youth + fees)

The Peninsula School of Performing Arts is bringing a full, classic Nutcracker to the Norris, and it’s packed with local dancers of all ages. If you’ve got kids in the show or just love holiday traditions, this one feels like the start of the season. Expect beautiful costumes, all the familiar scenes, and that magical Tchaikovsky score that always hits this time of year. It’s a great family night out and a fun way to support local performers.

🔹 Classic holiday ballet with over 100 local performers
🔹 Stunning costumes, snow scenes, and orchestral score
🔹 Great for kids, families, and lovers of live performance
👉 Event Info

🎶 Music in the Afternoon - El Segundo Public Library

📍 El Segundo Public Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave, El Segundo, CA
🕗 Saturday, November 22 | 2PM - 4PM
💰 Free

Listen to the Silver Linings Violin & Guitar Duo, featuring Jennifer Walton on violin and Ed Kusby on guitar. Enjoy a mix of rock, pop, classical, Disney favorites, movie themes, and some original compositions — a performance for all music lovers!

🔹 Performances by Jennifer Walton (violin) & Ed Kusby (guitar)
🔹 A variety of music: rock, pop, classical, Disney, movies & originals
🔹 Open to all ages; free to attend
👉 Event Info

🎨 Destination: Art 11th Anniversary Celebration

📍 Destination: Art Gallery, 1815 W 213th St #135, Torrance
🕗 Saturday, November 22 | 3PM – 5PM
💰 Free

Destination: Art is celebrating eleven years in Torrance, and they’re opening the doors for a relaxed, creative afternoon. You can wander through new exhibits, chat with the artists, watch live demos, jump into raffles, and pick up original pieces if something speaks to you. It’s very community-driven, very welcoming, and they’ll have snacks if you want to hang out and soak in the local art scene for a bit.

🔹 Browse new exhibits by South Bay artists
🔹 Watch live art demos and enter raffles
🔹 Free admission, snacks, and creative community spirit
👉 Event Info

🚗 Cruise At The Beach! Thanksgiving Food Drive Car Show

📍 Redondo Beach Marina, North Harbor Dr & Beryl St
🕗 Saturday, November 22 | 1PM – 5PM
💰 Free

The Thanksgiving weekend car show is rolling back into the Redondo Marina, and it’s always a fun one. You’ll find hot rods, classics, exotics, bikes, and everything shiny parked right along the water. There’s live music, vendors, and prize drawings, but the best part is it doubles as a food drive for the Salvation Army. If you can, bring a canned good or two and enjoy the afternoon by the marina surrounded by chrome and sunshine.

🔹 Classic car and bike show on the waterfront
🔹 Live music, vendor booths, and prize drawings
🔹 Bring canned goods to support the Salvation Army Food Bank
👉 Event Info

🎄 Holiday Scavenger Hunt - Downtown Manhattan Beach

📍 Participating DTMB Businesses
🕗 November 19th – 30th
💰 Free

Kick off the season with a fun, family-friendly scavenger hunt through Downtown Manhattan Beach. Kids (with an adult tagging along) search participating shops for a plush Buddy the Elf hidden somewhere inside. Each time you spot him, the business stamps your card. Fill the whole card and turn it in at any participating shop for a chance to win your own Buddy plus a $25 gift certificate to a Downtown business. Cards are available in-store or you can print one ahead of time and start exploring.

🔹 Search participating DTMB shops for Buddy the Elf
🔹 Fill your card for a chance to win prizes
🔹 A fun way for families to explore local businesses
👉 More Info

🎁 Holiday Window Decorating Contest - Downtown Manhattan Beach

📍 Downtown Manhattan Beach
🕗 November 19th – 30th
💰 Free

Wander through Downtown Manhattan Beach and check out this year’s festive holiday window displays, then cast your votes for the standout favorites. You’ll be choosing winners for Most Creative, Most Whimsical, Best Traditional Holiday, and Fan Favorite. Grab a map on the back of the Scavenger Hunt card or simply stroll, enjoy the decorations, and vote for the ones that catch your eye. If your top pick isn’t listed, you can write it in. Voting closes November 30th.

🔹 Vote for your favorite holiday window displays
🔹 Four categories including Fan Favorite
🔹 Maps available on the Scavenger Hunt card
👉 Event Info

🌺 South Bay Island Fair in Redondo Beach

📍 503 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach
🕗 Saturday | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
💰 Free

Soak up the island vibes at the South Bay Island Fair, a full day of shopping, snacking, and celebrating Pacific Islander culture right by the coast. Enjoy live music from Kula aʻo ʻUkulele a Hōkū from 9–11 AM, then dive into a marketplace packed with Hawaiian food, Kona coffee, handcrafted leis, artisan jewelry, island-inspired treats, vintage aloha wear, and dozens of locally made goods. It’s an easygoing, family-friendly way to spend a Saturday and discover some seriously unique finds.

🔹 Live Hawaiian music from 9–11 AM
🔹 Local artisans, handcrafted goods, and island-inspired shopping
🔹 Hawaiian food, Kona coffee, tropical sweets, and more
👉 Event Info

🎸 A Pink Floyd Affair: Rock Concert in HB

📍 Hermosa Beach Community Theatre, 710 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach
🕗 Saturday, November 22 | Doors at 7:00 PM, Show at 7:30 PM
💰 Ticketed (Price varies by seat tier)

If you’re in the mood for a full-on Pink Floyd experience, this tribute show at the Hermosa Community Theatre goes all in. The band is an eight-piece, the visuals are big—lasers, lights, inflatables, the whole deal—and it fills the room in a way that feels way bigger than a local theater. It’s all ages, so you can make it a family night or just treat yourself to a classic rock throwback. Music starts right on time, so don’t stroll in late.

🔹 All-ages tribute concert with lasers, lights, and inflatables
🔹 Hear Pink Floyd classics performed live by an 8-piece band
🔹 Doors at 7 PM, music starts at 7:30 PM sharp
👉 Event Info

🍸 Thanksgiving Eve After Dark at Esperanza - MB

📍 Esperanza, 309 Manhattan Beach Blvd
🕗 Wednesday, November 26 | 10PM
💰 Drink specials available

Kick off Thanksgiving weekend with a late-night celebration at Esperanza. Enjoy coastal-cool vibes, crafted cocktails, and a live DJ spinning from 10 PM into the night. Start upstairs at the Rooftop Villa for ocean air and skyline views, then head downstairs as the party energy builds with fine Mexican cuisine, specialty drinks, and that signature Manhattan Beach nighttime glow.

🔹 Live DJ starting at 10 PM
🔹 Drink specials all night
🔹 Rooftop vibes and a lively downstairs scene
👉 Event Info

📸 South Bay Snapshot

This week’s South Bay Snapshot comes from Clarissa, one of our subscribers. She’s a local surf photographer and captured this epic moment off Torrance Beach. Unreal.
Thank you, Clarissa. Be sure to check out her Instagram: @azul.water

That’s it for this week.

Thanks for sticking with me to the end, seriously. If you know someone who loves being in the loop about what’s happening around the South Bay, feel free to send this their way. The more locals who know what’s going on, the better our community gets.

See you out there,

Jaime
Chief Editor @MySouthBay

PS: Want to highlight your business in a future post?
Reach out at [email protected], let’s chat.